Mountain America Exposition Center formerly Southtowne Exposition Center
The structure for the Exposition Center is divided into two primary components separated by an expansion joint. The exhibit hall space measures approximately 270 feet wide by 900 feet long with structural columns spaced transversely at 60, 150, and 60 feet. This leaves a large amount of exhibit hall space unobstructed by structural columns. A 27' wide, 900' long subgrade service tunnel enables delivery of food to meeting rooms from the kitchen without the need of passing through public space.
The exhibit hall structure is composed of open web joists, custom-engineered steel trusses, and built-up steel columns. Moment frames and concrete tilt-up shear walls resist lateral loads in the east-west direction, while braced frames and shear walls resist loads acting north and south. The west portion of the center houses the administrative area, kitchen, meeting rooms, concourse, and primary entry into to the expansive exhibit hall space. Three large triangular-shaped clerestories are spaced at regular intervals along the west entrance. These clerestories feature tube and pipe steel trusses with massive concrete piers to take both gravity and lateral loads at the west entrance.