Signature Flight Support North Hangar 1

As JRMA’s fifth project at the Van Nuys Airport, Signature Flight (formerly Landmark Aviation then TWC Aviation) provided a unique departure from the typical hangar with Hangar 1 as the initial phase of an eventual 250,000 sf multi-hangar aviation facility.  The project has a hybrid use as an MRO, storage hangar and executive terminal with support facilities.  In addition, the existing fuel farm was renovated and a utility backbone was designed and installed to support the future hangars.

The hangar pushes the limits of pre-engineered metal building 3-plate design with a 280 foot wide clear span. This span provides the ultimate in flexibility for aircraft types and staging, while a full width full-floating hangar doors allows reach to all areas of the hangar without door pocket obstructions.  Within the hangar is a two-story shop to support the MRO functions of the operation.  The exterior is perhaps one of the most unique aspects of project utilizing a varied palette of blue architectural horizontal fluted metal wall panels with a variable height window band at mid-span. Aside from providing abundant natural light into the hangar, the varied window band provides a dynamic visual break in the hangar, which is accentuated at night with the glow from the hangar interior. 

Perhaps the most challenging aspect, and greatest success of the project, was accommodating the owner’s desire to completely change the exterior skin design of the building after construction of the steel framing had already begun.  JRMA accomplished the task of re-design and permitting without any impact to the project’s original budget or schedule.