Monthly Archives: March 2010

LEEDing the Change in Architecture

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Change throughout the world, and the communities in which we live and work, continues to accelerate at an unprecedented rate.  The new technologies that improve the way we interact with each other and our environment have been a fundamental catalyst of this change. Our buildings need to respond accordingly. Architects Design Group (ADG) is committed to researching technology that benefits our understanding of building and environmental concerns, and using the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building certification process is a method of recognizing responsive buildings through an understanding of how properly designed building envelopes (walls + roof), site design and environmental systems work together to optimize energy performance and improve operations. We also find an increasing demand to integrate technology into the building’s environmental systems (telecommunications + security). ADG has a tradition of embracing new developments in new technology in pursuit of an architecture that remains relevant into the foreseeable future.

Many ADG projects currently in design are being developed for LEED Certification, which incorporates many of the latest technologies including improved energy performance, water use reduction, recycled materials, and more. LEED recognizes that building performance must find a balance of efficiency and a healthy/humane workplace. ADG has adopted the pursuit of performance-oriented architecture as a philosophical under-pinning our professional practice.  “Lessons Learned” working on “green” projects like the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) are transferred to all current projects.  Our design work provides flexibility for technology integration and change; such that each project helps create a quality environment for the users and community.

Reeves becomes certified as a “Post-Disaster Facility Safety Assessor”

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Ian Reeves, AIA, Vice President of ADG, has recently completed the required training to become a registered Safety Assessment Evaluator which prepared him to help local governments across Florida, California and the nation with accurate evaluation of facilities, buildings, and infrastructures in the aftermath of a disastrous event.  The training and certification was administered through the Florida and Orlando Associations of the American Institute of Architects in partnership with California’s Office of Emergency Services (OES).

 

This program is only offered to licensed architects, registered engineers, or certified building officials and inspectors.  Reeves now joins a select group of some sixty plus certified assessors in the State of Florida.  All of these individuals are trained in the following categories: concepts of emergency operations; earthquake effects on structures; windstorm and flood effects; and explosion effects.  Each event is unique and brings with it its own set of complicated effects.  The assessor’s role is to evaluate the magnitude of these effects and translate that into the safety level of the structures in the area affected by the event.  A detailed evaluation process is utilized to identify those structures that may be occupied and those that are not safe for habitants.  All of the individuals that are involved with the SAP (safety assessment program) provide their services on a volunteer basis and are not compensated by the local government entity which they are serving.

Sunrise Public Safety Complex – Topping Off Event

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On Friday, February 19, the City of Sunrise, Florida celebrated the topping off of the new Public Safety Complex located in Sunrise. More than 120 people were in attendance including Architects Design Group, Stiles Construction, City of Sunrise elected officials, the City police and fire chiefs, and sub contractors. A “topping off” event occurs at the completion of the highest structural element on a building, in this case the roof top.  The roof and structure of the 92,000, five story, Public Safety Building was completed in early February and is composed of poured and pre-cast concrete structural elements.

 

The overall complex encompasses the Public Safety Building; a 15,000 square foot, single story Ancillary Building housing an 8 lane Firing Range and Law Enforcement Command Vehicle storage; and a two story, 18,000 square foot, 4 bay Fire Station.  The buildings provide all required functional areas for the 300 person staff.  This City facility is also housing critical infrastructure needs, including an Emergency Operations Center. 

 

The structures have been designed and are being constructed to provide for a secure, storm-hardened, state-of-the-art, technologically sophisticated center for Police and Fire Rescue Services.  Systems include 100% mechanical and electrical redundancy to all critical infrastructure components, ensuring that the facilities remain operational during and immediately after a natural disaster or man-made incident.

 

The project is scheduled to be completed in February 2011.