T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R C A P TA I N S O F I N D U S T RY
ARCHITECTURE LEADERS www.architectureleaderstoday.com
Van’s Lumber
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NINETY YEARS AND STRONG This Pacific Grove-based company is one of the nation's leaders in custom home design and build.
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Tuckahoe Creek Construction
CLASSIC CHARM WITH A MODERN TOUCH
Building affordable custom homes for thirty years and counting. Summer 2010 $24.94 USD $26.30 CAN
TODAY
William Rawn
FOSTERING DEMOCRACY THROUGH ARCHITECTURE
For the Boston-based firm of William Rawn & Associates, their architectural philosophy lies in fostering democracy and community in every project, drawing inspiration from around the globe.
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T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R C A P TA I N S O F I N D U S T RY
ARCHITECTURE LEADERS www.architectureleaderstoday.com
TODAY
Bloomfield & Associates 14 FROM BLACK BOX TO BROADCAST
Finding its niche in the broascast media markets, this Philadelphia based firm helps radio and television stations redesign their facilities with a unique understanding of industry needs.
in this issue
T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R C A P TA I N S O F I N D U S T RY
ARCHITECTURE LEADERS TODAY
Editor-in-Chief Todd Weaver Editor Diana Doyle Executive Editor Jonathan Mack Assistant Editor Joseph Orange Creative Director Emily Detoro Art Director Stephanie Hess Director of Advertising Julian Vu Production Coordinator Jason Rone Assistant Production Coordinator Elizabeth Macks Photography Editor Ian Palmer Video Director Susan Maybach Editorial Director Kate Darling Editorial Production Rachel Goldberg Copy Editor William Finch Assistant Copy Editor Amy Roberts Correspondents Brandon McBride (W), Aaron McGaskey (SW), Juan Orellana (NE), Mike Rodgers (Nation), Juan Stewart (SE) Vendor Relations Director Diana Stephens Vendor Relations Eric Miller, Steve Peters Advertising Sales Director Peter Jostens Advertising Sales Coordinator Patricia O’Brien Advertising Sales Moe Kazemi, David Levi, Tom Nichols Publisher Steve Reed oZ WORLD MEDIA, LLC 1330 New Hampshire Avenue Suite B1 Washington D.C. 20036 www.architectureleaderstoday.com Architecture Leaders Today is a quarterly B2B trade journal that services the construction industry in architecture, custom build, education and healthcare architecture, green building, landscape design and new technology sectors. ALT has a readership of 100,000 C-Level executives within the energy industry. We do not accept subscription requests from the general public, however an abbreviated version is available on our website.
NORTHEAST ARCHITECTURE
08 Archi-Tectonics
Located in the heart of New York City, ArchiTectonics is committed to a diverse range of architectural endeavors, from residential to commerical.
14 Bloomfield & Associates
This Philadelphia-based firm found its niche in the broadcast media market, helping radio and television stations redesign their facilities with a unique understanding of industry needs.
CUSTOM HOMES
19 Tuckahoe Creek
Starting out in the business of banking,Tuckahoe owner, Gray Stettinius, is proud of his construction company’s top-quality product and “Best of Class” designation.
24 Robert R. Bauer Building
For 30 years this certified green building company has brought the American Dream to life with affordable modern home construction and they look forward to many more years ahead.
WEST ARCHITECTURE
30 Edwards & Associates
With a fine arts degree from the Royal College of Art in London and over 30 years of experience, illustrator and principal Chris Edwards is known for his engaging and detailed architectural illustrations.
CUSTOM HOMES
CUSTOM HOMES
36 Von-Jac Developments
64 Vanguard Studio, Inc.
It is a long history of high ethical standards of environmental consciousness and customer service that keeps this female-run construction company on the top of the list in Newcastle, Calid.
40 Barkley Builders
While having a background in the film business might seem unusual for a construction company, founder Paul Barkley believes it taught him a lot about team work.
MIDWEST ARCHITECTURE
46 DART Designs
Working closely with municipalities, DART Design provides a personal touch in finding aesthetic, functional, and budgetary solutions for public use.
CUSTOM HOME
52 Van’s Lumber and Custom Builders This family-owned building company was founded in the early 1950s and has today become a lucrative, well-regarded business with an eye for quality and tradition.
SOUTH
With an affinity for old-world architecture, John Hathaway builds custom homes with timeless appeal for clients with a variety of budgets and needs.
68 Matt Sitra Custom Homes
For Matt Sitra Custom Homes, which specializes in large family homes in the Austin area, the phrase “deep in the heart of Texas” has both personal and business connotations.
INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURE
76 Barr Ryder Architects
It is institutional and municipal buildings of all kinds that the Canadian firm Barr Ryder specializes in, assessing the specific needs and fabric of the communities they serve.
80 William Rawn & Associates
For the Boston-based firm of William Rawn & Associates, their architectural philosophy lies in fostering democracy and community in every project, drawing inspiration from around the globe.
86 Kobi Karp Architecture
ARCHITECTURE
Headquartered in Miami but reaching as far as the United Arab Emirates, Kobi Karp has an international scope, yet retains unique local character for each project.
60 Perspectiva
90 Mancini Duffy Architects
For Eugenio Mesta’s Texas-based architectural firm, it was important to choose a name that represented his Mexican heritage and his forward-thinking approach to design.
Though they got their start designing corporate interiors over 90 years ago, Mancini Duffy has continued to grow and diversify despite the current economic climate.
editor’s note
TODD WEAVER editor@ozworldmedia.com
rebecca rodriguez
Rebecca enjoys a career of writing about critical issues and prominent business leaders of our time. Her work has been recognized both locally and nationally.
jane caffrey
reports have revealed that less than two percent of the money has actually been submitted. Though when we’re talking about several billion dollars, spending two percent in a third world country is nothing to sneeze at. Despite the lag in cash flow and stagnant decision-making processes in the struggling country, www.cwctenders.com, lists 460 local projects that are currently accenting bids. Even so, the majority of citizens are homeless or living in camps and mountains of debris remain. At Construction Leaders Today, we hope to bring light to some of these conflicting situations in the upcoming fall issue. The global construction industry is still struggling from the recession and Haiti is a great opportunity to initiate some change in our own country’s economy while delivering some much needed help to those who cannot currently help themselves.
Jane Caffrey earned a B.A. from Carleton College in Minnesota. Based in Madrid, Spain, she writes for a variety of print and online publications both in Europe and the U.S.
joan tupponce
I
t’s hard to believe that six months have passed since an earthquake devastated the culture, economy and infrastructure of Haiti. While the average Joe texted “donate” to the Red Cross or drove toiletries, tarps and other supplies to their local drop-point, some leaders in the construction industry were able to offer a bit more: large scale cleanup and rebuilds. On the surface, this sounds like an admirable charitable deed, but with over $5 billion pledged to the Haiti Recovery Commission fund alone, it’s hard to ignore that many of these construction companies hoped to lock down some pretty impressive long-term contracts. Some companies were so confident that imminent contracts existed that they began working and transporting equipment and workers before even signing an agreement. Unfortunately, recent investigative
CONTRIBUTORS
Joan’s experiences as a writer have taken her places that wouldn’t have been possible in other careers. Her success is evident in the awards and recognitions her writing has received.
rachel goldberg
PAVING THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
william coleson
Rachel specializes in coroprate profiles on up-and-coming companies as well as industry news alerts. Rachel majored in media studies at the University of Virginia.
William graduated from the University of Florida with a B.A. in Journalism and Political Science. He writes for a variety of trade publications in the U.S. and abroad.
6 Construction Leaders Today
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Archi-Tectonics Cutting-edge contemporary structures in New York and beyond exemplify the core value of reinventive design at Archi-Tectonics by Jane Caffrey
1-3. American Loft Building, Philadelphia, Pa. Aluminum facade panels across the exterior; Cantilevered balcony; spacious and modern penthouse. Photos courtesy of Archi-Tectonics.
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Modern design is reinvented in the heart of New York City, where Archi-Tectonics, a network of architects and designers, brings novelty to a diverse range of architectural endeavors. With projects that range from residential to commercial and real to virtual, the design studio operates like a laboratory, committed to rethinking, reinvestigating, and reinterpreting all details and possibilities in modern design. Implementing this philosophy of innovation results in groundbreaking contemporary architecture, both in the New York area and beyond. “We have developed a concept where we are looking at the performative aspects in architecture,” Winka Dubbeldam, Principal at Archi-Tectonics, said. “So we are not starting from the notion of ‘form’ or ‘style,’ but reinventing spaces through the integration of functionalities and systems. This way, spaces become organically created.” Archi-Tectonics has been a leader in intelligent design and research since 1994, when Dubbeldam founded the company with one assistant. After first graduating from the Graduate of the Faculty of Architecture, Rotterdam in 1990 and earning a Masters Degree from Columbia University in 1992, Dubbeldam undertook her first project with Archi-Tectonics in New York—an art gallery in Westbrook. “Since the gallery was on West Broadway and both exterior and interior, it led to our next client,” Dubbeldam said. The following venture was a home in Summer 2010 9
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upstate New York, and the designs for this project were later shown in the “Unprivate House” exhibit at New York’s MoMA. As Archi-Tectonics evolved over the years, the office grew and the firm began to get larger commissions and building projects. One notable structure from studio’s early years is the Gypsy Trail Residence in upstate New York—a 3,000 sq. ft. private home completed in 2002, which exudes modern edge with sharp angles and full-length windowed walls. The firm expanded following a solo exhibit in Los Angeles in 1994 and the publication of Dubbeldam’s first book in 1996. Today, Archi-Tectonics has grown to become a $100 million company with a team of eight highly qualified architects and designers. The studio completes projects in New York, Philadelphia, and Miami, but has also worked as farreaching as London. The company’s work includes commercial, residential, and virtual projects, and has been featured in a number of international publications. The studio is also the recipient of numerous awards, including the Smart Environments Award from the International Interior Design Association (2006), Finalist in the Drents Museum Extension (2007), First Prize at the Staten Island Green Housing Competition (2008), and a Wall of Fame Nomination at the Technical University Delft in (2009). Dubbeldam is the Professor of Practice and the Director of the Post-Professional Program at the University of Pennsylvania, and has taught at Columbia University and Harvard University. In 2001, she received the “Emerging Voice” award and a nomination for “Best and Brightest” from Esquire Magazine for the 2004 Genius Issue. An open network, the design team at Archi-Tectonics strives to perpetually rethink, re-investigate, and re-interpret all details of modern architecture and design. “We focus on innovative new models of architecture,” Dubbeldam said. Extensive research and originality are the bases for all projects. The studio also utilizes the latest in technology, working with digital programs to develop 3-dimensional models of architecture from the inside out. With these practices together, ArchiTectonics sets the bar for customer service and design in the competitive field of modern architecture. 4-6. Dub Residence, Rotterdam, Netherlands. Garden under the cantolevered balcony; exterior view; cantilevered balcony. Photos courtesy of Archi-Tectonics. 10 Construction Leaders Today
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Success is evident in the firm’s diverse and unique completed structures, all progressive in design, function, and modernism. One significant development for the studio is the Greenwich Street Project in the lower west end of Manhattan, completed in 2004. With this project, Archi-Tectonics transformed an industrial area into an integrated residential neighborhood with the renovation of a sixstory warehouse building into residential units, office and retail space, and galleries. The structure consists of an open loft plan, terraces with views of the Hudson River, and a four-story penthouse in glass and steel. The building’s angled façade with reflecting glass planes integrate urban and private environments. Archi-Tectonics also mediated a play between the past and the present by pairing an old brick building with a wall of steel and glass, creating a hybrid structure of antiquity and modernity. A small crease of cantilevering balconies rising between the two structures juxtaposes old and new as well, and inserts an interactive space into an otherwise neutral streetscape. “The Greenwich Street building with its folded curtain wall is still a favorite, which I thoroughly experience since I have an apartment there,” Dubbeldam said. Archi-Tectonics is currently undertaking additional pioneering projects, such as the Vestry Building in Tribeca, New York City. This structure of seven residential condominiums will feature a pixilated façade of stone, translucent glass, and a garden façade with large cantilevering balconies and sunrooms. The firm is also working on multiple interior residential and commercial projects in London, New York, and Miami. “Of course the latest building is always the best one,” Dubbeldam said, alluding to the perpetual flow of creativity and evolution of ideas at the studio. In future endeavors, Archi-Tectonics will continue as a leader in the industry with an assortment of fresh design concepts in the ever-changing field of modern architecture. “We always have focused on diversity of projects,” Dubbeldam said. “Both in size, from urban design to interior design and everything in between, and in kind, commercial and residential. This is because we enjoy the re-thinking and the inventive aspects of architecture.” ALT 7. Greenwich Street Project, SoHo, N.Y. Folded Custom Curtain Wall. Photo courtesy of Archi-Tectonics. 12 Construction Leaders Today
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ARCHIGLAZE With more than 100 buildings fabricated worldwide and over 15 years of experience, the experts at Archiglaze build envelopes, window systems and glass walls, as well as provide glass, environment, and thermal engineering services. In the field of glass engineering, the company pioneered the use of computing software in 1992, before such calculation tools were available on the worldwide market. In the field of hyper systems, Archiglaze uses complex geometry to build ultra light transparent structures with both thermal comfort and low emissions. They also create hybrid materials composed of alternative lamination products including glass, stone, marble, wood, and composites that are used to better seal buildings and prevent air infiltration or leakages. Archiglaze products are tested and proven to provide high performance for oversized structural glass by minimizing thickness and weight.
GALCON Galcon is a full service general construction company specializing in high-end residential and commercial construction. The company provides services for renovations, alterations, and new construction while working collaboratively with clients, architects, and other professionals throughout each project phase. Their reputation for offering quality workmanship, creative ideas, and reliably bringing projects to completion with consideration of time and budget has earned Galcon a shining track record of positive customer satisfaction.
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Bloomfield & Associates
Philadelphia architects Bloomfield & Associates stumbled upon their first broadcast media project through “dumb luck,” said founder Peter Bloomfield. Since then, it has become an area of expertise for the firm, and it’s now opening doors for them in other markets, where they can put their design and planning skills to good use. “The skill sets we are gaining from the broadcast work has allowed us to develop and branch out into other markets,” said principal Mark Motl. “We’re taking that technology into theaters, libraries, classrooms, universities and educational spaces.” Bloomfield & Associates was founded in 1982, and today they stay busy with projects throughout the US, from Honolulu to Boston. Radio, television and other media outlets know that they can rely on Bloomfield to give them what they need when building or upgrading their facilities, with a unique understanding of the issues facing the industry. “There’s a lot to consider when designing a space; everything from making sure that the technology is located in a part of the city that can handle it, as well as making sure that its image is correct in the community, and that it provides an organized workplace for the participants,” Bloomfield said. The broadcast industry has shifted over the years in response to rapid changes in technology, and so has Bloomfield & Associates. Their technical expertise gives them an advantage in other sectors, particularly education and new media. They are excited about current and future projects in which they integrate their knowledge of workplace design and new technology. “Right now we’re working on a project that is merging audio, video and print format into one building for Cox Media Group in Ohio,” said Motl. “So that is a real opportunity for everyone media to get on board to produce stuff for a webpage, or a video or audio feed, or for print, and cross reference each other.” Adds Bloomfield: “It’s the first facility in America that will consolidate these often seen as competing media groups.” Other current projects include consulting to National Public Radio on their new facility in Washington DC and the Wisconsin State Library. The architects treat each client as an individual and take into account their project’s scale, budget and context. Though they build all over the country, each project has a unique local flavor. Though “green” building has become a marketing buzzword in recent years, Bloomfield said, his firm has been incorporating sustainable practices into their designs for all of its 28 years. Basic organization and planning is a start at making building more environmentally friendly, Bloomfield said. “The simplest thing is just understanding our clients’ needs and designing in a way that builds less,” he said. “It starts with understanding local weather patterns- where does the winter wind come from, the summer breezes, 14 Construction Leaders Today
Blossoming in the area of broadcast and media building design for the past 30 years. by Rachel Goldberg
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the orientation on the site. These are all simple things that every architect ought to take into account.” Another way that Bloomfield stays sustainable is by reusing existing facilities as much as possible. “We’re very proud of a small theater we just did at Montgomery County Community College, where we literally carved space out of an existing building and created a black box theater that is the core of the theater program,” said Bloomfield. Though they have carved a comfortable niche for themselves in the architecture industry, Bloomfield said the firm plans to continue to diversify and keep things interesting: “As an architect, the one you’re happiest with is the next one.” ALT
1. Montgomery County Community College Black Box Theater Rendering, Philadelphia, Pen. Rendering courtesy of Bloomfield & Associates. 2. Wisconsin State Library, Madison, Wis. The Rare Book Room at the Wisconsin State Library consists of a collection that can trace some of its bindery back to Thomas Jefferson’s Library. Photo courtesy of Bloomfield & Associates. 3. CBS facility in Baltimore, Md. Collaboration for the CBS facility in Baltimore in the Sales Department is encouraged by a series of open conference areas. Photo courtesy of Bloomfield & Associates.
Z & F CONSULTING Nearly every modern convenience in a building is intertwined by its energy usage. Basic changes in lighting and occupancy produces both a direct and indirect impact on the amount of energy used and ultimately the cost of operating the facility. This correlation can spider web out into every facet of a building’s components affecting even the HVAC loads that serve the space. As an MEP Engineering firm responsible for the design and specification of many building components, this interrelationship has driven Z&F Consulting into focusing on Energy Analysis, Energy Modeling, Central Plants, and cogeneration. Saving operational dollars will continue to pay dividends each year, for the life of the building. As energy prices fluctuated dramatically over the past decade, Z&F has concentrated on becoming the Industry Leader in cogeneration and energy analysis in many facets. Z&F Engineers have a complete grasp on energy production, recovery and the wholesale/retail electricity marketplace. Z&F has taken its expertise in energy production/ cogeneration and combined it with the comprehensive understanding of the energy marketplace and completely changed the paradigm of cogeneration from an energy savings program to a revenue generating center in its clients facilities!
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Best in their Class: Tuckahoe Creek Construction delivers top-quality work in every aspect from customer service to end results. by Joan Tuppence
“Best of Class” is a designation that Gray Stettinius, owner of Tuckahoe Creek Construction, treasures. “Our clients expect us to deliver a topquality product,” he said. “But we also strive to communicate with them and address their needs in a ‘Best of Class’ manner.” Stettinius founded the Virginia business with a partner in 1990 as a diversified residential new construction company. Prior to opening the business, Stettinius worked in the financial industry, calling on small-to-medium size commercial accounts. “I became more interested in the businesses than in the business of banking,” he said. Stettinius gravitated toward residential construction because he “wanted something that was focused on creating or manufacturing; wanted a company that produced something.”
The company started slow with one small house project. “We immersed ourselves in everything about the house as we learned the business.” Over the last 20 years, the company has worked with a variety of construction projects, from light commercial and first-time move up to empty-nester and semi-custom building. The company’s specialty in high-end construction evolved over time. For the first eight years, Stettinius and his partner were opportunistic, completing projects in a variety of categories. “If there were an empty-nester neighborhood, we would develop emptynester plans. If it was a starter home, we’d do a starter home and so forth,” he said. In 1998, Stettinius bought out his partner’s interest in the business in order to focus predominately on luxury new construction.
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“I like the challenges and creativity of custom building,” he said. Today, Tuckahoe Creek specializes in luxury residential construction in the Central Virginia area. He finds great rewards in perfecting the customer service aspect of the business. “That’s everything,” he said. “In the lower price points you are selling price and product. It’s hard to sell customer service because it is product driven. In custom building, you are concentrating on quality and service. I think that is what we do well. It’s how we try to differentiate our business.” That customer-centric focus is the main reason that Stettinius became a member of GuildQuality, a third-party company that interviews customers about their experience. This year, Tuckahoe Creek received the Guildmaster with Highest Distinction recognition, an award that is given out yearly.
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1. Master Bedroom with panel molding and tray ceiling. Custom home, Richmond, Va. Photo by Kip Dawkins. 2. Livingroom with wood-mold firebrick and granite surrounding. Custom home, Goochland County, Va. Photo by Kip Dawkins. 3. Slate sink with old-fashioned spicket. Custom home, Goochland County, Va. Photo by Kip Dawkins. 4. Family room with arched stone fireplace. Custom home, Goochland County, Va. Photo by Kip Dawkins. 5. Informal powder room with scalloped edge bowl on wood top. Custom home, Richmond, Va. Photo by Kip Dawkins. 6. Pet niche nestled in a kitchen island. Custom home, Goochland County, Va. Photo by Kip Dawkins.
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7. Custom carved limestone mantle. Custom home, Goochland County, Va. Photo by Kip Dawkins.
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9 “You have to hit certain thresholds for customer service to get the award,” Stettinius said. Stettinius said his goal is to make sure that he has “every client as a referral because happy clients are our best advertising.”
He is a proponent of ongoing education. He is one of only a handful of Master Builders in the Richmond, Va. market and he has earned the designations of Certified Graduate Builder and Certified Green Professional.
“Being a Certified Green Professional is helpful to us because it gives us the knowledge to advise our clients on green products and processes,” say Stettinius who notes that Tuckahoe Creek is an Earthcraft Certified Builder that focuses on continually improving environmental performance. Stettinius believes that having the industry designations shows professional commitment. “We compete with just a handful of other builders in this marketplace,” he said. “These designations are one more arrow in our quiver.” Like other areas of the construction industry, the high-end market has taken a hit from the economy. “Right now people are being careful,” said Stettinius who is past president of The Home Building Association of Richmond and currently serves as a director of The Home Building 8. Baker’s island painted black with wood top and knotty alder cabinets and cast stone range good. Custom home, Goochland County. Photo by Kip Dawkins. 9. Front elevation, custom home, Goochland County. Photo by Roger Spence. Summer 2010 21
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Association of Richmond as well as a director of The National Association of Home Builders. Before the economic decline, Tuckahoe Creek was building homes that ranged from $1.5 to $2.5 million with anywhere from 5,000 to 12,000 sq. ft. of space. “That market was very active locally,” he said. Today there are fewer homes being built at the price point. “We are still seeing $1 to $1.5 million homes but people are being cautious,” Stettinius said. Homes topping the $1 million mark can take up to one to two years to construct which was one reason Tuckahoe Creek didn’t feel any type of pinch until 2009. “We didn’t see the pipeline start to dry up until early 2008,” Stettinius said. “2009 was very slow but 2010 is starting to loosen up a little. In 2011, we have a chance of filling the pipeline again.” Stettinius used some of the company’s downtime to increase its marketing efforts and focus on high-end remodeling and repair and maintenance services. “We have also taken advantage of the
slowdown to evaluate our processes,” he said. “We have done things internally to help efficiencies.” For example, the company replaced its 15-year-old software with stateof-the-art construction management software and improved its change order management process. “The software allows us to do things more time efficiently and more accurately. We have streamlined our accounts payable processes achieving both greater efficiency and improved accuracy and oversight,” Stettinius said. The company has also re-examined its field processes. “In some cases we are self performing items that were previously subbed out,” Stettinius said. “We have also invested in digital take-off technology to improve the efficiency and accuracy of our estimating processes.” The photos of architectural details that line the walls of Stettinius’ office show off the company’s mastery in building. Each house Tuckahoe Creek builds has its own unique characteristics. “We learn something from every house we do,” Stettinius said. In one
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case, Stettinius suggested to his clients that they consider a timber-frame porch addition instead of a Tudor-style porch to complement their home. “We had recently completed another timber frame project, and the client was thrilled with the idea,” he said. His take on custom building goes back to his commitment to customer service. “Every client is different and we have to help our clients execute the construction of their home by involving them in whatever manner they want,” he explains. “Some clients are very confident in both the process and in their decisions, while others require some hand holding.” Stettinius believes that for someone who has the money and desire to build, this is a wonderful time to build or renovate a house. “I can’t imagine costs getting any better than they are at the moment,” he said. “Twenty-four months from now a lot of people will be saying ‘I wish I had built in 2009 or 2010’.” ALT 10. Lady’s vanity and dressing area with radiant heat marble floor. Custom home, Henrico County. Photo by Kip Dawkins.
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Heart of the
American Dream by Jane Caffrey
24 Construction Leaders Today
custom homes
1 After a quarter of a century building custom homes, RRB Building Contractors shifts with the evolving American dream by incorporating sustainable building.
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At Robert R. Bauer Building Contractors, Inc., making the dream of home ownership into a reality for American families has been the company’s goal for nearly three decades. Custom Homes built by RRB are comfortable places for family and friends to gather, for children to grow, and for creating memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. Yet today, as the American dream home is evolving with the green movement and the increased need for stainability, RRB Building Contractors keeps abreast the changing standards by remaining committed to ecologically–friendly products and practices. “We’re constantly trying to educate ourselves to be more environmentally conscious,” Robert Bauer, President of RRB Building Contractors, said. “As a certified green builder and a certified graduate builder, we do anything that we can to educate ourselves and better our role in the building industry.” With this emphasis on stainability, RRB Building Contractors stays on the cutting edge of building the new American dream homes. Bauer, who has been working in the construction industry since he was a high school student, founded Robert R. Bauer Building Contractors, Inc. in 1982. “It’s something that I’ve been interested in all my life. You learn something new every day,” Bauer said. After completing small jobs and custom homes in Pennsylvania, the company relocated to Virginia in 1998. For the last decade, RRB Building Contractors has been completing five to six completely custom homes each year. These luxury houses average in the price range of three quarters of a million dollars, and rest in the pristine Smith Mountain Lake area and four counties in Virginia. Today, with eight employees, the company is a member of the Home Builders Association, a Certified Green Professional, and a BBB Accredited Business. “We try to stay active in the community, and have a lot of involvement,” Bauer said. “And we enjoy what we do. Our finished product reflects that.” Bauer sees partnership as the most crucial element in the home construction process, and works closely with his team of professionals, local vendors, and homeowners in crafting both the exteriors and interiors of custom homes. “It’s a team effort, and we’ve got a network of subcontractors,” Bauer said. “Most of my subcontractors have been with me for at least five years. They are on board as part of the team to make everything work.” RRB Building Contractors regularly partners with companies such as Capps Home Building Center, Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., CHD, Inc.—Comprehensive Home Design, P.A.C. Interiors & Floor Fashions, Inc., Security Services, Inc., and Dan Chitwood Landscape Architect, among others. The results are stunning homes with wide porches or large picture windows, crafted from the highest quality materials, and resting in tranquil forests or on picturesque lakeshores. Teamwork extends to the homeowners as well at RRB Building Contractors. “Communication with clients is critical, and we keep 1. Bauer Residence, Moneta, Va. Photo by Robert Bauer Summer 2010 25
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them on board. Homeowners become part of this team and part of the building process,” Bauer said. One way that the company keeps clients connected to the process is by utilizing BuilderTREND web–based technology. With this software, homebuyers, associates, and subcontractors have perpetual access to scheduling information, change orders, documents, photos, options, and warranty. “With clients becoming part of the building process, the final product is something that the owners can be proud to have participated in, and we’re proud to have had the opportunity to serve them. My most important goal is always to finish the job with satisfied customers,” Bauer said. While clients are collaborating with RRB Building Contractors to make their dreams a reality, the company is also working to keep their business on the cutting edge of a growing American priority: sustainable building. As a Certified Green Builder, RRB is committed to providing customers with energy–efficient homes that are gentle on the environment and healthier for the homeowner.
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We’re creating more intelligent homes that are more sustainable to the environment. With efficient equipment, we’re changing the way that buildings function.
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In each home, the company strives to improve indoor air quality, reduce water usage, reduce chemical danger and exposure risks, limit the amount of building products that end up in the waste stream, and cut the carbon footprint that a home produces over the course of its lifetime. These means are achieved by using green products such as fiber cement siding, GAF/Eik Timberline Cool Color Roofing, and composite decking and railing, all of which divert waste from landfills and increase the efficiency of a home. The company also strives to lower pressure on the environment by using products that are manufactured responsibly, and supports sustainable harvesting of natural resources such as lumber, water, and extracted minerals. “We’re creating more intelligent homes that are more sustainable to the environment. With efficient equipment, we’re changing the way that buildings function,” Bauer said. RRB Building Contractors will continue to focus on the market for energy efficient homes in upcoming years. “By getting our green certification, we can be prepared for bringing in new technology, utilizing sustainable products in the market, and being more sustainable with our homes,” Bauer said. Beyond emphasizing green building, the RRB Building Contractors will continue to foster client satisfaction with projects that are completed on time and on budget, with a sense of pride and commitment to quality in every home built. “I think communication, commitment, and dedication set us apart,” Bauer said. “It helps when you enjoy what you do. I get up every morning, and my heart is in my job. That separates us from a lot of folks out there in the industry. We are committed to professionalism, hard work, and dedication. We want to make sure that our customers are happy.” Thus, after a quarter of a century in the construction industry, the core philosophy of teamwork and personal service holds steadfast at the company. One home and one buyer at a time, RRB Building Contractors works to fulfill the American dream. ALT 2. Chisholm sun room, Moneta, Va. Home completed 2009. Photo by Robert Bauer. 3. Hill living room, Moneta, Va. Home competed 2007. Photo by Robert Bauer. Summer 2010 27
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Artistic Inspiration Chris Edwards gives vision to projects with architectural illustrations that have an artistic touch by Jane Caffrey
During the first stages of an architectural rendering, Chris Edwards becomes actively involved in the design process by creating detailed illustrations that bring the visions of architects to life. As Principal and Illustrator at Edwards Associates, he has garnered more than 30 years of experience in serving the needs of building professionals. Producing drawings that flesh out the conceptual idea of an architectural endeavor, Edwards utilizes the latest in design technology. Yet unlike many other illustrators in the industry, each of his sketches incorporates a human touch and are the end products of a dedicated artist. “What’s happened over the years is that more illustrators have moved away from handwork, such as water color and pencil drawings, to computer generation,” Edwards said. “I develop my work by integrating these two things, so that my drawings are not actually generated from a computer in a traditional sense. I bring character— the drawings are not sterile. They have a more painterly quality, and they have a human touch to them.” After earning a Fine Arts degree at the Royal College of Art in London, Edwards moved on to the corporate world and undertook numerous roles in business development and graphic design. Six 30 Construction Leaders Today
years ago, he returned to his artistic roots by moving to California, where he founded Edwards Associates in Santa Barbara. With his new business, Edwards began to draw full time, collaborating closely with architects and other building professionals to give vision to projects during the earliest stages of design. Today, he remains committed to the constant improvement of his creative skills. In addition to producing illustrations for Edwards Associates, he regularly frequents art museums, draws inspiration from the architecture of his surroundings, and travels internationally to further develop the artist within. When creating illustrations for architectural design, Edwards begins each composition with a hand-drawn sketch. “The original starting point for my drawings is a hand pencil drawing, which can be scanned into the computer. Therefore the bone of the drawing has got that hand quality. I’m always observing and sketching, looking all the time for a sense of realism,” he said. Edwards then utilizes computer programs to develop images quickly. While these computer-generated images are generally simple block out models, they ensure an accurate and realistic
view of the designs. The process is completed as Edwards fleshes out each illustration by hand, bringing into play an assortment of materials to produce pencil, ink line, and colored drawings. “I use a lot of watercolor for sky, grass, and landscapes. It adds a wonderful softness, and I can bring that into these computerized images,” he said. Edwards Associates maintains a strong reputation for architectural illustrations, built on quality work delivered on time, as well as close consultation with architects on every project. “We have a tremendously strong service link with the architect, and it’s really much more of a dialogue,” Edwards said. “This is an important characteristic that allows us to get involved with an architect at a very early conceptual stage. I can develop something very quickly after discussion, and they will be happy to show it.” 1. Concept study of the Village Green project for Barry Berkus. Image courtesy of Edwards Associates, Inc. 2. Full color rendering of condominiums for Architects West. Image courtesy of Edwards Associates, Inc. 3. Full color rendering of an office building for Investec Developers. Image courtesy of Edwards Associates, Inc.
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After an initial meeting with architects on a project, Edwards Associates follows up with the submission of preliminary sketches and layouts within two to three days. Once these preliminaries are approved, the finished work is initiated. Demonstrating great respect for tight and reliable deadlines, illustrators at the company combine computer generation and handwork to produce
black and white drawings within six days and color work within seven to ten days. Black and white illustrations, in pencil or ink, are offered for ease of economy and production, and can all be upgraded to color at a later point. Color drawings are produced by two methods: either inputting ink with digital color, or adding tint by hand with airbrush or colored pencil.
“I strive to make the architecture look its best,” Edwards said. “I’m not happy with the drawing unless the architect is happy. It has to work for them, and it has to be able to tell a story and explain everything to the client. That’s the ultimate objective; the drawing has to do its job.” Edwards has provided top-quality illustrations for a broad assortment of architectural projects. His compositions have depicted wineries, hotels, colleges, malls, banks, condominiums, churches, homes, and cottages. In one major project, Edwards conducted a series of meetings with architects and investors during the design phase of a large multi-use complex in Arizona. The imaginative project consisted of a shopping mall and a sports complex, featuring a diving well, soccer field, and tennis courts under a stretched fabric tent. After consultation and viewing the architect’s hand sketches, Edwards produced five illustrations to demonstrate the design concept. The company will take on other significant projects in the future, such as a series of illustrations for a corporation employed by the Department of Defense. Edwards will also continue to place great importance on the artistic value of the compositions that flesh out architectural concepts visually. The firm will be heading in a new direction as Edwards will soon be incorporating animation technology. 4. Full color rendering of a church courtyard for Rassmusen Associates. Image courtesy of Edwards Associates, Inc.
4 LAUTERBACH AND ASSOCIATES Lauterbach and Associates, Architects, are 2009 recipients of the I. Donald Terner Prize for Innovation and Leadership in Affordable Housing for the St. Vincent’s Gardens project in Santa Barbara, Ca. The firm is proud to have designed past and current affordable housing projects with distinguished clients such as Mercy Housing, Many Mansions, the Area Housing Authority of Ventura County, and many more. For their most recent housing projects, Charles Street Apartments in Moorpark, Ca. and Hillcrest Drive Housing in Thousand Oaks, Ca., Lauterbach and Associates utilized Chris Edwards’s eye–popping renderings to boost their clients’ fundraising efforts.
5. Concept study of a sports complex for Bary Berkus. Image courtesy of Edwards Associates, Inc.
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With animation, the company will be able to produce realistic and richly colored drawings that offer a walkthrough view of building projects. While technology plays an integral role at Edwards Associates, Edwards remains invigorated by artistic motivation at the core. “This work is for a specific purpose: it is a commercial endeavor. But I am an illustrator, and I really have to be pleased with the image as an artistic endeavor to be happy myself,” he said. “This keeps me going and keeps me on my edge. Even though I am producing commercial illustrations I strive to keep artistic quality as an objective.” ALT 6. Concept study of a gym exemplifying adaptive reuse for LSC Design. Image courtesy of Edwards Associates, Inc.
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7. Full color rendering of the interior court of a condominium for Cearnal Andrulaitis. Image courtesy of Edwards Associates, Inc.
Defining Ethical Business by Jane Caffrey
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aintaining business integrity is a central source of inspiration for Cheryl Gibson, who solely manages Von–Jac Development. For this female entrepreneur, the responsibility of owning a construction company not only means building custom homes and other structures that exceed client expectations, but also extends to the realm of business ethics. As a family–run company, Von–Jac Development has a long history of high ethical standards, and maintains such values today in regards to social issues, environmental consciousness, and relationships with clients. “The ability to make sure that we are looked at ethically is my best advertisement,” Gibson said. “Ethics and morals are the most important representations of our company.” Unlike many businesses, which start out small and expand, Von–Jac Development has evolved to become an intimate, family–run company over the years. Gibson’s father and a group of principals took over the original corporation, Challenge Development, in the late 1960s. Challenge Development was self–contained, with a large team of employees, and later became an aluminum developer called ALCOLA. The company shifted to become a family–run operation with the sale of ALCOLA and the foundation of Von–Jac Development in 1974. The name of the company also ties into the family history: the wives of the founders were named Ivon and Jackie, and thus, a fusion of their names became the title of the innovative new company. Cheryl Gibson began working at Von–Jac with her father and his business partner in the 1970s as well, running operations from Sacramento. Today, based out of Newcastle, California, all operations
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Von–Jac Development focuses on integrity in the social, environmental, and professional spheres.
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at Von–Jac Development are carried out by Cheryl Gibson and one secretary. “A lot of times companies start out little and grow big, but we’re a lot smaller now,” Gibson said. “They started out huge, and now we’re family run.” Gibson proves herself to be exceptionally qualified to handle the business, standing out as one of the only women managers within the construction industry. After a decade of serving as a member of the Building Industry Association (BIA) of Superior California, Gibson was elected President of the association in 1999–2000. This was the first appointment of a female president of the BIA in more than fifty years. Gibson also currently serves as the Director of the Placer County Contractor’s Association, and is in her third year of leadership. Yet although plainly an excellent one–woman–band, Gibson also works closely with a team of outsourced subcontractors in developing her various construction projects. “These relationships are very important,” she said. “I have had some of these relationships for the last thirty years, and I feel that it is a really great team.” Such business collaborations have been a success; over the course of Von–Jac’s history, the company has completed subdivisions, commercial projects, and more than 20,000 homes. Serving Sacramento and San Francisco, and more recently returning to markets such as the Bay Area and the Tahoe region, Von–Jac has completed residential developments, large apartment complexes, shopping centers, warehouses commercial projects, and land development. “When Von–Jac first started we did subdivisions. Now we’ve done commercial, we’ve built churches, we’ve built apartments. We have built just about everything,” Gibson said. Gibson is keenly aware of the ethical importance of the projects that she undertakes, and has made an effort to affect positive social change through the complexes that Von–Jac develops. Company projects that have led to major impact on the community include a 10–floor senior housing project in Redwood, as well as a home for women escaping from domestic violence in the Bay Area. Von–Jac Development also offered key support in the construction of a California organization called Kainos, which helps developmentally disabled young adults learn to live independently. Von–Jac built a community of several small houses at the organization for these adults to call home. 38 Construction Leaders Today
WEST-CAL West-Cal Concrete, Inc. does foundations and f latwork for new re si d enti al housin g track s, custom hom e s, li g ht c omm erci al and some ADA renovations. The owners have over 40 years of exp erience in th e concret e busin ess. “Concret e S olutions for C o n c r e t e Fo u n d a t i o n s ” i s t h e C o m p a n y ’s s l o g a n embodying a dedication to technical precision and quality control governing not only the projects undertaken, but also the technical know-how and expertise that power all the projects undertaken by West-Cal Concrete.
“Concrete Solutions for Concrete Foundations”
OUR CLIENTS’ BEST INTEREST IS OURS AS WELL. Embodying a dedication to technical precision and quality control, governing not only the projects undertaken but also the technical know-how and expertise that power all the projects by West-Cal Concrete 916.488.1800 tel | 916.974.0181 fax 4868 Pasadena Avenue Sacramento, CA 95841
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“We’ve done lots of building projects throughout the years that we can be proud of, but these stand out even more,” Gibson said. Recently, Von–Jac Development has broken ground in the custom home market by forming a partnership with Mike Stewart of Classic Homes. The two companies created a hybrid business called Legend Homes, which specializes in custom housing in California. Ethical consciousness is reflected in these tailored buildings as well, through sound devotion to sustainable building. As a certified green building professional, Gibson uses Energy Star products in her projects. Legend Homes houses include green products such as bamboo floors, recycled countertops, slay–based insulation, and solar panel roofing that reflects heat. “I’m really into solar and green building,” Gibson said. “Energy conservation is very important.” While the values of a family–run company, social consciousness, and environmental awareness are all evident at Von–Jac Development, high ethical standards additionally extend to simple business relationships with clients. Endeavoring to create strong working relationships, Gibson hopes to fulfill the unique dreams and visions of each individual customer. “My clients are very important to me. I want to walk away from projects and still be friends with clients,” she said. “I never want to compromise our integrity. I always want to be proud of what I do.” Successful in this goal as well, Von–Jac Development continues to set itself apart not only for exceptional projects, but for ethical responsibility within the construction industry. ALT Summer 2010 39
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Creative En eavors Entrepreneur Paul Barkley shifted his artistic energy from the film industry to innovative custom home remodels by Jane Caffrey
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alifornia is a source of inspiration for artists, actors, directors, and producers in the American film industry. As a young man, Paul Barkley was drawn to the filmmaking scene—yet his life took a surprise twist, and today he runs a home remodeling business, a field that is not completely unrelated. “In many ways, remodeling is a lot like making a film,” Barkley, Owner and President of Barkley Builders, Inc., said. “It takes many people collaborating in a team effort to come up with a finished product. Like producing a film involves a team of directors, producers, a tech crew, and actors, remodeling a home involves a designer, contractor, subcontractors, bookkeeper, manager, electrician, and the many other hats I wear. All these people play an important role; just like on a film everyone combines their talents into one completed product.” While initially intrigued by the film business, Barkley also boasts a long history in the construction industry, beginning at age 14 helping his contractor uncle and his father on their home in Michigan. After working in construction throughout high school, Barkley later continued with carpentry to pay for college. He graduated in 1989 with a film degree, but continued to work in construction to eat and pay rent. As a young man, Barkley realized that the home remodeling business could offer a stable career that offered the same outlet of creative energy as filmmaking. So in 1992, he struck out on 40 Construction Leaders Today
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his own and founded Barkley Builders, which was incorporated in 2007. “My education in film wasn’t wasted because I’m still looking at the big picture of remodeling a home as a larger collaboration of everyone coming together for the same effort,” Barkley said. Barkley Builders began with a concentration on remodeling existing homes around San Francisco and the Bay Area, serving a fifty-mile radius surrounding the city. Today, based out of Novato, Calif. with an annual budget of up to $900,000, the company remains focused on high-end, residential remodeling projects. “People are looking more into remodeling than into building brand new homes,” Barkley said. “We have concentrated on that, and that is still our focus. We do a full range of remodeling.” While Barkley enjoys the versatility of the remodeling industry and appreciates the wide range of projects he undertakes, Barkley Builders particularly specializes in window and door replacement. With a showroom in the Berkeley area and a window and door installation program, the company completes several replacements each year. “Remodels begin with windows and doors, and then we typically get called back to do another project,” Barkley said. “Most of our work comes from word of mouth and repeat clients.” Barkley Builders has created strong relationships with vendors of window and door products, particularly Truitt & White, Marvin Windows and Doors, Andersen, and Milgard Doors and Windows. In a recent challenging project, Barkley worked closely with Truitt & White and Marvin to install five picture windows into a curved wall. Accurate layout was critical, and the companies collaborated with a CAD specialist to create life-size drawings and ensure precise installation into the curved wall. “They’re ready to deal with whatever comes up,” Barkley said about his subcontractors. “That kind of service can’t be competed with.” Collaboration with reliable vendors is critical for a company that takes great pride in its work and remains devoted to top quality. In fact, Barkley regularly sets 1. Entry Addition in Bel Marin Keys, Novato, Calif. Photo by Paul Barkley. Summer 2010 41
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up mobile offices with subcontractors, crews, and owners on jobsites to ensure that projects run smoothly and punctually. Beyond a strong commitment to quality and service, Barkley Builders holds numerous credentials that prove its excellent qualifications. The company is a NAHB Certified Graduate Remodeler, NARI Certified Remodeler, NARI Northbay Builders member, certified Installation Masters Installer, Truitt & White Trained Installer, and CSLB Licensed Contractor. Yet for Barkley, there is always room to strive for additional achievement. “What sets us apart is our focus on continuing education and keeping up with the industry,” Barkley said. “Whenever the opportunity presents itself, I strive to attend seminars, integrate the latest tools of the trade, make new information available to the homeowners, and always stay on top of the ever-changing world of remodeling. I’m trying to set ourselves apart as being on the front edge of the industry.” Willingness to learn and an open mind are required qualities of all employees, ensuring that through teamwork and continued education the company stays in stride with an evolving industry. Staying up-to-date with such changes undeniably signifies keeping on the cutting edge of the green movement. With the increasing importance of green consciousness and the growing presence of the EPA and RRP in the industry, Barkley has completed training in green building and is today a Build it Green Certified Green Builder and member of the Green Remodelers Guild. He is also EPA certified in the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program for lead-safe practices, which became federal law in April 2010. As a certified green builder, he views the issue of sustainability seriously and personally, and integrates environmental awareness into daily life at the company. “As an industry, we need to be aware 2. The curved window wall of a full remodel in Marinwood, San Rafael, Calif. Photo by Paul Barkley. 3. Trellis, Lucas Valley, San Rafael, Calif. Photo by Paul Barkley. 4. Compass inlay hardwood floor featured in a kitchen/family room remodel in Novato, Calif. Photo by Paul Barkley. 5. Bathroom remodel in Tiburon, Calif. Photo by Paul Barkley. 42 Construction Leaders Today
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6 of how everything that we do affects the overall global climate,” Barkley said. “But also, how our clients perceive that green movement, and what it really means for projects and remodeling a house. I want to make it more understandable for people, to make them realize that they are being green and in fact helping the planet in many ways. It is the direction everything is moving, so we need to stay on the edge of that as well.” Barkley does not see major financial expansion or company growth in upcoming years. He prefers to continue assisting each individual client with personalized service, creativity, and successful remodels. Without a large advertising campaign, nearly all of the company’s work comes from word of mouth. In fact, several projects have sprung from initial bathroom or window and door remodeling 44 Construction Leaders Today
jobs, when clients later call Barkley Builders for additional remodels of kitchens and family rooms, whole houses, or new residences. “At the end of the day when you look back on those projects, its very nice to know that they had a pleasant experience throughout the months of construction, and that we still have good relationships with them today,” Barkley said. “Those to me are the most rewarding, because in addition to remodeling their homes, we built a relationship that is strong enough for them to call us back. The bottom line is to build an honest relationship with our clients.” Business philosophy at Barkley Builders is summed up with one classic golden rule: treat others as you would like to be treated. “We treat everyone’s home as if
it were our own. When I come up against a problem, I think, ‘What would I do on my own house? How would I solve this?’” Barkley said. With a wide array of projects, and no two alike, the creativity of a former filmmaker comes into play. Like a film relies on innovation, teamwork, and hard work to create a particular essence, Barkley incorporates the same skills in forming the scene of a new living space. “I want to make the space look like it belongs,” he said. By bringing unique perspectives and originality to every remodeling project, Barkley is able to channel his artistic energy, originally developed in the film industry, into the Bay Area’s stunning homes. ALT 6. A kitchen and family room remodel in Terra Linda, San Rafael, Calif. Photo by Paul Barkley.
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DART DESIGNS Providing a personal touch in finding aesthetic, functional, and budgetary solutions for public use in the state of Illinois
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DART Design provides creative and economical architectural solutions to clients across the state of Illinois. Owner and President Stephen May brings a personal touch and his extensive experience to every step of their projects. He enjoys working closely with clients to develop new solutions for building and improving their facilities. “I like doing large projects, and at the same time I like small projects that you can get a lot more personal with clients, working with them directly,” he said. “And I work directly with clients in all the projects that come through our office, so there’s consistency for them.” Their projects are intended to support their community for years to come, and 1-4. Marion, Ill. The Black Diamond Warehouse from construction to completion Summer 2010 47
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5. Peoples National Bank. Marion, Ill. Photo courtesy of DART Design, Inc.
7 bring clients back to DART when they need further work. DART specializes in finding alternative solutions to meet the aesthetic, functional and budgetary needs specific to each project. “In meeting with clients and discussing their projects with them, you come up with ideas they haven’t thought about, and light bulbs start popping. It’s fun to see,” May said. One project that DART is especially proud of is the Lake Egypt fire station, which has received enthusiastic reviews from locals. The rapidly growing district needed a larger facility to accommodate their current and projected growth. The new facility is comprised of 7,200 sq. ft. of administration and living quarters, and 6,800 sq. ft. of garage area. It features tilt-up concrete panel construction on the exterior walls, making the structure safer and more durable. The new fire station also has backup generators in case of power outages. “Being a fire station, it has to be very stable facility, so when there’s a disaster that causes interruption in the community, the fire station will still be operational,” said May. The new facility enables faster emergency response because it has twice the amount of living space for more full-time firefighters. The expanded garage and concrete parking lot allow emergency vehicles to maneuver more easily and quickly. There is also more office, storage and
6. Foley Sweitzer Motors, Marion, Ill. Photo courtesy of DART Design, Inc. 7. Lake Egypt Fire Station, Marion Ill. Photo courtesy of DART Design, Inc.
recreation space, making the fire station a more comfortable place to work and live. Its benefits extend to the entire community: property insurance costs for the district have dropped because of the fire station’s improved services. DART stands for Distinctive Architecture Reflecting the Times, a fitting name for May’s philosophy of balancing budget and aesthetics to adapt to any project. “One of the hardest things to do in architecture is providing a functional, aesthetically pleasing facility at a low cost,” May said. “It’s a matter of utilizing the right construction for the time period and for the location.” DART has also built a reputation in the area for the high quality of their services for schools. Using his previous experience with constructing and renovating schools, May can come up with designs to help accommodate schools’ growth. DART also provides safety inspection services. Most of DART’s current school projects involve renovations and repairs to existing facilities because the economy makes new construction more difficult. But May says that school construction is a growing market. “I see a good future in that direction. Whether it’s new facilities construction, renovation and repairs, or inspection, there are lots of things that have to be done for schools,” he said. They also complete renovation projects for healthcare facilities in the area. DART provided interior renovations for Summer 2010 49
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the Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion, Illinois. Their services included renovations to doctors’ offices, laboratory renovations, and expansion and relocation of existing facilities for physical therapy and cardiology. They modified existing spaces to work with new medical equipment and expanded healthcare services. May’s experience working on public sector projects and healthcare gives him insight in to the complex process of financing and approval for those projects, and he stays personally involved throughout each phase. “We do everything from helping a client pick out a piece of property all the way to turning the key on the door, and everything in between,” he said. 8-10. DuQuoin, Ill Best WesternInn. Photo courtesy of DART Design, Inc.
GARLAND COMPANY T h e G a r l a n d C o m p a n y, I n c . i s a n employee-owned organization that has been manufacturing and distributing highperformance materials and providing expert services to extend the working life of commercial buildings since 1895. The technologies developed and manufactured, the materials procured, the processes used, the delivery methods offered, and the services provided - are driven by a simple philosophy: listen to what today’s customers need, anticipate what tomorrow’s customers will want. Garland has been among the first roofing companies in North America to embrace green technologies, and remain at the forefront of sustainable solutions through a combination of product research and development, and strategic alliances. Garland is able to meet the performance and budgetary requirements of a complete range of commercial, industrial, and public building applications by offering a wide breadth of product and service solutions for new construction, retrofit, renovation, and maintenance projects. Summer 2010 51
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Several recent projects have been design build construction, and they look forward to doing more. The architecture industry has come full circle in recent years to return to the older design build method, says May. “It’s a great avenue because you’ve got a team between the contractor, the architect and the owner,” he said. “Everybody has an idea of what the end product needs to be and how everybody needs to put it together.” May has been able to establish connections with clients and developers in the area, and plans to continue to enlarge the firm in the coming years. Clients return because they appreciate the hands-on and complete service from the small company. “We strive to keep our clients and move forward with them,” said May. “You develop a good relationship with them and things flow well.” ALT 11. Country Inn & Suites. Marion, Ill. Photo courtesy of DART Design, Inc.
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VAN’S 2
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Customers of Van’s Lumber & Custom Builders in Dyckesville, Wis. know they are getting the “whole package,” everything from expert crews and design service to custom building expertise and experience, when they hire the familyowned builder. Now operated by two generations of the VandenHouten family, Van’s was founded in the early 1950s by Ray VandenHouten Sr. and his brother-inlaw Mel Petinoit. VandenHouten, who had been operating a chicken hatchery, and Petinoit, a carpenter, teamed up after VandenHouten’s chickens were wiped out by disease and he was left with empty buildings. The two decided to use the buildings for a small lumberyard. That small venture has become a lucrative, well-regarded business with an eye toward quality and tradition.
Today, Van’s specializes in custom residential and light, commercial construction in northeast Wisconsin. The company still operates from the original location where Craig, Chris, Eric and Kurt VandenHouten’s grandfather started the business. The one-anda-half acre site has now grown to approximately 15 acres. “This property has a lot of character,” explains Craig VandenHouten. “My office is in my grandfather’s old house.” The tradition of excellence that Ray VandenHouten began in the 1950s still 1-5. As a custom builder Van’s is honored to build some of the most stunning homes in Wisconsin’s Door, Kewaunee and Brown Counties. Here Van’s Lumber & Custom Builders built an impressive waterfront getaway overlooking Lake Michigan’s Green Bay. Unique stone, hardwoods and exceptional fixtures are Van’s trademarks. Photos by Insight Creative, Inc.
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2 serves as the foundation of the company. Van’s is known for building some of the most exceptional new homes in Wisconsin’s Door, Kewaunee and Brown Counties. “In Door County, many of the homes we build are vacation or retirement homes,” VandenHouten said. Out-of-town customers who hire Van’s expertise benefit from the company’s one-stop-shop approach to building. Van’s has a lumber yard, window and door warehouse and mill shop. “We have a nice niche for making our own special moldings,” VandenHouten said. “We have the ability to do unique cuts.” The company also has an on-site building center, which serves as a convenient single source for windows, doors, roofing, siding and floor covering. The 4,000 sq. ft. space gives customers the opportunity to not only see but also touch
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the options that are available during the building process. “They can operate a window they are considering or look at the siding,” VandenHouten said. “They can feel the hardware and the quality of the items.” Van’s employs its own expert crews for framing, finishing, siding, roofing, laying carpet, vinyl, ceramic tile and marble and installing glass block. In addition, the company uses quality lumber from its own lumberyard. The company also uses the same subcontractors – painters, plumbers and electricians – on each project. “We’ve developed strong relationships with the subcontractors we use and we stand behind their work as well as our own,” said VandenHouten. “We use our subcontractors on a daily basis. We feel like they are part of our family.” The VandenHouten’s hold their vendors and subcontractors to the same quality standards they expect from their own crew. “Our customers can rest assured that we stand behind our work, the work of
our subcontractors and the products supplied by our outside suppliers,” VandenHouten said. That level of customer service and reliability has given Van’s Lumber & Custom Builders the reputation of providing a superior home construction experience. It doesn’t matter whether Van’s is building a Showcase, Parade or custom home, the building process is always the same: First-rate. Most of the company’s custom homes range from 1,500 sq. ft. to 8,000 sq. ft.. “We have two full-time designers/ draftsmen on staff,” VandenHouten said. “A lot of people will bring in their dream home on a rough sheet of paper or they will take ideas from the Internet and bring them in. Our designers pull it all together to make it the ideal dream home.” Van’s sales team guides customers through the entire project and its onstaff interior designer assists with the final touches. Custom homes represent only one of Van’s specialties. The company also focuses on remodeling and light
ur customers can rest assured that we stand behind our work, the work of our subcontractors and the products supplied by our outside suppliers.
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BAYLAKE HARDWARE Baylake Electric LLC is a family owned business serving Door County and the surrounding areas. Baylake provides individualized attention to each client they serve. They provide commercial and residential service including lighting systems, structured wiring and generators. Baylake Electric has been proud to work with Van’s Custom Builders and look forward to working with you in the future. Summer 2010 55
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commercial projects. Recent commercial projects include the Peninsula State Park Golf Course in Door County, Cooper’s Corner Wine Shop and The Cookery, a restaurant and wine bar, in the lakeside town of Fish Creek, Wisconsin. “The Cookery burned down last year. When it was rebuilt, we added an observation deck and new siding made out of fiberglass which is environmentally friendly,” VandenHouten said. “We are proud that they selected us to be their builder.” Additionally, Van’s recently completed Harbor Terrace, an eight unit condo project in Door County. The secured building includes indoor garages and picturesque views of Lake Michigan. The expert home remodeling arm of Van’s has seen an increase in projects since the federal government instituted tax incentives for energy efficient windows and doors. Many customers who have asked Van’s to build their custom vacation homes are now contacting the company to add a garage or extra space to their home, making the home more functional and better suited to their current needs. One of the company’s most interesting remodeling projects included turning a round silo into a home. “It was a challenge,” VandenHouten said. “We had to cut windows into the silo which was 16 inches thick. We also had to make the most use of space in the structure. We have now added onto the silo since the original project.” 6-7. The Cookery Restaurant, Wine Bar and Lodging, Fish Creek, Wis. The restaurant was devastated by fire in 2008; however, through the expertise and hard work of the design and building staff at Van’s Lumber & Custom Builders, the business reopened in 2009 looking better than ever. Photos by Insight Creative, Inc.
56 Construction Leaders Today
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The quality craftsmanship on every job Van’s completes helps to build a loyal customer base. The company also offers its customers a five-year warranty. “We go beyond by adding a lot of custom touches, things that other builders don’t do,” VandenHouten said. For example, Van’s finishes the inside of a closet, an area that many builders leave unfinished. Part of the company’s success stems from its dedicated employees. “This is the true sense of a family business,” VandenHouten said. “People enjoy being here and that carries over to the work.” Van’s is not an ordinary company but rather a one-stop-shop. Its longevity stems from its selection, detailed craftsmanship and top-notch quality. “A lot of lumberyards have gone by the wayside but we have been able to survive,” observes VandenHouten. “You don’t see many builders who have been around as long we have.” ALT
south INSIDE: PERSPECTIVA, VANGUARD STUDIO, MATT SITRA CUSTOM HOMES
INSIDE: NAME OF FIRM P#, NAME OF FIRM P#, NAME OF FIRM P#
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1-3. Government Employees Credit Union: This proposed facility will serve as the operational central hub for all the GECU branch operation centers in El Paso, Texas. With an approximate area of 82,000 sq. ft. this project will be located along the I-10 West-bound trajectory. This location will allow the facility to serve as a landmark for locals and visitors. Conceptually, the building draws on GECU’s fundamental role as a linking mechanism in its member’s lives and thereby connects to two fundamental forces to the City of El Paso: its geology and aerial connectivity. This project brings to a tangible state the geologic fault lines that stretch from the East Franklin Mountain Ridge to the Hueco Mountains as well as the aeronautical bearing for the City. This facility will personify the critical role that GECU plays in the development of the El Paso Community. Photos courtesy of Perspectiva
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Perspectiva by Rachel Goldberg
When Eugenio Mesta founded his architectural firm in 1990, he chose a name that would mean the same thing in both English and Spanish, a name that would evoke both the tradition of his native Mexico and his forward-thinking approach to design. Today, Texasbased Perspectiva provides design, planning, construction and project management services for a variety of clients, including schools, churches, hospitals, banks and municipal facilities. In their many different designs, the common denominator is an emphasis on creating a close relationship between the individual and the building, and an awareness of environmental context. Perspectiva designed the GECU building, the operations center for the largest credit union in El Paso. Located along a major thoroughfare, it is a massive structure designed to serve as a landmark for passerby. In spite of the building’s scale, the elements connecting it make it friendly and welcoming to individuals who enter it. “We try very hard to generate a hierarchy of spaces from the public to the individual, so the individual has the opportunity to relate to the building at the level they choose to,” said Mesta. “When you enter, even though the building looks pretty massive, the plazas, the porticos and the vestibule all give you the opportunity to go through different spaces at different scales so that they do not overwhelm you.” GECU is also designed to provide a seamless transition to the outdoors, with
colors, materials and shapes inspired by the mountains. Carefully placed windows take advantage of natural light and make the building more energy-efficient. The conceptual design was inspired by GECU’s connective role in the community and its unusual location on a tectonic fault between mountains. It draws on the ideas of movement and change raised by the geological and economic upheaval in the community. The building appears to rise organically from the earth-shaking changes, both figurative and literal, affecting El Paso. “Through the movement of the tectonic fault, there’s this flower, this creation of the new GECU,” Mesta said. Familiarity and appreciation of the Southwestern landscape is a visible element in all of Perspectiva’s designs. Though the heat of the desert climate might seem like an oppressive place to build, Mesta sees it as an opportunity to create pleasant spaces indoors and outdoors. He keeps in mind a philosophy he learned from a lecture by renowned Swiss architect Mario Bolta. “I never forgot this: that he said that through the history of mankind, architecture has been the development of the relationship between the indoor and the outdoor,” Mesta said. “That relationship continues today; even though we have the technology to do all glass, when you are in the Southwest you need to be very cognizant of how to orient the building so that you take advantage of what the desert gives you.” Another important element of Summer 2010 61
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4-6. Lower Valley Regional Library, El Pasa, Texas. Perspectiva was selected by the city to design and supervise the construction of a second Regional Library with a capacity to store 90,000 volumes, 75 seats and a staff of 15. The library was designed for the area residents’ necessities, including a coffee shop and an independent meeting room for neighborhood use. This building was constructed of “Exterior Insulated Panels” made out of concrete and Styrofoam with an R Value of 30. The library is also equipped with a computer room, child reading area, quiet room, courtyard, study-rooms for area students as well as with internet service. Photo courtesy of Perspectiva. 62 Construction Leaders Today
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their designs is a respect for public and individual needs. Perspectiva’s buildings include spaces for social interaction as well as solitary reflection. Their innovative design for the El Paso library includes a modern coffee shop and computer labs, as well as traditional bookshelves and reading rooms. A separate children’s area allows play and storytelling without disturbing other library patrons. The building is not only a library; it also hosts community activities during offhours, so Mesta’s design had to allow a separation between the different facilities to allow some public areas to stay open when the library is closed. Perspectiva also makes use of its design capabilities to contribute to its community. They have recently become the experts in their area for building and renovating charter school facilities. So far they have worked on 5 different charter schools, most of which involved adaptive reuse of blighted areas. One recently completed project, the Raul Ysaguirre School for Success, was a
former funeral home that is now a LEED-certified elementary school. “It’s a very rewarding way of getting involved in the community,” Mesta said. “It’s remarkable how good quality architecture can change a school around.” When designing a charter school, Mesta said he considers the relationship children will have to the building, resulting in architectural forms very different from commercial workplace projects. His designs transform former store buildings into comfortable environments for learning and play. Working on the smaller scale of the individually run charter schools provides the opportunity to work more closely with the end user. The process of designing a charter school involves intensive meetings with teachers, principals, and school boards to identify the best design to suit the school’s needs. Perspectiva maintains a policy of open communication with owners in all its projects to keep them informed through the process. They also offer construction management for clients who want more architect
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involvement during construction. They are able to use their expertise to become advocates for their clients, to make sure the project is completed on time and within the budget. A major strength of their work is their proactive method of problem solving. Perspectiva also strives to foster a team environment that values each member’s contributions. “That ownership creates a level of pride in the projects that generates excitement and closeness in staff,” he said. ALT
CAROL VICK ARCHITECT CVA is dedicated to providing quality sustainable design services and solutions that reflect their client’s vision. CVA provides full service design solutions from programming, planning and building assessments to architectural design and project management for governmental and institutional, aviation, higher education, k-12, interior design, commercial and tenant build-out projects.
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Mario Bota, and the Charter School I refer to is Raul Ysaguirre School for Rachel Goldberg Success.byThe writer mixed the Galveston school with John Thanks!!!! Hathaway Pfounded Vanguard another one.
Studio, Inc. in 2000 to realize his dream of creating homes with timeless appeal. “I’ve always had an affinity for old world architecture,” he said. “We try to design houses so that when it’s finished being built, it looks like it’s been there a lot longer and it’s got something unique about it, a story behind it.” Vanguard’s work consists mostly of custom homes in the company’s home state of Texas, with a wide range of projects completed in terms of budget and scale. Over the past ten years, Vanguard has built a national reputation for quality homes that meet its clients’ needs, and they are now prepared to take on more work across the country. “We’ve gotten a lot of great feedback from people in other states who can see that we’re doing something different from what they’re used to,” said Hathaway. Hathaway enjoys working with individual clients to create their dream homes. The scale of their projects allows Vanguard to remain personally involved through construction, while their efficient and collaborative process makes it easy for clients to understand what is going on. Vanguard takes a team approach to working with clients and builders. Before they begin a project, the clients fill out a detailed questionnaire with their wishes for the design and meet with Vanguard and builders to establish the budget and site constraints. Hathaway always draws plans by hand first, drawing inspiration from the site and the client. “The first phase of design is always about keeping it loose and free,” he said. He incorporates feedback from the client and builders and provides digital animations 3D images that serve as a more realistic vision of the final product. “That’s been a big piece of our success- our ability to fully explain, 64 Construction Leaders Today
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1. The simple, clean forms, along with varying materials, give this breathtaking home a feel of refined, old-world elegance.
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| custom home document and present our projects,” Hathaway said. “There aren’t going to be any surprises; they will already have a strong idea of what it will look like on the site.” To create a cozy, lived-in feeling in the new homes he designs, he uses rustic local materials, like Texas limestone and exposed wood columns. Also popular in the Texas climate are stucco walls and Tuscan elements like arches, tile roofs, and darker stone. Hathaway blends these old-fashioned touches with modern innovations. “We’ve always tried to stay ahead of the curve in terms of design ideas,” he said. “People are looking for something more edgy that sets them apart from their neighbors.” He mixes materials like metal accents or contemporary finishes with the more old world-style wood and stone. Their designs also look forward in terms of stainability. Several of their homes were rated Five-Star Green homes by the Austin Energy Green Building program. Vanguard strives to provide clients with the best of both old and new design to create homes that will last. “If you have a house that’s rooted to the past but also looks to the future, it puts you in the best of both worlds,” Hathaway said. ALT
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6 2. After the surprise revelation upon passing through the heavy wooden entry door, the warm, welcoming courtyard beckons visitors with it’s soothing fountain. Photo courtesy of Vanguard Studio. 3. Minute details pop against a heavily textured exterior, in contrast with the sleek water feature. Photo courtesy of Vanguard Studio. 4. Wide archways divide a large, airy space into individual rooms, creating a sense of scale. Photo courtesy of Vanguard Studio. 5. Delicate curvature, stately columns and ornate railings in a classical design. Photo courtesy of Vanguard Studio. 6. Custom designed door and beautiful arch create a spectacular entrance. Photo courtesy of Vanguard Studio.
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by Joan Tupponce
or Matt Sitra, the phrase “deep in the heart of Texas” has both a personal and business connotation. A third generation Austinite, Sitra heads Matt Sitra Custom Homes, a company that specializes in building projects in and around the Austin area. Sitra’s interest in home building dates back to his college days when he worked in the construction industry during summer breaks. After graduating from the University of Texas in 1996, he was a top producing superintendent for a production home building company in Austin for over two years. “I was their number one guy in the field, overseeing 35 to 40 home sites,” he says. In 2000, Sitra decided to open his own business, starting with one spec house. Today, he is a sought-after custom builder, building homes that range in price from $750,000 up to $2.5 million. “Our bread-and-butter projects now run around 4,000 to 5,000 square feet,” he said. “I don’t think too many people are going to be building 6,000 to 10,000 sq. ft. houses any more, at least that seems to be the trending pattern for the next cycle.” all photos coutesey of Matt Sitra Custom Homes 68 Construction Leaders Today
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Since opening his business, Sitra has concentrated on building homes in Austin and the surrounding areas as well as in South Texas. When he first started, the city of Austin was on the tail end of a growth boom. “By the time you could pour the foundation on a spec house, it would sell,” he says. A savvy businessman, Sitra wasn’t lured into thinking that the building boom would last forever. He built the one spec house and then waited to see how the marketplace would play out. At the same time, he looked for a bank that shared his conservative mindset and found Frost National Bank in Austin. “That’s why we only did one spec house,” Sitra said. “Now I’m really glad we didn’t stray off the path. I’m glad I was conservative.” Sitra’s business today consists of custom home building, 70 Construction Leaders Today
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We have been building a
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Honesty
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remodeling and some light commercial building. Custom homes account for 65 percent of his business. The remaining work is divided between remodeling projects – 30 percent – and light commercial, representing 5 percent of the business. “We have done only four spec homes in the past 10 years,” Sitra said. Styles of his custom homes run the gamut, from Texas Hill Country ranchers to Mediterranean designs. “I try not to brand myself to any specific style,” Sitra said. Texas Hill Country homes have been extremely popular with Sitra’s customers for some time. The warm, inviting designs feature expansive porches, exposed timbers and detailed rock work. “That was a big fad in Austin for a while,” Sitra said. Today many homeowners favor the warm earth tones featured in his Tuscan designs or homes that carry more traditional features. Sitra has built his business through networking and word-
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of-mouth endorsements from satisfied customers. He sees his company’s growth as managed and steady. “We have been building a strong core and good loyal customers,” he said, noting that he has built his reputation on honesty and integrity. “That goes a long way.” He feels fortunate in the current economy that his business has remained steady. “Things are picking up and we are staying busy,” Sitra said. “Right now, we are inundated. “We are tying to get proposals out which is a nice problem to have.” When it comes to dealing with the economy, Sitra resorts to a philosophy he’s followed for most of his life: You have to deal with the hand you are dealt and make the most of it. “I have always had that attitude,” he said. “You have to do what you have to do to get the job done.” He credits the company’s stability in these tough economic Summer 2010 71
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times to its diverse portfolio of services. “We haven’t switched gears too much as a result of the economy,” Sitra said, noting that in the past his remodeling projects usually run $200,000 and up. “We have started looking at some smaller remodels, from $30,000 up. It’s hard to compete in the lower dollar level though because your pricing has to be competitive with the handyman that comes in and bids.” Sitra’s remodeling projects have included second-story additions and kitchen and master bath remodels. “We 72 Construction Construction Leaders Leaders Today Today
do a little bit of everything,” he said. “It all depends on the client. We do anything we can to keep the customer happy.” His customers remain loyal because they value the personal attention they receive from Sitra. “I am available to my clients, easily accessible,” he explained. “One of my top priorities is communicating with homeowners.” Even though he has a project manager on staff, Sitra still goes to job sites two to three days a week. “We keep them immaculate,” he said. “We always have
professional job sites.” He is also very proud that vendors, sub-contractors, clients and homeowner representatives know, by his reputation, that he is a man of his word – he will do exactly what he says he will do. “I try to treat each person with respect and honesty,” he said. For Sitra, the fun comes in watching each project evolve and develop. “I like seeing a raw piece of land turn into a finished product that is something I am proud of at the end.” ALT
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Barr Ryder: Canadian Company a
that thrives on community-based design. by Rebecca Rodriguez
For Barr Ryder Architects & Interior Designers building municipal projects is about taking into consideration the specific needs and fabric of each community. “It’s not just about designing a building, but enhancing a lifestyle,” said Steven Bushnell, one of the partners. For this 30-year-old company based in Edmonton, Canada, institutional and municipal buildings of all kinds are their primary focus. The company also designs recreational centers, libraries, 76 Construction Leaders Today
hospitals, restaurants, casinos, and schools. And they are prepared to take on projects of any scale. In North Battleford, Saskatchewan, the company is creating a multiplex of four individual buildings centered around a vibrant civic plaza. There’s a theater that seats 350, a curling rink, a field house with an upperlevel running and walking track, and an aquatics center with water slides, wave pool, and six-lane competitive pool. A possibility of an ice rink or outdoor
theater is being discussed for the civic plaza. “In this case, interactive urban space is incorporated into our design,” Bushnell said. The company has built a solid reputation as being one of Alberta’s leading architectural practices. “It’s about service and good architecture. We assure that our clients are satisfied first and foremost,” he said. Barr Ryder is currently working with the Alberta government to design and construct 18 core schools in Calgary
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1. Trans Alta Tri-Leisure Centre, Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada Photo courtesy of Barr Ryder Architects & Interior Designers. 2. P3 School, Edmonton/ Calgary, Alberta, Canada Photo courtesy of Barr Ryder Architects & Interior Designers.
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and Edmonton known as the Alberta Schools Alternative Procurement (ASAP). The schools are state-ofthe-art and are being built through a public-private partnership. As a second phase to the project the company will continue to assist the Alberta Government in the construction of 10 more core schools, plus three new core high schools. The first phase of the core schools was a $370 million construction contract for Barr Ryder. The company carries out business in British Columbia, Northwest Territory, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. “The schools are a big part of what we’re doing today. We’re a mediumsized office of 23 and the ongoing mix of institutional work keeps us current,” Bushnell said. Bushnell is co-partner with Jim Carey and works with two other associates and a mix of professional staff. The entire team puts customer satisfaction at the forefront of their business. Two to three days out of the week partners or associates travel to different project locations. “We’re hands-on and we’re on the road a lot. But there’s a commitment you
make. If a client instructs something to happen, it gets done,” Bushnell said, adding that there is one point of contact in the office for each client. Sustainable design is something the company is also dedicated to. All the core schools in the ASAP project are rated LEED silver. The company has 34 LEED projects currently in the works and has fulltime LEED professionals on staff. “Stainability has been important to us for the past thirty years. It reflects good design,” Bushnell said. Many clients, especially municipalities mandate LEED silver building, so the company is wellpracticed at what it does. The generated savings of sustainable design are always attractive to clients. “It’s not always immediate,” Bushnell said. “The payback can take up to seven years.” Barr Ryder has received numerous awards over the years for their work, including the recent 2009 Woodworkers’ Award for best institutional building for a 25,000 sq. ft. library in Edmonton. Another was from the Consulting
3. Lois Hole Library, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Photo courtesy of Barr Ryder Architects & Interior Designers.
Engineers of Alberta who awarded the “Technology Innovation Award of Merit” for the Edmonton International Airport redevelopment. The company provides a full range of planning, design and technical consulting services, including expertise in the field of building construction and technology research. It takes part in code reviews. “As an example, we’ve been involved in a number of school evaluations where architects and engineers are brought in to evaluate the conditions of a school,” Bushnell said. “We have also done a variety of other existing building evaluations as part of additional services offered by the firm.” Interior design services are also offered and professionals are employed by the company. The company provides full services ranging from interior layouts to furniture selection. Bar Ryder will take on projects of all sizes and have a number of repeat clients. “We want to take on projects that are appropriate and where our services best meet the needs of the client,” Bushnell said. “Client satisfaction is important. We’re a service industry. Summer 2010 77
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2007 Jeus Du Canada Games Centre, White Horse, Yukon. Photo courtesy of Barr Ryder Architects & Interior Designers.
CHANDOS CONSTRUCTION Since 1980, Chandos Construction Ltd. has offered a full range of client focused construction solutions to both the private and public sectors. Chandos’ success and reputation is built upon lasting relationships and a team approach that delivers results. Chandos is 100% employee owned which has enabled us to successfully attract highly motivated professionals with proven track records in all aspects of the construction and development fields.
Market competition is stiff and they need to come back to us.” The recession has had an impact on business. Nowadays more than 40 companies might be competing on the proposal for a project, where as two years ago there were only four or five competitors, he said. “Everybody is struggling at the moment. In our sector the municipalities are just not getting funded,” Bushnell said sighting government deficits. “No one’s doing a lot of $140 million projects right now. They’re scaling down.” Around the beginning of 2010 business started to slow down, but Bushnell sees business picking up in early 2011. And looking down the road he sees satisfaction in where the firm is. “We’re in a comfortable and practical position,” he said, adding that growing the business geographically or in terms of services was not in his sights. It’s that consistency of service and varied offerings that keep Barr Ryder at the helm of its industry. ALT Summer 2010 79
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WILLIAM RAWN ASSOCIATES by Rachel Goldberg
In Cambridge, Mass., home to elite universities Harvard and MIT, the public library is known as “The People’s University.” With an average of 1,700 visitors a day and lines out the door on the weekends, the new Cambridge Public Library, completed in 2009, proves that a library can be a diverse gathering place for people of all ages and backgrounds. And, thanks to the collaboration between William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc. and Ann Beha Architects, the library has become the civic heart of its community. The architects at the Boston-based firm of William Rawn & Associates are transforming not just the faces of their buildings, but how the people within them learn and interact. They subscribe to the fundamentally American philosophy of architecture as fostering democracy and community, and they draw inspiration for their contemporary designs from all over the world. They believe they can enrich communities by giving them open and inclusive spaces with a strong relationship to place and people. “We really believe that the architecture should speak to and feel of a place,” says principal Cliff Gayley. With each project they take on, they make a commitment to understand the client’s and community’s needs. In a very literal way, the architects at WRA try to put themselves in the position of the people who will be affected by their project. Early on in the design process, they spend a few days “camping out” in the community or college campus, to learn about the culture and needs of the place and how their designs could contribute. “We’ll meet with students in the dining center. We’ll go to performances on campus,” Gayley says. Doug Johnston, a fellow principal, adds, “many architects offer charrettes that aim to solve clients’ problems quickly over several days. But our process is about repeated listening and learning that leads to more thoughtful solutions, unique to each opportunity.” For a dormitory building on the Swarthmore College campus, 1. Bowdoin College Studzinski Recital Hall, Brunswick, Maine. Photo by Robert Benson Photography
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a group of students was directly involved in the design process and even took the architects on a “midnight tour” to get a better look at campus culture. “It was a perfect way to see what kinds of spaces succeeded in bringing these really hardworking students together for some intense socializing and where things worked well, where spaces were underused. It really helped us fine tune and think about how that building could relate to the specific culture of Swarthmore,” says Gayley. A spirit of collaboration is important to their work, especially because so many of their designs have an inherent civic interest. Many of them involve a lengthy process of negotiating the needs of the various interested parties in open meetings. Though all of this outside input makes the process more complex, Gayley says it ultimately allows the firm to come up with a realistic and successful design. “On a college campus there is a sense of publicness, a
community of student and faculty scholars, that is part of a broader off-campus community that includes the cultural, civic and business life of a town or city,” Gayley said. “So a lot of our buildings are about creating community around the mission of learning, but also create that community in a way that links town and gown.” Many of their university projects are located at the edge of campus, where the school and city meet and sometimes conflict. WRA’s mission is to integrate the views of both. For a planning project in Charlottesville, Va., they had two clients: the city and the University of Virginia. By giving both constituents from both entities a platform to air their concerns, the public planning meetings offered a unique opportunity to heal some of the longstanding tensions between the city and university. At schools like Williams College and Northeastern University, where the campus and city overlap, WRA designed buildings to serve as gateways, welcoming movement between the two, rather than walls dividing them. With many projects located in urban areas or college campuses with a distinct existing architectural style, the challenge facing the firm is to create something new that will add to rather than diminish the established site. When designing the new Cambridge Public Library, Gayley said an important part of their job was collaborating with associate architects Ann Beha Architects in order to “restore 2. Swarthmore College Alice Paul Residence Hall, Swarthmore, Pa. Photo by Robert Benson Photography. 3. Wheelock College Campus Center and Student Residences, Boston, Mass. Photo by Robert Benson Photography. 4. Williams College,‘62 Center for Theatre and Dance, Williamstown, Mass. Photo by Robert Benson Photography. 82 Construction Leaders Today
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the jewel-like quality of the old building.” Rather than forcing the architects to conform to the style of the old building, historic preservationists on the Cambridge Historic Commission encouraged them to create a modern tribute to the old building, which was ahead of its time. The resulting buildings “are distinct and yet they have a very strong dialogue with each other,” Gayley said. “Together they define this civic outdoor space, but on the inside they are seamlessly integrated.” The building’s distinctive look is due in large part to their innovative use of a double skin glass wall, the first of its type in the U.S. The concept of the glass walls fits with their desire to use natural light to open up the structure to its surroundings. The design was inspired by walls that the designers saw while traveling in Europe. “It took a lot of commitment,” Gayley said. “We had to do significant research and then translate that into a much more modest version.” The glass walls’ appeal is not only aesthetic;
they also make the building far more energy-efficient by creating a thermal barrier in the harsh climate. The natural light and ventilation provided by the walls were among many green elements of the design. The company’s lofty ideals are also balanced by a commitment to getting their designs built and sticking to the client’s budget. They learned from early experience in building affordable housing projects to produce quality designs within a realistic budget. Johnston says that the architects make a point of designing with physical models, to give the client a more complete sense of what the finished product will look like, though they also use computer-aided design technology. As the company has grown in size over the years, they have chosen to remain a medium-sized company in order to maintain the high quality of their work. The three principals, William Rawn, Doug Johnston and Cliff Gayley, together with Senior Associate Sam Lasky, collaborate to lead the design of each project. “William Rawn Associates is a firm of generalists,” Johnston said. “We welcome the challenge of tackling a variety of projects and we look to the unique needs of each place.” At the same time, Johnston notes that there are a number of reoccurring themes. “We are firm believers in natural light and its connection to the life of a place-- whether it’s a city street, campus quad, or a concert hall,” he said. Because each building is informed by its setting, William Rawn Associates considers each project a learning experience. “There’s a growth in our work,” Gayley said. “We’ve been around now for 27 years, but we still think of ourselves as a very young firm, always learning.” ALT 5-7. Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge, Mass. Photo by Robert Benson Photography. Summer 2010 85
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Internationally RENOWNED Kobi Karp Architects: globally awesome
86 Construction Leaders Today
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2 by William Coleson
Kobi Karp Architecture is a firm with international scope, but each of its projects retains a unique local character. They specialize in architecture, interior design and planning for clients in the retail, hospitality and residential sectors. The firm is headquartered in Miami, and is an active contributor to its local community. In the 1990s, Karp was a major player in the restoration of the historic Art Deco District in Miami’s South Beach. He is credited with helping to rejuvenate the district with his renovation and interior design work for hotels, retail stores and restaurants in the area. Karp’s Miami projects extend throughout the city, also encompassing residential buildings, mixed use developments, and some of the tallest skyscrapers in the country. He is now hoping to advance Miami’s economic development even further with a groundbreaking new project that could become the tallest building in the world. Miapolis will be a 3,000-ft. tall, 160-floor “vertical city within a city.” The design includes restaurants, hotels, office space, residential units, retail and even an amusement park. It is planned to be entirely self-sustaining, and the largest LEED structure in the US. “The design by architect Kobi Karp for Watson Island was inspired by the
3 FIRST FLORIDA The Gatehouse Group of Companies and First Florida are proud to be working with Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design in creating new multi-family, affordable apartment communities in Florida; The Gardens at Driftwood, Hollywood (120 units), Madison View, Miami (120 units) and Magnolia Landing, Homestead (150 units). Summer 2010 87
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natural forms of the Florida landscape, with its undulating forms reflecting the motion of its multi cultural context and the surrounding ocean,” says the Miapolis website. The design takes from its surrounding environment while feeding back into its culture and economy. Karp and the developers see Miapolis as the vehicle for increased tourism, local business and international trade in Miami. The firm’s international work started with hotels and resorts throughout the Caribbean. Their current projects extend throughout the world, with recent locations including Dubai, Grenada, Mexico, and Russia. In Abu Dhabi, Karp is working on a large expansion for the Al Ain Zoo to transform it into a large resort and wildlife conservation park. The complex will be a model of biodiversity and ecological conservation, with botanic gardens, safari exhibits and a residential community in the desert. The investors and residents in the project will be supporting both economic development and environmental conservation. Each of Kobi Karp’s projects around the world is defined by the setting and culture that surrounds it. Karp says that with each design he creates something entirely new, but informed by architecture before. Though his contemporary designs are aesthetically creative, he also pays close attention to logistical and environmental concerns. At the same time, Karp’s vision involves a holistic view of a functioning economy supported by quality design. “The firm understands the need to create viable commercial, residential and mixed-use environments that produce a valued return on investment,” the company says. “KKAID specializes in creating public and private spaces that symbiotically coexist with surrounding buildings, both existing and new.” Their ability to create cohesive settings also makes them successful planners and interior designers, as well as architects. Karp’s designs for businesses are intended to create comfortable and productive workspaces that also have some personality. His Miami studio is a renovated open space that still holds artifacts from its days as the Miami Dade police department headquarters. ALT
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1. Aqua Vista. Photo courtesy of Kobi Karp Architecture. 2. Ganesvoort, Miami Beach, Fla. Photo courtesy of Kobi Karp Architecture. 3. Aja on the Bay. Photo courtesy of Kobi Karp Architecture. 4. Alpega. Photo courtesy of Kobi Karp Architecture.
G.T. MCDONALD ENTERPRISES, INC. Since 1982, G.T. McDonald Enterprises, Inc., located in Plantation and Miami Beach, Fl., has been providing South Florida with superior design build, construction management and general contracting services. The firm’s longevity in the industry is derived from expertise and the desire to provide clients with complete satisfaction. They have strong experience in the restoration and preservation of significant historical properties in Miami Beach, from planning to completion. 88 Construction Leaders Today
G.T. McDonald has been involved in the following projects, designed by Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design: Capri on the Bay located on Biscayne Bay consists of three boutique-style condo buildings including Miami Beach’s first subterranean parking garage; The Strand, a historic four-building condo/hotel renovation; and The Caribbean beachfront condo renovation and new construction. They have also been involved in 1111 Lincoln Road Parking Garage-- a mixed-
use condo project designed by Herzog de Meuron. G.T. McDonald has the tools to provide construction solutions to a variety of projects both large and small. Their services are focused and they strive to understand the needs of their customers. Understanding that their organization is one of service and competition is ever present, G.T. McDonald operates under the aphorism, “words are weak and performance remembered.”
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MANCINI DUFFY by Rachel Goldberg
With over 90 years of experience, this New York-based firm is forging ahead through the economic downturn and coming out on top. While some companies retreat in the face of economic adversity, Mancini Duffy is forging ahead. Chairman Tony Schirripa leads his company and the architectural community on a path of continued growth and diversification. As president of the New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the oldest and largest chapter of the A.I.A., Schirripa is building on the theme of the “architect as leader.” His initiatives include programs to help members sustain and grow their practices and lobbying Congress to increase funding for energy efficient projects and for economic recovery in the architecture industry. Mancini Duffy was founded 90 years ago as an architecture firm, but over the years, said Schirripa, it came to focus almost exclusively on the design of corporate interiors. With businesses at all levels 90 Construction Leaders Today
threatened by recession, the firm decided to return to architectural design, while continuing to build its interiors practice and branching out into additional market sectors. “We made the decision that part of our firm’s strategy to diversify our practice was to go back to architecture, so we began hiring new talent and capitalizing on 1-3. The Pedestrian Connector Tunnel of the Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia is part of the new underground system linking the Main Terminal with the airside concourses. Douglas Svitchan, A.I.A., and George Eisenberger, A.I.A., LEED AP were part of a multi-discipline team for the design of both the Garage and Tunnel while design principals with Still & Svitchan Associates P.C., and were responsible for all architectural programming, planning, design and construction documents and construction administration for the Tunnel. Photos by Jessica Marcotte.
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4-5. This residence is located in the Amelia Island Plantation community on Amelia Island, Florida. Working with the existing Mediterranean flavor of the development and within the Plantation’s design guidelines, Michael Winstanley Architects Planners created a seamless transition from the house to the surrounding natural environment. Photos by Jessica Marcotte.
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the talent we had in-house to get into architectural design work,” Schirripa said. While the firm already had several recent architectural projects to its credit, Schirripa explains that Mancini Duffy “wanted to accelerate that step into the marketplace.” Mancini Duffy’s foray into larger scale planning and government projects, among other markets, would allow it to weather a distressed economy and emerge from it stronger than ever. These changes meant a reorganization of the firm’s business and management structure. Last year, its plan was fulfilled by a merger with two D.C.-based firms: Michael Winstanley Architects/Planners and Still & Svitchan Associates. Michael Winstanley was named CEO of the company and also leads Mancini Duffy Winstanley, the firm’s Washington, D.C. operations. Diversification proved an effective survival strategy for tough times. Winstanley brought expertise in master planning and institutional design, while Still & Svitchan specialized in work for the federal government, particularly aviation facilities. Government design-build contracts helped sustain the Washington office through the recession. Mancini Duffy’s strength comes in large part from the flexibility to complete projects at any scale. “In our practice, we’ve always aimed to take on projects of varying scale – anything from a single office to a large community,” Schirripa said. One example of the latter is the Eilan mixed-use development in San Antonio, Texas. for which Mancini Duffy Winstanley Summer 2010 93
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is the lead architect and master planner. The project involves creating a new 1.5 million square foot live/ work/play community that includes office buildings, residential units, retail businesses, a chapel and an outdoor amphitheater. The Eilan master plan is particularly noteworthy for its accomplishments in green building. The utility infrastructure in the development is designed to minimize waste, with a water collection system and central power plants on site. The development also features an electric trolley to transport people throughout the area. The siting and design of the structures bear a strong relationship to the surrounding environment and climate. And, in keeping with the owner’s wishes, the architecture recalls a typical Tuscan hill town, with punched window openings, stucco walls, and large overhangs for shade. The LEED Platinum chapel, set apart from the other buildings, is the only building whose style is emphatically modern. Mancini Duffy Winstanley’s versatility is also evident in the variety of its designs. “We don’t espouse an aesthetic or impose a design on a client; we focus on what they want to be doing and create the architectural envelope for it,” said Winstanley. “The important driver is the image they want to convey.” The renovation of a large office building on Washington’s New York Avenue was a new technical challenge for Mancini Duffy Winstanley’s D.C. office. The owner, a real estate investment trust, wanted to improve the quality of the building to increase its value. The catch was that the building, located in a busy part of the city, was already fully leased and occupied for the two years during which construction would take place. Mancini Duffy Winstanley saved the owner time and money by designing a new eye-catching façade and by working closely with contractors to minimize the impact to tenants and surrounding traffic. The firm’s leaders say that the secret to their success is effective communication and collaboration with clients and contractors. “We make sure that communication is open, and that the owner sets the tone,” said Winstanley. “We just agree to agree and keep looking for solutions and not pointing fingers.” The architects stay involved through construction, keeping contingency plans on hand in case the contractors run into problems while building their designs. Peter Striano, CEO of Unity Electric, which has collaborated with them on multiple projects, said that 6-7. Eilan Mixed-Use Development project, San Antonio, Texas. This project is strategically situated in the expanding retail and business district of La Cantera and involves an area of dense development to preserve the majority of the site’s natural resources. The first phase development includes 1,400 rental units organized on pedestrian mews, a 165-room boutique hotel as a centerpiece of the project, two 100,000 sq. ft. Class A office buildings forming the gateway entrance and ancillary programs such as a 40,000 sq. ft. market, a non-denominational chapel, an on-site trolley traversing the entire site, and a 1,000 seat outdoor amphitheater for music and performances. Photos by Jessica Marcotte Summer 2010 95
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8 Mancini Duffy Winstanley always keeps the entire process running smoothly and efficiently, ensuring that every project is completed on time. “Whenever a problem developed on one of our jobs as to how to get things done, Mancini Duffy Winstanley took the forefront and led the way through the issues, quickly making decisions and not holding up the project,” he said. “Their commitment to the job completion was the focus.” Mancini Duffy’s years of experience working with businesses gives them an acute understanding of their clients’ needs. They create designs to reflect and support the workplace. “We work very hard with clients to concentrate their dollars in the areas where they want to achieve the greatest impact,” Schirripa said. Clients appreciate the quality of the design and of the service, and many of the firm’s projects come from repeat business. As part of the diversification strategy, Mancini Duffy has also used that expertise in its consulting practice, the Center for Workplace Innovation. CWI specializes in assessing a business’s organizational model and helping it determine the best workplace to support its mission and objectives. Though the practice is 96 Construction Leaders Today
separate from Mancini Duffy’s architectural design, it is expected to be a feeder into the firm’s other services and an opening to new markets as Mancini Duffy continues to expand. ALT 8-9. When the client at 1401 New York Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. wanted to improve the value of their 1980s brick and glass office building with a complete face-lift they presented a rare challenge: the property had to remain occupied and functional during the project. The company’s solution was a complete departure from convention: rather than first stripping the building of its existing facade, they developed an approach that overlaid the new cladding on the old. Photos by Jessica Marcotte.
LORING ENGINEERS Joseph R. Loring & Associates, Inc. consulting mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and telecommunication engineers is proud to have collaborated with their friends at Mancini-Duffy over the past 25 years. Employing a staff of nearly 100 professionals, LORING has offices located in New York City, Washington, DC and Princeton, NJ.
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