tha architects | the education brochure

AGILE

BY DESIGN EDUCATION

ARCHITECTURE INTERIOR DESIGN PLANNING

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

ABOUT US................................................ 4

KEY PERSONNEL...................................... 12

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE.............................. 20

C O N TA C T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 0

ABOUT US

AGILE BY DESIGN T H + A’ S I N T E L L I G E N T D E S I G N P R O C E S S B E G I N S I N T E R N A L LY.

We start by building a strong and balanced team, guided by highly involved leadership and driven by creativity, critical thought and collaboration.

Then we provide tools – such as the th+a Project Process – to ensure that work is consistently completed to a high standard of quality.

Finally, we hone our efficiency through constant evaluation and improvement of our standards and processes.

T H E B E N E F I T TO O U R C L I E N T S ?

A T E A M W H I C H P R O V I D E S A G I L I T Y, C O N S I S T E N C Y A N D QUALITY IN DESIGN.

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OUR FIRM th+a (t. howard + associates architects, inc.) provides architectural, planning and interior design services for early childhood development and education facilities.

Our passion for this work is not a casual concept, not just a popular trend or interesting project type. It’s a serious commitment, and each new commission is a new opportunity to explore new ideas; to take a recent development and raise it to a new level; to realize a new vision. Our practical experience, in combination with a pedagogical vision, can be the source of new ideas for years to come.

As specialists in education facilities, we are continually evaluating and refining our design approach in response to new information, such as research regarding the built environment and its impact on children. We thrive on opportunities to create environments that stimulate imaginations, encourage exploration and add value and meaning to childhood.

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SERVICES The diverse expertise of our team members allows us to provide solutions for a wide variety of needs. Our in-house offerings include the following: PROGRAM MANAGEMENT • Develop Master Schedule/Global Budget/Work Plan • Build/Lead/Manage Development Team • Manage Overall Process T R A D I T I O N A L A / E C O N S U LT I N G • Campus Planning • Project Feasibility Analysis • Site Selection • Site Planning • Functional/Space Programming • Facility Planning/Design – New • Facility Planning/Design – Renovation • Facility Analysis - Assessment/Evaluation • Sustainable Design and/or LEED Certification Consulting • Interiors Graphics Packages • Marketing Materials (Renderings, Presentation Boards, etc.)

• Various Project-Specific Services

PROJECT MANAGEMENT • Develop/Manage Project Schedule/Project Budget • Lead/Manage Project Team • Manage Overall Process 9

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PLANNING • Strategic Planning • Master Planning • Facility Planning INTERIOR DESIGN • Finishes – Facility-specific Selections • Finish – Standard Selections • Furniture Selection/Specification • FF & E Procurement ARTWORK • Coordination/Recommendation/Selection • Specification/Procurement C O N S T R U C TA B I L I T Y R E V I E W S • Facility Condition Assessment • Peer Reviews of Plans M OV E C O O R D I N AT I O N • Inventory Existing Furniture/Equipment • Organize/Schedule/Manage Procurement/Move Activities

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KEY PERSONNEL F R O M L E F T: TODD C. HOWARD, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP KAREN M. THRASHER, AIA, NCARB, LEED GREEN ASSOC. LARRY E. JANOUSEK, AIA

EDUCATION Texas A&M University, Bachelor of Environmental Design

REGISTRATIONS Registered Architect: AZ, CO, LA, OK, PA, TX National Council of Architectural Registration Boards

CERTIFICATIONS LEED Accredited Professional

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS American Institute of Architects (Past President, Dallas Chapter) Texas Society of Architects Dallas Regional Chamber U.S. Green Building Council Texas Business for Clean Air The Real Estate Council Greater Dallas Planning Council

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TO DD C . HOWARD, AI A, NCAR B, LEED ® A P P R E SI DE N T Ask any of Todd Howard’s clients, colleagues or employees to describe him and one motif emerges — he’s a driven leader. As the president of th+a, Todd guides a team of professionals who invest great effort and technical expertise toward each client’s success. And as a leader, Todd believes it is his responsibility to look at a project from all angles — legislative, environmental and operational — and to think several steps ahead of his client’s needs. His goal is to see the vision for the project, partner the right talent with the client and create an exceptional environment for all constituents.

Todd’s leadership abilities are not only evident in the firm, but also in his profession and in his community. A past president of the Dallas chapter of the AIA, Todd created that group’s Emerging Leaders Program, which later received a national AIA award for Grassroots Excellence. He has also served as the former president of the Dallas Architectural Foundation and is active with the Texas Society of Architects. A graduate of Leadership Dallas, Todd has been involved with several City of Dallas boards and committees, serves on the Governing Board for Doctor’s Hospital and is an active member of the Texas Business for Clean Air Coalition.

In recognition of the significant influence that architects have on the built environment, Todd and his team are firmly committed to employing sustainable design practices and making judicious use of materials and systems for clients.

He is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and frequently presents on environmental awareness in business.

O: 214.522.1100 C: 214.563.6511 E: thoward@thaarch.com

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EDUCATION University of Texas at Austin, Bachelor of Architecture

REGISTRATIONS Registered Architect: TX

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS American Institute of Architects Texas Society of Architects

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LA R RY E . JANOUS EK , AI A SE N I O R A S S O C I ATE | H EAD OF QA/QC Larry Janousek’s deep knowledge base and range of experience are just two of the reasons clients enjoy working with him. The thought leader of th+a’s education and early childhood development practice, Larry has built a strong career on the principles of integrity, client advocacy and quality assurance.

In his role, Larry guides and consults each education project from inception to closeout. His superior understanding of the entire design and construction process allow him to respond quickly to any issues that might arise during construction — saving the client both time and money.

Larry’s project experience includes facilities for schools and educational centers in Dallas, Richardson, Harlingen, Houston, Austin, Weatherford and Brownsville, Texas; as well as in Arizona, California, Colorado and Wyoming.

Larry also leads th+a’s Quality Assurance/Quality Control program, and has developed a proprietary quality assurance process and tools which allow the firm to deliver documents of exceptionally high quality and clarity.

O: 214.466.2719 C: 214.215.2031 E: ljanousek@thaarch.com

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EDUCATION University of Kansas, Bachelor of Architecture

REGISTRATIONS Registered Architect: AL, MN, MS, TX National Council of Architectural Registration Boards

CERTIFICATIONS LEED Green Assoc.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS American Institute of Architects Texas Society of Architects

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KA R EN M . T HRAS HER, AI A, NCA RB, LEED ® G REEN AS S OC. SENIOR ASSOCIATE | SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER Repeat clients know that when they work with Karen Thrasher they can not only count on her for creative design solutions, but for keeping them well informed every step of the way. In fact, communicating with her clients in a concise and timely manner is what sets Karen’s project management skills apart. It’s also what enables her projects to consistently stay on schedule and within budget.

During her seven years at th+a, Karen has focused on th+a’s education and healthcare project work. Due to her strong management skills, she also has assumed much responsibility for the day-to-day oversight of project teams.

Karen works closely with her clients to find creative solutions to meet their needs on a variety of projects ranging from small renovations to ground-up structures.

With a pragmatic knowledge of all facets of a project, she consistently delivers a quality work product in a timely fashion. Clients especially enjoy working with her for her ability to respond quickly to their needs, to make thoughtful decisions when changes arise and to see the long-term effects of smaller decisions on the end result.

O: 214.466.2715 C: 214.226.1982 E: kthrasher@thaarch.com

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RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Anne Frank Elementary School John Ireland Elementary School Nathan Adams Elementary School Thomas C. Marsh Middle School Tom C. Gooch Elementary School W.A. Blair Elementary School William L. Cabell Elementary School Robert T. Hill Middle School Mt. Auburn Elementary School Robert E. Lee Elementary School Edna Rowe Elementary School William Lipscomb Elementary School H.S. Thompson Elementary School

“th+a’s quality of work has been demonstrated by thorough evaluation and documentation of existing school

conditions,

appropriate

design

solutions

to complement existing school architecture and quality documentation of program scope, design and construction documents as required by district guidelines. th+a provided a committed team and has, so far, completely satisfied us with their high level of service.”

Ed Levine Construction Project Manager Dallas Independent School District

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DALLAS ISD 2004 + 2008 BOND PROGRAM DA LLA S, T X th+a currently serves as Architect of Record for the renovation and expansion of eight schools for the Dallas Independent School District’s 2008 Bond Program.

Services include interior/exterior painting, restroom upgrades, interior/exterior door and hardware replacements, window replacement, and mechanical upgrades including boiler/chiller replacements, AHU replacements and conversion of steam radiators from pneumatic to DDC controls.

For the DISD 2004 Bond Program, our team completed renovations of five of the district’s elementary schools. The work consisted of infrastructure renovations including lighting and ceiling replacement, HVAC replacement, fire alarm and fire protection system additions, accessibility improvements, technology improvements, restroom renovations and playground additions.

The following pages provide a sample of our firm’s DISD project experience.

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R O B E R T T. H I L L M I D D L E S C H O O L DA LLA S, T X In 2010 th+a was selected to design a ten-classroom expansion and renovation for this existing East Dallas Middle School.

Built in 1957 as a junior high school serving the post-war baby boom, Hill was originally a non-air conditioned school serving approximately 900 students and designed in the International Style in an L-shaped plan.

Over the years, the school added air conditioning (mostly as roof-mounted equipment), with much of the ductwork running on the roof due to restrictive floor-to-floor heights of the original building design.

Over time and with the addition of a rear loop drive bus drop-off area, most students had begun to access the school from the back. This area also featured several large old-growth trees.

th+a developed a design scheme which successfully resolved multiple issues for the school. The compact design for the two-story addition, with its efficient footprint and strategic position, allowed the campus to retain its established foliage while avoiding th+a’s challenge was to review the costly landscape changes. The inclusion program for the addition and determine of a new entrance lobby and stairway the best approach for expanding this also transformed the addition into a new school. The primary entrance to the student entryway into the school. school originally faced Easton Road, a four-lane arterial.

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W. A . B L A I R E L E M E N TA R Y S C H O O L DA LLA S, T X The Blair Elementary School Expansion and Renovation, in the southeastern part of Dallas, was part of the DISD 2008 $1.1 Billion Bond Program which provided upgrades across the entire DISD system. Due in part to th+a’s successful completion of five school renovation projects for the 2004 Bond Program, DISD selected our firm for a number of their latest renovation and expansion projects.

Like many overburdened schools in the district, Blair was providing for a much larger student population than originally planned. For years, many classes were held in antiquated portable buildings.

The addition, which incorporated eight new 4th and 5th grade classrooms, a new Music Room and a new Art Room, was meant to permanently replace the portable buildings.

From three design schemes developed by th+a, the District chose one which featured a distinctively curved twostory corridor and classroom design.

This creative solution for the addition linked two open-ended school corridors, providing a more secure circulation loop within the school and forming a new exterior teaching courtyard to enhance the school’s program.

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SOUTHFIELD SCHOOL SH R E V E P O RT, LA th+a recently completed a master plan and conceptual design for the Southfield School, a private co-educational day school serving Preschool-2 through Grade 8. It is the only school in the region to receive the ISAS and NAEYC accreditations. th+a is currently implementing the first phase of the master plan with the expansion of the school’s early childhood, art and library facilities, as well as the construction of a new STEM building.

Established in 1934, the campus grew up around the original administrative building, built in the southern colonial vernacular. Using the existing historical architecture as the basis for design, th+a set out to provide the campus with a formal organizational structure. The planning and design team began by assessing the administration’s strategic plan and studying classroom usage, relationships of common facilities and the integrity of existing structures, then established a plan to attain optimum efficiency while accommodating Southfield’s current and future program requirements.

To unify the campus, the team developed a linear axis based on the iconic administration building,

formed the campus around a new central courtyard, and reorganized the classroom relationships to “stair step” up the natural topography of the site, around the courtyard campus core.

The new master plan incorporates extensive reassignments of existing space with a blend of new construction and renovation and expansion of existing structures. th+a conceptually designed new pre-school buildings and a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Building, and relocated the Library and existing black box theater around and into the new unifying campus plan.

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S T. J O H N ’ S E P I S C O PA L S C H O O L DA LLA S, T X th+a served as Architect of Record for the renovation and expansion of this private school’s Theodore and Beulah Beasley Foundation Science Wing and The Hillcrest Foundation Rooftop Garden.

The 6,825 square foot renovation with a 1,400 square foot addition updated three science classrooms with stateof-the-art equipment and learning environments.

building; a solar panel system canopy; occupancy-sensor lighting; wateruse reduction fixtures; and a waterreclamation system.

During a previous project, th+a provided The th+a team used sustainable building architectural design for the complete practices throughout the work, and renovation of the school’s kitchen. included elements such as the rooftop garden, which will help insulate the

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PRIMROSE SCHOOLS DA LLA S, T X Primrose Schools of Atlanta, Georgia engaged th+a architects in 2012 to prepare a feasibility study to convert a two story 1970’s bank building in a prime North Dallas retail/residential neighborhood into one of their new urban concept early childhood centers.

The retrofit included expanding the first floor footprint of the old Texas Commerce Bank Building in the Preston Royal Shopping Center into space originally utilized as drive-through banking lanes under the 2nd floor. The result of the collaboration between th+a, Primrose Schools and their local franchisee, is an 14,580 square foot child care center for 204 children with two ground-level outside play areas partially protected by the overhangs of the deeply cantilevered second floor.

The project required significant demolition of existing escalators and a large safe deposit vault on the second floor which were a part of the original bank design. In addition, the entire mechanical system was redesigned, and a new prep kitchen was added.

The center was programmed to provide care for infants through school age children in Primrose’s full-day and after school programs.

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S T. P H I L I P ’ S S C H O O L AND COMMUNITY CENTER DA LLA S, T X When the St. Philip’s School required a new building to support their school and community outreach program, the construction committee reached out to th+a to create a master plan and craft the expansion. The final building provides a safe alternative recreation opportunity for children in this urban Dallas neighborhood, strengthening the school’s ties to the local area and the Dallas community at large, from which many of its students are drawn.

Our team designed a new single-story classroom and gymnasium addition, positioning it so that the circulation of the new building connected seamlessly to the primary circulation of the existing building. By setting the new structure slightly away from the existing building, both new and existing portions maintained unrestricted natural lighting.

We also designed a porte-cochère to provide a public entrance separate from the school itself, and included a tower element to signify its unique function. The building exterior is brick veneer with a standing seam metal roof system consistent with the existing campus vernacular.

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WEST DALLAS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DA LLA S, T X th+a has enjoyed a working relationship with the West Dallas Community School for several years, having developed the overall master plan long before the design of the school began. Our firm encouraged the school, which is funded through foundation donations, to create an ideal campus for the community.

Key to the project was our team’s involvement of students, teachers and community leaders while planning the design of the school.

The school is an adaptive reuse project; 32,000 square feet of the overall project was an existing public school. Due to housing density change in the area, the elementary school had been mothballed.

The existing facility was reused, with extensive renovations and additions, an environmentally friendly alternative to ground-up construction. The school incorporates innovative learning environments such as the teaching kitchen, where the children learn the art of cooking. The library also serves the local community, facilitating involvement in the school.

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TOM C. GOOCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DA LLA S, T X th+a was charged with upgrading many aspects of this 1950’s-era North Dallas School as part of the DISD 2008 $1.1 Billion Bond Program, which provided upgrades across the entire DISD system. Due in part to th+a’s successful completion of five school renovation projects for the 2004 Bond Program, DISD selected our firm for a number of their latest renovation and expansion projects.

The team designed a new covered entrance element to emphasize the front door of the school, and added an area of new brick pavers to create a pathway sheltered by an existing canopy of large oak trees. This sequence of details helps to protect students and parents from the elements as they enter the school. Other exterior improvements included the addition

of fluted metal panel fascia to cover a deteriorated slate fascia, a gated masonry enclosure and extended landscape irrigation along the front of the school. Additionally, all exposed metal gutters, columns, railings and window frames were repainted. A new playscape and fall zone area was added to the main playground.

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THOMAS C. MARSH MIDDLE SCHOOL DA LLA S, T X th+a completed thorough renovation work on this existing middle school, including exterior and interior painting, restroom renovations, interior and exterior door and hardware replacement, including provisions to meet security lockdown criteria of the District, and new room signage throughout.

Also included in the scope was a new computer controlled stage lighting system and a new emergency lighting system throughout the school.

Curb appeal enhancements include a new brick paver gathering area at the main entrance and new exterior entrance lighting around the school for enhanced security. Mechanical and Electrical upgrades included replacement of one 320-ton chiller

and associated water pumps and six rooftop and under-floor air handling units, installation of new DDC controls for selected mechanical equipment, and replacement of the existing steam boiler with two new gas water heaters.

Also provided in the scope of work was the addition of two new roof mounted air conditioning units to serve the existing locker rooms.

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WILLIAM L. CABELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DA LLA S, T X th+a completed substantial infrastructure upgrades for Cabell Elementary School as part of the DISD 2008 $1.1 Billion Bond Program, which provided upgrades across the entire DISD system. Due in part to th+a’s successful completion of five school renovation projects for the 2004 Bond Program, DISD selected our firm for a number of their latest renovation and expansion projects.

The work included replacing an outdated and inefficient HVAC system in the primary classroom wings of the school with a new hydronic VAV system.

This necessitated the replacement of most of the corridor ceilings and corridor lighting. Major HVAC components such as the rooftop air handlers, boilers and hydronic pumps were also replaced.

The interior of the school also received a significant facelift, which included new wood doors and repainting of all walls in the corridors and public spaces.

The team specified lockdown-capable hardware at all new classroom doors to improve school security. Existing lockers received a new electrostatic paint coating to complete the refreshed look. Student toilet rooms received new floor drains and new ceramic tile flooring wainscots, new fixtures and

water-conserving, auto shut-off fittings and vandal resistant toilet partitions.

The teachers were pleased to have a new Teacher’s Resource Room and accessible staff restroom included as a part of the renovation as well.

Exterior trim and other paintable surfaces were properly prepped and repainted, and the teacher parking lot received much-needed repair. We also added a new gated masonry dumpster enclosure in order to bring it to conformance with the City of Dallas Zoning Ordinance, which requires that they be shielded from view of the surrounding neighborhood. The improvements were all completed within a carefully phased schedule, accomplished with minimal impact to the school schedule and programs.

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HARLINGEN CISD HA R LI N G E N, T X th+a served as Associate Architect for four elementary school expansions for the Harlingen CISD. Crockett Elementary School Lamar Elementary School Rodriguez Elementary School Treasure Hills Elementary School

Three of the elementary schools - Crockett Elementary School, Lamar Elementary School and Rodriguez Elementary School - are each undergoing multipleclassroom wing additions; a fourth - Treasure Hills Elementary School - is receiving a wing addition of four classrooms and renovation of administrative areas.

Crockett Elementary School

Rodriguez Elementary School

Lamar Elementary School

Treasure Hills Elementary School

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ANN WINDLE SCHOOL DE N TO N, T X The Ann Windle School for Young Children was the first dedicated child care center to serve the needs of the Denton Independent School District, and is an integral part of the district’s Head Start program for preschoolers. th+a worked closely with the teachers, administrators and faculty representatives throughout the design process to develop a very unique plan to house this large program.

The design is based upon providing a “village” atmosphere, using pods of three to four classrooms to group the learning areas in response to functional requirements and to help reduce the scale of the center appropriately for its young users. The building exhibits a rural influence, using a metal silo as a

focal point for the structure located at the heart of the building from which the three primary wings extend. The aesthetic is further enhanced by the use of corrugated metal siding, local stone, and metal shed roofs reminiscent of the barns and out-buildings of North Texas farms and ranches.

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MEMBER

th+a is an active participant in professional organizations and research groups dedicated to studying the impact of the built environment on people and the planet.

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ACHIEVEMENTS AND RECOGNITION

AGC Excellence in Construction - Brookhaven Head Start Facility (2007) State of Arizona Governor’s Achievement Award, Innovative School Design in Arizona Early Childhood Category - Catalina Foothills Valley View School District Learning Center (2008) AIA Dallas Chapter - Past President Todd Howard (2009) Quoin (AGC) Summit Award Best Project - Baylor University Medical Center Emergency Department (2008) TEXO Interior Finish-Out ($500K - $2M) Merit Award - Baylor All Saints Joan Katz Breast Center (2011) 8th Fastest Growing Texas A&M Former Student Owned Companies (2007) Organizations who have recognized th+a’s accomplishments include the North Texas chapter of the USGBC, the Associated General Contractors and the Office of the Governor of Arizona.

North Texas Green Building Council, Excellence in Sustainability - Buzz Lofts (2006) AIA Dallas Young Architect of the Year – Todd C. Howard (2005) Greater Dallas Planning Committee Notable Project of the Year - Buzz Lofts (2005) City of Dallas National Trust for Historic Preservation Award - Fair Park Restoration (2003)

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C O N TA C T

C O N TA C T TO D D C . H O WA R D, A I A , N C A R B, L E E D A P O: 214.522.1100 C: 214.563.6511 E: thoward@thaarch.com J A M E S K . S H A R P, M P A , L E E D G R E E N A S S O C I A T E O: 214.466.2727 C: 512.983.2289 E: jsharp@thaarch.com

www.thaarch.com

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