1. Integrated sink system
Sloan
Project: Planet Fitness, Palmdale, Calif. Problem: Members of previous Planet Fitness locations complained of excess water on countertops and floors, which led to safety hazards. Solution: Sloan installed the AER-DEC sink system that features a sink basin, faucet, soap dispenser, and hand dryer all within an arm’s reach. The touch-free, integrated system eliminated the trips between sinks and hand dryers that caused the excess water on countertops and floors.
2. Insulated metal panels
Mcelroy metal
Project: CubeSmart, Cranston, R.I. Problem: Self-storage facilities are often mundane buildings. CubeSmart wanted to buck the trend. Solution: The two buildings that make up the storage facility were clad in a staggered arrangement of 29,000 sf of Ash Gray panels and 10,000 sf of CubeSmart Red panels. On the team: Lacuna Design (architect), Ubane Construction (GC), and EKM Construction (IMP installer).
3. Aluminum Composite Panels
3A Composites USA
Project: South Texas College Technology Campus expansion, McAllen, Texas. Problem: The new university building needed a colorful, durable product to use as a decorative theme for the college while retaining an industrial look. Solution: 15,200 sf of 4mm Alucobond aluminum composite material in custom colors was juxtaposed with cream-colored brick and brown split-face block wainscot on the building’s façade. Also used: 6,200 sf of custom STC Green; 2,700 sf of custom STC Violet; and 6,300 sf of Silver Metallic. On the team: EGV Architects (architect) and E-Con Group (GC).
4. High-efficiency windows
Linetec and winco windows
Project: Vida, San Francisco. Problem: A mixed-use building wanted a neutral, energy-efficient contrast for its colorful façade, which reflects the color and texture of the neighborhood’s Latin-influenced murals and crafts. Solution: Winco Windows’ 1450 Series 4-inch unitized window wall and 3325 Series 3.25-inch zero sightline vents, finished by Linetec in Snow White color. The finish improves thermal performance while maintaining the long-term durability of the fenestration. On the team: DLR Group, Kwan Henmi (architects), Build Group (GC), Bagatelos Architectural Glass Systems (glazing contractor).
5. Energy-efficient roof system
Firestone Building Products
Project: Bridgestone Tower, Nashville, Tenn. Problem: To achieve LEED Gold certification, the project team needed an energy-efficient roof system. Solution: Firestone Building Products’ UltraPly TPO and ISO 95+ were used for the project. UltraPly TPO added LEED points to the design, operation, and maintenance of the building. Its white reflective surface exceeds the EPA’s Energy Star requirements. ISO 95+ offers the highest R-value ratings per inch compared to other insulation materials, says the maker.
6. Metal Panel Exterior
Centria
Project: Richland County Decker Center, Columbia, S.C. Problem: The building needed to be visually unified and eliminate any semblance of its former purpose as a strip mall. Solution: Formawall panels in an Off White color with a smooth finish were contrasted with Formawall panels in Chromium Gray across the main building façade. Versawall embossed insulated metal panels in Silver and metallic Sundance AM coating were used around the rear of the building. On the team: Boudreaux (architect), H.G. Reynolds (GC), SECO Architectural Systems (metal panel installer).
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
Reed Construction Data files corporate espionage lawsuit against McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge
Reed Construction Data (RCD), a leading construction information provider and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reed Elsevier (NYSE:RUK, NYSE:ENL), today filed suit in federal court against McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge, a unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MHP). The suit charges that Dodge has unlawfully accessed confidential and trade secret information from RCD since 2002 by using a series of fake companies to pose as RCD customers.
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, HOK top BD+C's ranking of the 75 largest state/local government design firms
A ranking of the Top 75 State/Local Government Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Brad Pitt’s foundation unveils 14 duplex designs for New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward
Gehry Partners, William McDonough + Partners, and BNIM are among 14 architecture firms commissioned by Brad Pitt's Make It Right foundation to develop duplex housing concepts specifically for rebuilding the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans. All 14 concepts were released yesterday.
| Aug 11, 2010
NAVFAC releases guidelines for sustainable reconstruction of Navy facilities
The guidelines provide specific guidance for installation commanders, assessment teams, estimators, programmers and building designers for identifying the sustainable opportunities, synergies, strategies, features and benefits for improving installations following a disaster instead of simply repairing or replacing them as they were prior to the disaster.