Building Design & Construction articles from February 2005

Building Design & Construction archives from February 2005

Vinyl, wood, and sustainability.(Editorial)
February 1, 2005... After more than two years of effort, the U.S. Green Building Councils PVC Task Group has issued its draft report on vinyl building products, and, frankly, its something of a shocker. Most observers of green building (including this writer)...

Bottom floor gets top priority in IRS project.(News & Trends)
February 1, 2005... When the Building Team began the $60.7 million renovation and modernization of the 1.4 million-sf Internal Revenue Service headquarters in Washington, it was obvious where to start. Sections of the building's slab-on-grade basement floor were...

Library construction surpasses billion-dollar plateau.(News & Trends)
February 1, 2005... Spending on library facilities reached record levels in fiscal 2004, surpassing the $1 billion mark for the first time, according to a recent report by Library Journal, a BD&C sister publication. Public agencies spent a total of $1.24...

Comcast Center, a 57-story office tower, will be Philadelphia's tallest building when completed in the fall of 2007.(Projects awarded)
February 1, 2005... Comcast Center, a 57-story office tower, will be Philadelphia's tallest building when completed in the fall of 2007. The 975-foot-high building was designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, New York, with Kendall/Heaton Associates of Houston as...

240,000-sf addition.(Projects awarded)
February 1, 2005... The Newport Beach, Calif., office of St. Louis-based McCarthy Building Companies is general contractor for a 240,000-sf addition at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, Calif. The $75 million patient care center, designed by Seattle-based NBBJ, is...

$17.8 million Rockville (Md.) Library.(Projects awarded)
February 1, 2005... Grimm+Parker, Calverton, Md., is architect for the $17.8 million Rockville (Md.) Library. Rockville-based Forrester Construction Co. is general contractor for the 101,000-sf facility, which is scheduled for completion in mid-2006.

Sufficient egress at the jungle?(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... Your article "Concrete Jungle" (January 2005 issue, page 44) jumped off the page when I saw it. This building will never win a beauty contest. Nevertheless, I can understand that if a building breaks new ground technically, it is worthy of...

Turner Construction Co.(People/firms)
February 1, 2005... Turner Construction Co., New York, has promoted Pasquale A. DiFilippo to general manager of its New York and New Jersey operations.

SmithGroup.(People/firms)
February 1, 2005... Ted Davis has been named principal and director of design for Detroit-based SmithGroup's Minneapolis, Minn., office.

The Ritchie Organization.(People/firms)
February 1, 2005... Newton, Mass.-based healthcare design specialist TRO/The Ritchie Organization has named Erik B. Wismar vice president and managing principal of the firm's Sarasota office.

MulvannyG2 Architecture.(People/firms)
February 1, 2005... MulvannyG2 Architecture, Bellevue, Wash., has named CEO Jerry Lee chairman. Mitch Smith, the firm's president, will assume the role of CEO.

PWCampbell.(People/firms)
February 1, 2005... Banking veteran James G. Caliendo has been named president and COO of PWCampbell, a Pittsburgh-based financial services design/builder.

Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum.(People/firms)
February 1, 2005... The Dallas office of Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, St. Louis, has appointed Brion Sargent director of operations.

Register today for "Healthcare Goes Green" webcast.
February 1, 2005... Learn how the healthcare industry, with the help of skilled designers and contractors, is making "green" a priority during BD&C's latest webcast, "Healthcare Goes Green," Thursday, February 24 at 1 p.m. CST. Register today at www.bdcmag.com.

Auto dealerships pace stalling commercial sector.(Industry Data)
February 1, 2005... After a fast start the commercial sector, which includes retail, warehousing, and parking, now lags the rest of the nonresidential market. The outlook through 2006 is for only a 5.4% annual growth pace (3.0% after inflation). Construction...

Education construction spending upturn a sign of things to come.(Industry Data)
February 1, 2005... Construction spending for education facilities has been stalled for 18 months, although there was a 2.2% jump in November. Tentatively, this is the beginning of a return to 10% market expansion in 2005-06 after two years of slim 2.5% to 3.0%...

Materials price surge wanes.(Industry Data)
February 1, 2005... The construction materials market has stabilized enough that cost estimates can again be made with reasonable confidence and the incidence of expensive expediting and paying premium prices to get materials has diminished to a near normal level....

Capital inflow keeps high vacancy rate from depressing the multifamily housing market.(Industry Data)
February 1, 2005... Developers are building multifamily units currently at a 340,000-per-year pace, down from the peak of 400,000 units at the end of 2003. Construction spending for multifamily buildings continued to rise until last July due to the usual lag from...

Hunger fighter: the Greater Chicago Food Depository is fighting hunger even more effectively, thanks to its new $16 million warehouse and distribution facility.(Industrial Facility)
February 1, 2005... The mission statement of the Greater Chicago Food Depository which serves more than 300,000 hungry people every year, could not be more straightforward: "Providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community." The...

Healthcare boom: the U.S. healthcare sector will exceed $36 billion this year, with exciting new developments in the design of nursing stations, acuity adaptability, digital technology, and infection control.(Healthcare Report)(Cover Story)
February 1, 2005... The new diagnostic and treatment pavilion at Washoe Medical Center South Meadows in Reno, Nev., reflects the movement toward the digital hospital. Designed by HMC Architects, Ontario, Calif., and completed in January 2004, the 52,000-sf...

Nursing stations for the 21st century.(Healthcare Report)
February 1, 2005... In recent years, advances in information technology have enabled nurses to move away from traditional centralized paper-charting stations to smaller decentralized stations and charting substations located closer to patient rooms. Now, wireless...

5 ways going digital makes hospitals smarter.(Healthcare Report)
February 1, 2005... How digital systems aid hospital design 1. Create a unified hospital communications system. 2. Offer greater convenience to patients. 3. Reduce medication dispensing errors. 4. Promote better use and placement of high-tech...

Open invitation: the Maryland Science Center looked more like a penitentiary than a museum, until this Building Team reoriented it toward Baltimore's Inner Harbor.(Museum Design)
February 1, 2005... If you were among the 11 million tourists to visit Baltimore this past year, chances are you took in at least one of the Charm City's Inner Harbor attractions--the National Aquarium, the reincarnated Power Plant restaurant and entertainment...

London squeeze: a London architecture firm's office takes the form of its awkwardly shaped site and diverse surroundings.(Office Building)
February 1, 2005... London-based architect Allies and Morrison designed its new office building to provide ample studio space for an expanded design workforce. The development stands on an awkwardly shaped site not far from the new Tate Modern gallery south of the...

11 more helpful design tips for low-slope roof systems.(Roofs)
February 1, 2005... BD&C asked a panel of roofing experts for their advice about what design and construction professionals should do to ensure a successful low-slope roof project. The panel consists of: Tom O'Connor, FAIA, VP and director of building technology...

Making waves.(Products at work)
February 1, 2005... Polyurethane foam insulated panels provide the ideal backdrop for dramatic wave elements that top the new 90,000-sf printing facility for Grand Rapids Press in Grand Rapids, Mich. The "river waves" reflect the newspaper's heritage and history...

Roof revival.(Products at work)
February 1, 2005... After a tornado completely destroyed its community center, the village of St. Peter, Minn., decided to build a new, 85,000-sf facility that maintained the historic image of the original structure. Architect Bryan Paulsen of Paulsen Architects,...

Puncture-resistant TPO roof system.(Roofs)
February 1, 2005... Roof system combines the durability of a rubber membrane with the heat-welding properties of thermoplastic in an adhered application. UltraPly is a reinforced TPO membrane with an external backing of 8-ounce, non-woven polyester that resists...

Looks like metal.(Roofs)
February 1, 2005... Roofing system combines the sleek appearance of a metal roof with the watertight integrity and low maintenance of a thermoplastic membrane. Decor Roof Systems utilize the Sarnafil G410 membrane installed over a roof board, insulation, vapor...

New wall profiles.(Roofs)
February 1, 2005... Metal roof and wall panel line has been expanded with four new wall panel profiles. The R-Mer line of through-fastened metal wall panels is available in a variety of colors, in 12-, 32-, and 36-inch widths, and in exposed- or concealed-fastener...

Back on top.(Products at work)
February 1, 2005... University of Missouri tipped off the Big 12 basketball season in style last month, edging Iowa State 62-59 on its new home court: the $75 million Mizzou Sports Arena. The 15,000-seat facility, designed by 360 Architecture and built by J.E....

Tin-coated roof.(Products at work)
February 1, 2005... Appearance and durability were the main factors in the selection of a zinc/tin-coated stainless steel roof for the newly renovated and expanded Middletown (N.J.) Library. The 20,000-sf metal roof, which covers the library's new circular...

Revival at Coney Island.(Products at work)
February 1, 2005... The reconstruction of Coney Island's historic Stillwell Avenue subway terminal is nothing short of electrifying, as rusted, corrugated steel canopies have given way to sweeping triple-vaulted skylights that generate enough solar energy to light...

Tenacious bonding.(Roofs & Doors)
February 1, 2005... Liquid-applied waterproofing membrane provides a tenacious bond to a variety of concrete substrates, preventing lateral water migration in applications such as vegetated roof systems. Composed of elastomeric modified polyurethane, the CCW-525...

Non-corrosive closers.(Roofs & Doors)
February 1, 2005... Door closer line designed for severe climate or corrosive conditions, like seashore or swimming pool areas, features a corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy body with high-compression steel springs, hardened racks, and stainless steel parts....

Leaks no more.(Products at work)
February 1, 2005... After years of enduring leaks and failed patchings with its 20-year-old asphalt shingle roof, Deltona (Fla.) Elementary School commissioned roof consultant Arthur Sark of Rogers and Sark Consulting to replace the roof. Sark specified a metal...

Hurricane-tested doors.(Roofs & Doors)
February 1, 2005... Door series has been designed and tested to meet Florida's codes for hurricane resistance. Available in a variety of configurations, H-Series doors are structurally reinforced, accommodate heavyweight hinges, and are manufactured with A60...

Cool roof coating.(Roofs & Doors)
February 1, 2005... Siliconized polyester metal roof coating available in 20 colors meets EPA Energy Star's requirements for "cool" roofs: 65% solar reflectance for low-slope roofs, 25% for steep-slope roofs. Superl SP II Ultra-Cool also features easy application...

Fire-resistant wood frame.(Doors & Windows)
February 1, 2005... Wood-clad frame covers snap onto fire-rated aluminum frames after installation, providing a warm, sleek profile for window and door frames that are rated for 45-, 60, 90-, and 120-minute applications. GPX Snap-Together frame covers are...

Sacrificial facade.(Products at work)
February 1, 2005... When completed later this year, Orlando (Fla.) Regional Healthcare's 11-story Hospital for Women & Babies will be virtually impervious to hurricane damage. Approximately 100,000 sf of HI7000 series hurricane-resistant curtain wall will clad the...

Prison-ready locks.(Doors & Windows)
February 1, 2005... Mortise lock suitable for prison applications features stainless steel latch and deadbolt assemblies, providing strength and durability. The deadbolt is constructed with two hardened steel pins that are resistant to sawing. Friction-proof...

See-through fire doors.(Products at work)
February 1, 2005... A recent expansion of the Mary & Leigh Block Museum of Art, located on Northwestern University's campus in Evanston, Ill., tripled the size of the facility. While the project increased patron traffic, museum director Dr. David Robertson noticed...

Healthy finish.(Doors & Windows)
February 1, 2005... Finish system for custom wood doors uses water-based stains and solvent-free sealers and topcoats, eliminating volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. Permaguard factory finish can match any custom color and includes ultra-violet curing that...

Power-hungry door no more.(Doors & Windows)
February 1, 2005... Power door operator is designed for optimal performance during both power and manual operation. When the 5700 LEO is opened manually, the drive train and motor are not engaged. The system's standard door closer, not the motor, controls the...

Electronic locks made easy.(Products at work)
February 1, 2005... St. John's University, Jamaica, N.Y., recently converted all locks from a mechanical key system to an electronic system that adds flexible control without hard-wiring each door. The Schlage Computer-Managed system utilizes stand-alone...

Heavy wood doors.(Doors & Windows)
February 1, 2005... Wood door line is designed for heavy use and long-term operation, with 4 1/2-in. ball-bearing hinges and beveled meeting stiles. Doors meet ADA requirements and are available with several hardware, sill size, finish, and frame options,...

Single-source exterior.(Products at work)
February 1, 2005... Given just three months to disassemble and re-clad the 13,000-sf exterior of Jefferson College Technology Center in Hillsboro, Mo., the Building Team decided on a single-source supplier for new metal wall panels and windows. Specifying...

Metal that sings.(Miscellaneous)
February 1, 2005... Suitable for both interior and exterior applications, Luxalon metal ceiling systems feature a perforated surface and are backed with an encapsulated fiber-glass pad or non-woven fabric, providing quality acoustical performance. Sound enters the...

Herbaceous Trompe L'Oeil.(Products at work)
February 1, 2005... No, that's not natural grass in the restrooms at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The 8x8-inch ceramic tile flooring in the club-level restrooms at the new home of the Phillies was custom designed by reproducing digital images of...

Colorful healing.(Miscellaneous)
February 1, 2005... Vinyl flooring lines for healthcare applications have been expanded with a series of new colors, including jungle green, orange peel, and tea garden green. The Medintech, Medintech Tandem, and Possibilities Petit Point flooring lines integrate...

What a mesh!(Products at work)
February 1, 2005... Stainless steel aluminum wire mesh that clads the six-level, 983-space Neal Avenue parking garage at Ohio State University in Columbus provides clean, attractive finish to the concrete structure, as well as a degree of security. Multi-Barrette...

Droop-free door.(Products at work)
February 1, 2005... With 2,000 employees and thousands of visitors passing through its doors each day, Coors Brewing Company's production facility in Golden, Colo., was plagued by the "drooping door level" syndrome in high-traffic areas. Company locksmith Pat...

Membranes under ceramic tile.(Product & Literature Digest)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Use COMPOSEAL BLUE Shower Pan membrane under full mortar bed in showers: transition to COMPOSEAL GOLD 40 mil direct bond membrane in shower vestibules and kitchens. COMPOSEAL WHITE GOLD 50 mil membrane gives extra sound protection above grade....

Custom made--folding and roll-up doors.(Product & Literature Digest)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Woodfold's accordion and roll-up doors serve multiple functions. Each is custom made to exactly fit your finished opening. Our accordion folding doors are offered in a variety of Series suitable for sight, acoustic, or security applications....

GAF's Spec Central helps architects and specifiers.(Product & Literature Digest)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... GAF's Spec Central helps architects and specifiers (and even property owners with in-house design departments) to take the frustration and guesswork out of specifying a new low- or steep-slope roof. Spec Central includes SpecWizard, a...

Fire-fighting dryers.(Product & Literature Digest)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Milnor has added a Fire Suppression System (FSS) to its line of small dryers, raising washroom safely to a new standard. With FSS, an advanced sensor within the dryer can detect high heat or fire conditions. The sensor activates a water jet...

High-density mobile storage.(Product & Literature Digest)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Spacesaver's high-density mobile storage continues to solve floor space, economic and safety problems in virtually every facility. The simple concept of eliminating multiple aisles and using carriages that move dramatically increases storage...

United Metal Products' Chil-Pak[R] package central plant.(Product & Literature Digest)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... The Chil Pak[R] is a true "Plug and Play" for applications from 150 to 540 tons. The Chil Pak[R] brings all the variables associated with the engineering and construction of a typical central plant into an energy and space efficient cabinet....

New catalog.(Product & Literature Digest)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... The new catalogue from Hoover Treated Wood Products, Inc. features Pyro-Guard interior fire retardant treated wood, and Exterior Fire-X exterior fire retardant treated wood. Hoover produces a full line of pressure treated wood products. Please...

75-Year Manual.(Product & Literature Digest)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... The Steel Joist Institute offers the 75-Year Manual with a complete listing of commonly used live and dead load tables throughout the last 75 years. It offers investigative procedures and time saving data when analyzing existing structures as...

TRACO Hurrcules[TM] Thermal Impact products.(Product & Literature Digest)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... TRACO Thermal Impact products have been specifically designed to meet strict building codes and the toughest coastal weather challenges. These products are tested to withstand the most severe hurricane force wind loads. TRACO provides Thermal...

Cement-Online--web-based account & invoice info.(Product & Literature Digest)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Cement-Online is a web-based tool providing online account and invoice information. Customers can view detailed account activity including signed bills of lading, order details and shipment status. Users can place and track orders and access...

Perform-A-Deck.(Product & Literature Digest)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Perform-A-Deck is a structural roof deck system consisting of a high-quality galvanized steel deck substrate for excellent structural performance. Perform-A-Deck is a complete system that provides unmatched performance and is also backed up by...