Construction is underway on Napa Valley College's new performing arts center in Napa, California, designed by HGA Architects and Engineers. Image: HGA Extra Large Image

Medford · 2008.0910
A new joint-use academic facility in Medford, Oregon, has opened to students. SERA Architects of Portland designed the center, a collaborative project of Rogue Community College and Southern Oregon University. The three-story, 68,700-square-foot (6,380-square-meter) building includes classrooms, science labs, computer labs, a testing center, and a business center.

LEED Platinum certification is the goal for the facility, which was budgeted as a typical classroom building. "Green" features include high-efficiency condensing boilers and water heaters, ultra-low-flow water fixtures, onsite stormwater detention, and use of regional and recycled-content materials, including FSC-certified wood from sustainably harvested local forests.

Window-to-wall area ratio was studied to maximize daylighting while minimizing heat loss. A heat pipe and heat wheels transfer energy from exhaust air to preheat and pre-cool intake air. Total energy use is expected to be 37 percent better than Oregon Energy Code, and annual domestic water use is expected to be 53 percent less than code.

Another SERA Architects project, the Nines hotel in downtown Portland, is set to open in October 2008. The hotel occupies the renovated top nine floors of the 1908 Meier & Frank Building. LEED Silver certification is expected.

Brooklyn · 2008.0909
Several affordable apartment projects are in the works in Brooklyn, New York City, as part of the "Smart Housing" urban infill program of Rothzeid Kaiserman Thomson & Bee (RKT&B), developed in conjunction with CPC Resources, Inc. (CPCR). Two projects under construction in the Crown Heights neighborhood will comprise seven buildings and 56 units. Construction will begin in early fall 2008 on a 48-unit project in Bedford Stuyvesant. A fourth project, Brownsville Housing, comprises 88 units across 11 buildings in Brooklyn.

The projects are modeled on a prototype previously designed by RKT&B and CPCR for four-story, eight-family walk-up housing. A large, glazed egress stairwell eliminates the need for a costly elevator and its maintenance, and increases safety through two-way visual access from the street.

New York · 2008.0909
Renovations were recently completed for the new offices of BBG-BBGM (Brennan Beer Gorman Architects-Brennan Beer Gorman Monk Interiors), located on the 25th floor of the Empire State Building. Glass, reflective surfaces, and white tones help maximize daylight penetration in the open-office environment. The partially exposed ceiling was meticulously restored to its original appearance.

BBG-BBGM is pursuing LEED Silver certification for Commercial Interiors. Sustainable features include low-flow and motion-sensor bathroom fixtures; individually submetered Energy Star equipment; energy-efficient lighting systems, such as T5 high-output fluorescent lamps with LEDs; low-VOC paints and adhesives; and recycled-content materials, including Interface carpet tiles and Ecophon fiberglass ceiling tiles and wall coverings. Energy consumption is expected to be 15 percent below ASHRAE standards.

Aragon, a New York City-based general contracting and construction management company, completed the build-out.

Brownsville · 2008.0908
Dallas, Texas-based SHW Group has revealed its design for the 60,000-square-foot (5,600-square-meter) Biomedical Research Laboratories + Community Sciences Building at the University of Texas at Brownsville. The building program will be divided into two building masses, one to house the biomedical research laboratories, offices, and support space, and the other to house the Allied Health Department and the general classroom space.

The building form, scale, and materiality reflect a reinterpretation of traditional Mexican design elements, such as colonnades and courtyards, responding to the regional climate and complementing the campus's existing Spanish Colonial architecture. Completion is slated for April 2011. The design recently received a 2008 Studio Award from the Texas Society of Architects.

Nocatee · 2008.0908
Ground has broken for the first phase of Nocatee Community Park in the new town of Nocatee, Florida. Ervin Lovett & Miller of Jacksonville served as architect, landscape architect, and recreation planner for the 78-acre (32-hectare) project.

The south end of the park, currently under construction, will include multipurpose playing fields, a concession building, a dog park, recreational trails, tennis courts, and community parking. The 3,000-square-foot (280-square-meter) open-air concession center will be built in a classic Florida style. An series of trails will link the park to surrounding neighborhoods.

The current phase is expected to open in early 2009. Later development of the north end will add a two-story community center, a social hall, and a large aquatic park.

Napa · 2008.0903
Construction is underway on a new instructional center for performing arts (rendered above) at Napa Valley College in Napa, California. The San Francisco office of HGA Architects and Engineers (Hammel, Green and Abrahamson) designed the 48,000-square-foot (4,500-square-meter) complex, which will include a 550-seat theater; a black box theater; a music recital venue; theater, choral, orchestral, and piano rehearsal spaces; offices; and a scene and costume shop.

The teaching and performance facility will be located at the north entrance to the campus. Completion is slated for spring 2010. Fredric Sherman, AIA, served as principal-in-charge for HGA.

Scranton · 2008.0902
The new Commonwealth Medical College in Scranton, Pennsylvania, recently broke ground for its medical sciences building. The 185,000-square-foot (17,200-square-meter) building was designed by the New York City office of HOK in association with the New York office of Highland Associates.

The west research wing and east educational wing will surround a shared courtyard. Other gathering areas include a large porch and cafe. Public ground floor spaces include student common areas, a bookstore, and lobby for the 250-seat auditorium.

Sustainable features will include heat recovery, occupancy sensors, high-performance glazing, integrated daylight control through honeycombed transom glazing, the use of local stone, rainwater collection for irrigation use, and native landscaping. Completion is expected by 2011.

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