The Construction Management Association of America is an industry association with a goal to improve our nation’s infrastructure. Since 1982, CMAA has established standards for managing construction projects. CMAA has announced Project Achievement Awards of 2023, with an Architectural Nexus project among the ranks.

The UC Davis Health Ambulatory Care Center Expansion/Ernest E. Tschannen Eye Institute wins the Healthcare: Construction value greater than $50 Million project award.

UCDH Eye Institute offers world class eye care with a seamless, all-in-one approach. The innovative design of the Ernest E. Tschannen Eye Institute reflects advancements in patient care and research, fulfilling UC Davis Health’s long-held vision. This facility showcases the university’s eye care history. The 4-story addition to the ambulatory care center includes 64 exam rooms, 24 imaging rooms, and a floor dedicated to surgery and research. Congratulations to UC Davis Health, Vanir, and all involved in the incredible project.

Location

Sacramento, California

Client

UC Davis Health

Project Team

Vanir (Construction Manager)

Architectural Nexus (Criteria Architect)

McCarthy and HGA/TEF (Design Build Entity)

Square Footage

75,505 SF

Project Budget

$91 Million

The WELL Accredited Professional (WELL AP) is a health and well-being credential demonstrating expertise in the WELL building standard. It’s a commitment to advancing human health in buildings and communities around the world.

After many hours of preparation, Architectural Nexus Regenerative Operations Manager, Erica McBride is WELL-certified!

Regarding this accreditation, Erica shares: The role buildings play in human health and well-being has never been more evident or more important. The relationship between the physical environment and human health is so important. It is up to us to drive the change we wish to see in the built environment. That is why I chose to pursue WELL Accredited Professional certification.

Utah Construction and Design has announced its list of 2023’s Most Outstanding Projects. Architectural Nexus is pleased to have winning designs in three categories on this list, including Project of the Year!

Project of the Year: The West Quarter

Community Impact: National Ability Center – Mountain Center

Healthcare, Large: Kathryn F. Kirk Comprehensive Cancer Care and Women’s Cancers

A panel of eight industry professionals chose award projects from over 80 submissions. A recap of each award-winning project will be included in the December issue of UC&D.

Architectural Nexus has had the privilege of designing each phase of the Huntsman Cancer Institute for over two decades. We are humbled to announce our continued partnership as we embark on a new chapter together. The Huntsman Cancer Institute has again entrusted Arch Nexus with the privilege of designing its new Comprehensive Cancer Center in Vineyard, Utah.

The expansion is funded by a $75 million donation from the Huntsman Foundation, the most significant single gift in the institute’s history. The goal is to make world-class cancer care more accessible, accelerate cancer research, and train future cancer experts. This new campus will help reduce the healthcare disparity for cancer patients in rural areas with lower survival rates.

Senior Principal Architect Lisa Whoolery Ramidan says, “As we embark on this journey that will make a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer, we express deep gratitude to the Huntsman Cancer Institute for their vision and continued partnership. We also sincerely appreciate the many individuals that have been a part of the planning and construction of Huntsman Cancer Institute facilities, both past and present.”

Saturday was a day of celebration, smiles, and even tears, as participants, volunteers, family, friends, and others gathered at the National Ability Center’s new, McGrath Mountain Center. The National Ability Center is dedicated to serving individuals, families, and groups with disabilities by providing a safe and inclusive environment to discover their untapped potential for athletic adventure. Their winter program that previously operated from a doublewide trailer, now has the benefit of expanding it’s offering through a 10,000-square-foot, Architectural Nexus designed state of the art facility.

The new building “Is a dream come true,” says Tracy Meier, chief program and education officer at the National Ability Center. The ADA-accessible facility will provide a home-base for the organization’s adaptive ski and snowboard programs and will provide the ability to serve participants and the community with year-round programs and events.

The McGrath Mountain Center boasts ample indoor space to properly fit participants in a variety of adaptive equipment including mono and bi-skis. Once fitted, participants will slide on an artificial surface directly to the snow. Jeff Fons, VP of Operations, shared the importance of the new facilities repair space for equipment. “With so many unique adaptive needs that we serve, the capability of adjusting and making repairs to equipment is critical.”

When asked if there were any often-overlooked design features he was excited about, Fons waved his hand in front of a motion sensor at a restroom door and shared his enthusiasm for the ease of use that the new restrooms provide.

Reservations are now open for anyone needing adaptations to hit the slopes in Park City, Utah. Scholarships are also available to help offset costs as needed. Additional news related to the grand opening of the McGrath Mountain Center, can be found at ABC4 Utah, and theParkRecord.com.

Architectural Nexus recently held their annual open house for both locations; Sacramento and Salt Lake City. Friends, family members, consultants, neighbors, and students stopped by to explore innovative and uniquely sustainable design aspects at Arch Nexus office buildings. On-site food trucks made it a real party.

ENR Mountain States announced 2023 Best Project Awards, which include two Architectural Nexus designs. The Huntsman Cancer Center Institute Cyclotron Radiochemistry Lab was chosen for the Health Care Award of Merit. The 6,000 square-foot lab manufactures radiopharmaceuticals used for scans of patients with cancer, cardiovascular disease, dementia and more. It’s the only laboratory of its kind in the Intermountain West, enabling life-saving diagnostic imaging for patients. It also supports clinical trials conducted by Huntsman Cancer Institute researchers as they develop new cancer treatments.

The Best Residential/Hospitality Project was awarded to Phase 1 of The West Quarter- a large-scale, mixed-use development in the heart of Salt Lake City’s Warehouse District. The residential portion of the West Quarter is The Charles. The 240 upscale, residential units designed by Arch Nexus include amenities such as a rooftop pool and hot tub, dog wash, gourmet kitchen, shared and private workspaces, a large gym and more.

The Huntsman Mental Health Foundation has begun construction on the Utah Mental Health Translational Research Building located in Research Park on the University of Utah Campus. Architectural Nexus and partnering firm, NBBJ, have designed the 185,000 square foot facility. Set to open in 2026, the facility will be a hub for innovative mental health research and clinical care, addressing issues such as suicide, youth mental health, and underserved populations.

The building will feature the world’s only 7 Tesla MRI for brain research and will house a team of experts from various fields. It’s supported by the Utah State Legislature and other philanthropic donors. Mental health challenges affect millions worldwide, with a 13% increase in the last decade, particularly among adolescents. This interdisciplinary approach aims to combat this critical health crisis.

University of Utah Health shared a clip of highlights and a press release regarding Monday’s groundbreaking. The Salt Lake Tribune also highlighted this first-of-its kind facility.

Architectural Nexus is thrilled to announce that the Daybreak Library was recently given an Honor Design Award at the 2023 AIA Utah Fall Conference. A diverse board of judges made the selection and shared this statement about this design.

This county library was a thorough, rigorous work of architecture. The choreographed spatial sequence that integrated the site with the building and culminating at a rooftop prospect was particularly effective. The reductive material palette and direct application of several sustainable strategies rounded out a superior submission. This project will get better with age.

– 2023 Design Awards Jury

Arch Nexus President Robb Harrop, served as principal designer for the Daybreak Library. Robb characterized the process and result of this robust integrative design by stating: All our disciplines and values were applied simultaneously to create this significant project. It is the essence of complete and sustainable design. Interior design and landscape architecture reinforce the same goals and are tied together in a way that one is not complete without the other. Additionally, none of this happens without excellent client interface and involvement. The Daybreak Library is a place for people. It’s meaningful architecture.

Engineering News-Record has published the data for the 2023 Top 100 Green Design Firms, and Architectural Nexus is pleased to rank alongside world-renowned design firms as leaders in sustainable architecture. Engineering News-Record reports that increased interest in sustainability certifications for design projects has significantly boosted revenue to the green building industry. This growth was supported by federal spending and new carbon-cutting standards to promote climate-friendly design. In 2022, revenue in green design projects actively seeking sustainability certifications increased by 22.3% in the United States and 31.9% internationally.

Other informational highlights in ENR’s Top 100; A Green Market Growth Spurt, include

• Future challenges of the green construction industry are embodied carbon, inflated project costs and sustainably navigating new delays in a complex supply chain.
• Sustainability certifications like LEED have become an integral part of long-term principles and values for many clients. Sustainability metrics have boosted market performance to justify higher costs of better performing buildings.
• In 2022 the highest Green design Market sectors were commercial offices (17.4%) and health care ($15.7%).
• Designing buildings as living systems and for resilience create natural synergies by incorporating features that harmonize with environmental factors rather than opposing them.
• There is a need for data models based on future weather predictions and not previous patterns in order to cultivate green skills for overall occupancy health and for building performance.