A recent article published by Deseret News and shared by Apple News highlights statistics that might surprise some, but not designers at Architectural Nexus. Researchers from Portland State University, in collaboration with the American Library Association, noted an “unlikely love affair” between young Americans and libraries. More than half of Gen Z and millennials have visited local libraries in the past year. About 25% of library visitors don’t consider themselves readers, and 43% of Gen Z and millennials don’t identify as readers. According to the article, Libraries serve as gathering places beyond books, offering resources during life changes, Wi-Fi workspaces, and creativity resources. Amid challenges like loneliness and mental health issues, libraries remain vital “third spaces” for connection at no cost.

This is exactly what Architectural Nexus had in mind when designing recent spaces like the Kearns Library (featured image in Deseret News piece), the Daybreak Library, and the Sprague Library. According to Holli Adams, Principal with Arch Nexus, “These spaces were all designed to bring people together and provide a sense of choice and opportunity. Interactive spaces within these Architectural Nexus designs offer a new hub of activity drawing public interest and the community back into the public realm.”

Utah Construction & Design Magazine recently published an in-depth look into the latest addition of the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Their full story: A New Hope, can be found in UC&D’s October 2023 issue.

In May, the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) held a grand opening for the Kathryn F. Kirk Center for Comprehensive Cancer Care and Women’s Cancers. The 10-story, $178 million center is a new ray of hope in the fight against cancer. Architectural Nexus oversaw the project and all previous phases of the iconic campus.

The 225,000 square feet of warm, welcoming space includes 48 cozy inpatient rooms, a whole floor dedicated to women’s cancers, and an expanded wellness center. The architectural design features go above and beyond to make patients feel at home, opting for high-end finishes that give off a luxury hotel vibe rather than a sterile hospital feel.

But it’s not just about aesthetics. According to Lisa Whoolery Ramidan, Senior Principal at Arch Nexus, “The goal of the new center is to capitalize on HCI’s previous success to further develop the facility and care for patients. “The mission of the HCI is patient first, united effort, and excellence in all it does,” Whoolery Ramidan said. “The expansion will further enhance the ability to meet that mission to serve patients.”

Read the full spread from UC&D to learn more about the unique challenges faced and new opportunities created throughout this project.

Utah Construction & Design held their 2023 awards ceremony for this year’s Most Outstanding Projects, on December 12^th. The winning projects includes three Architectural Nexus designs.

Kathryn F. Kirk Center for Comprehensive Cancer Care and Women’s Cancers won Healthcare, Large. This addition to the Huntsman Cancer Institute adds 220,000 square feet to the campus and increases inpatient care capacity by 50%.

National Ability Center – Mountain Center won the Community Impact award for its trailblazing innovation in adaptive recreation.

In an exciting first, an Arch Nexus design won the esteemed Project of the Year. It was awarded to The West Quarter. This project transforms downtown Salt Lake City with its luxury multi-family housing – The Charles, swanky hotels, retail space and parking. Future phases will bring more housing, high-end retail, and fine dining additions.

We share this honor with our extraordinary clients and first-rate partners who make these achievements possible.

Engineering News Record Mountain States celebrated 2023’s Best Projects at an awards ceremony on December 6th.

Salt Lake City’s new large-scale, mixed-use development, The West Quarter was named ENR Mountain States Residential/Hospitality Best Project. This design included 240 residential units at The Charles, with duel braded luxury hotel space, retail space and a parking garage. Future phases will bring multifamily housing, high-end retail and fine dining additions.

A Healthcare Award of Merit was given to the Huntsman Cancer Center Institute Cyclotron Radiochemistry Lab. 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.

Arch Nexus is grateful to our valued clients The Ritchie Group and The Huntsman Cancer Institute. Their vision helps us achieve this collective success. We extend gratitude to our friends at Beecher Walker and HKS and to the talented consultants and contractors on these projects including Jacobsen Construction.

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

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.

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.

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.

The cover story of Utah Construction and Design’s latest issue includes a stunning spread of images showcasing the newly completed West Quarter. Architectural Nexus designed the first phase of residential housing within the West Quarter. The Charles rivals the elegance of its neighboring hotels in lavish style and amenities. Nestled seamlessly into the high-end residential apartment market of downtown Salt Lake City, it boasts a captivating exterior curtain wall system that plays with varying window sizes, combining a harmony of masonry, steel, and glass.

The design offers a versatile range of living spaces, including studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments, and 11 luxurious penthouse units. It includes contemporary, highly functional public areas, a rooftop pool terrace and lounge area, and a state-of-the-art 2,600-square-foot indoor/outdoor fitness center. There’s even a poker lounge for those feeling lucky.

According to David Abraham, Senior Principal at Arch Nexus, the exposed concrete interior marries refinement with rawness, infusing the space with a sense of modernity and novelty while evoking nostalgia for the downtown lifestyle. Charles Bagley, an Associate at Arch Nexus, points out the meticulous attention to detail, right down to the elevator buttons, ivory and circular elements, and other distinct features that collectively give the project a unique identity. Read the full story and see images at Utah Construction & Design.

Utah Architects had a solid year in 2022, indicative of the Beehive State’s economic growth and stability. According to Utah Construction and Design Magazine, work in the commercial design industry remains steady. In UC&D’s 11th annual list of top architectural firms, Architectural Nexus is ranked as the second leading firm in Utah. See the full rankings on page 45 of UC&D’s June publication.