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News: Arch Nexus SLC Aims to be First Commercial Living Building in Utah

Architectural Nexus, one of the top 100 national green architecture firms, has taken the challenges presented by the Covid Pandemic and created an opportunity. While employees have been working remotely at Arch Nexus SLC, the firm’s headquarters has been undergoing a major renovation with the goal of becoming the first commercial building in Utah to achieve Living Building Certification.

According to American Lung Association 2020 State of the Air Report, Salt Lake City ranks 7th for worst air quality among U.S. cities. Challenges such as air and water pollution continue to threaten both worldwide and regional environmental health. Buildings are responsible for 40 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions. Recent advances in building technology as well as building codes have demonstrated some effectiveness in reducing the amount of environmental damage that buildings cause, however, experts worry that the improvements are coming too slowly.

“This innovative project shows how we can lead the way, one building at a time, in addressing the serious air quality challenges that Salt Lake City faces. Arch Nexus SLC will be an extraordinary community asset that serves to both inspire and set a new standard for our community’s health and quality of life,” states Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall.

The Living Building Challenge (LBC) is a philosophy, certification, and advocacy platform for projects to move beyond merely being less bad and to become truly regenerative. Living Buildings function as a part of the natural ecosystem both using and providing resources in the same way as any natural element such as a flower or a tree would. As a Living Building, Arch Nexus SLC will incorporate a number of regenerative features including:

  • Net Positive Energy – By combining ultra-efficiency with on-site power generation via solar canopies, the building will generate more energy than it consumes on an annual basis.
  • Net Positive Water – Rain water collection and gray water recycling will be implemented for all non-potable uses such as indoor and outdoor irrigation as well as flushing.
  • Healthy Environment – Building materials were intentionally selected, with priority given to reclaimed and local materials, so as to promote both environmental and human health.
  • Biophillic Design – Living walls, nature inspired murals, and abundant daylight will provide beauty and inspiration to the occupants and visitors within and around the building.

In 2018 Arch Nexus SAC, the office for Architectural Nexus in Sacramento, Ca., became the first certified Living Building in the state of California. Kenner B. Kingston, Arch Nexus President and 2018 Living Future Hero, says, “When we embarked on the Arch Nexus SAC project, one of our many goals was to harvest regenerative design philosophy and knowledge from California and bring it to the Intermountain West. This project is the exciting evolution of that story.”

In addition to the regenerative aspects, the newly renovated office will feature a diverse assortment of working environments, including open work spaces, hoteling offices, focus rooms, lounge areas, design labs, state of the art tele-communications systems, community meeting spaces, courtyards, café, and a gym. Julie Berreth, Arch Nexus VP of Operations and Principal in Charge of the project has this to say about the enthusiasm leading up to moving in, “As we regenerate our building to the bold LBC criteria, we are also reinventing our whole way of working together. We’ll have many choices for comfort, and many opportunities to learn from those around us. We’re excited to be together again and we delight in the success of our reimagined workplace.”

For more information, including renderings, construction photos, video, and a virtual reality tour, please visit http://www.archnexus.com/arch-nexus-slc/. For media inquiries, please contact Brian Cassil at 801-671-3344 or bcassil@archnexus.com.

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Thought Leadership: Arch Nexus Presents to Living Future Collaborative South Africa

The concept of owning and operating a living building is going global. Inspired by Arch Nexus SAC, the Living Future Collaborative of South Africa recently hosted an online presentation that was well attended by design professionals, builders and developers from six different African Countries.

Representatives from Architectural Nexus shared regenerative design insights from California’s first Living Building, plus insights on their approach to another project underway that is pursuing a Living Building Certification. Resilient design expert Megan Recher, and Arch Nexus SAC Building Manager Erica McBride provided a filmed tour of the Sacramento building, followed by a Q & A session.

The market for regenerative design is growing in Africa and Arch Nexus is pleased to play a part. Click HERE to see the in-depth video tour of Arch Nexus SAC that was shared in the presentation.

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Publicity: Erica McBride on Building Resilience Podcast

Erica McBride has been the Building Manager at Arch Nexus SAC from its opening day. She was a recent guest on the Building Resilience Podcast, Living Building Challenge episode. This installment shares Erica’s journey to her current position, introduces listeners to the Living Building Challenge, discusses its history, design and the differences between LEED Certification and Living Building Challenge Certification. Erica gives insight into the unique challenges faced during the Arch Nexus SAC certification process. Regarding the occupancy of a Certified Living Building, Erica states “Another success story is our occupants. They had to learn how to engage with the building… people are the ecosystem and without people it doesn’t function.”

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News: Roy Innovation Center Building No. 1 Among UC&D Outstanding Projects of 2020

The Roy Innovation Center Building No. 1 has been selected as one of Utah Construction & Design’s Outstanding Projects of 2020. The $62-million, 231,254 square foot, 3-story office building located at Hill Air Force Base in northern Utah, was built on a compressed 10-month schedule. The Falcon Hill project team, led by Sunset Ridge Development Partners, was able to do so much in so little time by utilizing a fast track delivery process utilizing tilt-up concrete and excellent construction team. The design team, led by Architectural Nexus, designed a SCIF-secure, cost-efficient structure that is honest in expression and function while still having fantastic character and depth with its coloring, patterns, curtain wall elements, beautiful window-placement and structural steel.

Project Architect, Bryce Sorensen states, I love the combination of materials used. The multi colored concrete to create a gradient look, the cedar ship lap at the entry and soffits and the expansive glass, make it feel warm and inviting. I’m proud of our project team and our ability to achieve a very aggressive goal that left our client highly satisfied.

Adrian Collado, another architect on the team, echoed Sorensen’s sentiments: A building that is mostly a rectangular concrete shell, breaks its monotony with volumetric black metal panels that are contrasted with the warmth of the cedar planks. On a blue sky day with the mountains in the background, this high-level security building is a place you want to come and be a part of.

This project is the initial kickoff project for a multi-building campus for the internationally recognized tenant. When fully developed, the campus will include approximately 1-million square feet occupied by over 3,000 employees.

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News: Microgrid Interconnect at Utah National Guard’s Camp Williams

The National Guard has embraced the concept of resilience. Here in Utah, part of their resilient building strategy is to be up and functioning in the face of calamity. Colvin Engineers, along with the consulting firms of Architectural Nexus and Forsgren Associates, have been selected to design the new Microgrid Interconnect at the Utah National Guard’s Camp Williams, which aims to make the base completely energy independent during times of emergency.

Microgrids are localized grids that can disconnect from the traditional grid to operate autonomously. In addition to the possibility of grid-independence, they improve power reliability and quality, increasing system energy efficiency. At Camp Williams, the objective is to build a microgrid system that would allow the entire camp to operate independently of the master grid for up to 14 days. This will be achieved through combined use of on-site wind turbines, PV arrays, battery storage and, when all else fails, a supplemental diesel generator system.

The first step in this project is the creation of a Master Energy Plan for Camp Williams, followed by designing each of the components needed to facilitate this microgrid, including multiple systems and structures to house and operate them. The overall objective is to find a way to balance the wind, solar and battery components to minimize a need for supplemental generator power.

Breaking news regarding the development of other, future microgrids came just this week, with the re-introduction of The Energy Resilient Communities Act. This bill aims to create the first federal program to build 100-percent clean energy microgrids to power critical infrastructure for communities in the aftermath of an extreme weather event or power shut-off.

The Energy Resilient Communities Act prioritizes energy equity and environmental justice by putting grant applications from low-income communities and communities of color at the front of the line for clean energy microgrid grants. This will help combat power outages and rolling blackouts, reduce pollution, create green jobs and fight the climate crisis.

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News: National Resilience and Adaptation Advisory Group Names Megan Recher as Co-Chair

Arch Nexus Associate, Megan Recher has been selected to be Co-Chair of the AIA National Resilience and Adaptation Advisory Group (Rad-AG) along with Dr. Janice Barnes. The RAd-AG is a select group of esteemed architects and planners from around the country who help shape the practice of architecture through resilience. Megan has been a part of this group since the creation in of it in 2019.

RAd-AG has lead initiatives to create climate action such as writing climate action plans, business continuity guides, and creating other resources for architects and clients to strengthen their resilience efforts through design and planning. Read more about the AIA’s Resilience and Adaptation Initiative here.

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News: Arch Nexus Announces Curtis Dedrick Promoted to Associate

Arch Nexus is pleased to announce the promotion of Curtis Dedrick to Associate. Curtis began work with Anova Architects in 2007. Over the years, and with the merging of that firm into Arch Nexus in 2011, Curtis developed and deepened his knowledge of architecture. His experience and expertise grew, with a focus on K-12 Educational work, where he manages increasingly larger and more complex projects, including the development and management of projects encompassing the development of entire school campuses. Curtis is an excellent learner and has gained deep knowledge of construction. This shows through in his meticulousness and attention to detail. Those talents have resulted in well-earned respect from partners and clients who look forward to working with Curtis again and again.

Having grown up in – and remaining in the Sierra Foothills/Sacramento area, Curtis has deep roots in the community. As he has grown in his career, taken on more responsibility, and become licensed, Curtis has taken the opportunity to help others learn and to mentor developing professional around him. His construction and K-12 knowledge have made him a trusted resource for clients, the project teams he leads, and the contractors with whom he works. Arch Nexus anticipates many great years ahead for Curtis Dedrick.

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News: Arch Nexus Announces Promotion of Kelly Schreihofer to Principal

Arch Nexus is excited to announce the promotion of Kelly Schreihofer to Principal. A University of Kansas graduate and a Healthcare design expert, Kelly came to Arch Nexus’ Sacramento office from Chicago, Illinois 4 years ago where she was a health care planner and architect.

Kelly is proactive both in projects and in management. She works with excitement and vigor on any size project of any complexity. Mentoring is another of her strong-suits  – whether it’s in the realm of architecture, planning, or project management; Kelly helps anyone she works with to realize their best selves and grow their skills in the profession. Kelly will continue to create meaningful experiences for people both inside and outside the firm, in her new role of Principal level leadership at Arch Nexus.

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Arch Nexus SLC: Arch Nexus SLC Receives Building Permit for Regenerative Building

On November 25th, the Architectural Nexus team received a building permit for the major renovation of their office in Salt Lake City. The project is registered for the Living Building challenge and as such there are several innovative systems that are now permitted along with this project. These include a rainwater collection system for both outdoor irrigation and indoor clothes washing, a gray water collection and recycling system for toilet flushing and indoor irrigation, a 208 kW onsite renewable photovoltaic power generation system, and an outdoor public gathering space which will be punctuated by by public art.

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Arch Nexus SLC: Request for Qualifications (RFQ): Bus Shelter Public Art Project

The Application Deadline for RFQ: December 17, 2020

The Request for Proposal (RFP) Deadline: January 22, 2021

Application instructions here: 201125_AN SLC RFQ for bus shelter

 

Overview:

Architectural Nexus is currently transforming its corporate headquarters in Salt Lake City with plans to become Utah’s first commercial Living Certified Building. The renovation (or regeneration) of our 30,000 s.f. headquarters at 2505 East Parleys Way in SLC was inspired by and has been designed to more fully support our values of inspiration, stewardship, and regeneration. As part of this regeneration, Arch Nexus is seeking qualified artists to design, fabricate, and install a bus shelter/public art piece to be located on the property as a neighborhood amenity for all community members.

As the entire project is pursuing Living Building Challenge 4.0 certification, it is important that interested artist become familiar with the requirements of such certification in order to produce a piece that both complies with and perhaps exemplifies, in an artistic expression, the nature of such a project along with the values of Arch Nexus. Nexus will provide a 1 1/2-hour design criteria and Living Building Challenge criteria presentation and training session for the finalists.

 

The selection will be a two-step process:

1. The first step is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) only. Interested artists can submit their qualifications for review (Application attached). Examples of work, experience with public art and references will all be taken into consideration for a selection of a maximum of 3 finalists (see additional criteria below). See the schedule section below for application due date.

2. The second step in the process is a Request for Proposals (RFP). Each of the finalists will be paid a stipend to produce a design concept for review. Each artist shall present the design to a selection committee following the RFP submittal. A final selection of the winning proposal will be announced a week later.

 

Budget:

• $15,000 has been set aside for this public artwork fabrication and installation.

Not included in this budget, but paid for by Arch Nexus:

• Foundation work and any embedded anchors

• Structural engineering

However, coordination with Arch Nexus’ contractor for foundations, embedded anchors, etc. and coordination with any structural engineering is the responsibility of the artist.

• A $1,000 stipend will be paid to each selected finalist (including the awarded artist) to complete the conceptual design work developed for the RFP submittal and presentation (step two).

Artist Eligibility:

Eligible artists must be 21 years of age or older and reside within 100 miles of the project site. Applicants must not be employed by or affiliated with, or be related in any way to anyone who is employed by or affiliated with, any architecture, engineering, or construction company that provides services in Utah. The selected artist/artist team must be available to begin design work immediately following the announcement of the winning proposal in order to help facilitate any required approvals by the City.

Additional Information: Arch Nexus is funding the design, the piece itself and the installation. The winning design may be subject to approval by Salt Lake City’s planning and building departments. Nexus will provide all necessary interfacing with the City for approval of the outdoor shelter as represented by the winning design. Arch Nexus developed a design brief (will be provided to the finalists) to guide the direction of the overall project (of which this bus shelter public art is one part). Artists are encouraged to read and follow the principles outlined in the brief.

Information on Architectural Nexus is available on line at http://www.archnexus.com/

Information on the Living Building Challenge is available online at http://living-future.org/lbc

Please direct any questions via email to Peter McBride at Arch Nexus: pmcbride@archnexus.com

Schedule:

Step 1 Applications Due (RFQ): ……………………………………………………….Thursday, December 17, 2020 by 5:00 pm MST

Finalists Announced: …………………….……………………………………………………………………Monday, December 21, 2020

Design Kick-off and LBC Presentation Meeting:…………………………………………………………………………TBD – 90 minutes

Step 2 Proposals Due (RFP): …………………………….………………..…………………Friday, January 22, 2021 by 5:00 pm MST

Interviews/Presentations: ..………………………………………………………………….……………………week of January 25, 2021

Winning Artist and Design Announcement: ….………………………………………………………………………Friday, January 29, 2021

Artwork Fabrication/Installation Completed by: ..……………………………………………………………………Friday, April 30, 2021

Artist Selection Criteria:

Finalists will be selected and paid a stipend to create a design based on the following criteria:

• Ability to work collaboratively with the design professionals at Arch Nexus.

• Experience working with durable materials specific to the outdoor environment while having an understanding of the Living Building Challenge criteria.

• Demonstrated successful creative, innovative, and effective approach in comparable projects.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

• Possess a proven mastery or skill in at least one artistic medium.

• Experience or knowledge of artwork installation of public artwork.

• Ability to design a project within a pre-determined budget.

• Knowledge of Arch Nexus and the regenerative nature of the project.

Bus Shelter Design Criteria:

• High aesthetic merit of the work compatible with the values of Arch Nexus: Inspiration, Stewardship & Regeneration.

• Design must meet the requirements of the Living Building Challenge.

• Have a strong relationship and connection with Place and Community.

• Design shall include a bench or seating for at least two people.

• Design must function as a bus shelter: provide basic sun, wind, and weather protection.

• Flexibility in use: design should be flexible enough to act as a collaborative work environment

• Overall safety of the design.

• Low degree of maintenance of the work.

• Design must be approved by the City and shall be compliant with all applicable codes and or ordinances.

• Design must be relocatable.

• Rough footprint will be 4’x8’

• Site plan, clearances, constraints, dimensions and additional details will be furnished at the RFP stage

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