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.

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.

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.

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.

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

The Lake Tahoe Community College Mobility Hub Project has been selected to win the Tahoe Chamber Tallac Achievement Award, which celebrates exemplary infrastructure projects that revitalize and enhance the economy and community of Lake Tahoe’s south shore.

LTCC’s Mobility Hub has been in operation for more than a year. In 2021, it will become the go-to charging station for the Tahoe Transportation District’s electric buses, along with smaller 16-passenger electric shuttles. The Hub also provides shelter from the elements for public transportation riders and secure storage for bikes, boards, and other green forms of transportation, along with a handy bicycle repair station.

The Mobility Hub at LTCC is part of a broader plan to bring clean transportation to the Tahoe Basin and to encourage LTCC students, staff, the community, and visitors to the Basin to use clean and green public transportation and to cut down on the use of fossil fuels.

Al Frangione, Director of Facilities, Capital Construction and Head of Security at LTCC, graciously thanked each entity involved in the project and stated:

Architectural Nexus and their associated sub-consultants did an excellent job of taking our vision and turning it into a real project. Their patience and calming approach to this project helped us through some very complicated moments indeed.

Trim Tab, the official blog of the International Living Future Institute, currently features a piece by Juliet Grable, the author of Regenerative Retrofit: California’s first Living Building. In this article, Grable shares insight into the ILFI’s latest book, specifically the lessons of resilience offered by the Arch Nexus Sac building. Grable addresses how Arch Nexus Sacramento and Arch Nexus Salt Lake City have taken measures to be prepared for potential disruptions through a variety of resilience measures. Resilience has recently become a buzzword, but as stated by Grable “It strikes me that the whole point of resilience is to be able to weather the unexpected—whether that be a drought, an earthquake, or something as extraordinary as the Covid-19 pandemic.” Read the full article here Trim Tab: Arch Nexus Sac Offers Lessons in Resilience.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has announced its 10^th Annual FSC Leadership Awards, recognizing uncommon excellence that advances responsible forest management and conservation. These awards celebrate builders, architects, retailers, paper mills, manufacturers, environmental organizations, and many others who contribute to the movement toward responsible sourcing of forest material and forest management.

This year, fifteen organizations were recognized, including Community Rebuilds and Architectural Nexus for the Projects at Mill Creek. This recognition comes for collaboration of the first affordable housing community in the world to pursue the Living Building Challenge. The Projects at Mill Creek uses 80 percent FSC-certified wood with the remainder coming from salvaged sources.

Other recipients include Amazon, Georgia Pacific, Herman Miller, Target, and the Redwood Forest Foundation. Visit the FSC Newsroom to see the full list of accomplishments that are recognized.

 

 

Good things are happening! Construction fencing is up and work is underway at the Arch Nexus headquarters in Salt Lake City. As announced in September, this project is pursuing Living Building Challenge 4.0 certification, aiming to become the first commercial Living Certified Building in the Intermountain West.

Along with our own dynamic team of architects and designers, this project includes Jacobsen Construction as general contractor. Consultants include Meridian Engineering, BNA Consulting, Capital Engineering and ARW Engineers. Anticipated completion of the 30,000 square foot remodel is spring of 2021.

The upcoming Healthcare Design Conference features breakout session, The Many Roads to Resilient Design. This November 9^th session draws on knowledge and experience from industry leaders including Arch Nexus’ Regenerative Design Specialist, Megan Recher.

Regarding the conference Recher says “The healthcare design industry is always evolving and adapting to the ever-changing times. This conference is highlighting some key issues of healthcare design such as communications, behavioral and mental health, population health and resilience.”

Earn continuing education credit as you learn; how does today’s design anticipate the disaster-scale climate events and diseases of tomorrow?