The Architectural Nexus Sacramento office building has again earned ENERGY STAR® certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The next time you visit, check out the little blue label on display at our entrance – it represents a version of validated energy performance. This energy score if 95 indicates the Sacramento office is more energy efficient than 95 percent of similar properties nationwide. To learn about the Energy Star program and how your building can participate in Energy Star Certification visit energystar.gov.

Congratulations to Rachel Sittler, on earning her architectural license! Rachel’s hard work, dedication, and passion for architecture have paid off with reaching this milestone. Not only does licensure ensure the ability to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the general public through building design, but it also demonstrates professional competence in the knowledge of architectural principals, building codes, construction techniques, and sustainable practices. Achieving licensure is no simple task. After completing years of schooling, one still must pass seven grueling registration exams that require countless hours of study as well as years of additional work experience. Way to go, Rachel!

On Wednesday evening Architectural Nexus gathered to celebrate Mark Davis and the culmination of his 40-year architectural design career. Mark’s work encompasses some of the most meaningful and significant projects in this region. As impactful as these projects are, Mark’s true legacy is measured by the friendships and the admiration of those he worked with and mentored. As he embarks on the adventures of his retirement, Mark leaves a lasting influence of inspiring leadership. We wish Mark many incredible rounds of golf and awe-inspiring rides on his Harley Davidson in the years to come.

A good architect earns the trust of those with whom they work. Some individuals elevate that trust into respect. Mark, however, attained the rarest form of admiration… that of genuine love.

There is a tide in the affairs of men

Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;

Omitted, all the voyage of their life

Is bound in shallows and in miseries.

On such a full sea are we now afloat;

And we must take the currant when it serves,

Or lose our ventures.

– William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

Monday May 8^th the Huntsman Cancer Institute Kathryn F. Kirk Center hosted a celebration for the completion of construction with a ribbon cutting event. Care givers, community leaders, and patients gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion with inspirational messages from University of Utah leadership, the Huntsman family, leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ, and the Northwest Band of the Shoshone Nation.

The center will add 220,000 square feet to the Huntsman Cancer Institute campus and increase inpatient care capacity by 50%.

“The design for the Kathryn F. Kirk Center extends the mission of the Huntsman Cancer Institute to inspire all those engaged in the fight against cancer. Through compassion, advanced research and care, I hope this center reminds patients, healthcare providers, and families that they are not alone in this journey.” – Lisa Ramidan, Principal Architect.

Mary Beckerle, Huntsman Cancer Institute CEO, says that the expansion means patients will now have access to “advanced medical technology, superior cancer care, clinical trials, and research.”

You may read reporting on the new center from Yahoo News, the Salt Lake Tribune or take a tour with KJAZZ.

Earlier this year, Utahans were on the defensive after comments from some NBA stars referred to Salt Lake City as “boring.” What many, including Charles Barkley didn’t know, is that the heart of downtown was just weeks away from unveiling a massive, years-long undertaking that transforms and connects city nightlife to the arena where the Utah Jazz play their home games.

Now, the upscale additions are officially open. A key pedestrian plaza next to the West Quarter Luxury Apartments, two high-end hotels and several new restaurants are all a part of the swanky upgrades.

“This project provides a midblock path to the Utah Jazz Arena, creating a party-like atmosphere. It took an existing surface parking lot and transformed the space into a grand addition to the city.” Says Doug Thimm, Principal Architect for the West Quarter.

See the striking details architects and designers at Architectural Nexus have been planning since 2016, at the southwest corner of 100 South and 300 West, or check out this photo tour from the Salt Lake Tribune.

Composite materials manufacturer, Hexcel Corporation, recently opened its largest center for innovation and product development in North America, the Center of Research & Technology Excellence. The 100,000-square-foot facility was designed by Architectural Nexus and is located in West Valley City, Utah. The purpose of the facility is to promote research and development of advanced composite technology for aerospace, space and defense, and industrial applications.

During facility tours last week, customers saw new state-of-the-art equipment in various laboratories and learned about the sustainable aspects of the architectural design, including the use of safe building materials, native and waterwise landscape, onsite stormwater management and maximized daylighting to reduce energy demands.

Project Architect, Sean Bennet says the design is a weave of naturally inspired contrast with warmth, reflection and translucency. “I especially like that when you are inside of the building, the large windows frame the surrounding scenery like beautiful portraits.”

On Friday, March 10^th, a special tour of Arch Nexus SAC was provided to representatives from the Towns Association for Environmental Quality – Agan Beit Natufa (TAEQ), a regional collaborative of six neighboring Arab municipalities in the Galilee region of Northern Israel.

The group’s focus is environmental protection, sustainable economic development and climate action. Their visit to Arch Nexus SAC allowed for in-depth discussion on how to create and maintain regenerative buildings that lead to climate action.

Special thanks to the tour guides, interpreters and to Global Ties Sacramento, who’s partnership with the US Department of State under the International Visitor Leadership Program created this unique opportunity.

Attention residents of Salt Lake City and anyone interested in planning and design! On March 9, 2023 you are invited to attend a panel discussion and tour of The West Quarter, a new mixed-use development in the heart of Salt Lake City, designed by Architectural Nexus.

The West Quarter aims to connect downtown Salt Lake City with amenities such as a hotel tower, luxury apartments, as well as high-end restaurants, bars, and retailers.

Panelists from the development team, architects, and hospitality group will discuss the unique features of this project and the future plans for The West Quarter development. We will also hear from Mayor Erin Mendenhall, who will share details about the city’s efforts to create an entertainment district, and the conditions that attract and retain sports, entertainment, and cultural assets for the betterment of the community.

Register here to join us at 8:30 AM on Thursday, March 9th at the newly completed Le Meridién Hotel for breakfast and a panel discussion. Following the discussion is a guided tour of this exciting new project.

In honor of Energy Efficiency Day 2022, Architectural Nexus is pleased to announce the findings of the first year of occupancy in our Living Building Pursuant Salt Lake City Office. The results? SLC is at a net positive energy production rate of 109%. This building is generating more energy than it consumes!

The dashed line on the above graph represents predicted energy use based on analysis done during design. The Peaks in the shaded graph indicate periods of higher actual energy usage, and the valleys represent lower energy use. While they do not coincide exactly, you can see that the predicted and actual use follow a similar pattern. Energy efficiency was a key strategy to achieving our energy positive goal. One of the measures taken to conserve energy was to encourage the building occupants to become active stewards of our office environment. Take June’s energy consumption in the graph below. Instead of running the air conditioning all day, staff open windows and doors to let a breeze cool down the office. This, along with the use of Solatubes instead of electric lights, greatly reduced the energy used throughout the office.

Even if you are unable to utilize solar panels, other efforts can still create measurable energy efficiency.  During the summer, close blinds and shades to keep the sun out and reduce the need for air conditioning. During the winter, do the opposite. Let the sun in to warm your home, reducing the need for a heater. These small every day actions amount to larger impacts.

As you can see in the above graph, the energy predicted to be generated as represented by the dashed line, and the actual energy produced, as indicated in the shaded area, were nearly identical. This on-site produced energy via photovoltaic panels equated to 109% of the energy used meaning that Arch Nexus SLC is net energy positive. After our first year of closely tracking the energy production and consumption of the SLC office, one can see clear conclusions. Sustainable design and occupant actions work together create optimal energy efficiency.