Architectural Nexus is pleased to publish the Social Equity Toolkit for industry wide use in increasing equitable design within the built environment. The Social Equity Toolkit incorporates a wide variety of resources to help support building project teams in considering a multitude of factors to help support communities, the natural environment, and a long term prosperous future for the built environment. By incorporating the public as an important project stakeholders, building projects can better be incorporated into the social fabric of local communities.

To access the Social Equity Toolkit, please click here.

Additionally, if you have a project in design or are considering a project for development, you may click here for an online questionnaire that will help you in considering methods to implement equitable design.

In the early 1900s, downtown Boise looked like a scene from a John Wayne movie, with a mix of wooden and brick buildings blending old frontier charm with new urban developments. In 1902, St. Luke’s Hospital opened in a small two-story cottage with just six beds, marking Boise’s transition into a more modern society.

Since then, St. Luke’s Hospital has grown and expanded to meet Boise’s needs. Today, the hospital offers 400 beds and remains a leading healthcare provider in the region. In 2022, St. Luke’s became an early adopter of Boise’s Climate Action Initiative. Though not required by code, it’s a meaningful way to integrate sustainable practices into the practice of healing.

Last week, St. Luke’s Hospital continued its advancement with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new expansion. This project will enhance the hospital’s capabilities in providing heart and vascular care, neurosciences, and cancer care. Designed by Architectural Nexus, the project features 80 additional beds, seven new operating rooms, and a 180,000-square-foot medical office plaza. To commemorate the groundbreaking for this new project, Arch Nexus presented a 3D model of the campus to Dennis Mesaros, St. Luke’s Boise Administrator.

Senior Principal Architect, Scott Larkin shares “St. Luke’s is doing the right thing by building for future needs, not just for today. This new project includes approximately 20% of the total square footage as shell space for planned growth. Most projects aspire to have some growth space available, but St. Luke’s has planned this from the beginning.” The hospital’s forward-thinking approach and dedication to excellence ensure that it will remain a cornerstone of Boise’s healthcare landscape, fostering a healthier, more resilient community.

Read more:

St. Luke’s Online

2 Idaho News

KTVB

Idaho Press

In the high desert where water is a precious resource and air quality can be problematic, Architectural Nexus in Salt Lake City adapted its office building to respect the arid climate better. A time that might otherwise have been lost to a global pandemic was spent transforming the business locations’ sustainable design. Keeping in stride with their Living Certified Sacramento office, Arch Nexus SLC is now Petal Certified by the International Living Future Institute!

Meeting the rigorous requirements to claim Petal Certification involved planning and carrying out a remodel that regenerated the site to resemble its pre-development native ecosystems to improve local biodiversity. A sustainable urban agriculture garden was created, adapted to the local climate, and now enhances local food security through community partnerships. The project also participates in an off-site habitat exchange program.

Potable water use is significantly reduced by eliminating the two largest end uses of water in office buildings. By implementing greywater and rainwater systems for irrigation and toilet flushing, Arch Nexus has ensured sustainable operation during droughts and emergencies and conserved 89.9% of precious water resources. The building also achieves significant energy and carbon reductions through on-site photovoltaic systems and the specification of low-embodied carbon materials. As of June 2024, Arch Nexus SLC saves 90% of energy compared to a typical office in Salt Lake City.

Indoor air quality is enhanced by reducing pollutants, and a continuous monitoring system helps maintain high air quality and low VOC levels. The construction process avoided harmful materials by achieving Red List compliance and promoting healthier building materials. Materials for the upgrades were sourced responsibly, maximizing the use of salvaged and FSC-certified wood, and supporting the local economy by sourcing 20% of materials within 500 miles of the project location.

Waste has been minimized through extensive material reuse, recycling, and planning for future adaptability. In 2023 98% of Arch Nexus SLC waste was diverted from landfills.

Even though Arch Nexus SLC is an office building for a privately held commercial office, the company recognizes that all buildings are part of the larger community fabric. This project creates accessible and publicly beneficial amenities for the community, such as outdoor seating and bike racks. Additionally, community connections are promoted through donations to Green Urban Lunch Box

Through the regeneration of its Salt Lake City office, Architectural Nexus has created a design studio that is a part of the natural environment. It’s a continuous source of inspiration for designers and other professionals to influence their work throughout the Western United States. Read the full case study of Arch Nexus SLC here.

The Daybreak Library, Architectural Nexus SLC office, and The Huntsman Cancer Institute phase IV are featured in the latest issue of Utah Construction and Design Magazine, celebrating the history and growth of LEED certification and what it means for clients. Read the full article on page 53.

Against a vibrant blue sky, military aircraft set the backdrop for the ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the culmination of years of planning for the L.S. Skaggs Gallery at Hill Aerospace Museum. Sean Bennett, Principal Architect with Architectural Nexus, expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort of partners who brought this project to fruition, reflecting on his own childhood visits to now playing a role in the museum’s advancement. “It’s incredible to think about the times I came here as a child, not knowing that one day I’d have a small role to play in bringing this museum forward.” He highlighted the museum’s vital role as a bridge between the military base and the local community.

Housed within a 91,000 sq. ft. hangar, the newest gallery is poised to welcome over 350,000 visitors annually, showcasing more than 90 military aircraft. The new space will open to the public on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

Read more at:

Standard-Examiner

KSL TV

Hill Air Force Base

Cate Field, located on the Salt Lake Community College – Jordan Campus, has been home to the Bruins baseball team since it was built in 2001. On March 8^th, the Bruins hosted their first game utilizing new, long-awaited renovations.

Upgrades include three new structures. One houses patron restrooms, concessions, and a ticket office. Another structure provides a state-of-the-art locker room for the team and coaching staff. The final structure is a press box and conference room, providing an immaculate view of Cate Field and remarkable noise reduction from nearby traffic.

Principal Architect, Holli Adams was among a team of designers from Architectural Nexus to throw a ceremonial first pitch, on Friday. “Working with the amazing people from SLCC was the best part of this project.” Shared Holli. She also expressed heartfelt appreciation for Steve Tanner, the Project Manager from Arch Nexus, as instrumental to the success of the project.

The recent upgrades will elevate SLCC baseball, making it more competitive in recruiting. Student-athletes now benefit from consolidated study, training, and recovery areas at Cate Field. SLCC plans to consistently utilize the space. The stadium will even host a portion of the Utah 4A High School Baseball Tournament in May.

Today’s impending winter storm couldn’t hinder the grand opening celebration of the American River Conservancy’s new Outdoor Learning Center at the historic Wakamatsu Farm. Hidden in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, Wakamatsu Farm stands as a testament to the resiliency of those who settled in California generations ago. It is the original site of the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk farm colony, the location of the first Japanese colony in the United States, the birthplace of the first Japanese American, and the gravesite of the first Japanese immigrant buried in the USA.

Sprawling oak trees surround a small pond near the new Outdoor Learning Center, a space designed by Architectural Nexus and a facility that is already well-cared for by local volunteers. The new addition includes a beautiful metal sculpture by artist Jay Stargaard.

The afternoon’s celebrations included musical artists, nature walks, light refreshments, and a chance for visitors to meet new people. The deep community connections demonstrated at today’s event are an insight into the role this pavilion plays in preserving California’s history. Architectural Nexus is honored to become a part of the long history of Wakamatsu Farm and to contribute to this site’s sense of inspiration, stewardship, and community.

About Us:

Architectural Nexus is a people driven, architectural design firm who values inspiration, stewardship, and regeneration. We have offices in two locations: Salt Lake City, Utah and Sacramento, California. Our Sacramento office building is the first and only Living Building in California and our Salt Lake City office building is aiming to become the first Living Building in Utah. As an employee owned firm (ESOP) we value and reward the contributions of all employees.

Responsibilities:

• Working in a fast-paced, inclusive environment, focusing on and community-based projects.
• Responsible for ensuring that the overall design intent of the project as established by the Project Designer is incorporated into the detailed documentation.
• Fosters and maintains a collaborative professional working relationship with the entire Project Team.
• Attends on-site visits to observe construction progress and attend project meetings as required for the project. Prepares and coordinates the review of contractor’s schedules, submission of RFI responses and other coordination documents in order to verify design intent.
• Develops a positive relationship of trust with clients and other project stakeholders.
• Monitor the design process from conceptual phase through construction administration, ensuring the design idea is consistent and properly executed.
• Responsible for technical resolution and coordination for a project or a defined portion of a project.
• Checks completed plans for accuracy.
• Responsible for communication with other disciplines, consultants, and contractors to ensure incorporation of all project requirements and provides support as necessary.
• Ensures that construction detail documentation conforms to quality assurance, quality control and best practice standards.
• Fosters a commitment to client service.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Licensed Architect in the State of Utah.
• 8+ years of architecture design experience.
• Proficient with Autodesk Revit.
• Proficient with Bluebeam Revu or other markup software.
• Able to prepare a full set of construction documents.
• Strong knowledge of design, trends, and construction methodology.
• Knowledge of architectural building systems.
• Knowledge of building codes and ability to research and apply/incorporate into technical documents
• Ability to work in team environment.
• Ability to effectively meet deadlines.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Sustainable design accreditation a plus.

Benefits:

• We are an Employee Owned Firm (ESOP)
• Large-firm opportunities in a small-firm culture
• Excellent medical and dental benefits
• Matching 401(k) and/or Roth 401(k) plan
• Twice yearly bonus program
• Holiday and vacation benefits
• Paid volunteer time
• 6 weeks paid parental leave
• Pay commensurate with abilities and experience

Email resumes and references to:
Brian Cassil, MBA
Principal | Director of Communications
bcassil@archnexus.com

Thanks for sending your resume; we look forward to getting to know you.

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.”

On Wednesday evening, the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Salt Lake City bustled with engineers, architects, and contractors. The group was gathered to celebrate outstanding achievements of the engineering profession with the American Council of Engineering Companies of Utah.

ACEC Utah recognized the Architectural Nexus designed, Kathryn F. Kirk Center for Comprehensive Cancer Care and Women’s Cancers facility with the Merit Award for Special Projects and the Grand Award for Structural Systems.

Together with The Huntsman Cancer Institute, Reaveley Engineers, Psomas, Layton Construction, and many other key partners, we created a structure that inspires hope, innovation, and an unwavering dedication to improving cancer treatment. Architectural Nexus is deeply grateful to be part of this award-winning team.