Architecture, Engineering & Planning EVstudio | Denver & Evergreen Architect | Colorado & Central Texas | Blog » Retail

LEED Project Team Formation is an Important First Step in any LEED Certification Project

Elicia Ratajczyk — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:20:37 +0000

The first step in preparing for the LEED Certification process on a building project is the formation of the LEED Project Team. Integrated design is one of the most important sustainability strategies and a good project team will become the key to an integrated, efficient, cost-effective and ultimately successful sustainable design and LEED Certification project. It is important to include as many of the Project Team members as may be needed early in the process because this allows for a more seamless flow of information and work and allows for the valuable input of multiple experienced and knowledgeable stakeholders in the project from the onset. Every project will have a different team formation because every project will have different needs and sometimes multiple roles may be filled by a single team member. The following list includes some of the most common team members that may be included on a LEED project:

Project Administrator – By default, the person who registers the project with the USGBC will become the Project Administrator for LEED Online. This person should be a LEED-AP (accredited professional), if possible, and should be experienced and knowledgeable about LEED certification projects and process. This person is responsible for managing the assignment of team roles in LEED Online and the management of all of the LEED documentation and coordination throughout the LEED certification process.
Developer / Owner – This is the person responsible for making the final decisions for the project including all strategies, targets, project goals, financial decisions etc.
General Contractor – This is the person responsible for the construction of the project and plays a key role in assuring that all of the LEED strategies and design elements are effectively and efficiently carried through to reality. It is helpful if this person has previous experience with LEED or green building projects but not essential if they are included in the process from the beginning of the project and there is a LEED-AP or experienced Project Administrator on the project team.
Sustainability Consultant – This person is knowledgeable and experienced with LEED, green building or sustainability projects. This person should be a LEED-AP as well and will provide valuable knowledge, resources and structure to the LEED certification process.
Architect / Designer – This is the person responsible for the architectural design of the building. An architect with experience in LEED or other green building or sustainability projects can skillfully include highly effective, low-cost sustainability strategies into the design of a high performance building such as passive solar design, reduced building footprint, etc.
Landscape Architect – This is the person responsible for the landscape planning of the site and can also skillfully include a number of highly effective, low-cost strategies into the design that will benefit the project goals and LEED certification.
Engineers – This category may include Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing) Engineering. The engineers are responsible for a large portion of the LEED criteria, including both pre-requisites and credits and are the key to designing a truly integrated and efficient building design.
Energy Modeler – This team member will model the energy usage of the building according to the required standards and utilizing the required software platforms that conform to LEED criteria and a myriad of additional modeling needs that may be included in the project goals such as analysis for tax incentives, energy rebates and additional building or energy certifications for the project.
Commissioning Authority – This is the person responsible for organizing, coordinating & overseeing the Commissioning of the building after construction and according to the LEED criteria, must have previous experience on a minimum of two LEED projects. Although the commissioning does not take place until after the major building systems have been installed and are operational, it is very helpful to include this team member early in the process so that they can provide valuable information, resources, real-world experience and knowledge from their previous LEED projects.

These team members are essential to the success of a LEED certification and building process and each of the above mentioned roles should be filled in some capacity. As previously mentioned, it is possible that a single team member may fulfill several of the above mentioned roles. For example, it is common for the MEP Engineer to also be the Energy Modeler and even sometimes the Commissioning Authority or for the Architect or Designer to be the Project Administrator and/or Sustainability Consultant. The following list includes some more team roles that are helpful to a LEED certification project and should be included in the Project Team meetings whenever possible:

Broker / Real Estate Agent
Marketing / PR Director
Financial Manager / Cost Consultant
Facility Manager
Suppliers
Key Sub-contractors
Key Stakeholders (building tenants, users, community members)

EVstudio includes several LEED-AP’s who are experienced on previous LEED certification projects. In addition, EVstudio incorporates green building practices and sustainability strategies into our design strategies for each project. There are many strategies that improve livability without increasing cost. It is our philosophy that sustainable design is sensible design and that many of the most effective strategies require great designers, not great amounts of money.

Originally posted 2009-09-12 00:24:19.

Does IBC Allow Stairway Exception on Private Stairways

Sean O'Hara — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 23:49:56 +0000

Does the IBC allow the old UBC 3306 (c) Exception of 8" max rise & 9" min run, for "private stairways serving an occupancy load of less than 10?The design situation is a small retail store (Lubbock, Texas), owner access only, to a second story storage loft...Would appreciate your wisdom - Richard

Richard, unfortunately, the answer is no. There are only 5 exceptions to the 7 inch maximum rise and 11 inch minimum tread depth:

Alternating tread devices
Spiral stairs
Aisle stairs where the sightlines dictate steeper slope
R-3 stairs in dwelling units can go to 7.75 inch maximum rise and 10 minimum depth
Replacement of existing stairs where the space or construction will not allow it

Thanks for the question.

Originally posted 2010-02-01 12:01:25.

Accessible Fitting Room Requirements

Beth Concha — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 19:13:53 +0000

When designing an accessible fitting room, remember to provide the required clear floor space along with a code compliant bench. According to ANSI 803.4 and ADA 4.35.4, a bench is required in all accessible fitting rooms.

Benches must be 42 inches long, between 20 and 24 inches deep, and 17 to 19 inches high. If the bench is not affixed to a wall, then back support must be provided. Back support must be 42 inches minimum in length that extends from a point 2 inches maximum above the seat to a point 18 inches minimum above the seat.

When a door swings into the dressing room, you must provide a clear floor space of 30”x48” positioned for parallel approach to the short end of the bench, along with a 5’ diameter turning circle.

Important Factors in Retail Jewelry Store Design

Dean Dalvit — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 07:51:31 +0000

We recently completed the Daniel Diamonds Jewelry Store in Bergen Park, and were able to study the important design features that make Retail, and in particular, Jewelry Stores unique among other tenant finish types of projects.

Retail Jewelry Store Interior

First and foremost, for all retail storea, and especially for a jewelry store, the quantity and quality of direct lighting is extremely important in showcasing the products. Everything from color rendition of the lighting, to the use of general and high intensity lighting to create both a comfortable atmosphere within the store, as well as highlighting the product was studied in great detail.

Casework in Daniel Diamonds Jewelry Store

We also made a complete inventory of existing and new casework that would be arranged within the store. For this plan, we decided to break up the store into distinct neighborhoods, identifying them with ceiling treatments and breaks in the circulation within the store.

Sitting Area with Wet Bar in Retail Store

It was also very important to the program to create a space within the store that was informal and relaxing to spend time for both customers and staff. We integrated a sitting area complete with a fully functioning wet bar that is also used during special events. It was our goal for this as a boutique retail jewelery shop to accommodate the sense of shoppping as an event to be enjoyed, rather than simply a process. We did this through the careful design of the space.

Showcasing Retail Jewelry

Maximizing the retail space for sales is of critical importance in any retail store. Administrative offices, staff break rooms, and the workspace for the jeweler are all aligned around the perimeter of the central core, and with the use of dividing walls to be more showcase space. Aligning the access to these periphery spaces with exterior windows allows natural light to spread throughout the store from all sides, further enhancing the comfortable atmosphere.

Daniel Diamonds Retail Sales Counter

Another very important factor in jewelry store design is security. We throroughly detailed the daily process of the flow of product through the store and designed everything from the sales counter to the location of the safe to address the security throughout the store. Security cameras and alarm systems are important technological tools for all retail establishments.

Lastly, careful selection and placement of art and other interior treatments also serves to enhance the space. This helps to personalize the space and let the store take on its own culture. Proprietors, Danny and Karen have done an outstanding job with their store, and were wonderful to work with through every step of the process.

When designing a Retail Store, whether it is a jewelry store, or any other type, it is important to distill the most important design factors and prioritize them in the program so that you create the kind of environment that you want for your clients, and also to facilitate the buying process.

Originally posted 2010-09-21 02:00:18.

The Diamond Retail and Office Building Complete

Dean Dalvit — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:23:11 +0000

The Diamond Retail and Office Building in Bergen Park is finally complete. Below are some photos of the finished product from the outside. The building is 12,184 square feet across three stories with full elevator access. The timbers, posts, doors and windows are Honka product from Finland. EVstudio took the project from the very beginning with the site feasibility study, all the way through completion, and beyond, working on the tenant finish for the interior spaces. The contractor on the project is Mark Jermano with Millennium Builders.

Diamond Office and Retail Building Front

Millennium builders attended to every detail and the workmanship has been top notch. The owners have been great to work with throughout the process, and have made timely decisions that keep the quality and integrity of the building in mind every step of the way.

Diamond Retail and Office Building Rear

Remembering our rendering for this project (view from the North), it is remarkable just how close to the final finished project we were able to achieve. Considering that the rendering was used in marketing, and even board approval for the overall development long before a shovel hit the dirt, it is that much more important that the vision was accurate from the very beginning. Now we just need to find the right cars to park in the lot!

Rendering for Diamond Retail and Office Building

Evergreen Mercantile Retail & Office Building Completed

Elicia Ratajczyk — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 06:02:31 +0000

Evergreen Mercantile Building (formerly BMC Building) after facelift designed by EV Studio

The transformation of the Evergreen Mercantile building (formerly the BMC Building) in Bergen Park is now complete. EV Studio completed plans for the exterior facelift of the building which included the addition of new siding, an upgraded parapet wall, new storefront openings and the covered walkway in front of the building. The design for the exterior focused on retaining the integrity of existing concrete "Double T" construction of the building while still allowing for increased openings in the shell and the new western aesthetic of the new facade. In addition, the exterior design project was phased to allow the building owners to commence with the construction project while maneuvering through the variance process to allow for the third gable on the far right side of the facade. A variance was required because today's Jefferson County Zoning Resolution setbacks encroach upon the location where the building was originally built.

EV Studio also completed full As-Built measurements and drawings of the existing 13,800 square foot building and then completed the Tenant Improvement Plans for both levels of the building. The Main Level includes newly remodeled restrooms and seven new retail spaces including the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in the rear of the building. The Upper Level includes newly remodeled restrooms and over 4,000 square feet of updated office spaces. There are already tenants open for business in the building including the Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity Re-Store, Wenzel Music, Boxwood Cabinetry & Design, Rolling Ridge Deck Company and more!

BMC Building prior to facelift designed by EV Studio

Waste Farmers Event Hosted by E.A.S.+Y

Elicia Ratajczyk — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 06:01:44 +0000

Elicia Ratajczyk of EVstudio is proud to invite everyone to attend a free presentation on April 15th (next Thursday) at 8am at the Bergen Park Fire House for Evergreen Businesses and community by the founder of Waste Farmers, hosted by Evergreen's Alliance for Sustainability (EAS+Y). EAS+Y aims to facilitate a discussion between Waste Farmers, EDS and the local business leadership in the Evergreen area to work toward creating partnerships and programs that will provide valuable resources and increase the ability for local businesses to more effectively and easily reduce (or even eliminate!) commercial waste production in the Evergreen area!

Waste Farmers has developed a closed-loop system for redirecting and reintegrating urban waste into resources that feed soils, people and industry in our local region and economy. They provide programs and infrastructure to Denver area businesses and organizations including:

Resource Management Services
Waste Audits
Waste Prevention Consultation
Education & Training in Waste Prevention, Recycling & Composting
Recycling & Composting Collection
Reporting

Waste Farmers then integrates the organic waste that they collect into food production and bio-energy production, replenishing soils and providing energy for agriculture, parks, golf-courses and schools in and around Denver, Colorado.

Please come and support EAS+Y's efforts to forge a partnership for our community between our local businesses, the existing resources available such as EDS waste removal and recycling services and the exiting vision and integration provided by Waste Farmers! We hope to see you there!

Retail Buildings on Clear Creek Road in Killeen Texas

Sean O'Hara — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 07:01:44 +0000

We recently completed the construction documents for the Retail Buildings on Clear Creek Road in Killeen, Texas. The complex currently contains two medical office buildings and has spaces for several future medical office buildings and a daycare. Our challenge was to create a series of buildings that reflected the best aspects of the buildings on site while also creating a retail character.

The original design for the complex called for wood frame buildings. We switched the project to a steel frame and were able to make significant savings in the total cost of the project.

Clear Creek Road Project Reaches Milestone

Gene Dane — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:49:12 +0000

The Clear Creek Road Mixed-Use Development project in Killeen, Texas has reached a significant milestone this week. After almost two years of planning, re-zoning, utility infrastructure realignment, and design revisions, this project is ready for the construction of Phase I to begin. Application for construction permits will be made by the end of this week.

Phase I of this project consists of 4 retail buildings totaling over 22,000 square feet of space. Many of the spaces have already been pre-leased to tenants that are anxious to move in to their new locations. One of these tenants is The National Bank of Central Texas. The National Bank will occupy the end unit in Building "B" which has been provided with 2 covered drive-up lanes to service their customers.

EV Studio has been working with the owner of this project since its inception. The owner originally owned the 6 acres adjacent to the 6 acres EV Studio was hired to provide master planning services for. After an exhaustive study of the 2 properties it was determined that the most effective way to develop the property was to combine the 2 parcels into a single 12 acre tract.

The completed project will include retail spaces, medical office buildings, professional office spaces, and childcare facilities. Once completed, the project will be the home of over 100,000 square feet of mixed-use space.

The owner of this project has hired The Reider Group in Harker Heights, Texas to provide marketing services for the development. EV Studio is working directly with The Reider Group to support the marketing efforts with 3D visualization and other architectural graphics as necessary.

Design work for Phase II has officially started. EV Studio is now in the schematic design phase of the 10,000 square foot Child Care Facility and the 12,000 square foot Professional Services Building. We look forward to providing information on the progress of construction and the continued design of this project.

Grand Opening of Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Dean Dalvit — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:00:18 +0000

We are proud to announce the Grand Opening of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Evergreen this coming Friday, January 22nd. EVstudio was the Architect and Engineer of record for the Evergreen Mercantile building as well as the TI for the ReStore itself. Come on out for the ribbon cutting and help support this important local nonprofit organization!

Contact: 303-674-4917 or www.bluesprucerestore.org for more information.