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SCHRADERGROUP Honored for Role in BIM Studio at the Pennsylvania State University
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) was part of the team recognized with a 2012 AIA Technology in Practice (TAP) Building Information Model (BIM) Award for the Interdisciplinary Collaborative BIM Studio at Pennsylvania State University. The Studio was developed at the Pennsylvania State University as a joint program that included the Schools of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Architectural Engineering. Organized by Robert Holland, Associate Professor of Architecture and Architectural Engineering at the University, the Studio was a semester-long program in which three fully collaborative teams took an actual program from an existing real-world project and designed their own solution. Each team consisted of students from the Architecture; Landscape Architecture; Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineering; and Construction Management programs.
David Schrader with Pennsylvania State University Students in the BIM Studio
For the semester, the Studio focused on the program for a new elementary school facility designed by SG and under construction for the State College Area School District. SG, along with all of the consultants involved in the actual project, participated in work sessions, studio reviews and final reviews with the students. The entire project was completed in Revit Architecture building design software and included complete energy modeling. “Giving the students real-world exposure to a real-world project,” says firm principal David Schrader, “is invaluable in their preparation for entry into their fields. We are pleased and proud to be involved in such a great endeavor.”
The BIM award has been given by the AIA TAP Knowledge Community since 2005 in an effort to recognize “best of breed” case studies that utilize BIM technology and processes to further design, construction and project excellence in the profession.
Avoiding Code Compliance Troubles
The review of applicable code requirement items and development of egress plans specific to your project is essential early-on in the design process to ensure the building project design is in compliance with governing building codes. The initial code review process can be a tedious exercise and is subject to further interpretation and reviews by state and local municipal code reviewing agencies in order to obtain the necessary building permits. Floor plan configuration revisions beyond the design development phase that are required due to code related issues accounts for valuable time lost across multiple disciplines and exposure to additional fee request from your engineering consultants.
Sample Code Review Sheet
In order to stream-line the code review process, a uniform and clearly organized approach must be established. At a minimum, a carefully organized code review and egress plan prepared at the Schematic Phase should include the following:
- Identify those governing code articles specific to your project including the Building Construction Type and building use group classification.
- Calculate Occupancy for each individual space with total for both calculated and actual occupancy loads indicated.
- Identify occupant load for each individual space with the length of travel distances to exit locations at the Egress Plan.
- Indicate means of egress stair width and door width calculations
- Identify Means of egress User Group, Occupancy Factor, space square footages with total Occupancy calculations
EXAMPLE:
| USE GROUP | OCCUPANCY FACTOR | SQ FT | OCCUPANCY |
| A (Assembly) | 5 net | 5,000 SF | 1,000 |
| Storage / Mechanical | 300 gross | 900 SF | 3 |
| B (Business) | 100 gross | 1,000 SF | 10 |
| TOTALS | 6,900 SF | 1,013 occupants |
Also, be sure to schedule a meeting with local building code officials during the design development phase to ensure “buy-in” on the project. The meeting agenda should include a review of items listed above along with a general overview of the fire protection and building fire alarm system features being planned for the project. An overall project time line will assist the code reviewing agency with future planning of permit submission drawing dates and their ability to review project more efficiently. This is especially true for larger scale projects. Allowing an opportunity for the local code officials to provide initial review commentary early-on in the process saves time later for all parties involved during the actual building permit review.
Additional Technical assistance through the International Code Council ( www.iccsafe.org) may serve as an additional invaluable resource throughout entire code review process for further clarification and interpretation of building code requirement items. By following these simple guidelines you will be able to “stream-line” the building permit review process.
Written by Bruce Bachtle, Principal and Partner of SCHRADERGROUP (SG)
Adaptive Reuse in Higher Education
Adaptive reuse in higher education is becoming an increasingly important strategy in campus planning and facilities management. Recently, especially since 2009, economic pressures have often required reassessment of capital projects in favor of maximizing existing facility performance, and operationally balancing educational space needs. Over the past two years, as in other periods of economic downturn, this has become more and more a tactical necessity when balancing the total cost of delivering higher education. The challenge is to maintain a strategic approach in the face of these pressures. As educational facility designers and planners, we strive to keep a few crucial goals firmly in mind. Brand, Sustain, and Transform are three focus concepts key to both strategic and tactical success in the Master Planning and adaptive re-use of higher educational environments.
An existing facility is transformed into a signature building for a campus expansion
BRAND
Experience has shown us that embracing this challenge actually reveals strategic opportunities in the highly competitive world of identity, recruitment, and endowment in higher education. Planning and design can create a campus “brand”. Adaptive reuse – done well – can also nurture an established campus “legacy”. The new design must participate in the way-finding and sense of place in the greater Campus context. The lesson is that the built environment of a campus leaves a lasting impression on those who use it. Redesigning the building envelope can be an opportunity for re-branding the campus image. Transforming aging structures from non-descript, background buildings into campus landmarks can create a “gateway” effect as a first impression when arriving on campus.
SUSTAIN
Adaptive reuse integrates existing structures with new programs and technology providing a high performance building which readily enhances its setting. Adaptive reuse renews the campus-wide infrastructure and aesthetics of older buildings already “plugged” in.
Careful consideration of long-term cost of ownership is a primary consideration of higher education institutions. Institutional buildings require replacement of mechanical and electrical systems approximately every 25 years. Creative, cost-effective re-use of existing buildings is the most sustainable strategy for campus augmentation.
As a redevelopment strategy, adaptive reuse of existing building stock can contribute greatly to the harmonious resolution of campus edge and “town-and-gown” boundaries. Often campuses are bounded by Historic Districts, and can benefit from a complementary approach to Master Planning, building renovations, and infill projects.
An existing commercial structure is adapted for academic use
TRANSFORM
Adaptive reuse is, at its core, an opportunity for any project to transform campus context in a powerful way. Reuse of original buildings creates a powerful narrative of progress while maintaining a strong sense of history and place.
Additions are conceived to activate aging original structures using both contrast and context . The new design must transform the building, it’s context and it’s amenities, into a recognizable identity. Embracing innovation in educational programming inspires façade design, and open learning environments visible from the interior and the exterior, which create a new recognizable image, even in historical contexts. One can envision renovations on campus complimenting the newest digital teaching and learning spaces. Handled correctly, “old” buildings rejuvenated provide new gathering spaces where students, and faculty, can pause and interact together. This interactivity is a crucial component of college and university environments. Adaptive re-use can at once be part of the greater campus context, while creating new destinations.
One of the most sustainable strategic decisions an institution can make is promoting adaptive re-use of existing land and facilities. The Architect’s challenge is to discover the strengths and weaknesses in the existing and create the greatest transformation for the best value. In essence, the new design seeks to simultaneously enhance the College or University’s image while creating a new and exciting academic environment.
Written by David McIlnay
SCHRADERGROUP Project Awarded Honorable Mention
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is pleased to receive an Honorable Mention from Learning by Design for our design of the Mount Nittany Elementary School in the State College Area School District in State College, Pennsylvania. The project will be featured in the Fall 2012 edition of Learning by Design, the premier source for education and design innovation and excellence.
Mount Nittany Elementary School, State College Area School District
Consensus-based Planning
Elementary School Students Engaged in Design Charrette
why use consensus-based planning?
At SCHRADERGROUP (SG), we firmly believe that, in architecture, the process of getting to the end result is as important as the end result itself, and that the client is a critical component. Through experience, we’ve learned that involving the client firsthand in the project design while building stakeholder buy-in produces amazing results.
Through this approach — consensus-based planning — we find we reach creative and appropriate solutions that are better conceived than those utilizing a traditional design approach. This is largely because the method allows for input and information sharing by all, and the buy-in to and ownership of the final plan is beyond any that might develop otherwise.
By engaging the client in this interactive process, are able to produce concepts that go beyond the basic and deliver a level of detail that enhances the day-to-day experience for the user. Because the concerns of all stakeholders are included, we simply arrive at better decisions. And, as a result of the process being cooperative, collaborative and inclusive, group relationships are strengthened. Improved group cohesiveness combined with complete agreement on a solution sets the stage for successful project implementation.
consensus-based planning – engage in the process
Planning for any major facility project is an extremely difficult and complex task. Budget constraints, opposing viewpoints, and lack of clarity about real needs are just a few of the factors that are likely to derail the best planning efforts. With consensus-based planning, you can overcome typical obstacles to the planning process and achieve truly winning results.
Scheduling Consensus-Based Planning
Consensus-based planning is an approach by which an organization’s stakeholders reach complete agreement on a solution through a collaborative, cooperative and inclusive decision-making process that encourages and supports equal participation by all group members.
Aimed at creating a completely transparent environment where all concerns are brought forward and discussed, consensus-based planning brings group members together in brainstorming sessions, information gathering sessions, design charrettes, and sustainability charrettes to provide a basis for achieving a successful solution.
Highly effective for master planning, feasibility studies, programming and design projects, the process can be tailored to meet specific needs and will allow a group to
- assess and analyze existing conditions and assets;
- identify short- and long-term priorities;
- identify and mitigate underlying issues and concerns potentially causing conflict;
- develop short-term action plans and long-range implementation plans; and
- continuously evolve the solution as new information is learned and shared.
Written by David Schrader, Principal in Charge and Partner at SG
Effective Team-based Project Management
Project team management in design and construction is increasingly more complex. Owners and stakeholders, each with their own map to project success are calling for a hands-on approach to design and construction information. Complex design teams include joint ventures and an ever-growing list of professional design and construction consultants. Construction teams can include extensive multi-prime contracts, each contractor with their own team of sub-contractors. All of these groups are in need of timely, accurate and valuable information related to the design and construction process.
Therefore, effective team-based project management throughout design and construction is imperative. Successful management by the owner and licensed design professional is directly correlated to reduced liability, reduced overhead costs and most importantly, satisfied stakeholders.
Although truly effective project management ultimately relies on the integrity of the individuals responsible to deliver it, that team often requires powerful tools to keep pace with 21st century project delivery. Our recent experience with new-generation web-based tools has enhanced most aspects of integrating the complex flow of information from start to finish. It simultaneously reduces the need for large-scale hard-copies and over-land deliveries. A digital construction team platform clearly delineates what is expected, and who is responsible, in near real-time.
The key components to look for in any successful project management system include:
-Accessibility
All pertinent project information should be accessible by any team member through a clean, clear and concise user interface.
-Accountability
Working together effectively as a cohesive and mutually respectful team is a requirement for any successful project. Automated document time stamps, automated email reminders of outstanding information and a chronological timeline of all project documentation can assist any project manager in enforcing accountability for each and every team member.
-Adaptability
Every construction project requires a specialized set of management tools to meet varying needs including complex client organizations, extensive teams of professional design consultants, or multi-prime construction contracts. The ability to adjust any management system to meet those needs from project to project is imperative for an effective long term solution for any owner or design professional.
-Profitability
A simple return-on-investment calculation that shows an immediate reduction in tangible costs is extremely helpful in justifying any first cost to the entity responsible for purchasing the management solution.
The project management marketplace is flooded with software and we’ve seen many approaches over the years. The recent improvement of online project management tools have vastly reinvented the project manager’s ability to meet all of the needs listed above with a single product. If your current system of project management isn’t meeting all of the criteria listed above, it is time to take a look at the new online project management software available.