Creating an "agile workplace"—by determining the overall business goals of an organization, making an in-depth appraisal of how employees work, and creating an efficient, cost-effective workspace that satisfies various work requirements—can save money in the long run by providing a satisfying workplace designed around employee's work activities.
Johnson County's new Criminalistics Laboratory houses distinct forensic science labs—biology/DNA, firearms/toolmarks, latent prints, controlled substance, trace analysis, digital/multimedia, and crime scene investigation. Additional space allows for expansion of computer forensics and instrumentation. Other amenities include: wireless capability, expanded crime scene processing and evidence handling areas, separate section evidence storage areas, and a large multipurpose training room.
NASA opened its $25 million, 50,000-sf office building in late spring of 2012 in Mountain View, Calif. The facility is expected to attain LEED Platinum sustainable design certification and features Bloom Energy fuel cells, ventilation pumps, photovoltaic panels, a water recovery system, and advanced building controls. The building provides collaborative open offices and is located at the Ames Research Center at Moffett Field. The facility is reputedly the most environmentally advanced federal building in the nation.
Federal Center South, the nearly completed 209,000-sf regional headquarters building for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, features a host of innovative workplace design strategies, and is on track to exceed aggressive high-performance goals set by the client, the U.S. General Services Administration. The $72 million project is the redevelopment of an existing waterfront building in Seattle.
A $4.5 billion renovation of the Pentagon is now complete. The 17-year design-build project included extensive reconstruction of the 6.5 million-sf facility, including reconfiguration to accommodate modern technology and communications systems. The completed Department of Defense headquarters will officially open in summer of 2011.
The new Augusta-Richmond County Judicial Center and John H. Ruffin Jr. Courthouse was dedicated on May 18 in Augusta, Ga. Heery International served as Augusta-Richmond County’s Capital Improvements Program Manager for the $62 million, 183,000-sf facility that houses eight courtrooms, nine hearing rooms, grand jury room, judges’ chambers, and offices for the district attorney, solicitor general, and clerk of courts. The four-story structure was designed by Turner Associates.
The U.S. General Services Administration has awarded a contract to Heery International for construction management services for a new federal courthouse in Harrisburg, Pa. The 270,000-sf facility, which is scheduled for completion in 2016, will replace an existing courthouse built in 1966. The project was designed by Ennead Architects to provide enhanced security and allow for future expansion. LEED Silver sustainable design certification will be sought for the project.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Jefferson Laboratories was awarded LEED Gold sustainable design certification in August of 2010. Designed by KlingStubbins, the facility was created by transforming a former chemical weapons arsenal building into the modern day research facility known as Building 50. Located in Jefferson, Ark., the seven-story tower was retrofitted to accommodate administrative, financial, and computer operations offices and support space.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Hoar Construction a $26.2 million contract to renovate the Jamie Whitten Delta States Research Center in Stoneville, Miss. The funding was made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The research center’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems will be upgraded. The Jamie Whitten Delta States Research Center houses agricultural research laboratories.
TRIRIGA, a leading provider of integrated workplace management solutions, announced in April of 2010 that New York City will deploy TREES, TRIRIGA’s environmental sustainability software, to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption at over 4,000 government buildings. TREES will enable NYC to measure its carbon output on a building-by-building basis while supplementing its efforts to conserve energy. TREES streamlines carbon accounting and environmental investment analysis to provide carbon intelligence and achieve energy reduction strategies.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has named Kimberly-Clark Corporation as a 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year. For the second consecutive year, K-C will be recognized for its energy management practices and commitment to sustainable operations, resulting in significant energy and financial savings. Kimberly-Clark is being honored for its continued focus on achieving its energy efficiency targets for its manufacturing processes as well as its energy conservation goals for all of its facilities.
The $23 million Arizona State Forensic Hospital is under construction in Phoenix. The 104,000-sf facility will provide 80 inpatient beds and is slated for completion in September of 2011. The facility was designed by Cannon Design and Jacobs Engineering Group and is being built by Gilbane Building Co. The forensic hospital will house testing areas, isolation rooms, a security center, and dining facilities for patients who are charged with criminal behavior but are too mentally ill to stand trial.
EMCOR Energy Services was awarded a nationwide Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to provide comprehensive energy services for the General Services Administration in March of 2010. EMCOR Energy Services was one of 19 organizations to be awarded a BPA by the GSA, one of the world's largest building managers.
The Food and Drug Administration has achieved LEED-NC Gold sustainable design certification for Building One in Silver Spring, Md. The renovation of the historic 102,000-sf facility was designed by KlingStubbins in association with RTKL with Sustainable Design Consulting providing LEED certification guidance.
San Diego County opened its $85 million Medical Examiner and Forensic Center in San Diego in January of 2010. The 84,000-sf facility houses a morgue, 17 technology-rich autopsy rooms, histology and toxicology labs, conference rooms, and advanced imaging suites.
