"The San Ysidro Land Port of Entry is designed to be the port of the future, not only operationally, but also in terms of high-performance buildings. All three phases of the project are targeted to achieve LEED Platinum certification due to energy efficiency, water conservation strategies, and an integrated design process. Most notably is the potential of achieving net zero energy (the buildings, on a net annualized basis, will provide as much power as they consume) in all the occupied spaces, the first facility open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, to achieve this in the United States.
An astonishing 102,000 people cross the border here between Mexico and the United States daily. The redevelopment project is to improve operational efficiency, security and safety for cross-border travelers and federal agencies at the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry. The project includes accommodating 34 lanes of traffic—each with two stacked inspection booths, a 200,000-square foot administrative and operations facility, 110,000 square feet of primary and secondary vehicle inspection canopy, a new northbound and southbound connection to Mexico’s planned El Chaparral Land Point of Entry facility, and ancillary buildings for the Department of Homeland Security."(http://www.millerhull.com/html/inprogress/SanYsidro.htm)
On this project, my responsibilities included designing and coordinating details related to the entry system of the compound. This complex task required much research and understanding of the US Border Control’s stringent requirements for security and efficiency. I developed a role later in the project as a Revit expert, in charge of compiling record drawings which document the as-built conditions for the Federal Government.
"NBBJ helped Banner Health take their centralized approach to care to the next level — proving that speed-to-market, craft and quality care can go hand in hand.
Banner Gateway is the first roll-out facility of the Banner Health franchise model, a concept that started at their prototype hospital, Banner Estrella, in Phoenix. Built around the idea of transforming the health system’s care delivery and attending to the current and future needs of growing communities, the franchise model aims to carry forward Banner Health’s best practices to future campuses. With a design framework already established, NBBJ adapted the acute-care prototype to fit a community “well-care” hospital and delivered the project 16 months faster than the typical schedule for a similar healthcare facility, all without sacrificing quality." (http://www.nbbj.com/work/banner-gateway-medical-center/)
These beautiful photos are featured in the August 2008 edition of Architectural Record along an in-depth article of the project.
My role in The Banner Gateway project was that of a junior medical planner. Working with senior medical planners, our aim was to create the spaces and adjacencies the hospital staff needed to better do its job. We met with different user groups in Phoenix to get specific feedback on what an ideal layout could be for them. I learned that what works for a doctor is very different than what works for a surgeon, nurse or custodian. It was an interesting puzzle to work on.
"NBBJ helped create vital connections and a sense of community for 30,000 employees by introducing design, clarity and daylight to a massive factory environment.
Boeing’s Everett factory is home to the 747, 767, 777, and 787 airplane programs. It is the largest building in the world by volume, has a footprint of 98.3 acres, and houses 30,000 employees. The factory is a bustling hub of massive tools and equipment, airplane parts, office blocks, restaurants, full-size aircrafts, and semi-trucks.
NBBJ renovated five office towers within the building to accommodate open offices for everyone, more shared work areas, exterior walkways, skylights, and large storefront-style windows that offer views to the factory floor. A new wayfinding system using bold colors and large, directional graphics helps orient people in the vast space. The renovated towers offer three times the shared space than previous office layouts, with about 150 formal and casual meeting areas available for employees." (http://www.nbbj.com/work/boeing-future-factory/)
The BFF team worked like a well-oiled machine. Each bay of renovated offices was the size of a large building and therefore designed and constructed as such. We became proficient at rolling out construction documents for each one of these bays, while also giving each one its own identity depending on the teams working within it. This was a very exciting project and proves just how much can get accomplished when a team works well together.
"NBBJ designed a new home for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, consolidating five leased offices into a LEED Platinum campus that enables its workforce to focus on their mission: giving all people a chance to live healthy and productive lives.
The foundation sought to give physical presence to its mission and to create a campus that inspires and creates optimism and hope. Their new home needed to act as a hub for innovation and to facilitate gatherings of experts from many fields, perspectives and countries.
A combination of design research, workshops and prototyping resulted in the creation of a 40/60 closed/open workplace strategy. Design principles focused on designing a healthy and connected workplace for all staff with the goal of increasing collaboration within the Foundation and with external grantee partners.
Lighting Design
The global, public mission of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation led to a lighting design that activates the campus as an illuminated beacon in the urban landscape. Because the landscaped courtyard is so central to the campus, literally and figuratively, the lighting also aims to activate this space and make it welcoming for employees to use, even at night." (http://www.nbbj.com/work/bill-melinda-gates-foundation/)
I was initially brought on to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation project, as fresh eyes, to QA the wealth of construction drawings for Phase 1. In phase 2, I was in charge of reworking the lighting design given all of the parameters needed to maintain a LEED Platinum status.
"The LIV Apartments project is located in the Bel-Red subarea in Bellevue just south the Redmond campus for Microsoft. The large, 4+ acre site fronts on Bel-Red Road and is surrounded by a wide range of adjacent commercial uses and scales. The primary entry courtyard from Bel-Red is surrounded by three residential towers with stunning views of downtown Bellevue and Seattle as well as the Olympic Mountains. A multiple-building design response was utilized to reduce bulk and scale as well as to maximize ground level open space. Live-work units occupy the project’s ground level frontage while a prominent retail unit anchors the project’s Bel-Red frontage." (http://grouparch.com/portfolio_grouparch/liv-apartments/)
My role at the LIV was to develop and refine the individual apartment layouts to create the templates used throughout the complex. I also collaborated in finding the interior finishes that were used in the units and amenity spaces, and helped model and render the spaces for presentation.
"Project Details
Constructed in 1911, this building was once the grand New Richmond Hotel. In 1970, the building, located in the International Special Review District, was converted into 240 units of low income housing. More recently, Clark Design Group worked with the new owner to renovate the building.
The Addison on Fourth continues to provide affordable housing, as well as ground floor retail and basement artist studios. Twelve additional residential units were added, along with life safety improvements, fire sprinklers and seismic upgrades. Lobby improvements made the ground floor more hospitable and accessible. Residential amenity spaces were added and the upper floor common areas and residential units received new finishes, casework and lighting. The project received Historic Preservation Tax Credits, as well as Special Tax Valuation through King County." (http://clarkdg.com/project/addison-on-fourth/)
The Addison has some of the smallest apartment units I have ever worked on. I visited various times, to measure the existing units because literally every inch counted. The goal in the renovation was to modernize the units and choose finishes that could make these limited spaces beautiful and livable. I think we were successful.
The process of presenting to various historical boards to gain design approval was one of the most interesting aspects of this project.
"Located on a 206,000 sf site at the north end of Lake Union, this master plan project includes a 60,000 gross sf office building, below-grade parking, boat moorage and vessel repair. The new building enabled Aleutian Spray Fisheries, a family owned, water-dependent business, to consolidate their cargo and administrative activities at one central site. Aleutian occupies a portion of the building, with the balance leased to other businesses, some water-dependent.
Conceived as a multi-faceted glass ‘gem’ resting at the water’s edge, the building’sglazed envelope is angled to respond to its solar orientation and take advantage of sweeping views of Lake Washington and the downtown skyline. The building achieved LEED© Platinum Certification, employing a variety of sustainable design options including a 13,000 sf green roof, energy efficient lighting and mechanical systems, sun-shading devices, drought-tolerant landscaping, and recycled and regionally sourced building products." (http://clarkdg.com/project/addison-on-fourth-2-2/#prettyPhoto)
I worked on this project in its final stages. I assisted in choosing exterior and interior finishes and creating finish boards to present to the client.
This was a super fast-paced renovation. A lobby area had been destroyed by fire, so a very quick fix was needed. Considering the budget constraint, I think the lobby design was great. The design on a dime challenges can sometimes prove to be quite enjoyable.
"Clark Design Group assisted Pacific Biomarkers in the planning and analysis of three different sites for the location of their new 25,000 square foot facility. Clark Design Group met with each of the user groups at Pacific Biomarkers and developed a detailed program for all lab and office space functions. Upon executive management approval of the program, we designed a highly detailed plan for each user group to review and approve.
Clark created a complete interior design package including permit plans, construction documents and furniture selections." (From www.clarkdg.com/project/pacific-biomarkers/)
Similar to hospital work, adjacencies and space requirements in a lab are everything. My goal was to create a lab that helped technicians do their work in a safe yet elegant and pleasant environment.
