07-05-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARCHI T E C T S DESIGN INNOVATION CNH Architects address issues of concern and opportunity for our clients with creative and innovative design solutions. Some of these design solutions are exemplified by the following examples: CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE When designing the Minnesota Zoo’s new Black Bear Exhibit there were numerous challenges: the sloping site, exhibit safety, meeting the needs of the bears, fitting into the existing zoo’s MN Trail, and creating a great visitor experience. This last challenge, to create a great customer experience, is a common issue with public facilities. For this exhibit, our design involved minimizing public view to caging and other institutional looking animal security features, while emphasizing the natural looking materials. A rock wall is positioned to hide the bear doors leading into the cage dens and creates a barrier to maintain the bears within their exhibit space. Landscaping is used to hide security fencing while giving the exhibit a natural feel. A cave for the bears also allows for an intimate viewing of sleeping bears, especially by the children that visit the exhibit. Large windows in the viewing gallery, with heated rocks just in front, help to attract the bears to a more visible viewing location. These and many other features increase the chances for visitors to see the bears while not being distracted by functional aspects of the exhibit. FLEXIBILITY Designing flexibility into a project is more than just creating a large featureless space. In the case of Valleywood Clubhouse, the facility was designed to accommodate a steady flow of golfers during the golf season, full course tournament events, and special occasion events in both the golf and non-golf seasons. To achieve this mix of activities and maintain the building footprint within the client’s budget, a strategy of flexible rooms was developed. The main event room overlooks the 18th hole for a beautiful view of the course and the natural setting. It is sized to appeal to both golfers and special event users. This room is also equipped with audio/visual capabilities and has connections with an outdoor patio, bar serving window, commercial kitchen and a casual bar seating area. The casual bar seating area can serve as an overflow event space or accommodate a steady stream of golfers while another event is booked. The main entrance lobby with fireplace is ideal for setting a casual tone for golfers and allows enough space for a reception table for special events. All these rooms are nicely detailed and are equipped with features that can be used by either golfers and/or special event guests. ENERGY Reducing energy costs to a third of similar retail operations gives a building owner a competitive advantage. To achieve these savings, a comprehensive and innovative approach to building design was required. One strategy for the free standing Apple Valley Liquor Store No. 3 was to tie waste heat from the beverage coolers to a geothermal heat pump loop system that is used to heat and cool the building. Along with this system, a well-insulated building also limits the need for temperature adjustments. To further reduce energy consumption, efficient lighting and building systems were used. By incorporating natural daylight, the need for artificial lighting during daytime hours was reduced, and consequently the heat created by light fixtures. LED lighting and other high efficiency light sources were used. Pay back on the energy systems was calculated and verified by the owner at 6 to 7 years. This project is a Green Globe certified project and achieved Energy Star certification after a full year of operation. FIRST COSTS This fire training tower combines both a training tower and a fire burn facility. With 14 training rooms and participation from four communities, this facility reduces the need for multiple facilities and expands the training capabilities for the local fire departments. Within the facility sacrificial walls were used to allow protection of the permanent structural elements. Fires can do tremendous damage to a facility and these sacrificial block walls will need to be replaced every 5 years or more, but the overall structure should last for generations. This sacrificial system was selected in place of very expensive fire tile construction, saving the communities over $200,000 or more than 10 percent of the construction budget. Minnesota Zoo Black Bear Exhibit Apple Valley Liquor Store No. 3 Valleywood Clubhouse ABLE Burn Building CITY OF LINO LAKES PUBLIC WORKS SPACE NEEDS ANALYSIS AND EXISTING FACILITY AUDIT 13