Swaner Eco Center Earns Platinum LEED Rating

Stunning new 10,000-sq-ft facility in Park City is the first Utah project to achieve the prestigious platinum designation. Designed by CRSA of Salt Lake, the Eco Center received all 61 LEED points it applied for.

The Swaner Eco Centerin Park City, Utah, a stunning new 10,000 sq-ft, state-of-the-art facility that promotes environmental awareness, recently received a Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification from the US Green Building Council. It is a prestigious honor held by only a few dozen buildings in the entire United States. The Eco Center is the first Utah project to achieve platinum certification in the New Construction division; it received all 61 points it applied for; 52 points is necessary for platinum certification.

The Swaner Eco Center in Park City recently earned a Platinum LEED rating. (photo courtesy CRSA)

Designed by Salt Lake City-based CRSA, the Swaner Eco Center is part of a non-profit land trust, with 1,200 acres in the Snyderville Basin. The building was designed as a teaching tool; the green elements are visible and transparent to people who will visit and the community at large, so they can see what might be possible to make their home, or workplace more eco-friendly.

As part of the show-and-tell approach to teaching eco-friendly living, visitors will discover re-used and rapidly renewable elements throughout the building, like the insulation made out of shredded blue jeans that’s framed in a cutout window within the wall cavity.

“There’s this great cycle of life in the preserve, and we wanted the building to reflect that, too,” says Kathy Wheadon, principal at CRSA. “Everything had to tie together.”

The architects focused their innovative design on the four elements of nature: water, air, earth and sun.

Water. Above and below ground cisterns collect 10,000 gallons of storm water used to flush the toilets and irrigate the landscape. “We wanted it to be a tapestry of building systems,” Wheadon says, “where somebody could see the snowfall on this slippery roof, and the snowmelt systems that melt the snow and fill the cisterns.”

Air. The architects designed operable windows throughout and strategically placed them to maximize cross breezes, cooling the building naturally. Windows in the observation tower draw cooler air from the first floor in and upward. Systems monitor carbon monoxide to assure that the air inside the building as healthy as the air outside. The team also used non-toxic paints and adhesives to finish the building.

Earth. CRSA used materials that don’t put a strain on the earth’s natural resources, like sorghum stalks used in cabinetry at the front desk, sunflower husks for wood panels on the counters, and bamboo on the floors and cabinetry, all rapidly renewable wood products. Recycled materials were also used for finishes throughout.

Sun. On the south-facing roof of the building, photovoltaic roof panels convert the sun’s light energy into electricity. The balance of electricity supplied to the building will come from certified renewable energy sources. Another type of panel, part of a hydronic system, takes the sun’s heat energy and concentrates it to heat water for washing hands, showering and other domestic uses inside, as well as radiant floors throughout. In the exhibit hall, glazed roof panels allow natural light in the building, while also shading it from the heat of the day.

The team feels confident that the eco-friendly ideas that are presented within the walls of the Swaner Eco Center will stay with its visitors for many years to come, and moreover ignite personal exploration into sustainable living. “It’s a place where eco-friendly materials like sorghum stalks become a part of the community’s vocabulary,” says Wheadon.

CRSA’s Swaner Eco Center Team

Søren Simonsen, Principal in Charge
Kathy Wheadon, Principal and Project Manager
Rachel David, Sustainability Specialist
Kim Candelario, Job Captain

Massive Data Center Slated for Construction at Camp Williams

The U.S. government’s National Security Agency recently announced plans for a massive, 1-million-sq-ft data center at Utah’s Camp Williams just south of the Utah County-Salt Lake County line.

The entire project could ultimately cost multi billions of dollars, but an initial $180 million investment was made on a recently signed war spending bill. Initial construction is slated to begin by the end of the year on a 200-acre area near the Utah National Guard’s runway if all funding criteria are met; otherwise, the project will begin by first quarter of 2010.

According to records from Congress, initial construction aspects will include up to $50 million in electrical and utility work, nearly $10 million for a vehicle inspection facility, and $7 million in perimeter fencing.

Roughly 65 megawatts of power will be required for the facility, which will require a separate power substation, according to NSA officials. A general contractor has not been chosen yet for the project.

CPC Lands I-84 Widening

Concrete Placing Co. of Boise is the apparent low bidder for a project to widen Interstate 84 from two lanes in each direction to four lanes in each direction between the Cole Interchange and Broadway Interchange starting in September, the Idaho Transportation Department announced. The project bid was $35.9 million.

This project rebuilds and widens 3.2 miles of I-84. Widening will occur in the median area of the existing roadway and will include a permanent median barrier separating traffic to improve safety.

This work will not only significantly aid in reducing congestion, but also will extend the life of the current roadway and improve the drive for motorists.

Traffic in the corridor is expected to at least double to more than 120,000 vehicle trips per day by the year 2030.

Funding for the project comes from the GARVEE Transportation Program. The program uses Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to expedite interstate improvements.

The work is expected to be complete in December 2011.

ESI Building WinCo Store in West Valley City

A new WinCo Foods Store in broke ground in West Valley City on April 13. The owner, WinCo Foods of Boise, selected contractor Engineered Structures Inc. of Boise, which has teamed up with Peterson-Staggs Architects of Boise for the project. The new store will be a single story, 98,481-sq-ft building with mechanical mezzanines. The exterior finishes include painted masonry, EIFS, cultured stone, metal roof panels and TPO roofing.

The interior will be finished in masonry, painted gypsum board, and exposed/painted joist and deck at ceiling. The flooring will be made up of exposed concrete, polished architectural concrete, resinous and VCT flooring.

“ESI is very proud of our strong business relationship going back several years with Winco Corporation,” says Neil Nelson, executive vice president of ESI, nothing that his firm has built more than 40 WinCo projects.

The project, which the owner requested non-disclosure on the cost, is expected to finish in the fall of 2009.

Bridge Replacement Begins in Idaho

Two deteriorated bridges that span Indian Creek are getting makeovers that will extend the life of the Caldwell roads and improve the structural integrity. Braun-Jensen of Payette, Idaho is the contractor on the bridge replacement project.

The first project is the 21st Avenue Bridge that serves as a route between I-84 and The College of Idaho. The firm is building two more lanes to make a four-lane bridge, which will improve traveling conditions. The second bridge replacement is beneath 11th Avenue and Arthur Street. Removing the existing bridge and building the new concrete bridge will be done in two phases. Due to the alignment with the creek and intersection on the 11th Avenue bridge, they will close the intersection and offer a detour while they install the new steel structure. The $2.3 million project is scheduled to be completed in November 2009.

R&O Uncovers Piece of History During DaVinci Academy Expansion

Ogden, Utah-based R&O Construction uncovered a piece of history recently while working on the expansion of the DaVinci Academy at the American Can Building located at 277 20th Street in Ogden. An old wedge anchor was pulled out of the aging masonry wall with a document that dates back to 1925. The document states: “This gadget placed in the hole by Lester E. Miller, April 8, 1925 at 10:15 a.m. (in) this building used for storing tin plate, cans, etc. by American Can Company.”

R&O will donate the find to the building developer, who will display it with other artifacts he has collected from the building.

The DaVinci Academy project expansion includes a structural upgrade of the 80-year-old building, and adding classrooms that will expand the school. Construction is on schedule to meet an August 2009 completion date.

UDOT Hosts Ribbon Cutting on Southern Parkway

The Utah Department of Transportation opened the first four miles of a new four-lane divided highway running along the Utah/Arizona border during a ribbon cutting ceremony July 7.

Constructed by Draper, Utah-based Wadsworth Bros. Construction, the four-mile stretch of highway designated as state Route 7 and also known as the Southern Parkway begins at Exit 2, Utah’s southernmost interchange, extending eastward toward St. George’s River Road, which serves as the connector to the city’s Fort Pierce Industrial Park.

The next phase of the highway, extending to the city’s new airport is currently under

construction with later phases intended to eventually circle through eastern Washington County joining S.R. 9 and reconnecting back to I-15.

Local planners and officials, in partnership with the state, began studying the potential for such a roadway nearly two decades ago. Environmental clearance was obtained in October 2005, design ensued and dirt was turned two years later. A single point urban interchange extending across I-15 at Milepost 2 was opened to local traffic on the west side of the freeway December 31, 2008 while the parkway continued under construction.

The first phase, with a project cost of $58.5 million including the I-15 interchange, also consists of interchanges over East Frontage Road and River Road.

Partnerships between UDOT, the School & Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA), and the City of St. George aided in bringing the project to fruition.

St. George Area Chamber of Commerce president Russell Behrmann calls this portion of the parkway economically significant, “It opens up a whole new avenue of transportation and development.”

BSU Getting New CESED Building

Rendering of the Center for Environmental Science and Economic Development at Boise State University, which is being built by ESI of Boise.

Engineered Structures Inc. of Boise is building the Center for Environmental Science and Economic Development (CESED) at Boise State University in Boise. Designed by RBB Architects of Los Angeles, the five-story, 97,000-sq-ft facility will promote collaboration between scientists, engineers, as well as public policy and political science faculty.

The $20 million building will be made of a braced-frame steel structure along with a curtain wall system of aluminum composite metal wall panels and a BSU signature blended brick highlighted with architectural precast.

The five floors will consist of research laboratories and offices with a 6th floor penthouse. The interior will be finished in a collage of retro-plated flooring on the first level and carpet tiles throughout a majority of the rest of building. The lobby will be trimmed in brick veneer, architectural wood work, stretched acoustical fabricate and glass railings. RBB incorporated sustainability principles related to site development, water efficiency, energy, materials, resources and air quality in the design to reduce energy use by 30%. The project is slated for completion in the Fall of 2010.

Pentalon Set to Break Ground on Ashley Creek Apartments

Pentalon Construction of Draper, Utah is building the $12 million Ashley Creek Village Apartments in Vernal, Utah. The 190,000-sq-ft facility will be completed in October 2010.

A groundbreaking will take place in the middle of August for the Ashley Creek Village Apartments in Vernal, Utah. Pentalon Construction of Draper, Utah will be building the new complex that was designed by Carpenter Stringham Architects of Salt Lake City. This $12 million, 190,000-sq-ft facility will consist of seven three-story apartment buildings totaling 168 units. The complex will include covered parking, a clubhouse, tennis courts and a playground. It is slated for completion October 2010

Idaho Sand and Gravel Lands Ten-Mile Interchange

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 23 for the new $33.8 million Ten-Mile Interchange in Meridian, Idaho. Idaho Sand and Gravel of Nampa began working on the project in the middle of July. The interchange is the first new exit on I-84 since the Karchner exit and will ease traffic congestion at the Garrity and Meridian interchanges. The two-lane road will be widened to four lanes and include bicycle lanes, sidewalks and a traffic signal. Ten-Mile Overpass will span 200 ft across I-84, allowing additional lanes in both directions and include on- and off-ramp connections.

“This project represents a significant improvement for the residents of Meridian and for the people throughout Treasure Valley,” says Tammy de Weerd, mayor of Meridian. The GARVEE-funded project is scheduled for completion in summer 2011.

Hughes Breaks Ground on North Salt Lake City Hall

Ground was broken May 11 for the new North Salt Lake City Hall / Police Building in North Salt Lake. ASWN of Murray is designing the project, which is being constructed by Hughes General Contractors of North Salt Lake City

The project is a two-story, 30,402-sq-ft building with a wood and steel frame. Exterior finishes will include brick and stone and have a basic city facility look. The lobby will have a stone tile finish, while the courtroom and council chambers will be finished in acoustic panels. This $5 million project is slated for completion in June 2010.