Architectural Precast Association Award Winners Announced

At its Annual Convention, the Architectural Precast Association announced the winners of the 2013 APA Awards for Design & Manufacturing Excellence Competition. The prestigious competition is held each year to recognize examples of outstanding design and production work utilizing architectural precast concrete. The APA Awards program was expanded in 2009 to include nine unique entry categories. 

This ensures each entry, whether large or small, is judged solely on the design and manufacturing merits of the respective category. Under the new program, this year 15 projects shared top honors: American University School of International Service, Archstone Square 673, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., Buffalo Federal Courthouse, Cultural Mission of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Dallas Country Club, Franklin Square Hospital, Garner Veterans Memorial, LA Sports Museum and Hall of Fame, Micron Business and Economics Building, National Gateway – Office Buildings I & II, National Public Radio Headquarters, Reagan Place, Texas State University Undergraduate Academic Center, USC Cinematic Arts Building 5.

Winning in the Building Green Category, American University School of International Service was designed by Quinn Evan Architect. The precast manufacturer was Arban & Carosi Inc. The judges’ comments where: “Strong, simple detailing of concrete elements. Nice façade and color contrasts. Effective textured facades using three materials. Rests softly on site. Good horizontal expression of building elements.”

The second winner in the Building Green Category was Buffalo Federal Courthouse. The building was designed by Kohn Pederson Fox and the precast manufacturer was Modern Mosaic Ltd. The judges’ comments were: “Bold and asymmetrical form. Interesting use of curvilinear form with precast concrete. Nice textured contrast between glass and precast concrete with vertical fins. Glass “veil” is certainly effective and functional.”

Taking an award in the Commercial Category was Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. The project was designed by George Butler and Associates and the precast manufacturer was Omega Concrete Systems, Inc. The judges’ comments were: “Creative combination of precast concrete finishes and color. Strong definition of horizontal lines. Use of functional piercing precast shear wall creates a strong entry icon and an opportunity for building signage. Minimalist interior spaces capture exterior light in an effective way. Creative use of interior precast wall panels using texture and horizontal lines.”

National Gateway – Office Buildings I & II also won in the Commercial Category and was designed by Davis, Carter, Scott Design. The precast manufacturer was Arban & Carosi, Inc. The judges’ comments were: “Strong building base using precast concrete. Good asymmetrical balance using expressive definition of entry element to unite the two buildings’ masses. Rhythmic consistency. Effective color/material contrast with use of precast concrete and glass curtain wall.”

The next award in the Commercial Category went for the National Public Radio Headquarters and was designed by Hickok Cole Architects. The precast manufacturer was Arban & Carosi Inc. The judges’ comments were: “Impressive design. Creative juxtaposition and layering of masses. Simple, effective detailing and delivery of precast concrete into composition. Good marriage of precast concrete and glass curtain wall. Expressive and well-recognized point of entry.”

Reagan Place took the final award in the Commercial Category. Good Fulton & Ferrell Architects designed this project and Advanced Cast Stone Inc. was the precast manufacturer. The judges’ comments were: “Strong definition of base and entry element. Exquisite detailing of precast concrete. Excellent contrast of texture, materials and color. Defining site presence. Nice proportions.”

The first winner in the Educational/Spiritual Category was the Micron Business and Economics Building designed by Hummel Architects. The precast manufacturer was Northwest Precast. The judges’ comments were: “Good composition, balance and proportion. Effective and creative precast detailing. Interesting presentation with use of shadows and shading. Strong color contrast. Nice three-dimensional facade.”

Cultural Mission of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia also won an award in the Educational Category and was designed by Davis, Carter, Scott Design. The precast manufacturer was Arban & Carosi, Inc. The judges’ comments were: “Nice integration of colors and materials. Strong entry element using precast concrete surround. Simple detailing and layering of precast concrete facades. Interesting and innovative curvilinear precast. Innovative use of curvilinear, flying precast concrete façade. “Legorreta” like round elements at front entrance are very interesting and functional micro-element.”

The final award in the Educational Category went for the Texas State University Undergraduate Academic Center. The project was designed by Morris Architects and the precast manufacturer was Advanced Cast Stone, Inc. The judges’ comments were: “Pleasing color combinations. Simple, effective detailing of precast concrete. Sited well on difficult topography. Highly compatible with natural surroundings and the campus build environment.”

Dallas Country Club won in the Hospitality/Entertainment Category and was designed by MAI Design Group and Image Design. The precast manufacturer was Advanced Cast Stone, Inc. The judges’ comments were: “Nice color and texture combinations. Strong, elegant detailing of precast concrete. Exquisite detailing and presentation of interior fireplace with wood surround. Interior hallway detailing of stone/concrete elements is impressive.”

Also in the Hospitality/Entertainment Category was LA Sports Museum and Hall of Fame. The project was designed by Trahan Architects, APAC and the precast manufacturer was Advanced Cast Stone, Inc. The judges’ comments were: “Another "wow" project. Excellent, imaginative application of precast to create “organic” interior space. Effective use of artificial and natural light. Exciting transition from exterior to interior. Exterior is equally impressive and exciting.”

Franklin Square Hospital took the sole award in the Medical/Government Category and was designed by Wilmot-Sanz. The precast manufacturer was Arban & Carosi, Inc. The judges’ comments were: “Strong expression of two-dimensional horizontality. Bold, simple expression of arrival point to the building. Very effective use of contrasting materials to create lightness and capturing of light. Fits in well with campus architecture.”

Winning the award for the Residential Category, Archstone Square 673 was designed by Davis, Carter, Scott Design and the precast manufacturer was Arban & Carosi, Inc. The judges’ comments were: “Imaginative use of precast concrete. Color combinations interesting and unusual. Texture and three-dimensionality of façade is highly effective. Would be an interesting place to live. Monumental site presence.”

The Garner Veterans Memorial won in the Trim/Landscape Category. The project was designed by Thomas Sayre and Fred Belledin, Clearscapes and the precast manufacturer was Lucas Concrete Products, Inc. The judges’ comments were: “This really "wowed" us. Layer of texture protects the smooth inner panels. Precast concrete panels designed to simulate the area’s indigenous red clay is highly imaginative. Reflection and awareness of past is greatly stimulated with this architecture.”

USC Cinematic Arts Building 5 also won in the Trim/Landscape Category and was designed by Urban Design Group. The precast manufacturer was Architectural Facades Unlimited, Inc. The judges’ comments were: “Quality and tastefulness of detailing coupled with the softness and color contrast of the landscape makes for a quality composition. Nice presentation of micro-detailing. Strong building base using keen detailing and color contrasts.”

An independent jury selected the winners from a field of entries. Chairman of the awards jury was Chuck Freeman. As Vice President of Callahan & Freeman Architects, Mr. Freeman has an extensive background in architectural services for all types of facilities. Project types include commercial, institutional, governmental, office, warehouse, educational, and religious facilities. Mr. Freeman has more than 38 years' experience in architectural design, management and construction. He has completed projects ranging in size from small renovations to new construction exceeding 100 million dollars. His strengths lie in his client relations, project management, design development, planning and preparation of construction documents, construction administration and construction management. Mr. Freeman received his Bachelor of Architecture degree at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a registered Professional Architect in the state of Texas and is a LEED Accredited Professional. Mr. Freeman also holds active memberships in the American Institute of Architects and the Texas Society of Architects.

Also serving on the jury was Mark Vander Voort, AIA, LEED AP. Educated at Rice University, Mr. Vander Voort is a Principal and Practice Leader for HKS Architects Education Studio. He is responsible for quality assurance, resource allocation and client satisfaction. He spirits these outcomes through respectful team relationships and a process based on careful listening, creative design and responsive delivery of exceptional solutions. Over his 37-year career, Mr. Vander Voort has guided over 100 educational projects to successful completion. He is a resourceful problem-solver who remains personally involved in project planning and conceptual design. He is seasoned in all phases of work and supervises team efforts from inception through closeout. His collaborative style attains stakeholder consensus to achieve quality and value-added results. Mr. Vander Voort is well-rounded in all project issues and particularly knowledgeable in project cost management, schedule requirements and market conditions. He can provide quick and accurate information to compare strategic options. His industry leadership has led to numerous award recognitions, publications and seminar presentations.

The last jury member was Patrick Glenn, AIA, REFP, LEED AP. Mr. Glenn is the K12 Regional Practice Leader for Perkins+Will in Texas. With close to two decades of educational leadership, planning and architectural design experience spanning a wide range of educational clients across the state of Texas, Mr. Glenn is known for listening to specific client needs and providing a clear understanding and design direction of the critical issues facing school districts and educational facilities. He offers unique expertise to help foster creative, organized and long term design strategies to better enhance the student learning environment. Mr. Glenn has served as a repeat design jury member for the School of Architecture at Oklahoma State University and continues to mentor young professionals in the classroom and work place. Mr. Glenn is also an active CEFPI member for the Southern Region while also serving as a Board Member for the North Texas Chapter. He has authored and contributed to several articles, publications and conference presentations related to innovative and sustainable school planning designed to facilitate higher student performance and collaborative educational learning environments. He is also a Board Member for the Dallas Center for Architecture and is the co-creator and committee chairman for the DCFA's Form Follows Fitness 5K.


Carl Hall and Jeff Harwell of Speed Fab-Crete Corporation (Fort Worth, TX) were the Chairmen of the APA Awards Committee.

The APA is a not-for-profit association founded in 1966 to advance the interests of architectural precast concrete in North America and to promote high standards of workmanship throughout the industry. In addition to the annual awards program, the APA supports these goals through the establishment of specifications and quality control standards for architectural precast concrete, through dissemination of educational and technical information, and through a variety of promotional programs, seminars and meetings. For further information, contact: The Architectural Precast Association, 6710 Winkler Road, Suite 8, Fort Myers, FL 33919; phone (239) 454-6989, fax (239) 454-6787, E-mail: info@archprecast.org , Website: http://www.archprecast.org.

Limestone Powder Enhances Performance of 'Green' Concrete

Adding limestone powder to green concrete mixtures – those containing substantial amounts of fly ash, a byproduct of coal-burning power plants – can significantly improve performance, report researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

The laboratory results suggest a path to greatly increasing the use of fly ash in concrete, leading to sizable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, construction costs and landfill volumes. Global production of cement for concrete accounts for 5 percent to 8 percent of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.

Currently, fly ash accounts, on average, for about 15 percent of the binder powders in the ready-made concrete used in the United States. To produce a more green concrete, NIST is researching new material combinations and procedures that could help the industry use fly ash to routinely replace 40 percent to 50 percent of the ordinary portland cement (OPC), the main binding and hardening agent in concrete.

Because of delays in setting times and questions about its strength in the first few days after application that both "impact its constructability," says NIST chemical engineer Dale Bentz, "green concrete has been a tough sell in large parts of the construction industry." However, Bentz and his FHWA colleagues found that a "judicious combination of fine limestone powder" can help to put these concerns to rest.

So-called high-volume fly ash "ternary" mixtures (including some limestone) that replace between 40 percent and 60 percent of the cement portion not only set at rates comparable to those for typical concrete, but also were superior in terms of key properties.

Initially, the strength of the green concrete mixtures after 28 days slightly lagged that of concrete without any fly ash. However, the team was able to tweak the fly ash-limestone-OPC mixture to overcome the gap, primarily by lowering the water-to-powder ratio and switching to a different standard composition of OPC (ASTM Type III).

Today, global production of OPC totals about 3.5 billion metric tons (3.85 billion tons) annually. Generation of each ton of OPC emits about a ton of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Greater use of high-volume fly ash mixtures could reduce this environmental burden and, at the same time, reduce costs for concrete construction, says Bentz. For Bentz and his team, the next research challenge is to test their limestone-enhanced mixtures in the field, where curing conditions can vary.

For more information, contact Mark Bello, 301-975-3776.

Mason Contractors: OSHA Extends Comment Period on Proposed Silica Rule

The U.S Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety andHealth Administration is extending the public comment period for an additional 47 days on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica.

In response to requests for an extension, the deadline to submit written comments and testimony is being extended from Dec. 11, 2013, to Jan. 27, 2014, to allow stakeholders additional time to comment on the proposed rule and supporting analyses.

OSHA is also extending the deadline to submit notices of intention to appear at its informal public hearings by an additional 30 days, from Nov. 12, 2013, to Dec. 12, 2013. Public hearings are scheduled to begin on March 18, 2014. The duration of the hearings will be determined by the number of parties who request to appear. The hearings are expected to continue for several weeks.

The notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the Federal Register on Sept. 12, 2013. The proposed rule was made available to the public on OSHA’s website Aug. 23, 2013.

              

“We strongly encourage the public to assist in the process of developing a final rule by submitting written comments and participating in public hearings,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “We especially hope to hear from employers, workers and public health professionals who have experience in successfully protecting workers from silica-related diseases. We are extending the comment period to ensure we hear from all stakeholders who wish to participate.”

The extended comment period and public hearings will be followed with a post-hearing comment period. Members of the public who filed a timely written notice of intention to appear will be able to submit post-hearing comments to the docket.

Additional information on the proposed rule, including five fact sheets and procedures for submitting written comments and participating in public hearings, is available at http://www.osha.gov/silica. Members of the public may comment on the proposal by visiting http://www.regulations.gov.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

Mason Contractor Jim Painter is Florida's Builder of the Year

Jim Painter of Painter Masonry Inc. in Gainesville has won the Florida Home Builders Association's (FHBA) highest individual honor – the Builder of the Year Award presented last week at FHBA's 61st annual Fall Leadership Conference in Tampa. 

This is the first time in the history of this prestigious award that it has gone to a mason contractor.  Painter follows in the footsteps of Gainesville builder Barry Rutenberg, who won the award in 1994, and now-deceased Gainesville builders A.W. Fletcher (1982) and George Kirkpatrick, Jr. (1981).

Premier builders in the state of Florida, Painter and his brother Jerry have owned Painter Masonry since 1969. For over 40 years, the brothers have defined their reputation by instilling a level of fine masonry for commercial, industrial and institutional buildings throughout the North Central Florida area. Painter Masonry has been the builder of choice for the University of Florida for the past four decades. The architecture of the University of Florida campus is renowned for its masonry architecture, utilizing brick, concrete block and stone to create a vibrant, traditional southern college campus.

A past-president of the BA of North Central Florida and a former Gainesville Mayor, Painter has been a leader of many of FHBA's most important initiatives, including governmental affairs, political action, and the Future Builders of America (FBA) program that trains young people for careers in the construction trades.

His most recent work at FHBA has been as a member of a Strategic Planning Task Force that developed recommendations on how the 7,000-member, Tallahassee-based association can achieve operational and governance efficiencies.
 
Painter is also active in the Masonry Association of Florida. He is the 2013 winner of the MAF's Chairman's award and is very involved on the MAF governmental affairs committee.

National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) Elects Board of Directors

The National Fenestration RatingCouncil (NFRC) has announced the results of its 2013 board of directors election. New board members will be seated in January 2014.

Nominated and elected by NFRC membership, the following people will join the board or have been re-elected in the following seats:

• Joe Jonely will assume a Fenestration Industry (unspecified) seat. He has been with AMSCO Windows, in Salt Lake City, since 1975. He currently serves as VP of engineering.
• Paul Bush takes the Fenestration Industry (primary glass manufacturer) seat. He is the technical services manager for the flat glass business of PPG Industries in Cheswick, Pa.
   
• Christian Kohler has been re-elected to the General Interest (not-for-profit institution of research or higher learning) seat. On the NFRC board since 2010, Kohler represents the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), in California.
• Bipin Shah takes a general interest (unspecified) seat. A former NFRC employee, Shah is now president of WinBuild Inc., in Fairfax, Va. 

Longtime board members leaving in January include Dr. Ross McCluney (SunPine Consulting), Joseph Hayden (Pella Corp.), and Steve Farrar (Guardian Industries Corp.). Hayden is a former chair of the NFRC board, and Farrar serves as the current board secretary. All three received awards for their service during NFRC's recent membership meeting in Tempe, Ariz.

NFRC thanks the outgoing board members for their faithful service and is grateful to all the nominees for their commitment to the organization and their willingness to serve.