One of the most interesting projects we’ve been involved with at JJCA is the development of a truly unique concept in total wellness. Working in conjunction with our longtime client Hayes Green Beach Hospital in Charlotte, Michigan, we’re proud to have had an opportunity to put “mind, body and soul” into the design and development of an amazing facility that promises to elevate the physical, mental and spiritual health and fitness of an entire community. Read more about it in this recently published article, AL!VE and Well, in Healthcare Design.
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April 20 2012
It’s great to be AL!VE!
March 18 2012
Knowing the rules – chapter and verse
Understanding Chapter 34
At JJCA, many of our projects involve modifying and expanding existing structures. As a result, we’ve acquired significant first-hand knowledge of the application of Chapter 34 of the International Building Code and its apparent successor, the International Existing Building Code (IEBC), which is becoming more and more recognized as a model code for addressing changes to existing buildings.
Existing buildings are very likely to contain elements that are no longer code-compliant but were compliant at the time they were constructed. Our ability to knowledgeably answer the age-old question “What do we need to bring up-to-code and what will be grandfathered?” is critical in helping us to have productive negotiations with code officials and effectively advise our clients.
We are often called upon by our clients to evaluate existing buildings that they desire to re-purpose or reuse. For instance, a client may be interested in buying an existing hospital or nursing home and converting it to a psychiatric hospital. Our knowledge of how the code handles these types of conversions is critical to the evaluation. Something as simple as an occupancy change can take a project from feasible to infeasible from a financial perspective.
The IEBC replaces/enhances Chapter 34 of the IBC and provides more detail for architects, engineers, and code officials in scoping what must be brought up-to-code during a renovation/expansion project. The IEBC expands Chapter 34′s three categories of work (alterations, additions, and repairs), which is considered the “Prescriptive Method”, adds the “Work Area Method”, and expands on the “Performance Compliance Method.”
Reducing the Gray
So when it comes to renovating a building what is the answer to the frequently asked question, “How far will we need to go to bring existing non-compliant items into compliance?” The simple rule of thumb is that “if you touch it, you fix it.” But for designers, code officials, and inspectors, this line can be blurred. One of the advantages of the IEBC, through the use of the Work Area Method, is that it provides greater definition – and provides a code-justified basis to fall back on – for answering the question of what is remediated and what is left alone. The IEBC allows the designer to pick a level of alteration that is occurring in an existing building, based on the percentage of the aggregate area of the building, then designates a specific chapter to that level and describes what elements of the building need to be brought into compliance and how.
Enhancing the Green
Our working knowledge of this new model code is a win/win for our clients and the environment. We can save our clients money by advising them on how to use their existing buildings in the most economical way possible while at the same time, providing a sustainable approach to re-using an existing structure.
February 24 2012
An ACE of a mentor
Approximately 15 kids from Page, Independence, Franklin, and Centennial High Schools are getting the benefit of mentoring from our own Ben Lorance and a number of other building and construction related professionals who participate in the ACE Mentoring program. Every other week for the full school year, Ben and and the rest of the ACE mentors meet with these kids who have volunteered to be involved in this innovative program.
During the first half of the year, the goal is to develop activities to educate them about what is involved in the design and building professions. At JJCA, the kids built houses out of graham crackers. The second half of the year is devoted to a project that will be presented at a year-end banquet. Mentors will choose top students from each team to receive scholarships. Ben’s group is working to design a multi-media center.
Stay tuned for photos from the banquet in April!
February 24 2012
Vision is “lion’s-share” of community project
We recognize that one of the best ways we can contribute to the communities we work in is by sharing our talents with local organizations that have a vision for how to make their cities better places to live. In Springfield, Tennessee where we have been working with NorthCrest to construct a new medical office building, their COO, Randy Mills, introduced us to a local non-profit called Greater Faith Community Action Corporation (GFCAC) .
With the donation of Bransford High School, a city landmark, GFAC had begun working to develop the property into a community center to support the low income neighborhood that surrounds the old school. We partnered with GFAC, donating much of our time to help them envision what the community center could be. We’ve provided a master plan that will make the old school mascot – the Bransford Lion – and the community – roar with pride. Programming for the center includes after school care and tutoring, a community life center, a playground, soccer field, and outdoor performing arts venue.
The Bransford Community Center has now formed as its own entity and is raising funds to implement Phase 1 and 2, and seeking to hire a director!
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February 22 2012
Phelps Grand Opening
Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege, Nebraska held an open house February 18 that was as much about celebrating what’s to come as to show the community the progress already made. The hospital broke ground April 11, 2011 on a new patient wing and central energy plant and will work their way through a number of projects over the next few years as they execute the master plan developed by JJCA. Learn more about the overall project here.
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