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ACTION NEWSLETTER SPRING 2010 Space Utilization - Find the Hidden GEMS in Your Facilities ATS&R has created a protocol and analysis technique to assess levels of efficient space utilization. This analysis combines a concise compilation of existing school space with scheduled utilization across the day, week, month, and semester of a school year and compares types of space needed by each instructional program. Class size combined with current and projected enrollments and instructional program demands serve as input variables for modeling potential plans. This process maintains the unique characteristics of how your district educates your students. Our recent analyses have shown:
GEMS Protocol & Analysis Technique Gather Information - Current utilization, master schedules, demographics, building and site characteristics (s.f./acreage). Evaluate the Data - Uncover the basis of utilization and create analytical and visual documents for verification and confirmation with principals and schedulers. Model the Findings - Incorporation of additional district elements, growth, demographics, preparation of specific tools to run “what if scenarios” based on unique district goals and needs. Share the Information -
Utilize the findings and projection modeling for community information, knowing you have a solid basis behind the information. Dashboards Drive Efficiency and Energy Management Savings School administrators, business managers, and facility management staff need to understand how their buildings and equipment consume energy. They need to know this in detail by application and system. For instance, take the electric bill you receive monthly from your local utility. Do you know what functions or systems are responsible for the total bill? Is the bulk of your energy consumed in lighting, motors, water heating, or other equipment? ATS&R has developed a computer-based dashboard for monitoring energy consumption that allows for comparisons at various time intervals between facilities within a district as well as comparisons to previous year records, and national, state, and local standards. ATS&R’s dashboard will help you answer and track other energy questions such as: When do these systems generally operate during each day? (‘Time of operation is important for determining whether you can simply shift the function to another time slot in the day or night and avoid higher priced periods.) Is your equipment energy efficient or is it inefficient? If less than current standards, it may be a candidate for replacement. What is the cost of replacement and the resulting payback on your investment? What would be a reasonable timetable to complete needed improvements? ATS&R’s TEC (Total Energy Checkpoint) Group can assist you in measuring your energy use and provide recommendations for improving your operations. Working with your maintenance staff, we will provide analysis, training, and monitoring of your facilities energy usage. Our goal is to help you save energy consumption and money through well-maintained, energy-efficient facilities. The Basics of Operational Efficiency Develop a mission statement that reflects the facilities’ needs and expectations for all parties. Plan to succeed and follow a plan. Identify maintenance needs and track your progress routinely including daily care, regular maintenance, capital investments, and improvements. Educate and inform the responsible staff members on the proper care and maintenance of the equipment and facilities. Purchase or acquire the resources required to do the job well. List your troublesome equipment and systems for restoration and then prioritize these investments. Short- and long-term planning guides provide a great framework for this task. Collect data and identify trends in campus usages, energy consumptions, and human resources. Apply your best practices and determine areas for improvement. Consider pilot projects for educational environment improvement, capitalize on opportunities, and celebrate your successes. Success is contagious! ATS&R Projects Honored for Design Excellence Conference Presentations ATS&R’s Paul Erickson and David Maroney recently teamed up with David Krenz, Superintendent of Austin Public Schools, Dr. Randy Clegg, Superintendent of Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Schools, and Chuck Holden, Director of Administrative Services for Anoka-Hennepin Schools, to present “Maximizing Resources and Planning for the Future” at the MASA/MASE 2010 Spring Conference. Client Testimonial “I believe that the people at ATS&R are unique in their ability to develop the interpersonal relationships that are so important to the success of building projects. I have been impressed with the abilities of ATS&R personnel to help massage the ideas of our staff and develop them into spaces and technical solutions that are truly special….We have been very impressed with your ability to listen and then present creative solutions for our consideration.” Susan Hintz, Superintendent
ATS&R PRESS RELEASES ATS&R Provides Design Consulting Services to the USAID-Jordan Schools Projects July 21, 2010 As the educational facilities planning architect for 28 new schools for the USAID-Jordan Schools Projects, ATS&R Planners/Architects/Engineers has been hired to provide design consulting services to the local Jordanian staff development training consultant to carry through the design intent for teacher and student use of the building. ATS&R is generating a resource guide for professional development for the building designs. ATS&R President Paul Erickson commented, "This is a wonderful opportunity for the architect/designer to work with teachers on how the building spaces can be used to maximize learning opportunities for kids." ATS&R is an architecture and engineering firm specializing in educational facility design since 1944. The firm’s services include architecture, educational facility planning, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, interior design, technology, site development, field administration and total energy checkpoint.
Bay Harbor Elementary School Earns ENERGY STAR Designation May 3, 2010 ATS&R Planners/ Architects/Engineers announces that Bay Harbor Elementary School, a 79,563-square-foot, K-4 facility located in Suamico, Wisconsin, received the ENERGY STAR label from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its superior energy performance. ATS&R’s team of professionals and the Howard-Suamico School District worked collaboratively to reach a level of energy efficiency that supports the District’s commitment to sustainability and reduces operational costs. "We are honored that our efforts have resulted in the ENERGY STAR designation, the benchmark of energy conservation," said James Lange, PE, co-director of mechanical engineering at ATS&R. "Together with the school district staff, we have implemented a program of continuous improvement that supports our commitment to sustainability. The operating solutions put in place minimize energy use and reduce the overall carbon footprint of the school, reflecting how good citizenship and smart business decisions can go hand-in-hand." Commercial buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR label use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The EPA's national energy-performance rating system provides a scale from one to 100, which helps organizations assess how efficiently their buildings use energy relative to similar buildings nationwide. A building that scores a rating of 75 or higher is eligible for the EPA’s ENERGY STAR, indicating that Bay Harbor Elementary School is more energy efficient than 75 percent of comparable commercial buildings. The building's peak performance and energy efficiency can be attributed to:
ATS&R is an architecture and engineering firm specializing in educational facility design since 1944. The firm’s services include architecture, educational facility planning, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, interior design, technology, site development, field administration and total energy analysis/modeling. ATS&R Coordinates Design Work in Abu Dhabi March 29, 2010 ATS&R Planners/ Architects/ Engineers recently coordinated design work for the Innovation School for the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA). ATS&R Partner Paul Snyder spent the month of December working with all the disciplines associated with the design and documentation of this project. The project site is located in the heart of Abu Dhabi on the site of a previous industrial complex owned by ADWEA. Designed for 1,800 K-Grade 13 students, the campus encloses 19,250 square meters (207,205 square feet) and provides residential accommodations for the faculty. ATS&R also submitted designs for FF&E and technology services for this school of the future. As Director of International Architecture, Snyder and ATS&R have also served as consultants, planners, and designers for 28 new schools and 100 additions/renovations for the USAID Jordan School Construction and Renovation project in 2006. ATS&R is an architecture and engineering firm specializing in educational facility design since 1944. The firm’s services include architecture, educational facility planning, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, interior design, technology, site development, field administration and total energy checkpoint. ATS&R Selected for Kaufert Lab Predesign Study March 3, 2010 The University of Minnesota recently selected ATS&R Planners/Architects/Engineers to provide a predesign study and prepare construction documents for the replacement of exterior windows at the Kaufert Laboratory in St. Paul, Minnesota. Consisting of two buildings, Kaufert Laboratory is occupied by faculty and graduate students along with lab research areas. ATS&R is working with representatives from the University to determine the scope of work and to provide recommendations and construction cost analysis and options for the replacement of the deteriorated windows. ATS&R was awarded this project based on the University’s CPPM Best-Value (PIPS) Program. ATS&R is an architecture and engineering firm specializing in educational facility design since 1944. The firm’s services include architecture, educational facility planning, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, interior design, technology, site development, field administration and total energy analysis/modeling. Adult Education Center Featured in Architectural Portfolio Honoring Education Design Excellence February 10, 2010 ATS&R Planners/ Architects/ Engineers announces that the Adult Education Center for Osseo Area Public Schools in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota was selected for publication in Penton Media’s American School & University 2009 Architectural Portfolio. The project was featured in the November 2009 edition of the magazine and on the web at www.schooldesigns.com. An annual competition honoring design excellence, the Architectural Portfolio spotlights projects representing some of the most effective learning environments in America. A jury of American Institute of Architects Committee on Architecture for Education members and education administrators evaluated submissions from architectural firms, schools, and universities across the country. The jury considered the following specific criteria to make its selections: designs should meet stated goals; design should enhance learning by inspiring creativity, fostering and promotion collaboration, and integrating curriculum; designs should be functional, considering flexibility, community use, security, community, technology, social spaces and outdoor connectivity; and designs should be sustainable. The Adult Education Center promotes General Educational Development (GED) achievement through academic and English language instruction to adult learners in the northwestern suburban and surrounding areas of the Twin Cities. Planning is underway for an expansion that will provide county and non-profit human services as a “one stop” service center. Clear and safe traffic patterns were created to provide welcoming drop-off areas and entries for pedestrians, bus riders, and drivers. The use of daylight, warm colors, and the patterns on the floors and walls make the center feel welcoming. The 25,500 square foot facility houses 14 classrooms, a large community room, two computer labs, two shared conference rooms, a lunch room with partitioning capabilities, and a teacher prep area and staff lounge. The center serves as home to 1,300 adult students and 40 Osseo Area Schools’ staff. ATS&R is an architecture and engineering firm specializing in educational facility design since 1944. The firm’s services include architecture, educational facility planning, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, interior design, technology, site development, field administration and total energy analysis/modeling. Hillside Elementary School Featured in Architectural Portfolio Honoring Education Design Excellence February 1, 2010 ATS&R Planners/ Architects/ Engineers announces that Hillside Elementary School at the School District of New Richmond, Wisconsin was selected for publication in Penton Media’s American School & University 2009 Architectural Portfolio. The project was featured in the November 2009 edition of the magazine and on the web at www.schooldesigns.com. An annual competition honoring design excellence, the Architectural Portfolio spotlights projects representing some of the most effective learning environments in America. Designed for “Green Construction,” the 85,750 square foot school incorporates many features and elements that lead to sustainability in design. To ensure the new school would have a small carbon footprint, ATS&R and the School District of New Richmond worked together to set and evaluate energy performance goals. The building is expected to use 47% less energy and produce 47% fewer carbon emissions than an average building of similar type. ATS&R is an architecture and engineering firm specializing in educational facility design since 1944. The firm’s services include architecture, educational facility planning, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, interior design, technology, site development, field administration and total energy analysis/modeling.
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