IONIC DEZIGN STUDIOS: 2012 Top Ten Projects

We have been really blessed this year with lots of work when we know so many others have struggled to make ends meet.  First of all lets us thank our clients for supporting us here at IONIC and allowing us to do what we enjoy doing so much: DESIGNING!

Here are a few of our 2012 projects that we feel particularly proud of.  Some are completed while others are under construction and are listed in no particular order.  We would love to hear from you as to your favorite and why.

1. We start off with a Wendy's Ultra-Modern design located in Chesapeake Virginia. This design is a popular one with the company as it certainly provides a bit of flair to the old fashioned look previously. As a renovation project, there was much coordination required to accomplish the final look. Construction by Independence Construction.

2. We don't often do residential work but this one takes the cake. The Goshen Residence built originally in the late 1700s on the Ware River in Gloucester Virginia undergos significant renovation to save the structure and return it to its glory of the original era.  Many modern features have been added to insure that it maintains usefulness as a home but also that much care is taken to insure the integrity of the history.  Working with DHR, IONIC; the contractor DOVETAIL CONSTRUCTION and other consultants strive to rebuild this home now listed on the historic register.

3. Our first LEED Retail project Four Square Retail has found a lot of favor with the local community. We have heard that the city of Norfolk Virginia is quite proud to the the first in the area. It doesn't hurt to be fully occupied and generating revenue as well. IONIC is currently working on the paperwork for the official accreditation of the facility for a LEED Certified. We hope to have everything finalized by summer of 2013. Construction by Independence Construction.

4. Star Express Convenience Store located in New Kent County Virginia is currently under construction. The second store for this small growing corporation but first with a statement by IONIC. It is expected to be completed near the end of March 2013 and open to the public shortly there after. We feel that this store will lead to many more locations as growth and prosperity continues. Construction by Independence Construction.

5. Part of the economic development authority in Virginia Beach Virginia, Russo Law Office became possible due to their previous office taken over due to eminent domain. The new brick, glass and metal panel structure sits right near Town Center and offers multiple tenants as well as the law office. In December 2012, this project received the honor award from the City of Virginia Beach Planning Commission. Construction by JDandW.

6. The Wendy's Urban Design makes our list as well. We did several locations but our first was in Raleigh North Carolina.  We are fortunate to have the confidence of the corporate office to continue with their work into 2013 all over North Carolina as well as working with some franchise owners too. Construction by Quality Builders.

7. Towncenter Crossing became our second LEED Retail project this year located right in the middle of Virginia Beach Virginia re-developed from the old Fuddruckers Building. These photos were taken as we finalized some of the exterior lighting modifications. USAA and Bruegger's Bagels will be wrapping up their construction soon and we will be back out there to take some final shots. It is nice to work right across the street from your project! Construction by Independence Construction.

8. Under construction in South hill Virginia right off of US 85 is the new Five Guys. This free standing building took quite some time to get all the players in tune with one another but finally is has kicked into gear. Construction began late November with site work and the completion expects to be near April 2013.  Construction by Kenbridge Construction. We look forward to a burger or two.

9. This project has been a bit of a roller coaster this past year. Navy Federal Credit Union had some changes to the program that caused delay to construction in Chesapeake Virginia. Initially we designed a 9,000 sq ft, then added an additional 3,000 sq ft and now we are back to just 3500 square feet. we are hoping all is set to complete the final documents (again) by March 2013 and finish construction near the end of next year.

10. Rounding out the top ten is the Haywood Office Project located in Gloucester Virginia. This is the first of 3 buildings for the complex with construction current underway for the site.  Some final modifications are being made to allow the owner to get into the structure immediately while leasing continues for the office portion. We expect completion some time late summer of 2013. Construction by G.L. Wilson.

Again we want to thank all of those that supported us this year and wish many great successes in 2013. Let us know what you like!

www.ionicdezigns.com

IONIC and Sustainable Design

Sustainable Design

Assessments / Energy Audits / Energy Modeling / Project Documentation / USGBC Submittals / Commissioning and Start up

Four Square Retail located in Norfolk Virginia

According to the US Green Building Council (USGBC), buildings are responsible for 39% of U.S. CO2 emissions and use 71% of the nation's electricity. Operating with tight margins, retailers are asking IONIC for guidance on designing, constructing and modifying multi-unit buildings to control energy costs and minimize environmental impact.

A USGBC member, IONIC offers "best practices" in sustainable design. Our LEED-accredited professionals (LEED APs) approach sustainable design from a variety of disciplines, including interiors, architecture, and electrical, mechanical and civil engineering.

Smart sustainability solutions strike the right balance between client objectives, and financial requirements.  IONIC understands the importance of evaluating life-cycle cost to benefit, not simply lowest first cost.

Each year more and more companies are making sustainability and energy efficiency a part of their brand. Some choose not to pursue LEED certification because of concerns about cost and speed of the certification process. In response to these justifiable concerns, the USGBC launched the “LEED Volume Program.” This program is most suitable for brands planning to certify a large number of new construction projects or existing buildings.

The new program offers a path to LEED certification that is less complex than the individual certification process. With LEED Volume, a brand can simply create a “prototype” that details how the building will obtain LEED credits and ultimately obtain LEED certification. After receiving USGBC approval, the certified prototype can be used as a template for any other stores the company builds for the same general purpose — meaning that all buildings based on that “prototype” are also LEED certified.

Once a client’s prototype is approved, IONIC acts as LEED advocate, validating the submittal. Whether you are pursuing LEED certification or simply seeking a greater level of efficiency, we will help you determine what level of energy efficiency is best for your company.

www.ionicdezigns.com

 

Painting the Town Green

We are beginning to paint the town green. Okay, not literally but figuratively we have been getting more and more interest by our clients to pursue LEED recognition in some of our small projects. The term "GREEN" has been used so abundant lately and I mean that in a bad way.  Everyone is trying to get in on the economic-environmental-recycling-earth day bandwagon that it is getting obnoxious. More and more vendors are sharing their "new" line of green products with us during product demonstrations. We have heard people going and getting their accreditation for LEED.  Marketing people, sales people, realtors and so forth just to add some letters behind their name and using every opportunity to add some money to their pocket. 

band·wag·on/ˈbandˌwagən/Noun1. A wagon used for carrying a band in a parade or procession.
2. A particular activity or cause that has suddenly become fashionable or popular.

Now don't get me wrong.  I think that this new found interest in environmentally responsible design has created a renewed interest in creating just good plain old fashion well designed buildings. A fact and process that has been forgotten by many architects and developers over the last 50 years. We used to consider how the building was placed on the site, where the windows were, overhangs on the windows, plantings around the building, watershed, insulating materials...natural ones, and so much more.  Over the last 50 years our involvement in much of our architecture by many of us (self included) has been pushed into....."how cheap can we build it". Now, the developers would never use the word cheap when retelling this story to whom ever they are selling or leasing the structures.  It is always a top quality product. Yep, top-quality product built by the lowest bid with multiple product substitutions along the construction process designed by "I-cant-go-any-lower-on-my-fees-and-still-feed-my-family-architects". We have all had to do what we needed to do to make a living. And we all will continue to do it. Nothing wrong with providing for our families.

Sorry, I think I got on my soap box a little bit there.

soap·box/ˈsōpˌbäks/Noun

1. A box or crate used as a makeshift stand by a public speaker.
2. A thing that provides an opportunity for someone to air their views publicly.

What I am talking about is all of us continuing to use good sound design principles in our architecture. We don't have to be building government meccas or financial moguls institutions to incorporate these ideas.  Let's face it, most of us architects just try to design and build great looking, efficient functioning and affordable everyday architecture from retail shops, restaurants, office buildings, medical facilities, churches etc. We just want to build our designs. Howard Roark said it best in the Ann Rand novel Fountainhead, "I don't build in order to have clients. I have clients in order to build!" We love our architecture.  We love our profession.

So fellow architects, let us build our modest little structures and do it with pride.  LEED or not, we can and should build a better box. Our first LEED project has gotten underway.  It is a small retail structure of 9000 square feet with three tenants.  We are only seeking a Certified level but it will be the first Retail structure in the Tidewater area to have achieved this claim. Four Square Retail has taken some time to get to the table but we look forward to its progress in the upcoming months.

Another client has approached us with the possibility of converting an existing restaurant into retail/office space incorporating an additional 9000 square feet to its already 6000 square feet.  I cannot disclose the location or client at the time of this blog posting due to a confidentiality agreement but it appears promising that we can also make a strong case for this one to achieve the same LEED Certified level.  We will keep you posted as progress continues.

We have recently completed the construction documentation for a new office building located near towncenter for Phillip Russo.  The 9500 square foot structure will house his new 3000 square practice in one end while the remainder is open for lease.  While the structure isn't LEED, we took every opportunity to use some sound design principles within the design.  Tall windows along light to filter deep into the space, reflecting sunscreens along the 'bounce' of that light, reclaimed barn wood, indirect lighting, etc.  We believe that if built as designed, the city of Virginia Beach will have another award winning structure to it's towncenter neighborhood.

In addition to these projects, we have recently be awarded the new Virginia Beach Autoplex and Elite Motors headquarters to also have a few of the same characteristics. The beginning steps are just now being taken to see where the design will take us.

These and several others are on the board for recognition as we continue to educate our clients in the sound principles and value of good architecture.  Doesn't have to be expensive to be good. Doesn't have to be LEED to be efficient. Doesn't have to be for for the elite.  It can be for the everyday developer as well. All clients deserve good architecture.

Okay, so I guess I am on the bandwagon as well as my soapbox. Maybe we can reclaim the wood from both and construct a building from them? lol. We look forward to seeing the progress of these small rewarding projects as well as others.  Let Ionic DeZign Studios help you find a solution to your development.

Four Square Construction Progress

We get to see some major progress out at the jobsite on Military Highway in Norfolk for the Four Square Retail Project.  The steel was delivered last week and now this week it has been erected and some of the wood framing has begun. We will see some quick progress now as the framing goes up and everyone can see the profile of the new building.

Matt Mazzoni (http://www.ionicdezigns.com/staff/Matthew_Mazzoni.pdf) from our office is coordinating all the work and documenting the construction to obtain our LEED Certification of the small retail.  Remember this is the first retail LEED in the area.....close behind is the Towncenter Crossing project in Virginia Beach. You can read about it here in an earlier post. http://ionicdezigns.blogspot.com/2012/03/what-mess.html

Everything seems to be on track as the general contractor, Independence Construction picks up the pace to meet the anticipated completion date this summer.  For all those tenants wanting to move in and occupy one of the new spaces, I am sorry but they are all filled! Good news....we can build another for you! Give us a call and we can make it happen.

Be sure to check out all the other news on our post and website at www.ionicdezigns.com

What a MESS!

Well first it takes a mess to start a renovation project but we are looking forward to seeing construction instead of deconstruction.  The Towncenter Crossing project is under way.....well at least some of the demo has begun.  The project consists of 6000 square feet of renovation of existing retail space (the Old Fuddruckers) and an additional 9000 square of new construction. The project is striving for LEED Certified, the first shell LEED Retail not only in towncenter of Virginia Beach but in the area.

It is racing with the 9000 square retail new construction that we started a month or so ago in Norfolk. This is all exciting as we...IONIC that is....push into providing some sustainable design projects for our clients. Some of the preliminary renderings and story is here: http://ionicdezigns.blogspot.com/2011/12/towncenter-leed-retail.html and a final rendering here http://ionicdezigns.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-construction-beginseverywhere.html with some other projects under construction currently.

But for now....we share the deconstruction.

Towncenter LEED Retail

We have recently been contracted for a new project located near towncenter in Virginia Beach.  It started off as a simple renovation/addition for a retail complex.  However the scope has since grown and become more exciting and challenging. The scope includes reusing over 75% of the existing Fuddruckers building (approximately 6,000 SF) and adding on nearly 9,000 new SF of retail construction. With the re-use in place have decided to go for LEED Silver on this one!

A fast pace schedule due to one tenant wanting in their space ASAP will require the existing portion of the structure to be a renovation so we can get our building permits.  That will be Phase 1.  Once we get our new site plan approved, we can proceed with the rest of the structure probably in February.  So hang on friends.....yes it will look a bit funny for maybe a month or so before phase two gets in gear! But is will look fine once completed.

Four Square Retail......here it comes!

The plans have been submitted for review and the construction is scheduled for the first week of January 2012. All of us here at IONIC are excited about our first LEED project beginning construction soon. From what we understand this will be the first LEED Retail project in the area. We are striving for just the Certified level but that should still be an impressive fact for other developers of similar small retail boxes.  This project is a mere 9000 square feet so if we can achieve LEED for this one, anyone can do it as well for their projects.

Once we receive our approval from the City of Norfolk the construction is planned for an early beginning in 2012 by Independence Construction of Virginia. The design team consists of Ionic DeZign Studios for Architecture and Interior Design, McPherson Design Group for structural, IDS+E and PM&E for mechanical engineering, 2D Innovations is our LEED Consultant helping out on the project. And Haskell & Folkes has been hired by the owner to perform the civil work.

If you are planning to do a new construction project and may have questions regarding making your project LEED Certified, please feel free to give us a call and we would be happy to discuss your options.  Swing by our office located near towncenter in Virginia Beach or Visit our website at www.ionicdezigns.com for more updates on new projects and profiles of a few past works.

Construction!

Construction begins on three of our projects.  Two of them are in Virginia Beach and one in Suffolk.  One is St. Andrews Methodist Church where JD&W has begun the expansion of the building.  It is a two phased project with the first phase being interior renovations that were completed befor Christmas last year.  Now the new entry and choir room are starting.  We look forward to seeing it take shape.

The other Virginia Beach location is a small retail on Northampton Blvd called Northampton Crossing.  Independence Construction has been awarded the project and you will shortly see a flurry of activity on the site. The new structure will house a Krispy Kreme and a Jersey Mike's.  We are anxious to see the project come together for the developer Royal Farms out of Baltimore.

The third project located in Suffolk is the continued expansion of Marketcenter at Harborview.  The retail structure is approximately 22,000 square feet with most of it being dedicated to Goodwill.  4 other small retail spaces are available for leasing.  CPG Contractors has been awarded the contract and should shortly be out on the jobsite clearing the land for the new building.

Look for our new jobsite signs at each of the sites and let us know what you think as the progress begins!

Ask and you shall receive....

Sometimes you actually get what you ask for....or believe in. I am a firm believer in positive thoughts will effect your outcome in a positive manner. If you think negative, more than likely bad things or nothing will happen in your life. However, thoughts that focus on the positive dreams and desires can and will become a reality. Now you cannot just wish it like a Jennie in a lamp and it will happen, I also believe that you need to be working towards that goal you envisioned.

With that said, last week on Monday morning I was so tired. Just fatigued. Even though work was good....it always seems to be something that needs attention or just when you get ahead, something breaks down and you have to spend money....$$$$....never can seem to get ahead. But rather than being drained and starting off the week in an "out of gas" mode. I said, and even posted on my FACEBOOK, that it was going to be a fantastic week! Even tired, I believed that good would develop this week. It started off with a proposal for a new retail project sent off just afternoon.....it was signed before the end of the day. Then there was a call for a meeting with a client for development on their large "plantation" for lack of a better description. Expanded work for another client came next and then the Grandaddy of them all.....Phone call received while I was still at the house on Friday morning asking if I could meet in 45 minutes at a contractor's office for discussion with the developer for the first LEED Retail development in the area!

Well 45 minutes later it is no longer a proposal but an actual job. We are directed to begin development on the concept and plan for a cost analysis. To top that, when asked of the developer what he envisioned the style or look of the structure to appear as, his response was, "You know, when I visit a restaurant, I don't tell the chef how to prepare my food; so I don't tell my architect how to design my buildings." WOW WOW and DOUBLE WOW!

It all started with a positive thought that Monday morning. Of course I had to present the proposals, I had to do the marketing it didn't just fall in my lap. There was work upfront that had to take place. But the seed was planted. God tells us that "he can provide for us abundantly more than we can imagine"......and I can imagine a lot! We feel really blessed.

WARNING: BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR! If you ask for all these blessings....be prepared to get busy. This week I said on Monday morning that since last week was fantastic....this week would be AMAZING......define amazing? All week I was up until 1:00 or 2:00 getting presentations completed. Three marina projects needed presentation by Thursday afternoon, job site visit at the plantation that took 7.5 hours out of the day with travel. AIA meetings on Wednesday and Thursday evening, still working on three other projects getting them ready for city submission or bidding and oh yeah....remember that LEED Retail. Tuesday morning the contractor called and asked if I had anything yet? AHHHHH Thursday afternoon we had a rough concept model. Friday we were figuring out how quickly we could get the project through construction documents. Don't forget about the other calls for some new smaller projects.......all I can say is GOD IS GOOD....ALL THE TIME & ALL THE TIME......GOD IS GOOD...or maybe even FANTASTIC!

My friends, enjoy the day and be thankful of your blessings.

and remember....Be careful what you ask for.....it just might happen.

THINK POSITIVE!