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

 

Bojangles

Okay so a fast food chain restaurant may not be the most exciting architectural project, but quite honestly I am happy a pleased with any project.  The developers are really great people and we have enjoyed working with them on this and other projects.  We are hoping for the sign off for their first LEED retail project soon.  It will be the first one in Hampton Roads (from what I am told). Anyways, back to the topic. This is our second Bojangles in Virginia Beach, the first one was on Laskin Road and this one is on Holland Road, not too far from the office.  Independence Construction is the contractor and they seem to be one super speedy group.  I bet this will be up in 60 days. Another 30 days of interiors fit out and they will be open. We have decided to take pictures everyday of the construction so we can put together a collage of clips together to show how the building went up in a video format.  Watch for that once the project is complete.

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!