Chronicle 27: 5 "Sustainable Design Solutions"

TechTown|1st Floor Renovation Project

Designed by Centric Design Studio

By Saundra Little, AIA, LEED AP, NOMA
Principal - Architect

In this post we are presenting a Sustainable-Design Case Study. Centric Design Studio (CDS) begins each sustainability design journey often advising our clients to go after the “low hanging fruit” for energy efficiency and sustainable design solutions.   They are easy to explain, readily achieved, and, often reward you with a high ROI. 

5 simple steps in sustainable design in an urban context.

The open floor plan at TechTown's Junction 440, designed by Centric Design Studio and engineered by Ghafari Associates, was specifically created in collaboration with Patrick Thompson Design to use fewer construction materials than traditional private office design. (the original floor plan layout was very traditional in plan) The design not only reduces resource use, but also allows for increased collaboration in an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere.  

Now, windows border the entire space, allowing natural light to penetrate deep into the office, reducing the need for unnecessary energy use. (BIM Daylighting studies were completed by the design team)  We reused the sound insulation material for the new conference rooms and event center. Existing lighting fixtures were reused in new "X" configuration for surprising design element.

5 Sustainable Solutions used on the TechTown 1st Floor Renovation Project:

1. Material Re-Use + Recycled Content in Materials - Reuse of 
2. LED Lighting and Retro Fit to LED Lighting
3. Daylighting
4. Energy Efficiency Controls
5. Walkable City Principals - Bike Rack in Coworking Space

Take a look at our slideshare of our 5 "sustainable solutions"..........

5 Sustainable Solutions at TechTown - Green Design Approach from Centric Design Studio

Chronicle 25: A + G = Success

By Damon Thomas, Design Director, LEED AP, NOMA

Back in Chronicle 20 of this blog, my business partner, Saundra Little - AIA wrote about how + why our firm merges Architecture and Graphic Design.  When opportunities arise for this merger (A+G) the result can enhance your business and/or personal brand creating not just a good space but a great space.

Inalfa Roof Systems Inc. in Auburn Hills, MI and Centric Design Studio crossed paths at 2013 Ford Matchmaking Summit Sponsored by Pure Michigan Business Connect, in March of this year.  Much later this summer, Centric Design Studio was hired by Inalfa Roof Systems Inc. for interior design services at their Aubrun Hills, MI facility.

Centric Design Studio used an environmental graphic wall wrap to enhance the entry lobby which leaves no doubt to visitors that this company designs sunroofs.

We collaborated with Detroit Design Center on this project.  They are experts at creating unique fixtures, sculptures, etc. DDC created this sculpture (pictured below), which is more of an art piece, but defiantly enhances the lobby and strengthens the brand of this company.  Detroit Design Center used actual sunroof glass from Inalfa's factory to produce this artistic piece. 

It was important to emphasize Inalfa's global footprint for the visitors and employees of this company. In the open office space pictured below, Centric Design Studio designed acrylic prints of the flags of each country Inalfa Roof Systems Inc. has a presence.  

Taking the global footprint graphics further, we duplicated the acrylic squares but had the geographic boundary of each country printed on the acrylic.  This was topped off by integrating a clock on face of acrylic graphic marking Inalfa's global footprint with time zones.

We are thrilled to have any opportunity to enhance space utilizing architecture and graphics because we feel that when the two are placed in harmony, your clients will know exactly what you do without saying a word and your employees will have a deeper understanding of what they are part of.

For more on our environmental graphic art process for this project, please view our slideshare below:

Environmental Graphic Work by Centric Design Studio from Centric Design Studio

Thanks for reading.

-Damon Thomas

Chronicle 15: Historical Residential Re-Design in Detroit

by Chris Bruner, Project Designer

Existing West Facade

As Centric Design Studio (CDS) steps into the historical residential design market, we find the task challenging and extremely interesting. Our client - the home owner - is a professional and well established in the medical industry. This single bachelor decided to purchase his home in an affluent area of northwest Detroit, right off the beautiful surroundings of the Palmer Park Golf course - a place where many people only dream about living. The total size of the home is 4,000 s.f., and about half of the existing square footage is projected to be remodeled. Several changes to the exterior and interior will totally transform the appearance of the traditional-style home, which was built in 1948, into a modern, open space.

In this project, the homeowner is looking to transform this traditional Georgian home into a more modern space while keeping certain aspects of the original design. There are three floors and a full basement, but the remodel only involves the first and second floors. Here are the existing conditions: the east facade faces the golf course and the west facade faces the street; the first floor includes a small kitchen next to a small dining room, and two parallel walls in the foyer separate the dining room from the living room; on the second floor, there are five medium-to-small-sized bedrooms and three small bath rooms.  

Existing First Floor 3D Model

Existing 2nd Floor 3D Model

Now, here's a brief look at some of the changes that will be made:

For the kitchen and the dining room area, a wall with a four foot opening that currently separates both spaces  will be eliminated, converting the space into one large room. To allow this opening, two 10-inch end walls at opposite sides will act as columns to support an 8-inch LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) support beam installed to support the load from the floor above. Four additional openings will be created along the two walls in the foyer at distances of 7-6" and 2'-6".  Both foyer walls are load bearing, requiring the installation of a 10-inch LVL beam support to cover the large span. Two additional pier walls will be built to support the load placed onto the LVL beam. The wall leading into the living room (off the foyer) will have similar openings as the wall along the kitchen and dining room. These changes will truly open up the first floor area. 

Proposed First Floor Plan

The existing second floor has five bedroom and three full bathrooms.  In the remodeled space, the number of bedrooms will be reduced to three. Two existing rooms will be combined, becoming a master suite that encompasses a walk-in closet of over 230 s.f.  Adjacent to the walk-closet will be the master bath, furnished with a lavish Jacuzzi tub as well as a double faced fireplace that shares the master bedroom wall.  Another modern upgrade will be a washer and dryer installed inside a new linen closet off the central staircase.

Proposed Second Floor Plan

Outside, the east facade facing the golf course will substantially change. The existing portico with columns and its half round pediment at the rear entrance will be removed as well as the two picture windows on opposite sides of the rear door. French doors with side lights will replace the current one. The original rear entrance removed and replaced by a floor to ceiling French window. These changes will create two rear entrances that will be be located in the dining and living rooms. Also, the existing brick patio will be extended twice its current length to the full length of the house. 

3D Model of East Exterior

At the west facade, the bow window inside the kitchen will be replaced with a bay window. The fieldstone along the face of the garage, along with the retaining wall that supports the planter at the porch at the main entrance, will be replaced with a light limestone to give a more attractive appearance.

Front and Rear Perspectives and Site Plan

With all the new changes to the home, CDS was able to create this transformation using REVIT 3D modeling software and BIM technology, assisting the owner in visualizing the final outcome. So far, the photo-realistic interpretation has been a great success, allowing the home owner to uncover some of his hidden creative aspirations - he has since made more changes.  Now that construction is underway, we can't wait to see how close the REVIT model and the actual finished product will be.

Project Progress