NEWS
ORB ARCHITECTS HIRES FOR THRIVING MILITARY
PROJECTS DIVISION
Bob Monson (pictured left), an architect with 39 years of experience, 34 of them with the U.S. Navy and Corps of Engineers, has joined ORB with a focus on design and quality assurance. A recipient of the Superior Civilian Service Award from the U.S. Army, Commander’s Award for Civilian Service from the Corps of Engineers, and numerous Outstanding Service Awards over the years while with the Seattle District Corps of Engineers, Bob will be an asset to ORB in fulfilling our contracts for military projects.
Bob and Daniel join John Patterson, Vice President, Military Projects Division, who has 46 years of experience with military projects. In fact, John was responsible for developing the Fort Lewis Design Standards and JOC⁄MATOC specifications for the U.S. Army. "Expanding our military department will allow ORB to continue providing timely and effective A&E services to our military client base, and now we're able to accommodate more clients and projects at once," says John.
ORB currently has contracts with the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center Major Project Division and Washington Air National Guard for State of Washington. Previous contracts include the U.S. Army Seattle District Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of the Air Force, Federal Emergency Management Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, and the U.S. Postal Service.
ORB ARCHITECTS DESIGNING COMMUNITY CENTER UPGRADES FOR METRO PARKS TACOMA
"ORB Architects was selected for this project based on their commitment to incorporate the use of building-science and innovative engineering to design upgrades at these aging community centers. The firm’s history with Metro Parks includes solving highly technical design problems. They successfully designed three spray-grounds, implementing new technologies for children to safely play in water on hot days," said Ken Cornwall, Project Manager.
The MACC is $2,186,300. The project was awarded in January of 2008, and completion is scheduled for May of 2009.
ORB COMPLETES TWO BUILDING RENOVATIONS
FOR KING COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY
Riverton Terrace — Before
Riverton Terrace — After
RENTON—March 25, 2008—Renovations designed by ORB Architects were recently completed on Riverton Terrace in Tukwila and Gustaves Manor in Auburn. King County Housing Authority’s (KCHA) impetus for upgrading these apartment buildings, which house elderly and disabled residents, was the need for critical safety improvements, including new sprinkler systems, fire-alarm systems, doors, and lighting updates. The total renovation budgets were $1 million and $.5 million, respectively.
In addition to the safety enhancements, Riverton Terrace was given a major overhaul, including attractive new flooring, paint, decor, hardware, and appliances in all of the units and common areas. Most notably, the exterior received a completely new appearance and an entrance that accommodated the creation of a common area for residents.
Construction recently began on similar ORB-designed updates to four additional KCHA multi-housing facilities — 70-unit Casa Madrona in Olympia, 61-unit Mardi Gras in Kent, 60-unit Munro Manor in Burien, and 70-unit Plaza Seventeen in Auburn. The project is slated to be complete by the end of 2008.
AQUATIC SURVEY REPORT NOW AVAILABLE
TO PARTICIPATING FACILITIES
RENTON—March 1, 2008—In a continuation of its nearly 20-year tradition of collecting aquatic center data and passing it on to communities, ORB Architects has recently finished updating its operational statistics for selected aquatic facilities in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Every facility that participated in the survey will receive the report.
ORB Architects is the only local firm gathering data on aquatic and recreation facilities located in the Northwest. The information obtained is critical in performing feasibility studies for municipalities considering building a new facility or renovating an existing facility. "This survey data, combined with other market analysis, allows ORB to give its clients a clear picture of the future of a proposed facility," says Geoff Anderson, Principal of ORB. "This can be beneficial in the up-front determination of a facility's feasibility and also in educating the public and building a case for obtaining financing through a bond or other measures."
The survey includes a listing of the facility features, operating expense and revenue, pool attendance and fee schedule. Pool managers have incentive to participate because they can use the data to compare their facilities with others like theirs, share best practices, and obtain ideas for improving the facility's economic and community benefits.
While data is refreshed every 3-4 years, the report is constantly being supplemented by new information received. Pool managers can still participate and subsequently receive a complimentary copy of the survey by contacting us and referencing the aquatic facility survey in your message.
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