 |
 |
|
SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS |
Multi-Family Housing Experience—Our Portfolio represents elderly, family, and special needs housing
for market rate and low income residents. The projects were financed with
both private and public funds. The developments are site specific and provide
amenities and services to meet the needs of the tenants.
The units are designed to feel open and roomy, provide handicapped
accessibility or adaptability, allow for ample storage space, and have safety
and security features. The units may be grouped into one building, townhouses,
garden apartments, duplexes or single family. Amenities may include community
facilities, central laundry or washer/dryer hookups in the units, garbage
disposals or dishwashers, ample storage, extensive landscaping, air conditioning,
playgrounds, garages, digital accessibility, or outdoor courtyards with pavilions.
In each project, there is a special feature which makes it unique to increase
marketability and create distinction. We specifically strive to integrate
the project with the neighborhood, by blending aesthetics, circulation, street
frontage, and green space.
Multi-Block and Mixed Use Developments—
Integrating living, working, commercial and infrastructure improvements
in rehabilitation and new construction projects over multiple block
downtown areas has been an economic stimulus and has spurred revitalization.
Streetscape
amenities have been a part of every urban project we have worked
on. We strive to delight the downtown visitor with variety, maintain
the environmental
context, provide safe access, invite the visitor to explore, beautify
the street with landscaping materials, delineate between pedestrian
and vehicular traffic, allow a place for rest and shelter, illuminate
the activity and identify the business establishments. (back to top)
Master Planning— Our Master Plans
identify and link the priorities of the various stakeholders in the
achievement of the overall goal.
It is important
to understand the
existing and historic conditions of the infrastructure as well as the
needs and interest of the development partners. There are often competing
or incompatible
interests which must be addressed as well. We have developed an overlay
system of maps and computer renderings to fully communicate the vision.
These plans
are critical to securing the financing and commitments necessary to
reach fulfillment. Most of our Mater Plans have been presented to the
PA Governor's
Office and our format is now the requested standard. (back to top)
Aging Services and Care Facilities— Although
we strive to design for aging in place, there is a point where
this is not enough and full time supportive services are required. We have
designed 2 LIFE Centers, in Homestead and Tarentum and operated by UPMC,
which provide supportive services, care and nursing for the senior community
at large through day services. At Martha Lloyd School, we have completed
a Master Plan and implemented the construction of a multi-purpose facility
with dining area, a renovation of part of the long term care facility and
construction of a new 25 room Independent Living Facility. The Communities
at Indian Haven includes renovations and additions to an existing county
nursing home. One entire wing of the building was converted into an Alzheimer
unit with it’s own entry, fenced-in exterior courtyard, Office, Nurse’s
Station, Clean & Soiled Utility rooms and a Dining/Recreation room. Our
portfolio includes constructions, additions and renovations to various Personal
Care Facilities totaling more than 350 beds. (back to top)
Medical/Rehabilitation Facilities—
Over 30 rehabilitation clinics throughout Pennsylvania, providing physical
therapy treatment and work simulation training have been designed by Thomas
R. Harley, Architects. The facilities include treatment rooms, large open
gym areas, and usually aquatic therapy units. Famiily Health Council, VNA,
and numerous medical offices have been designed for administration and exam
rooms, filing and circulation control. (back to top)
Historic Preservation—
We are dedicated to preserving the heritage of the built environment.
This is demonstrated by the awarding of an Outstanding Preservation Award
to Thomas R. Harley, Architects from the City of Pittsburgh for 900 Penn
Avenue, a project that also utilized Federal Historic Tax Credits. 1505 East
Carson Street is also being rehabilitated with FHTC. Several buildings are
being completed for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust in the heart of Cultural
District. We have worked on numerous national register properties, complying
with Section 106 reviews and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards
for Rehabilitation. Even when FHTC are not utilized, we are sensitive to
preserving the character of the downtowns, enhancing the commercial viability
and rejuvenating storefronts. (back to top)
Operating Efficiency—
Operating and maintenance costs are critical to the success of the project and
the architecture is designed for thermal performance, low maintenance brick or
vinyl siding exteriors, efficient mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems,
and with appropriate interior finishes for the use. The design decisions are
made in conjunction with the owner's budget, management and maintenance staff,
as well as our recommendations.(back to top)
Green Building Techniques—
Green Building techniques are extremely applicable to multi-family
housing because they are consumer (i.e. tenant) oriented, environmentally
friendly, sometimes cheaper to install, and certainly result in operational
savings to the owner. We routinely specify Energy Star appliances, lights,
mechanical systems, and low-VOC materials. Additionally, a Green Roof is
installed at Dalton’s Edge in Tarentum, where creating rooftop gardens
will conserve stormwater and provide additional insulation. A fountain in
Meadville added additional convective cooling to the building’s geothermal
loop while creating a welcoming courtyard. A proposal for using recycled
waste oil from local companies in Meadville to run a boiler for sidewalk
heat was proposed but unfortunately not in the budget. A geothermal loop
system in Warren connects three blocks of urban buildings into one utility
and a loop in Tarentum connects all buildings on one block. Solar roof vents
cost no energy to run. Bioretention facilities add landscaping that does
not require irrigation. White PVC roofs reflect solar heat gain. We integrate
Green Building Techniques to enhance the unique character and marketing of
the project. The results are a development that contributes to the community,
conserves natural resources, creates energy savings over the life of the
project and provides a healthy living environment for the tenants.
(back to top)
LEED Certification—
As members of the U.S. Green Building Council, we have LEED certified project
managers and are always conscious of sustainable and renewable design. Homestead
Towers A and B, each a 60 unit elderly HOPE VI project in Homestead, PA, have
received LEED Silver Certification. (back to top)
NAHBRC National Green Building Program—
As a member of the National Association of Home Builders and in association
with the ICC, UpStreet Architects was on the Multi-Family Housing Task Group
for the ANSI standard development of the National Green Building Standard for
Residential Construction, the first ANSI certified green building standard
for all types of residential construction regardless of building height or type.
Members of our firm are NGBP Certified Verifiers. (back to top)
Standards Development—
As a member of the National Association of Home Builders and in association
with the ICC, UpStreet Architects was on the Multi-Family Housing Task Group
of the ANSI consensus committee for the National Green Building Standard
for Residential Construction, the only green building standard for all types
of residential construction regardless of building height or type.
(back to top)
Energy Efficiency and Energy Star—
One of the factors in a project’s success, which we can control through
informed design decisions, are the operating costs. We insulate the buildings
more than is required and used Energy Star windows and doors to decrease
the size of mechanical equipment and lower operating expense. Fluorescent
lighting, occupancy sensors, PEX tubing and manifolds, extra attic insulation,
and Energy Star Appliances keep energy bills low.
In addition to traditional heating system designs, we have extensive
experience with ground-source heat pumps or combo-systems (hot water tanks
for heating and an air handler for distribution). Mr. Harley has applied
for a geothermal system patent based on his work in Warren, PA.
Energy Star’s Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist is incorporated into
our specifications to ensure the building’s performance. We are an
Energy Star Partner and will have several buildings certified by the end
of 2006. A recent HERS rating scored the Dalton’s Edge Phase at 45,
55% lower in energy usage than the 2004 IECC requirements.
We are an Energy Star Partner and Energy Star's Thermal Bypass Inspection
Checklist is incorporated into our specifications to ensure the building's
performance. Most of the buildings we have designed since 2006 are Energy Star Certified.
(back to top)
MEP Engineering—
To work in the PHFA fee structure, the work must be efficient and coordinated.
About 70% of the projects produced by our office utilize our in-house MEP Engineering
staff. We initially did this out of necessity and yet believe this has been extremely
successful especially as we design more efficient buildings.
Multi-family buildings are a unique building type. They can have large central
systems or small ones but always require very individualized controls. There are
both large common areas and relatively small apartment areas. The systems must be
selected with this in mind. There are building code issues which are particular
to multi-story residential and mixed use buildings and are not what is typically
found in office buildings.
The truly efficient buildings are those where the MEP systems are integrated with
the architecture and there is a symbiotic relationship to their functions. There are
shared efficiencies between the common and apartment areas, which can be maximized,
but also have to be evaluated against construction costs.
The selected engineering firm must understand the relationship (or disconnect) of
the construction financing and operational costs, the fee structure, the peculiarities
of multi-family housing, the documents that we will need to have produced and the
timetable needed to meet the finance agency deadlines. Our engineers do understand
these issues. In-house engineering ensures quick turnaround time, reliable coordination
of all aspects of the building, a unified approach to the design and control of the
costs both for design and construction. When utilizing outside engineers, our internal
engineering staff is capable of educated comment, coordination and review.
(back to top)
ICC Certification— members of the
firm are certified in many aspects of the most recent
codes and regularly attend seminars to stay informed of interpretation and
enforcement standards. (back to top)
Accessibility Issues—
staying informed of changes to accessibility codes and financing agency
requirements in an effort to meet the special needs of the tenants. We are
required by federally funded projects to comply with The Fair Housing Act
of 1988, ANSI A117.1, Pennsylvania UCC, UFAS, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, ADAAG, and any other local codes. We meet visibility goals in
every project where the grades permit so all tenants can be connected. (back to top)
HOPE VI— objectives have
been to decrease density, improve services and amenities,
and look at the project objectively for overall improvements to the
design of the buildings and site in order to better integrate with the
surrounding community. We have worked on projects which had HOPE VI funds provided
and have worked on 2 HOPE VI applications. (back to top) |
|
 |
 |
|
|
