The original Kiowa County Maintenance Facility was completely destroyed by the tornado, along with several other buildings a county needs to adequately maintain its roads and streets. The facility provided key services to Kiowa County, as it not only provided storage and maintenance for equipment, but also served as a recycle center and a hazardous waste disposal center for the community. Being so important to the revitalization of the county, the Kiowa County Maintenance Facility was one of the first buildings GLMV was commissioned to design for the rebuilding of county facilities.

Using the integrated design approach that involves all participants—owner, architect, engineers, contractor, users, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture—a “green” maintenance facility was created that includes many energy-efficient and energy-saving elements. These design features not only counted toward the Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) certification the county was seeking but also provided the necessary tools for significant energy cost savings for the building.

The new complex includes three pre-engineered metal structures: a transportation building, a recycling center and a storage building. The transportation building includes vehicle maintenance shops and equipment storage and also houses administrative offices. The recycling center includes space for basic recycling services as well as a household hazardous waste and e-waste depository, while the storage building includes space for both chemical and equipment storage.

A creative method of achieving energy-efficiency in the building was the utilization of a geothermal system for heating and cooling. Just a few feet below the surface, the earth stays a constant 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Geothermal heat pumps (also referred to as earth-coupled, ground-source or water-source heat pumps) use the earth’s constant temperature for heating and cooling rather than the outside air temperature. Geothermal wells are drilled between 250 and 300 feet below the earth’s surface and work in conjunction with geothermal heat pumps to heat and cool.  A total of 18 geothermal wells were drilled at the Kiowa County Maintenance Center as part of their ground-coupled heat pump system, which provides climate control for the facility. The technology, which has become more popular as energy costs continue to soar, uses up to 50 percent less electricity than conventional systems, and can reduce energy consumption by up to 72 percent.¹ And unlike any other HVAC system on the market, a geothermal heat pump system can provide free hot water by transferring excess heat from the pump’s compressor to the hot water tank. This can translate into BIG savings on monthly utility bills!

Another area in which significant energy cost savings can be realized is in lighting. In fact, unoccupied lit rooms account for nearly $1.7 billion in wasted energy costs annually². To help Kiowa County break away from this statistic, a sophisticated daylighting system was incorporated into the complex, which reduced the need for electric lighting. Clerestory windows were designed above the overhead doors to provide significant natural light in the maintenance bays, and specially designed sun shades and fins were fitted over energy-efficient windows to redirect natural lighting to maximize its effect. Daylighting controls and photocells (electrical devices that convert the energy of light into electricity) automatically adjust the intensity of the artificial light if enough natural light is present. These energy-saving features are key as reduction of energy costs becomes more and more important.

Conserving water is another important issue. Low-flow, high-efficiency water fixtures can be found in each building of the maintenance complex. A total of 260 water-conserving showerheads and 400 dual-flush toilets were donated to Greensburg after the tornado, several of which were used at the Kiowa County Maintenance Facility. Another water-conserving feature of the complex is the natural landscaping, which utilizes aesthetically pleasing layouts and native plants suitable to the local conditions, while eschewing the extensive watering and fertilization other approaches require.  In addition to lowering the water consumption of the facility, the natural landscaping approach results in decreased energy usage, reduced stormwater runoff, reduced labor and maintenance costs, and extended life for water resources infrastructure resulting in reduced taxpayer costs.³

The Kiowa County Maintenance Facility achieved LEED Silver certification in 2009.  GLMV Architecture provided site planning, architecture, interior design and landscape architectural services.

² Building Commissioning: A Golden Opportunity for Reducing Energy Costs and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the United States http://evanmills.lbl.gov/pubs/pdf/cx-enef-mills.pdf

³ Water Efficient Landscaping: Preventing Pollution & Using Resources Wisely http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/waterefficiency.pdf

Using an integrated design approach involving all participants—owner, architect, engineers, contractor, and users—a “green” building was designed and constructed for the City that includes many energy-efficient and energy-saving elements.

The facility was constructed of insulated precast concrete panels—thick, concrete wall sections that are cast integrally with insultation in a manufacturing facility and shipped to the site. The system provides continuous thermal insulation as defined by ASHRAE 90.1-2010 (the international energy standards handbook for buildings), as well as moisture vapor control and a building seal with better airtightness than wood-framed or metal walls. These panels also provide durability and low maintenance, and provide all the necessary backing for mounting tools and equipment without furring or blocking. High-performance insulated precast concrete walls have been estimated to reduce energy costs by up to 20 percent₁ – and they have the added benefit of being aesthetically pleasing.

One feature of the building that has the potential to provide substantial energy and cost savings to the City is the sophisticated daylighting system. Through skylights, clearstory windows, and other strategically placed openings, high amounts of natural light are introduced throughout the entire building. Daylighting controls and photocells (electrical devices that convert the energy of light into electricity) automatically adjust the intensity of the artificial light based on the amount of natural light in the building at any given time. Sophisticated techniques were used to maximize and redirect natural light, such as light shelves, vision panels and eyebrows. Daylighting in the vehicle maintenance bays were designed to provide enough light through skylights and vision panels that “you don’t really need to have the lights on,” Jeff Weiford, Vice President of GLMV and Project Manager for this project, mentioned during a recent walkthrough tour of the facility.

Wichita is very fortunate to have access to the plentiful Equus Beds aquifer at a time when many U.S. cities have been forced to limit how much water citizens can use. However, the supply is not infinite, and the importance of saving and reusing water was important to the client. The transit van maintenance facility was designed with many water-saving features, including a rainwater reclamation and reuse system, which is being used for flushing urinals and toilets. “Since the toilet water is 100 percent rainwater, the overall reduction of water use is a total of 83 percent,” said Weiford. In addition, low-flow fixtures are used throughout the facility. While these water-conserving fixtures don’t typically result in a lot of cost savings for the Owner, they are no more expensive than traditional fixtures, and they can have a massive impact on a city’s budget, lessening the need for larger water treatment facilities and the infrastructure that goes with it.
The City of Wichita Transit Van Maintenance Facility achieved LEED Silver certification in April 2011. GLMV Architecture provided site planning, architecture and interior and landscape design services as part of a Design-Build team with Conco Construction, Shelley Electric, Central Air Conditioning Co., Professional Engineering Consultants, and Dudley Williams & Associates.

Energy-efficiency is not limited to new construction; there are numerous strategies that can be applied to existing buildings. Reducing the need for electric lighting, using less water, plugging leaks in building walls, and adding insulation are four simple things to consider. Outside the building, proper site planning and landscape design are other things which may come into play.

To implement an effective energy-savings strategy for existing buildings, initiating a process of setting goals, establishing base line data, and getting the appropriate people “on board” is critical to it success. Gathering existing data on utility usage is an important first step in determining a baseline of current energy consumption. Often, architects and engineers can help building owners determine existing problems through computerized energy modeling and then help to establish appropriate goals for lowering energy consumption.

Through this integrated design approach, the owner, architect, engineers, and others work together as a team to consider and implement strategies to effectively reduce energy consumption and waste. The United States Department of Energy states that “An integrated design approach, where all parties involved collaborate on the building design was used to help…reduce…energy consumption as much as possible.”¹ “An integrated approach to design ensures that each system compliments each other in a way to achieve optimal performance,” says Jeff Weiford, LEED AP BD+C, GLMV Architecture, Inc. Designs often incorporate air-penetration barriers, high insulation values in windows, walls, and roofs, and efficient plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems. Shading, daylighting, and ventilation are also considered as part of the design effort.

Reducing energy dependency is paramount. Many different modifications can be made to an existing building. For example, a simple change of all 60-watt incandescent light bulbs to an equal output fluorescent bulb could save $30 per bulb, per bulb lifetime. These savings are calculated based on a 6,000-hour compact fluorescent light bulb (CLF), a 1,000-hour incandescent lamp, use of three hours per day, 11.09 cents per kilowatt hour electric rate, $3.00 per CFL, and $0.50 per incandescent lamp; essentially both a longer life, and less wattage.²

Operational issues are also important. For example, building managers can remind occupants to turn off lighting and electronics when not needed. This can be accomplished automatically by installing occupancy sensors to the lighting to shut off the lights when the building is unoccupied.

Through natural daylighting and photovoltaic cells, energy consumption can be reduced even more. By installing skylights to bring in light from the roof, or adding window shelves (solid horizontal elements placed above eye level, but below the top of the window) to diffuse the incoming sunlight and reflect it to a location that will better light the room, an existing building can bring in enough daylighting to dim and/or shut off areas that have enough light. In some cases, photovoltaic cells can be installed that dim or shut off lights when there is enough natural light coming into the area. Not only does this reduce energy, but it promotes a healthy work environment. Indoor environments have strong positive effects on occupant well-being and functioning, especially attributes such as the amount and quality of light and color. ³

Water reduction and usage is another consideration. Through innovative design, an existing building can be fitted to not only use less water, but also produce less waste, which lowers the need for water treatment facilities and for increased taxes. “The cost of a low-flow fixture versus an old-style high flow fixture is practically the same, so why not use one that will save money?” asked Mr. Weiford during a presentation of a recently completed project in Wichita, Kansas. The project also featured a rainwater reclamation system that collected rainwater from the roof and supplied all the needed water for the toilets and urinals. “Since the toilet water is 100 percent rainwater, the overall reduction of water use was a total of 83 percent,” said Weiford.

Innovative design to achieve energy efficiency is being fueled by business owners who want to spend less money on energy, which can be large operating expense – but does not have to be.

Ryan and the team are working with the hospital to design new spaces and upgrades and are also assisting in equipment placement and analyzing the workflow in the surgical suites. “The hardest part is taking into consideration what they currently have and helping them achieve their goals through analyzing their needs,” said Ryan. His team will analyze the hospital’s current equipment and workflow capacity and make suggestions based on projected growth and trends in the healthcare environment.

Another challenge that the hospital faces as they plan for future growth is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), a federal statute that affects healthcare organizations nationwide. As a physician-owned hospital, Great Bend Regional Hospital is limited by the PPACA in the expansion of their operating rooms, procedure rooms and bed capacity. GLMV has worked closely with the hospital to explore options for expansion and future growth that adhere to the provisions of the PPACA.

GLMV is preparing construction documents for two of the planned expansions on the hospital campus. First is the redesign and expansion of the Imaging department, which includes converting the old MRI space into a radiography/fluoroscopy room and the addition of a new MRI scanner. Second is the planned relocation of their central processing and sterilization department, which will allow for more efficient work operations and additional equipment.

In this rapidly changing healthcare environment, hospitals are constantly challenged to stay on the cutting edge of patient care and technology. Great Bend Regional Hospital is up to that challenge.

Great Bend Regional Hospital is a physician-owned general medical and surgical hospital that offers a variety of healthcare services for the residents of Great Bend and the surrounding community. www.gbregional.com

FY08 Unaccompanied Enlisted Personnel Housing - LEED Silver

Although increasing efficiency of wall and roof insulation can help with energy costs, there are limits to what it alone can achieve in curbing your heating and cooling costs. It would be great if we could just seal your building up in a gigantic zip lock bag—but that’s not too practical.

The first step to better sealing up your building is in identifying where the leaks occur. Doors and windows are the most obvious culprits for energy loss, but “hidden” leaks are actually a much greater concern. Some building materials are inherently leakier than others, and most buildings have dozens of tiny openings (electrical conduits, skylights, plumbing, vent pipes, etc.) all of which can contribute to air loss.

GLMV considers a number of choices of air barrier systems when designing or redesigning your building. These barriers create a continuous seal, which not only boosts overall energy efficiency, but eliminates the chance that moisture can become trapped within the structure. Moisture is a breeding ground for mold, decreases the R-value of insulation, and brings on more rapid deterioration of building materials.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) estimate that air barrier systems can result in energy savings of up to 37 percent. Air barrier systems may be your best long-term solution to decreased energy costs, contributing to your bottom line.

As the baby boomer generation (those born between 1946 and 1964) closes in on retirement, the United States will experience the largest elderly population it has ever seen. Currently, one in four Americans is part of this demographic group, and boomers are expected to make as large an impact on long-term retirement living as they have made on nearly every other aspect of our society.

What does Montgomery think will be a primary change boomers will demand of their retirement living?  “Technology without question will be required,” he says.  “Baby boomers are technologically savvy.  They’ve worked and lived with laptops, iPads and smart phones.  They use them to stay in touch with their families and communities.”

Since the “new generation” of retirees isn’t likely to part with their technology, new long-term residence designs must embrace it.  Among other technologies, Montgomery advocates incorporating interactive “smart boards,” which would allow homebound residents virtual participation in weddings or other events involving family and friends.

He also foresees a day when residents are free of the stigma that results when they require an increased level of care.  “My idea of the ideal environment is when you can’t tell the difference between assisted living and skilled care,” says Montgomery.  Current regulatory requirements pose one of the obstacles to achieving this goal.  “But part of it is just being the first to try it,” he adds. “The challenge with boomers will be to create an environment that is so appealing they don’t mind being there.”

Thomas P. Montgomery and GLMV Architecture appear to be poised to do just that.

Thomas P. Montgomery’s professional future may have been decided when he was very young during visits to a nursing home where his grandmother lived.  “They weren’t great places back then,” Montgomery recalls.  As an adult, he would change all that.
Montgomery, Vice President of GLMV Architecture, specializes in designing environments for the elderly that allow residents to make themselves completely at home.  In the past, long-term residential facilities housed large groups of people in one space and were heavily centralized.  “There was one huge dining room and one huge common room,” Montgomery recalls. “Residents often had to have a roommate. Those facilities bore little or no resemblance to the private homes people had just left behind.”
That’s not the case in the facilities he designs for GLMV Architecture. The challenge today, explains Thomas Montgomery, is to provide a home that preserves privacy, enables residents to maintain their dignity, and encourages them to carve out a new neighborhood for themselves.
Montgomery has utilized a “Main Street” concept for the $14 million project he designed for Larksfield Place’s memory care facility in Wichita, Kansas.  A main central thoroughfare offers the amenities you’d find in the heart of any small town, including a post office, movie theatre, library, and several dining options.  The facility is designed to gather residents in groups of around 16 or less, as opposed to one large group of 60 or more.
The goal, says Montgomery, is to bring useful, meaningful elements into each residence design.  Smaller, more varied common areas not only give residents choices, they’re also more desirable and functional when family members come to visit.
Montgomery has been instrumental in facilitating huge changes in the residential options available to the elderly.  And his bottom line? “When I reach that age, I’ll have no problem living in any facility like those I design.”

The Via Christi Cancer Institute would be created from two thirds of the seventh floor of a busy hospital, explains Ryan Craft, Project Designer for GLMV. “We had to find the best way to separate ourselves and the construction mess from the rest of the facility.”

The solution, implemented in collaboration with the project’s general contractor, was to build a temporary construction elevator and fasten it to the outside of the building. Seventh floor windows were turned into doors to allow access to the new “express elevator.”

As a result of innovation and coordination of the project team, “All the construction mess and traffic went on outside,” says Craft. “We didn’t have workers bringing debris with them as they traveled to or from the site. We also allowed Via Christi to have normal access and traffic flow between all floors of the hospital throughout completion.”

GLMV: Sensible Sustainable Solutions

How we make accessibility . . . child’s play

When the Sunrise Rotary Club decided to take on the design and construction of a $1.5 million boundless playground as a centennial project, GLMV Architecture stepped up to make it a reality.

A boundless playground is one that is entirely barrier free.  It is equally accessible to all children, regardless of age, or physical, cognitive, developmental or sensory disabilities. 

When GLMV took the project on in 2006, the concept was new to the area.  The Sunrise playscape was designed to be 70 percent accessible to disabled children or adults, when other playgrounds in the area met only the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) act.

There were challenges in designing a playground that didn’t stigmatize or segregate children based on their physical abilities.  Joseph Steffes, GLMV’s lead architect on the project recalls, “We were committed to making sure that no little kid would be alone off to the side somewhere in a ‘wheelchair area’.”

The solution to the full integration of children of all abilities was achieved with ramps and grade changes that are cleverly disguised.  The ramps are so seamlessly incorporated into the overall design and flow of the play space that their utilitarian purpose is not immediately evident.

The 27,000-square-foot playground features nontraditional playground fixtures that are designed to encourage interactive play.  Learning to design with this unfamiliar equipment required some on-the-job training.  Steffes remembers showing up in a suit and tie to check on the installation of a piece of equipment.  Seconds after climbing aboard, he found himself sprawled flat on his back on the ground.  “At that point,” he recalls, “we realized we needed to be very sure we knew exactly what the equipment was designed to do.”

Today, in addition to the large central interactive area, the playground also features two toddler areas, a sound garden with oversized musical instruments, a sand play area, two swing areas, and a puppet house complete with berm seating.

The playground opened in 2009 and was five years in the making.  Children of all ages and abilities can be found there from sunup to sundown.  “It’s unbelievable just how much use the playground gets,” Steffes observes.

GLMV Architecture and its community partners helped to bring the Sunrise Rotary Club’s vision to life.  Squealing, laughing, inclusive, joyful life.