INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
Every month, Axium features an "Industry Spotlight" -- focusing on how an architectural and/or engineering firm has made a contribution in the A/E industry or their community.
The spotlight highlights a recent project or accomplishment that has achieved measurable success and deserves to be recognized.
Platt/Whitelaw Architects, Inc., San Diego, CA
This month Axium is spotlighting Platt/Whitelaw Architects, Inc.,
a full service architectural firm, located in San Diego, California.
Platt/Whitelaw Architects has practiced architecture continuously in San Diego, California since 1979. The firm’s focus is on public architecture, and over the years it has become a leader in sustainable design for public facilities such as churches; health clinics; schools; City and County administrative, operations, and recreational facilities.
When it comes to sustainability, the firm practices what it preaches. Platt/Whitelaw’s Principal, Alison Whitelaw, has received the Ruocco Award from Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 (C3) for serving the public good in San Diego through sustainable design. She created and continues to teach the sustainable design curriculum at San Diego’s New School of Architecture and Design, and serves on the AIA San Diego Committee on the Environment. She and several other staff members are US Green Building Council LEEDTM Accredited Professionals (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program). Several staff members also teach and participate in local and State-wide sustainability programs. The firm’s offices are sustainably designed, using passive day-lighting and ventilation systems, recycled and other environmentally friendly building materials, and energy conserving mechanical systems.
This month, two firm members will journey to Las Vegas, Nevada, to accept the Concrete Masonry Association Honor Award in Public/Civic Design for Platt/Whitelaw’s Operations and Maintenance Buildings at the Encina Pollution Control Facility in Carlsbad, California. Platt/Whitelaw is very proud of this recognition, and of the project which garnered it.
Project Description, Encina Water Pollution Control Facility Maintenance and Operations Buildings
Encina Wastewater Authority provides wastewater treatment to more than 300,000 San Diego County residents. This 44,000 square foot project house's operations, maintenance, administration, laboratory, and environmental compliance departments for the Authority’s 40 million gallon/day treatment plant. The project adheres to EWA’s comprehensive sustainable site philosophy to provide an energy efficient and environmentally responsive facility, and to their direction to the Architect to “Design elegant buildings that still reflect our facility’s industrial nature.”
Adjacent plant facilities and buried utility systems constrain the site. Staff workshops generated the initial facilities concepts. Results locate the Operations Building to the north with ocean views and exterior spaces introduced throughout. The Maintenance Building incorporates an existing pump station and provides drive-through machine shop facilities.
The lobby is designed as an unconditioned area. A thermostatically controlled system that opens low windows and high louvers at a set temperature provides ventilation. On unusually hot days, the louvers close and an auxiliary exhaust fan provides added comfort. Radiant heating is restricted to the receptionist floor area. The boardroom incorporates a similar passive cooling option. The use of concrete masonry reduces energy consumption by reflecting sunlight and utilizing thermal mass for natural heating and cooling. These high-performance facilities are expected to consume 25% less energy than code allows, saving about $45,500 per year in utility costs.
To visit Platt/Whitelaw’s website, go to www.plattwhitelaw.com.
To read their Client Profile, please
click here.
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