National Architecture Week

In the spirit of celebrating National Architecture Week #ArchWeek2015, we tip our hats to the devoted designers of GBA. This group truly embraces GBA’s core purpose, creating remarkable solutions for a higher quality of life, particularly for the Life Sciences and Critical Facility industries. Whether it’s designing a cleanroom for the latest pharma or biotech advancement or space planning for a mobile switch center, our experts enjoy the challenge of highly specialized and complex regulatory environments.

Rather than just talk about their greatness, we asked why they chose to direct their awesomeness to architecture.

“Architecture is a combination of art and science; I chose to become an architect because I enjoy the aspects of design combined with problem solving.” – Victor K.

“I liked art and math so I thought architecture was a good option.  Growing up I would look at house plan magazines and change the designs.” – Leah M.

“I chose to be an architect to be a creative contributor in a client’s growth process, a practical artist who really likes math.” – Michelle C.

“I chose to be an Architect in the 2^nd grade because I wanted to create better environments for people to live in and more importantly due to Mike Brady.” – Brian S.

“My dad thought it was my natural calling, a good blend of art and science. In high school, he had me job shadow our neighbor who is a successful Kansas City architect. Plus, he didn’t think I was cut out for the family business, law enforcement. I come from a long line of police officers. Honestly, I can’t see myself doing anything other than architecture. I think it was a perfect fit for me and am grateful my father introduced me to the profession.” – Molly O.

“My mom and dad made me.” – Craig R.

“In third grade I dressed up as an Architect for a class assignment on who we wanted to be when we grew up, from then on that’s what I have always wanted to be.” – Micala M.

Announcing a New Member of the GBA Life Sciences Group

Shaun Mc Carthy has joined GBA’s Life Sciences team, adding more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. He brings extensive experience in process engineering and project management and excels when challenged with fast-track schedules. After more than two decades of hands on experience with all aspects of API manufacturing, he brings the significant knowledge gained to the GBA Life Sciences team. In particular, an expertise in containment associated with high potency product handling facilities, having worked extensively over the years with technology leaders within this highly specialized field. His first assignment with GBA will be working as part of our team on a large equipment design and installation project within a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant. 

"We are eager to welcome Shaun to the GBA team. His expertise will greatly enhance the services we offer clients in the pharmaceutical industry," - Michael Glasker, Principal-in-Charge of Life Sciences.

GBA is growing rapidly in the Life Sciences sector and is excited about the opportunity to add depth to our team. Shaun has a strong technical background and has been recognized as a team leader, having led multiple cross-functional teams on small and large projects.

Holiday Tips

‘Tis the season for holiday decorating and family gatherings with too much food.  If deep down you identify with Clark Griswald when hanging a bit too many lights on your abode or must prepare the perfect dinner for the “little piggies” in your life like Mother Parker from A Christmas Story, we want to offer a few reminders so you can live to tell the stories!

1.  Live trees literally look for ways to burn to the ground.

Okay, that may be a stretch.  However, as real trees become more popular amongst younger generations that grew up with all things artificial, we encourage you to place that tree as far away from the fireplace and heaters as possible and don’t put evergreen fragrance candles anywhere nearby.  Make sure you check and add water daily and remove the tree from the property as soon as possible after the holidays.

2.  Hanging lights can be hazardous to your health.

Falling off ladders and roofs or getting electrocuted are not the greatest ways to start the season.  We recommend hiring the professionals (always make sure they are insured).  If you opt to engineer and construct your own exterior illumination, we recommend you strictly follow the lighting instructions.  Leave the Stanley® stapler in the tool box and hang with approved attachments.  Make sure the lights are specifically indicated for outdoor use and don’t string more than specified for a single electrical outlet.

3.  Though tasty, preparing fried turkey is the most hazardous activity since fire was invented.

Who could imagine dropping a cold wet turkey into a hot oil bath over an open flame would be a recipe for an explosion.  Make sure your turkey is thawed before slowly lowering it into the oil, that is after you have double checked for the proper quantity of oil.  Always fry your turkey on a flat stable surface, like your front driveway, so all the neighbors marvel at your extraordinary skills and secretly ruminate with jealousy.  And of course, never fry in the garage or on a deck.

So as you hang your stockings, we strongly suggest you remove the fake tree smelling candle from the mantle so you can enjoy the much anticipated visit from Santa Claus, instead of the fire department after your candle charred the holiday swag you lovingly adorned on that mantle with care. 

Happy Holidays from GBA!

Fire Consideration for Critical Facilities

GBA’s fire protection engineer, Dave Lewis, PE, FPE, ARM was recently selected to present at the 7x24 Exchange Midwest Chapter & AFCOM 2014 Fall Conference.  Below is an excerpt from his talk.

Many of our clients fall into the category of critical facilities, i.e. facilities that can’t tolerate disruption to normal business operations.  This includes data centers and telecommunications centers, with key electrical and mechanical systems, designed and built with redundancy and reliability that exceed those found in other types of occupancies.  Preventative maintenance on these systems is critical.  The increased complexity of design and preventative maintenance are necessary to attain peak system performance and align with corporate goals for business continuity.

When developing a plan for business continuity and uptime of a critical facility, it is important to consider a few key items.

• Fire suppression, detection and alarm systems – will the minimum levels of protection required by code support your corporate goals for continuity of operations and appetite for risk?

• Waterbased and/or clean agent suppression systems– How susceptible is your equipment to water damage?

• Early warning smoke detection to supplement standard smoke detection – How vulnerable is your equipment or product to smoke damage?

• The age and complexity of the alarm system as it relates to ongoing maintenance – As the age and/or complexity of your systems increases, has your preventative maintenance increased as well?

 To make matters more challenging, changes in technology have rendered some fire alarm systems “obsolete”, making them harder to maintain and more susceptible to failure resulting in downtime.   These issues can result in a higher frequency and duration of critical fire protection impairment, ultimately leading to catastrophic loss and expense.

Fire protection professionals can assist in evaluating existing systems to determine if performance is consistent with corporate goals and are maintainable.  For new facilities, owners and tenants should consider fire protection systems with other critical building systems to ensure that design align with corporate goals.

To learn more about GBA’s Fire & Life Safety Team and how we can help achieve your corporate goals for business continuity, visit our website.

GBA Builders Welcomes New Director of Operations

GBA Builders,LLC recently welcomed Joshua Reeves, LEED AP, as Director of Operations. With nearly 20 years of experience, ten of which he served in a leadership role, Joshua brings a solid understanding of complex projects, having managed and constructed chemistry and biological labs, higher ed facilities, public buildings and industrial projects, both domestically and internationally.  He is passionate about creating the very best result for clients and the community – creating buildings of opportunity.

What are your passions? 

I really enjoy spending time with my family and friends around the pool, KSU football games and quiet time with my family at home. 

Name your greatest achievement(s) 

Professionally, my greatest achievement is a toss-up between leading the building team on The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art and the Henry Bloch School for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UMKC.  Both were extraordinary opportunities and a great source of community pride - I am proud of my role with each project.  Personally, my greatest achievement is in process - I’m working on a dive site bucket list.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy yoga, scuba diving, playing in the pool, and single malt scotch.  Winter and I don’t get along, so I try to go scuba diving at least once each winter.  I’m also in the second year of a complete basement renovation which is more work than I can handle.

GBA Life Sciences at #BIO2014

This week, a member of our Life Sciences team is at the 2014 BIO International Convention in San Diego, CA. BIO is the largest global event for the biotechnology industry and brings together more than 14,000 people representing nearly 1,100 biotech companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers, and related organizations. GBA is attending alongside many of the companies for which we provide engineering, architecture, process design, construction and commissioning services.

BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. For more information, visit www.convention.bio.org.

#BIO2014 kicked off Monday evening with a welcome reception on the USS Midway.

Project Commissioned by GBA/ViroCon Achieves LEED® Platinum Certification

Copyright Michael Robinson Photography

The $28 million Johnson County Sherriff’s Office Criminalistics Laboratory, located in Olathe, Kan., was recently awarded LEED® Platinum certification by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The facility, which was commissioned in 2012 by GBA/ViroCon, contains sophisticated buildings systems and controls. Space is provided for laboratories, a bullet testing chamber, and offices of the department. Sustainable design elements include a storm water management system, environmentally friendly landscape and hardscape materials, and an energy-efficient design that boasts over $10,000 per month in energy savings.

GBA was delighted upon selection and honored to assist the design/construction team by providing reviews during the design phase, rigorous testing of major building systems, as well as all testing, training and implementation needed to fulfill the necessary LEED® commissioning requirements, including: EA: PR1 Fundamental Commissioning of the Building Energy Systems, EA: CR3 Enhanced Commissioning, EA: CR5 Measurement and Verification and EQ: CR3.2 Construction IAQ Management Plan: Before Occupancy.

The 62,500 sf crime lab was built to serve all of Johnson County, a suburb of Kansas City with 500,000+ residents including 20 communities. GBA and ViroCon were involved with the project throughout all phases – from schematic design to warranty—and commissioned the following systems:

• Building management systems
• All HVAC equipment and systems, including exhaust systems
• Lighting
• Electrical primary, emergency, uninterruptible power (UPS) distribution and metering systems
• Fire alarm and detection systems including FM 200 systems
• Fire suppression systems
• Under floor leak detection systems
• Fuel systems and fuel leak detection monitoring systems
• Lab systems and their controls including but not limited to, hoods, high purity water system, containment devices, exhaust/intake system and gas lines

Located at the County Government complex at 119th Street and Ridgeview Road, the building holds nine accredited forensic analysis labs all under one roof. The state-of-the-art facility is one of just a few crime labs in the nation to receive the USGBC's highest honor.