Tag: Kodet Architecture (8)

Virtual Reality in Architecture

VIRTUAL REALITY IN ARCHITECTURE Even if you are not a computer techy person, you have probably seen those strange headset things people put on to be in a virtual environment.  Usually these are part of a gaming system that can create a very realistic digital environment called Virtual Reality (VR).  The gaming industry is pushing computer manufacturers to improve computer processing speeds that make it affordable for the general public, including smaller architecture firms, to purchase computers that can handle the VR demands. EVOLUTION Virtual reality is not new for architects though.  Drawings and models have been tools architects have used to develop their designs for centuries.  Perspectives, isometrics, and three-dimensional (3D) models are the traditional techniques architects have used to visualize a space and relay that vision to a client or community.  As technology has evolved, these visual representations have gone from hand drawings and physical models to three-dimensional computer-generated images and 3D printed models to fully digital immersive experiences (Virtual Reality) where one can almost feel like they are walking through a space. The evolution of 3D representation allows designers more tools to help clients understand the design of a future space.  Each space and client are different and should be evaluated on the best use of technology to satisfy the owner’s needs.  Architects strive to design spaces that are functional for their clients, and the more the client understands the space and can understand the design intent the higher probability the space will perform as the client envisions. VISUALIZATION A fully interactive virtual reality experience through a headset can be an unsettling or uncomfortable experience for some and designers must know the best approach for each client or community.  Depending on the building type and location, many people can see a 3D image and understand how it […]
Williston North Dakota Public Works Facility

City of Williston Public Works Groundbreaking

The City of Williston recently broke ground on a new Public Works Facility which will feature a 96,000 sf facility on a 14.75 acre site.  Kodet Architectural Group worked closely with the City of Williston and the process hinged on collaboration to ensure all voices were heard in designing a facility which met their unique programmatic needs. The building provides a connection between the public and city employees and features state-of-the-art technologies and the right amenities needed for various functions. BUILDING FEATURES Public Areas that Welcome the Public + Meet Service Needs Ease of Access to Staff + Resources A Place for Personnel to Accomplish Daily, Weekly, and Yearly Tasks Efficient Spaces + Circulation Well-lit Offices + Meeting Areas Safe Vehicle Circulation for Day-to-Day Use Repair Bays with Radiant Heating to Minimize Ice in the Winter + Warm to Work on Vehicles LOW MAINTENANCE + DURABILITY Kodet worked to design a facility that will stand the test of time by utilizing low maintenance and durable materials which includes: Metal Panels Cast Stone for Offices Pre-Cast Concrete Insulated for Storage Spaces Aluminum Windows Internal Mechanical Systems LED Light Fixtures New Hoists + Maintenance Equipment Throughout  

Designing Safe + Secure Schools

PART 1 | School Security Practices Whether or not your building a new school, retrofitting, or renovating, it is always the right time to review your school’s security infrastructure to ensure your students, staff, and school personnel are as safe as possible. As important as cameras, scanners, lighting, and alarms are within a school’s security system, the must be supported by training, policies, and most importantly collaboration with the other systems creating a holistic approach to your school’s security design. In this 3-part series we will look at the process for developing a school security assessment to develop specific actions and discuss response and recovery options. PART 1 | We will dive into a process of ASSESSING your current facility with an honest look at the security and threats. PART 2 | We will develop specific action steps to the school district’s PREPAREDNESS. PART 3 | We will discuss RESPONSE + RECOVERY. FACILITY SECURITY ASSESSMENT A complete and holistic facility assessment is a combined team effort that involves steps to develop a comprehensive program that is used to review how our current facilities are built, how they function, and how current school policies affect security within school buildings. SECURITY ASSESSMENT TEAM The Security Assessment Team should be made up of a diverse team of: Students + Teachers + Administrators Parents + Community + Local Law Enforcement Architect + Security Professionals Superintendent The assessment team should provide a comprehensive district-wide analysis of current facility infrastructure, design, maintenance, policies, and procedures. The assessment team will compile all findings and research into a document that can be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. At minimum the Team will review the following items for your School Security Assessment: Building Exterior Conditions and relationship to such factors and environmental design + site configuration for vehicle and […]

Small Renovation, Big Impact

PINE RIVER-BACKUS HIGH SCHOOL As the students at Pine River-Backus High School packed up for the end of the school year and headed off to summer vacation, bulldozers, machinery, and construction workers filled the site to complete a small addition and renovation to the building. Many months of planning and design began to take shape in physical form at Pine River-Backus High School, and by the fall the construction was complete. Kodet worked with the school district on the design for an addition and renovation to the high school building for almost a year preceding the construction to ensure that the space fit the goals and needs of the school. Part of this process was working with the committee to prepare for the approvals of the School Board and Minnesota Department of Education. Though the overall scope of the project was relatively small, the impact was far reaching. It changed the way students, staff, and visitors interact and experience their everyday environment to work, learn, and play. Construction at Pine River-Backus took place primarily during the summer months so that the students could enter the classrooms on the first day of school in the fall. They were welcomed back with a renovated facility, where changes took place in three main building areas: High School Offices High School Entry High School Hallways The work in the areas listed above addressed three key factors for the school: Ongoing maintenance Accessibility Safety and security The benefits of the project were great – enhancing the user experience on a daily basis. Examples of how the three factors were addressed are as follows: ONGOING MAINTENANCE Issues such as hallway floor cracks were fixed and we changed the flooring material to prevent further cracking problems. In doing so, we had the opportunity to update the material […]

Twin Cities Academy | Merit Awards

TWIN CITIES ACADEMY | AIA-Minnesota Merit Awards Kodet Architectural Group was presented with the AIA-Minneapolis, Merit Award for Twin Cities Academy. The Merit Awards are unique in their approach to creating a jury, the award encompass the views of business professionals, real estate developers, community advocates, and academic leaders, as well as architects. The award is bestowed to projects by AIA-Minneapolis architects, which tell a story of excellence beyond design, reflecting the variety of forces that shape a building. Projects are evaluated based on how they respond to the following criteria: Architectural Solution Technical Innovation Environmental Responsibility Budget + Business Success Community Impact Client + Team Satisfaction Part of the philosophy of this award is the focus on the story of the project and Twin Cities Academy not only embodies these criteria but also illustrated by a compelling story. The story depicts the positive transformation of a once desolate site, which stands as a beaming reflection of Twin Cities Academy’s dedication to academic excellence and adds energy to the site and a permanent positive presence to the neighborhood. Twin Cities Academy is a tuition free public charter school in St. Paul and one of the top-rated charter schools in the country. After occupying a multitude of venues since 1999 and most recently rending an old outdated elementary school, TCA was in need of a change. In relocating their facility it would promote their vision of empowering and inspiring young adults to make a difference. In the fall of 2016, the new Twin Cities Academy provided the school a permanent home and established presence in the St. Paul neighborhood, which echoes their motto and commitment to “A Higher Standard of Academic Excellence”.

Search for Shelter

SEARCH FOR SHELTER Last weekend, Kyle and I enjoyed participating in the Search for Shelter Charrette.  Search for Shelter is an AIA sponsored even for non-profit organizations in need of ideas to help further their missions and goals. Design professional volunteer for a single weekend charrette, using design to solve a problem. This particular design weekend has been active for 31 years. Non-profits across the state of Minnesota submit projects for 7 or so volunteer teams to take on. We drove over to the University of Minnesota after work to join one of 7 teams for collaborative design.  Saturday morning we each visited our non-profit’s site and immersed ourselves in the challenges we had been asked to address.  We spent the rest of Saturday and Sunday morning creating what you see below: This year my team explored potential projects for the Midtown Greenway. This 5.5 mile bike path sits in a former railroad trench. We were asked to look at one of the 46 bridges and create a transit and affordable housing connection along the Greenway.  17 neighborhoods participate in the Greenway Coalition.  They desire people and developments to see the Greenway as the “front porch” and orient their businesses to this unique bike trail.  This adds a level of perceived security and safety. We presented renderings of our design to the Midtown Greenway Coalition on Sunday. The affordable housing included a sub-level that opened up to a patio at the Greenway level. Paths and patios were designed to activate the space below one of the 46 bridges along this well known bike path. Kyle’s team explored options to develop affordable housing near a vacant industrial space, part of the Upper Harbor Terminal revitalization by the City of Minneapolis. The non-profit asked the team to seamlessly integrate sustainability into the […]
Kodet Construction Observation Twin Cities Academy

Adapting To AXP

July brought more than fireworks and BBQ’s this summer for those on the path towards becoming an architect. A complete overhaul of the experience requirements to become an architect was put into motion, which has the potential to be a game changer for how those in the program gain and record experience. Formerly known as the Intern Development Program the new Architectural Experience Program (AXP) will require architecture firms to adapt in order to keep young talent advancing towards becoming licensed architects. In 2012 , NCARB conducted a national survey to review the old program and realized changes were needed in order to strive for better independent performance of required tasks at the completion of the program. The new AXP allows licensure candidates the opportunity to be more flexible with the number of hours needed for a particular task. This allows for greater time spent on a challenging task and less on ones candidates find easier, which is a major change from the static hours required in the old highly prescriptive system. Below are some of the biggest changes within AXP: 17 specific IDP experience areas are now 6 broad AXP experience areas These 6 areas align with the ARE exams and project phases, essentially WHAT YOU DO FOR AXP = WHAT YOU STUDY FOR ARE’S = WHAT YOU DO IN THE REAL WORLD! There are 96 listed tasks that licensure candidates are expected to have competency in at the completion of AXP. Reduction of supplemental experience in favor of firm-related project experience.   5 TIPS FOR FIRMS ADAPTING TO AXP To efficiently and effectively support those on the path to licensure Broaden Impact of Tasks Firms should encourage those in AXP to broaden the impact of their particular task into a greater network of interconnected tasks. By understanding how […]

Rendering to Reality

TWIN CITIES ACADEMY | RENDERING TO REALITY Recently, the Kodet Team had the opportunity to visit the site of current project in St. Paul, Twin Cities Academy.  It’s always an exciting time to see everyones hard work come to life as we begin to walk through the site at varying stages of completion.  Set to open in the fall of 2016, the new Twin Cities Academy provides the school with a permanent presence in the neighborhood.  Utilizing a previously desolate site, the building returns value to the community.  The school will promote pride and community amongst staff and students, giving a facility that is designed and built with integrity.