From the Desk of...Steve Ramiza

Steve Ramiza

As cliché as it sounds, I can't believe how quickly the end of the year is approaching. It seems like just yesterday that we were wondering if there would be an NFL season, reacting to the capture of Osama bin Laden, nostalgically watching the finale of NASA's space shuttle program, and mourning the tenth anniversary of 9/11. As we near the end of 2011 and move into 2012, we are using this edition of our newsletter to look back on some of our accomplishments in 2011.

As we mentioned in our last edition, LAN placed 123rd on the Zweig Letter 2011 Hot Firm List of the 175 Fastest Growing Architecture, Engineering, Planning + Environmental Consulting Firms in the United States and Canada. This is a significant accomplishment for us, and we are extremely thankful and proud of everyone who helped make this happen.

We were also fortunate to have been responsible for over $75 million of new construction this past year. This is a staggering number, especially considering the difficult financial times that we are all experiencing. In this newsletter, you will hear about three of the bigger projects from the year: Franklin Housing Authority, Ridgewood Board of Education, and the Mamaroneck Union Free School District.

2011 also provided us an opportunity to step up our marketing efforts. We released a new brochure, increased our social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter, issued several press releases, and attended a variety of tradeshows. If you missed us at the NJ Charter Schools Association Conference, the NJ Governor's Conference on Housing and Economic Development, the NJ School Boards Association Annual Conference, or the NJ League of Municipalities Conference, we hope to see you in 2012.

My sincerest wishes to all of you for a very Happy Holiday season, and prosperous and healthy New Year!

Steven J. Ramiza, PE, LEED AP

Vice President   

Three Noteworthy Projects Wrapping Up 

For LAN's Construction Administration Department, 2011 has proven to be a busy year.  Three clients completing large projects this year are the Franklin Housing Authority, Ridgewood Board of Education, and the Mamaroneck Union Free School District.

LAN Associates is currently involved in construction management for a $43.8 million, two-phase project for the Franklin Housing Authority in Somerset County. Phase I consists of Parkside Senior Housing, a $19.5 million, three-story, Energy Star Program and LEED-Certified building that provides 60 one-bedroom units and 10 two-bedroom units for eligible residents 55 years of age or older. The Parkside Senior building also includes a 2,500-square-foot community room and 2,900 square feet of new office space for the Franklin Township Housing Authority. Phase II is Parkside Family, composed of 35 two-story duplexes  with 4 one-bedroom units, 10 two-bedroom units, 52 three-bedrooms units and 4 four-bedroom units available to tenants making at or below 60% area median income. Parkside Family also features a 2,500-square-foot separate community center that will provide space for social services and activities for residents of the new complex, as well as laundry facilities and a management office. All rental units and the community center are Energy Star and LEED Certified.   

Willard Elementary School in Ridgewood shows new synthetic slate on upper roof and existing old slate on lower roof.

Throughout the year, LAN has been busy working with the Ridgewood BOE on four addition projects and various renovations throughout the district. The scope of work varies from exterior repairs such as the replacement of the bluestone steps at the historic entrance to the 1919 wing of the high school, to a 26,927-square-foot addition to George Washington MS. Roof replacements were also installed at several schools and synthetic slate shingles were used at Willard ES to maintain the historic look but also remain budget friendly. Other projects include bathroom renovations, emergency light replacements, HVAC upgrades, and window replacements.

At the Mamaroneck UFSD, LAN is currently overseeing completion of projects related to a $20 million referendum. This referendum work is the latest in a series of referendums, dating back to 1990, for which LAN has provided services to the district. The 2011 capital improvements include a new heating and ventilation system at the Hommocks Middle School. The new system is fully ducted above new acoustical ceilings and is fed from rooftop mechanical equipment to reduce background noise and improve air distribution in the classrooms.

Through the efforts of Angel Cabello, Glenn Hinksmon  

and George Thompson, LAN looks forward to working with all of our clients in 2012 to make their construction projects successful realities.

Project Spotlight: The Colony in Fort Lee   

Colony Interior

Working together, Igal Toledano Design Associates and LAN Associates, transformed The Colony's 5,000+-square-foot lobby by framing the magnificent views and bringing the beauty of nature into the building. In order to accomplish this, the rear lobby windows were raised up and widened with 8" mullions to create picture frames for the New York City skyline and the Hudson River. The north lobby wall was turned into a waterfall of slate to bring the look and the sound of the Hudson River into the space. Using combinations of wood and stone, the charcoal-gray color scheme with a pop of red provided both the simplicity and the elegance desired. Natural materials were used where possible, and the porcelain floor is made of recycled material. The lighting was converted to all LED lighting. The elevator exterior walls were comprised of stone while the interior walls were made of glass. The concierge desk, in the middle of the lobby, was custom designed to house all of the communication, security, and alarm systems necessary for a building the size of The Colony. A rear companion cabinet was added to provide extra storage for residents' packages. Two seating areas, one to either side of the concierge desk, contain four large comfortable chairs for residents to wait on for their cars or to greet guests. Between the two seating areas is a fireplace, run on ethanol, which brings the warmth of a living room to the lobby environment and a cozy feel on a cold winter's day. Lastly, four large contemporary canvases add shots of color to the otherwise neutral palate, complimenting the contemporary feel of the lobby and the building while converting the lobby into a beautiful canvas of its own. The lobby's design was outside to enhance the porte-cochère. A new water sculpture, finishes, lighting and landscaping were added to the center island (shown below) to bring an upscale aesthetic to the building approach.

Colony Exterior