The Southern Nevada Building Officials (S.N.B.O.) have announced that the effective date for the implementation of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) has been delayed from July 6, 2010 to July 5, 2011 in recognition of current economic circumstances. Permit applications may continue to submit plans and calculations based on the 2006 IECC until July 1, 2011.
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Who We Are:
THOMAD Engineering is a client-focused structural engineering firm established in 2003. We are committed to providing excellent services always above and beyond expectations.
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Newsletter Archive
'Structural Moments' is a monthly e-newsletter published by the staff of THOMAD Engineering to our valued clients, associates, and colleagues in the A/E/C industry. |
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Greetings!
I have noticed that more building owners and developers are recognizing the benefits of sustainable design. In some cases, even those who are not seeking a specific rating are contemplating employing the principles of sustainability in the design of their projects.
In its broadest sense, sustainability can be defined as a state which can be maintained at a certain level indefinitely. In the building industry, sustainability refers to employing design and construction practices in a way that reduces the use of non-renewable resources and minimizes environmental impact. Other advantages include reduced operating energy costs, increased productivity and overall workplace satisfaction.
The current LEED rating system gives up to 3 credits for the reuse of salvaged materials of existing buildings and their components. As structural engineers, we can also help select and design building systems for adaptability, disassembly and deconstruction and take full advantage of sustainability. These are more than buzz words; they are becoming a reality in building design.
 The 'Focus on' article below explains the meaning of a few of these principles. Several of our featured projects, in this or past issues, are good examples of sustainable design and construction in commercial buildings.
Best Regards,
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| Focus on: Design for Adaptability, Disassembly and Deconstruction in Buildings |
The adaptability, disassembly, and deconstruction principles for
structures are simple and sustainable ways of creating structures
that truly stand the tests of time and minimize the footprints they
leave behind when their lives have been expended.
The adaptability concept is the idea that a building should be
designed in such a way that it is not constrained to one particular
use or another, but rather, that a building can serve multiple
purposes over the course of its life, reducing the need for
additional replacement buildings.
The disassembly and deconstruction principle comes into play when a
building's lifespan has been exhausted. This idea states that a
building should be designed in such a way that its structure can
easily and systematically be taken apart and either moved and
reassembled, or reused in future projects. The overall objective is
to recover valuable resources while diverting an end-of-life
structure from landfills.
Community Center Pointe Valine: Design features integrated reuse of precast concrete insulated wall panels from former Quebec Canadian tire stores. These panels cover about 40% of the exterior wall surfaces. Other exterior materials are high efficiency curtain walls, fiber cement board, and wood. |
The ideas of reusing and recycling structural materials are nothing
new, and when implemented during a project's design phase are
incredibly effective and sustainable. Despite these truths, there are
currently no standards or guidelines in the United States for
reducing the waste of end-of-life structures or for the improvement
of deconstruction and reuse techniques. In 2006, however, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) published the first edition of CSA Z782, Guidelines for Design for Disassembly and Adaptability in Buildings. These guidelines are a step in the right direction, and certainly something the design and construction industry in the US could learn from.
Source: PCI Journal, Summer 2010 |
| Projects In Construction: |
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Gold's Gym, Fullerton, CA
Adaptive Reuse, Remodel and Retrofit of an existing commercial structure to accommodate a new athletic facility complete with a new outdoor pool.
Hobby Lobby, Henderson, NV
Adaptive Reuse, Remodel and Retrofit of a former grocery store structure to accommodate a new Hobby Lobby arts and crafts retail store.
Mate Commercial Warehouse, Las Vegas, NV
A new concrete tilt-up commercial warehouse. This project was featured in our April 2010 newsletter.
Lexus of Henderson Auto Dealership, Henderson, NV
A new 83,500 sq. ft. luxury auto dealership that is seeking to attain an esteemed LEED Gold rating. Learn more.
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