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THE ARCHITECT'S ANGLE
Mid November 2014
Greetings!  

This month's issue focuses on constructing additions to your building.  You can build "Out" or you can build "Up".  Read more to find out which approach works for you!  Let us know what you think.  We welcome your input.
The Added Benefits: Constructing an Addition

 

Over the years, we have been called upon many times to design horizontal extensions to our client's health care facilities. Functionally, these additions were focused on the expansion of therapy suites and resident dining/recreation rooms or the establishment of new programs and services such as dialysis, adult day care and outpatient rehabilitation.

 

In judging the feasibility of an addition, the first hurdle that must be overcome is zoning. An analysis must be done to determine if a given site is built-out to its maximum or has a surplus capacity. Even on overbuilt sites, it may be possible to construct a small addition without going through the expensive and time consuming variance process. John W. Baumgarten has established a precedent setting approach to as-of-right development on over-built lots in urban areas.

 

Once zoning feasibility has been established, the next critical area of evaluation is how and where to locate the addition. Of course the most important factor is the interior spatial relationship of the existing functions abutting the addition relative to the addition itself. However, the final "shape" of the addition may be influenced by yard setback regulations and/or by underground structures and utilities which are too expensive or are logistically impossible to relocate.

 

Continue Reading

Up On The Roof: Rooftop Additions

 

During the 1950s, the Drifters sang about how being "up on the roof" could make one's problems melt away. In recent years, we have often suggested that our clients also look skyward to solve some of their facility's spatial problems. Every health facility needs more space. Whether it is needed to expand an existing function or to support new programs, space is still a most sought after commodity.

  

In most cases, particularly in urban settings, a horizontal building addition may be difficult to construct. City facilities generally do not have the land required by zoning regulations to support "building out". Even if some land is available, it is usually being used for parking, service/loading bays or outdoor recreation space.

  

In the rare case where adjacent abutting parcels might be on the market, land values may make their acquisition cost prohibitive. When faced with such restrictions, the answer might be to "build-up" instead of "out".

We hope you enjoy this month's issue. Do you have questions or feedback about the information provided or regarding your facility that we can answer?  Contact us at [email protected] and we will be happy to provide you with any additional information you may need.  We want to continue to offer content that interests you, our readers. Please drop us a line and let us know what topics you might want to learn more about. As always, we love hearing from you.
  
Sincerely,

John Baumgarten
John W. Baumgarten Architect, P.C.
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1. Vulnerability Assessments.

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3. Budgeting and Logistics.
Call us for a complimentary resiliency consultation at
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