The Living Building Challenge

Brian Harris, principal at TCA Architecture Planning, teamed up with Brad Liljequist, manager for McKinstry, to discuss the Living Building Challenge (LBC) and its current and future effects on architecture. The Firehouse article breaks down what the LBC represents, unfolding the complexities of the green building standard.

The LBC works towards ensuring that architecture is prepared to adapt to changing global climates by adopting sustainable and renewing qualities. The main focuses of the LBC are the "expanded vision of a next-generation essential facility: resilient and autonomous operability; restorative environment; and lowest long-term total cost of ownership."

READ MORE HERE

Residential Architect Seattle Property - Project Highlight - In Home Gym

Residential Architect Seattle Property - Project Highlight - In Home Gym

This blog post will continue an ongoing series highlighting our favorite elements in a space we have designed. This month we are featuring a secondary structure on our client’s property, designed specifically for use as an exercise pavilion.

The space features a high-angled ceiling, paired with floor to ceiling windows that allow for maximum light and connection to the surrounding scenery. The doors on this wall open fully for additional air flow and outdoor seating.

Our team opted for a light toned wood flooring to maintain a consistent aesthetic throughout the design of the main house. Additionally the light tones act as a natural reflector, bouncing light pouring in from the windows to create a bright and welcoming space. The ceiling features a clear vertical grain wood and suits the overall arts and crafts architecture style implemented for this space.

Unlike many in-home fitness areas, which are often re-purposed spare bedrooms, this space was designed specifically for the purpose of an in home gym with plenty of space for each type of equipment requested by our client, and additional space for new equipment in the coming years.

Building Codes, the ADA & Your Fire Station : Firehouse Magazine Print Feature

Building Codes, the ADA & Your Fire Station

Building codes can be a challenging subject matter for both Clients and Architects. In an effort to make building codes more approachable, Brian Harris and Forest Hooker teamed up on another article to offer their insight on all things code, including: Code Basics, Code Considerations for Fire Stations, and Interpretations, along with a few additional resources listed at the end of the article. Below is the Introduction to the article, which was supplemented during a TCA presentation at the 2019 Firehouse Station Design Conference in Chicago. The full length publication can be found on Firehouse’s website and in this month’s print magazine.

“Building codes and local, state and federal laws can present a labyrinthine path to securing the approvals, permits and compliance with legislation required to commence construction of a new or renovated fire station or emergency facility project and to mitigate lingering liability. While your department or district’s architect (and code consultants if on the team) should be the lead for navigating jurisdictional requirements, this article will provide fire service representatives insight into compliance complexities, interpretations and risks. “

Read the full article here.

Firehouse Station Design Conference 2019

Event: Firehouse Station Design Conference 2019

Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Rosemont, IL

Date: May 14th-16th, 2019

TCA Architecture + Planning is excited to once again be participating in this annual Station Design Conference. During the conference, we will be leading the 1-on-one design focus work sessions, presenting on station design and building codes, and will have several of our projects discussed by other firms during “The Coolest Fire Stations on Earth” and “Sustainable Design” presentations.

Our code presentation: “Examines the specific application of building codes, standards, and accessibility requirements relative to fire station design. Mapping out the authorities having jurisdiction at the federal, state and local levels will be discussed. Risks and costs associated with varying code interpretations will be considered. The questions of to what extent does your station need to be ADA accessible, and if your two story station needs an elevator will be answered!”

Our firm’s success is largely due to embracing a new generation facility mindset over the decades we have been designing fire stations. Our forward thinking constantly allows us to build upon what we have done in the past. We believe in constantly raising the bar through innovative design. Each year we strive to share more of our knowledge and strategies with the fire community through lectures, conferences, and articles we write. This year we are excited to share this presentation on a topic we are particularly well-versed in. We look forward to the conference, connecting with past clients, current clients, potential associate architects, and others in the industry who share our niche in the fire industry.

Check out the Station Design Conference website for a full line up of presentations and schedule of events.

Kitchen Remodel

We often highlight our larger projects, and this month would like to shed some light on a smaller project we have recently completed.

A few elements that make this kitchen remodel successful:

Lights and Darks

The “before” image on the right showcases darker tones in the cabinetry, and is paired with a white and blue patterned floor. In working with our client on their remodel we reversed this pairing by installing beautiful, rich hard wood floors, and off-white cabinetry. The white cabinets act as a natural reflector for light coming in through the kitchen windows, making the space appear brighter and therefore more spacious.

The dark cabinetry in the “before” image has the opposite effect. Any natural light filtering in through the window falls flat on dark cabinets. The darker tones essentially create a sense of top-heaviness to the overall space, making it appear and feel smaller.

The reason why dark, wood tones can be successfully integrated into the design shown in the “after” photo on the left revolves entirely around placement. Rich, hardwood tones incorporated into flooring provide a visual foundation for the viewer’s eye, which then opens up as the top half of the space is full of lighter tones and natural reflectors, maximizing the natural light and creating a sense of spaciousness.

Use of Pattern

Now shifting the focus to a second element that, while not as immediately noticeable, creates additional impact on the space. Taking a look at the “before” image, perhaps without even noticing at first, the original pattern on the floors creates a sense of busyness. In the remodel process, we wanted to simplify.

In the “after” photo you’ll notice our client wanted a more minimalist approach with the use of patterns. The back splash is a particularly good use of color and a softer pattern that creates interest but remains subtle. We used a transitional color to offset the white tones of the cabinetry and the dark tones of the hard wood floors, bridging the gap between tones to soften the contrast.

Island Space

Another, more obvious, change we built into the space is the kitchen island. In the “before” image on the right you’ll notice our clients, like most of us, needed more space for kitchen storage, as well as additional counter space. The island serves multiple needs in that it creates additional counter top space, additional storage, and offers a bar sitting area. Aesthetically it creates more depth and dimension to the space, which allowed us to best utilize the available square footage.

Overall it is the culmination of these elements at work that ultimately made this space successful aesthetically and in a way that supports the needs of our client.

Residential Architect Seattle Property : Kitchen and Dining Room Project Highlight

Residential Architect Seattle Property - Project Highlight - Kitchen and Dining Room Design

This blog post will continue our ongoing series to highlight our favorite elements of the space.

1. The wide entry way connecting the dining room and the kitchen space creates a feeling of fluidity between rooms

2. Often hosting large gatherings, our clients asked us to prioritize multiple spaces for guests to relax comfortably in smaller groups

3. High ceilings create a more open atmosphere

4. Large windows to maximize natural light and waterfront views

5. With large windows providing access to natural light, we were able to work with gorgeous Pacific Northwest gray tones and dark wood without creating a sense of imbalance or heaviness

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Firehouse Magazine 2018 Station Design Award Winners

Career 1 Station Award Winners (stations over 15,000 square feet)

Gold Award – Salt Lake City Fire Station 14, Salt Lake City, UT

Architects: TCA Architecture + Planning, Seattle, WA and Blalock and Partners, Salt Lake City, UT

We featured this station in a recent blog post to dive more deeply into the Zero Net Energy Fire Station Design Achievement. Feel free to check it out here.

Career 2 Station Award Winners (stations under 15,000 square feet)

Gold Award – Kennewick Fire Station 5, Kennewick, WA

Architects: TCA Architecture + Planning, Seattle, WA

We’re excited to share this station was also featured on NBC referencing a strong community partnership.

The City of Kennewick was also kind to make mention of us in their announcement of the win as well. We build strong relationships with our clients to ensure they feel confident in their design decisions as we develop projects together. We take pride in designing stations each community will reflect back on and feel proud of for decades to come.

Renovation Award Winners

Gold Award – Central Pierce Fire & Rescue Fire Station 60, Tacoma, WA

Architects: TCA Architecture + Planning, Seattle, WA

We are excited to see another Central Pierce Fire & Rescue station win Gold this year. Last year we received a gold award for Fire Station 63 and are excited to see Fire Station 60 join the ranks this year as well.

Firehouse has informed us this is the first time in their Station Design Award history a firm has ever been awarded three Gold Awards.

Seattle City Light

Seattle City Light Project Overview

To resolve increased security issues and the effect of revised payment procedures at the South Service Center, TCA Architecture Planning worked with Seattle City Light to develop security measures to reduce employee risk while working behind the existing service counter. This design work included the incorporation of security glazing, counter height and depth revisions, and additional egress opportunities for employees in the event of an emergency situation. The final solution provides a desired level of transparency to support transactions, the integration of existing artwork and ADA accessibility transaction areas.

Key Features

→  Increased security

→  Transparency & interest with integration of existing artwork

→  Working within set budget limitations

Objectives of the Space

→ With the changing climate and services provided, additional levels of security for staff were necessary to enhance safety

→ Maintain transparency and friendly interaction with clients

→ Incorporate barrier free access for social equity

→ Increased user functionality

→ Complementing and incorporating existing art work, which was an added layer of complexity.