Hopefully, you enjoyed the green tips on the back of our postcard.  We had more suggestions than we could fit onto the card, particularly regarding cleaning products.  Here are some ideas for environmentally friendly cleaning products that you might find useful:
    -Use a spray bottle filled with vinegar to kill weeds
    -Use salt and lemon juice mixed into a paste to clean away grime on almost anything
    -Boil 2 cups of white vinegar and pour it into a quart jar packed with orange peels.  Let
      this sit for 3 weeks to extract orange oils.  Half it with water and strain it.  Pour it into a
      spray bottle to use for cleaning.

>Earth Day began in the 70’s to bring awareness and appreciation to Earth’s natural environment. Not surprisingly, it was first celebrated and continues to be celebrated on or near the first day of Spring. Now this year, Mother Nature seems to have had a different opinion on the start of spring and Green is in abundance everywhere. The color and the buzzword is all over; in nature, in the news, in building products and so much more. So it’s a great time to be thinking about how we can do things that help ourselves, our neighbors and our planet to work and live more sustainably.

Being in the construction industry, SOA feels a great responsibility, as do most of our industry partners, to leave the least harmful impact on our environment. There are some staggering numbers when you look at the impact that buildings and construction have on energy consumption and emissions production. >Buildings are historically energy hogs and the good thing is our industry is trying to figure out >how to change that. We celebrate the achievements we make with our colleagues and clients to produce respectful and beautiful buildings and spaces, whether they get someone’s official seal of approval or not. There are so many opportunities to learn something new to make our planet better, and that is a wonderful thing.

In honor of SOA’s and our industry’s building achievements, the office is shutting down for a day and heading East (or slightly west in my personal case coming from our STL office) for a FIELD TRIP! Field Trips are not just for school kids. It’s hard to step away from our desks, but the time for both learning and a little bit of playing sustains our spirits and energy, so that’s a green concept too! On Wednesday, the SOA team will be heading to the >Tyson Research Center in Eureka, MO to visit one of the world’s first certified >Living Buildings. If you have heard of LEED, think about LEED taken to the nth degree and you have the living building challenge. A living building is one that is producing more energy using the sun, wind or earth to exceed the building’s net annual demand. It’s not a scorecard, it’s an ongoing process.

I’m really excited for our team to see and learn something about this type of building. After that we’re going to head down the road to a small project that our office just completed for the Shaw Nature Reserve which is operated by the Missouri Botanical Garden. We worked with them to design and build a small complex consisting of a much needed restroom facility and 2 picnic pavilions.

There are no official certifications on these buildings but we did our best to design and build them to be as “green” as possible. We’re pretty excited to get to use our designs, something we don’t get to do all the time as we enjoy nature and each other’s company for a picnic and some hiking.

We hope this Spring, as Green unfolds all around us, that you take some time to think about the way you live, work and play and your personal impact on the planet. And best of all, enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer and get outdoors!

At the new Columbia Public Schools Administration Building, set to open this summer, you’ll be greeted by their values and colorful elements throughout the building representing all the schools they serve. SOA developed a design that accommodates the professional environment of the building but with a little punch of fun. The board room features a lively multi-colored carpet with colors representing all of the schools across town. Panels for student artwork are placed behind the board’s chairs so that their purpose of serving the local school children is present in the background of all school board events. And, down the many corridors you’ll find colorful stripes with glass etchings of each school’s mascot.


 

REDI’s new downtown office reflects their innovative spirit that helps bring new businesses to the area. The “REDI red” on the walls brings energy to the space and unique materials such as wire mesh and fiber cement panels create an edgy look that is sure to create a distinctive first impression to businesspeople looking to come to Columbia. The design shows to those newcomers that Columbia is a high quality, up-to-date, and lively city that can appeal to their business wants and needs.

Boone County Bank’s downtown branch was looking for a new and refreshed look while still paying tribute to their history. SOA has designed timeless, classic spaces throughout the main level that are light and neutral, but also show warmth through cherry woods and subtle greens to reflect their dogwood logo. With their extensive collection and overall appreciation for art, SOA was sure to work in multiple areas to showcase these special pieces for the public and employees to enjoy. Reflections of the curvature of the dogwood shape are subtly present in carpet and textile patterns, and small pops of color are used in lounge fabrics to help animate and coordinate with the artwork. Stay tuned for the progress as the next phases are completed throughout this year.





(Columbia College Federal Hall)

Columbia College’s buildings hold true to their blue and gray school colors and traditional roots. Enter any building on campus and you will be embraced with school pride and elements representing the college’s history. The finishes for the new Science Building that will be breaking ground this month include patterns that resemble the college’s new branding, rich woods and an overall level of sophistication that reflects the college’s diligent focus on education. For a large college like Columbia College with multiple buildings across Columbia and the nation, standardizing on carpets and finishes as much as possible helps on the facilities and maintenance side while also achieving a more cohesive look.


As you can see from those few examples, the interior environment can be used as a tool to further show the personality of the organization and its mission, vision, and values beyond what a logo and marketing pamphlets can convey. A well-designed environment not only has an impact on first impressions for clients and customers, but also can create a workplace that employees are excited to work in and feel a better connection to the organization they are with.

Since my college introduction to the concept of Biomimicry, popularized by scientist and author Janine Benyus in her 1997 book Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature, I have been intrigued by various ways humans can utilize the approximately 3.8 billion years (since the first bacteria) of research and development that nature has already done for us.  Wikipedia sums biomimicry up as “the examination of nature, its models, systems, processes, and elements to emulate or take inspiration from in order to solve human problems.”  It is critical to note that biomimicry does not seek to replicate nature, but instead to learn its principles in order to create nature inspired solutions to human problems.  As Biomimetic Architecture blog puts it “nature is the largest laboratory that ever existed and ever will.”  It is truly fascinating the diversity of disciplines that biomimicry can offer inspiration - from micro-electronics to sociology [to architecture.  Read on for more resources and inspiration.

Rather than go on about the endless implications this has for our future, the following is a list of resources to start exploring Biomimcry:



Ask Nature website - A open source searchable database of over 14,000 “solutions” to problems brought to us by our planets organisms.



Biomimicry Institute - The home page to the multiple arms of the Biomimicry Institute that offer education and professional advancement opportunities.  The Institute will soon be offering online education in addition to their existing programs.



Biomimetic architecture blog - A blog dedicated to the exploration of biomimicry in Architecture.


HOK architecture firm’s announcement of an official alliance with Biomimicry Guild - HOK, one of the world’s largest architecture firms, created an official alliance with the Biomimicry Guild to promote the advancement of biomimetic solutions in the built environment.


Enjoy and be inspired!

- Fully open south facing window blinds to take advantage of southern light and radiant heat.

- When it is snowing a lot – stay ahead of the snow.  Shovel frequently so that it isn’t as strenuous as moving deep snow off the walk or drive.

- Enjoy spring early.  Take a cutting from flowering trees and shrubs and force it to bloom early.  Here’s how:  http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/gardening-how-to/forcing-flowering-branches.htm

- Keep a container of ice melt in your car for the winter in case you have problems on icy roads.  Sometimes it is just enough to get a little traction to get you back and on your way again. 

- Place an inexpensive sun shield (the kind that is meant to be used inside to keep the sun out of a parked car) on the outside of your windshield when snow or ice is expected so you won’t have to scrape.

- Don’t use a fireplace as a main heat source for your home.  Cold air is pulled into your house through various openings to the outside by the lower pressure caused by hot air rising out of the chimney, so it is not as effective as using the home’s primary source of heat. 

- De-ice your car windows with 2/3 Vinegar and 1/3 water.  Just spray on the windows and the ice will melt away. 

- Recycle old newspapers by making rolled paper logs for your fireplace.  Roll newspaper sheets around a broom stick until your log is the desired size, and then soak your log thoroughly in water.  Dry the log overnight and use like ordinary wood.

- Install a programmable thermostat.  When installed and used with the four pre-programmed temperature settings for weekend and weekdays, you can save about $100 each year while staying comfortable.

- Don’t use “cruise control” when driving in wintry conditions. Even roads that appear clear can have sudden slippery spots and the slightest touch of your brakes to deactivate the cruise control can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

One thing I enjoy about architecture is how it is interconnected to so much of our surroundings and our lives. Architecture, the good, the bad and the ugly, is everywhere.  In working on projects, I enjoy that as an architect I get to learn a little (and sometimes a lot) about a wider variety of people, jobs, places, etc. I take even greater joy when this learning coincidentally crosses over with friends and family members.

Every now and again I’ll come across a project that I can tie back to someone I know, and it makes it a bit more fun and personal. It’s kind of like playing the Kevin Bacon, six degrees of separation game. My father-in-law happens to also be an architect (small shout out to his firm, Design Group in Columbus, Ohio). More often than I expect, I come across projects from his company.

Less often, I find links back to my other family members – a physical therapist, a couple doctors, human resources manager. Recently, however, I came across a short article in an architectural magazine I receive for a project called the >Waisman Center for Investigating Healthy Minds in Madison, WI. The brief article was for an architectural Merit Award. It caught my attention because my sister-in-law just recently took a position in development for the Center.

Admittedly, I don’t know a whole lot about what she does and only half understood when she explained what the Center did. The one thing I do recall was that the Dalai Lama has some sort of connection to the Center. So here in my architectural magazine was a coincidental connection to my sister-in-law which somehow loosely connects me to the Dalai Lama. Okay, perhaps a bit of a reach, but I like that our two different jobs and places were momentarily connected by architecture.

We have three major efforts each year to help those that are less fortunate than us.

The first is Canstruction®.  It is sponsored by the Society for Design Administration and is a community service project for the A/E/C industry.  Each group designs and builds something primarily out of canned food….this year the theme is ‘Playing with Food’ and the event build is the first weekend in March.  At the end of the event, all the food is donated to the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri. 

The second is the Heart of Missouri United Way – we are very proud to be one of only 30 ‘Pacesetter’ Companies.  So why does our staff want to be charitable to the United Way – because they encompass many different areas of impact – education, income, health, and safety net – partnering with many different agencies including Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Job Point, Meals on Wheels, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army to name but a few.  By giving to the United Way, we feel we are helping stretch our dollars as far as possible to have the largest impact.  The United Way’s goal is ‘to create long-lasting changes by addressing the underlying causes of problems in our community’.  Their campaign slogan this year is to ‘LIVE UNITED’.  They support 31 local agencies and 67 Community Programs.  In addition to their regular monthly contribution, several staff members have chosen to designate a portion of their pledge to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – this program helps to ensure that all pre-K children in the area have access to books to better prepare them for school.  If you would like more information on the United Way, please visit their website http://www.uwheartmo.org/

The third big effort that we support is the Voluntary Action Center (VAC) Christmas Family program.  Each year we sponsor a family in need.  This past year, we had a family of 6 and we knew that we would need to shop smart in order to stretch our dollars…however, by having some of our staff brave the Black Friday sales, we were able to provide all of the family’s ‘needs’ as well as several of their wants…we hope they were able to have a wonderful holiday and are thankful that we could help a family in need.

In addition to these bigger efforts, many of our staffers at SOA also contribute their time or talent to many very worthy organizations in their communities and/or children’s schools….we have a pretty active bunch!

So I will leave you with the same quote as last time from Benjamin Franklin…“The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity.” 

Here at SOA there are many of us who have gone the extra step to get or to give ourselves “hands-on” experience with construction.  For instance, Matt and Aaron are always working on their basements, Brad just completed his house, and I am almost finished with a shed, just to name a few.  It is this experience that allows us to empathize and connect with the builders on our projects.  It allows us to visualize what is required to build something and how it will be built – two very important requirements for design.  Also, if we are able to understand what it is like to actually get up into a tight space to work on something, it might help us remember to minimize those “spots” for our contractors (I know they appreciate that!).
Although I have done other construction projects – from fine wood working to framing a house – building a shed has presented some new experiences for me. 

Almost all of the wood was from some recycled rafters so materials were not always ideal.

Trying to achieve level footings on an uneven slope was definitely good experience.

Perhaps the most daunting was framing the roof.  I was on my own so I had to be creative with how I “held” the end of the rafter that I was not on.

I had never shingled a roof from the beginning – my experiences have always been additions or installing skylights.  So one could say it was mostly patch-work.

Because the shed needed to match the house, vinyl siding was to be used.  I had never installed it before.  I’ll just say that it goes really fast.

My experience with construction helps me to better understand and relate to the contractor.  It helps me to visualize how building parts connect and understand material properties.  In the end it makes for an all-around better project.

Sometimes an organizing solution amounts to getting a file cabinet, a variety of bins in a closet, or a freestanding wardrobe unit.  However, sometimes the best solution is a built-in cabinet.  They don’t have as much flexibility of location but they are sturdy, space saving, and they add character and the customization that can really improve and enhance things for the user.  Many things factor in when deciding on the best solution such as budget, time, space available, storage needs, and future considerations.  Having planned, drawn, and detailed numerous cabinets, built-ins, reception desks, shelves, etc. I have some tips for those of you considering built-in storage solutions.

Start with careful planning, it makes a huge difference.  Think through things like what needs to be stored where, and for how long.  How big are the items and what special storage needs might they have based on their function.  Some items may require electricity, lighting, ventilation, or maybe a very specific size for a drawer.  Our previous house had lots of vertical dividers in the base cabinets in the kitchen.  At first I wasn’t sure what I’d use them for but I soon decided to use them for storing lids and it was so handy!  I didn’t have to worry about stacking them and them sliding around getting broken or buried in a big pile because they were so easy to reach that way.  The only problem was that the location of the dividers wasn’t adjustable.  Adjustable dividers and shelving are great features as needs change over time.

Also important is consideration of measurements.  The heights, both of the items being stored and of the user(s) should be kept in mind.  It also makes a difference what the use of the casework will be.  If a person is to sit at it the writing surface would typically be 30” above the floor and some prefer it as low as 28.5”.  For use in the standing position a surface should be 36” to 42” above the floor.  Shallow depths of 12” or less make it easier to find and reach things.

Consider the rest of the surroundings.  Would you want the built-in to blend in or provide contrast?  Generally, it helps when it complements the design and proportions of the rest of the room or building.  It can be a small niche in the wall between studs or a large unit that stretches along an entire wall.  It’s also nice to balance open and closed storage.  Open storage is good for displaying items while doors and drawers can create a cleaner look. 

Whether you decide to go with built-in or freestanding storage solutions, the most important thing you can do is to do your planning and research.  Also explore several options to find the right style for you.  This will lead you to the solution that is most appropriate for how you really live and/or work.

Although my situation is not the same as some of our clients who have 500+ students circulating through an academic building lobby every school day, through my personal experiences I’m becoming more sensitive to what their needs and problems are and what the best products and finishes are for them. It’s been intimidating at times the past several months to be assisting in the selection of finishes that are actually going to be installed and have to hold up unlike our hypothetical design school projects, but I’m learning more about product types and the right questions to ask our manufacturer reps. As Kim would say, there usually isn’t a “perfect floor” because everything is going to require some sort of cleaning and maintenance, but it’s our job as designers to research and find the best floor suitable for our client’s needs and preferences. As a young designer, it’s been great to learn from the experienced professionals here at SOA and I always look forward to learning more on each project. And, maybe one day soon, we’ll be able to tell you what that impeccably perfect, 100% maintenance-free floor is.

At SOA we do not work in vacuums, that is to say, every single drawing that SOA puts out, is looked over by a few people. Each with a red pen to circle, underline, and cross out anything that may have been overlooked. Changes are made and the process is repeated. 

The architect is not only responsible for all aspects of their own drawings but usually the coordination of all consultants’ drawings.  When all coordination is done, then we turn out our final product. Though no job is perfect, the process that SOA goes through helps ensure any changes that have to be made during construction will be kept to a minimum.

Fun Fact: a link to fictional architects in movies here.

Bill Oswald – Thanks for being such a great business partner, for being the go-to guy for all things construction, for keeping it real! We appreciate your commitment to SOA for the past 22 years!

Jody Miller – Thank you for being so thoughtful of others, sharing your design talents and being the ultimate team player.  We greatly appreciate your 10 years of service with SOA!

Robbie Price – We appreciate and admire how poised and professional you are, how passionately you take design to the enth degree, and how generous you are!  Thanks for your commitment to SOA these past 9 years!

Nick Borgmeyer – Thank you for being SOA’s 24-7-365 ‘F1 HELP’ with all things technical.  Beyond that, we really appreciate your talents as an artist and designer, for gently nudging us to improve and be more innovative. Thanks for 7+ years of service with SOA. Not sure how we survived B.N. (before Nick)!

Amanda Norris – Thank you for being the complete package from design through construction, for your unwavering commitment to the firm, and for being a role model for living our values.  We’re glad you stuck with SOA through your transition to St. Louis and greatly appreciate your 7 years of service!

Nina Hennkens – Thanks for being our standards master and documents guru, and for offering design ideas that are creative AND buildable.  You really know how buildings go together. Thank you for 7 years of service with SOA!

Brad Stegemann – We appreciate your level of commitment to whatever you’re facing, your design abilities and your thoroughness.  Glad you’ve been part of our team for the past 6 years!

Kim Penton – We greatly appreciate your expertise in materials knowledge, your in depth understanding of facilities design and management, and your commitment to appropriate design.  Thanks for coming back to SOA and for 2+4 years of service!

Matt Pinkstaff – We appreciate your global perspective, your ability to take things from big picture down to the finest details, and your thoughtful and creative approach to all things.  Thanks for always coming back to SOA and for your 1+1+1+2 years of service! (Glad you plan to make this return more permanent!)

Aaron Sanderson – Beyond being a big help with architectural projects, thank you for your assistance with marketing and advertisements, and for sharing your ‘photography manipulation’ (magic!) talents with us. You’ve assisted on many levels over the past two 2 years – thanks!

Caroline Leemis – Thanks for your willingness to wear so many hats and your effectiveness with all of your responsibilities - you are the multi-task queen!  We greatly appreciate your creative design talent. Thanks for being our ‘glue’ this past year!

Jimmy O’Loughlin – As the newest member of our architectural group, we greatly appreciate your inquisitive nature, thirst for knowledge, and representation talents. Thanks for choosing SOA!

Terri Trickel – If Business Management was an Olympic event, you’d get the gold. Thanks for being so effective and improvement focused. You perform as if you’ve been with us for an extended period of time.  We are so pleased that you joined us this year. 

And SPECIAL THANKS to founding principals Shelley Simon and Kathy Walther who had an amazing vision 24 years ago and made it happen.  It is through their commitment and sacrifice that SOA realizes much of our success today!

Sustainability is a theme that has been seeping into many aspects of my life for the past several years, and is a topic that I’m constantly seeking to learn more about. Since we bought our house last spring, I’ve been expanding the green steps I’ve been taking. The City of Columbia has been an excellent resource through the process, too. I’ve taken advantage of their free programs such as load management & heat pump programs, hazardous waste disposal, and composting workshops.

When it comes to waste, it’s always important to remember the three “R’s” – reduce, reuse, recycle, and in that exact order. The best sustainable impact comes when you reduce your use of an item – whether its plastic grocery bags, drink containers, or excessive printing. Then, on the items we do use, it should be our goal to reuse them – I frequently reuse deli containers and printer paper that still has one blank side. And, when that cycle is complete, it is important that we recycle what we can. It always helps to be organized and make recycling fun, too. One of my favorite products is DWR’s set of recycling bags  – they’re colorful and they help to quickly sort out types of containers. Composting is a method that our household has started recently, and I’m already surprised with the results. It has been eye-opening to see how much of our waste can actually be diverted to the compost bin, and I’m anxious to see the benefits when we start a garden next spring.

Greening our cleaning routine is something I’m working on perfecting right now. Not only are green cleaning mixtures overall less expensive, but they’re also much healthier for us and our air quality. Who wants to breathe in bleach and other toxic chemicals? I’ve been slowly switching over my basket of supplies to vinegar, baking soda, microfiber cloths, and other greener solutions. Just last weekend I tried out grapefruit and salt to clean my showers, and so far it’s been working great.

Being more sustainable has also had some good benefits our budget, too. Refilling recycled ink cartridges saves us over half the retail price of a new cartridge. Filling up a reusable bottle every day has reduced the cost of a drink for lunch. Greening my cleaning routine has eliminated the need to buy several cleaning products and disposables. Reducing our energy consumption by switching to energy-saving lightbulbs, installing “green” power strips, and adjusting our thermostat has our utility bill looking better. And, composting will save us a lot of money on potting soil in the spring.

Next I’m tackling a rain barrel system and looking into organic gardening… stay tuned (you might just catch me in overalls next spring!)

Some helpful resources and recommended products:

Energy Programs:
              City of Columbia Load Management
              City of Columbia Heat Pump Rates & Rebates

Waste & Recycling Information:
              City of Columbia Accepted Recycling Items
              City of Columbia Recycling Drop-Off Locations
              City of Columbia Hazardous Waste Collection
              Jefferson City Accepted Recycling Items
              Other local recycling drop-off locations

My Favorite Reusable Cleaning Products:
              Shark Steam Mop
              Casabella Microfiber Cloths
              Swiffer Mop Covers
              Swiffer Duster Covers

SOA was proud to work with Columbia College to transform this historic building into a functional and beautiful operations and classroom facility.  This building solved many of Columbia College immediate space needs and promises to be a vital part of the campus for many years. 

Our team enjoyed partnering with Columbia College to determine how to maximize the serviceable space while reusing as many existing walls and materials as possible.  We worked to transform this former museum space into a facility that supports Columbia College’s mission and creates a new home for the On Line Campus as well as the Nursing Classrooms and faculty offices.

We were involved in many discussions and planning to accommodate the programmable teaching mannequin, and SOA was most excited to finally meet and interact with SimMan, (AKA Simon) at the open house.  Simon offers nursing students the opportunity to gain very practical patient care experience.  He has a pulse and can talk, breath, cough, blink and perform most bodily functions of a live human.  It is fascinating to integrate the latest teaching technologies in today’s classroom.

SOA looks forward to continuing our relationship with Columbia College and seeing the new Science Building go from a vision, to a set of drawings and finally to a state of the art teaching facility.

Congratulations once again Columbia College.