Building bridges to the past

Two recycledinto one

Nunnelly announcesretirement

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Dorazio Enterprises gave San An-tonio a new perspective on the Walker Ranch Historical Landmark

Natural Area with the recent completion of Phase III Improvements. Visitors to the West Avenue park can now view the rustic nature area from a pedestrian bridge that spans 450 ft and weaves through native trees. “The fiberglass bridge, bolted to cast-in-place concrete piers, is made up of six individual bridges,” said Mark Dorazio, owner of Dorazio Enterprises. “The height goes from four ft at the be-ginning of the earthen ramp to approxi-mately 14 ft at the highest point.” The bridge was constructed on the ground and had to be worked through the trees with a large crane and set on the concrete columns that were intermit-tent throughout the project. Concrete bulkheads were also constructed at the beginning of the bridge.

Because of the proximity to the air-port, Dorazio was required to contact the San Antonio International Airport. “Fortunately, the day we were set-ting the bridge and had the crane there, the take-off was opposite us, so we were fine,” said Dorazio. In addition to the bridge, the $388,000 City of San Antonio project in-cluded improvement to trails and park-ing. Walker Ranch was added to the park system by the city in 1999 and is a signifi-cant archaeological site where hunters and gatherers lived over thousands of years. With over a mile of nature trail, the park also features an exercise trail, play-scape and covered pavilions. One challenge the construction crew was faced with was the bridge compo-nent assembly. “It was the first one we have worked

Construction industry leader, Doug Nunnelly, F.A. Nunnelly Co. Gen-eral Contractors’ principal, an-

nounced his plans to retire from the in-dustry to pursue a lifelong dream. “I have always had a desire to spend more time in the outdoors, close to na-ture. I have the opportunity to become a park ranger in Yellowstone National Park,” Nunnelly said. An avid fisherman and hunter, Nun-nelly is a member of the Alamo Fly Fish-ing Club and is a fixture at clay shooting competitions around San Antonio. Former president of the Associated General Contractors San Antonio Chap-

ter (AGC), Nunnelly has deep involve-ment in the construction industry, but leaves the duties at F.A. Nunnelly to rela-tives. “Growing up, my idol was Ranger Smith, from the Yogi Bear Show. As Yogi said, ‘The ranger is a very nice man.’ I would like to thank all those who have helped me make this decision and given me their support. Doug McMurry was probably thinking about my age when I heard him say, ‘It might have been better had he retired before being on the Board.’ And I was told Mike Boyle wished me the best, ‘Good Luck, you low-bid SOB!’

Doug and Molly Nunnelly

Alamo Architects and O’Neill, Con-rad, Oppelt Architcts (OCO) were both in the same boat – bursting

at the seams and ready to move. Now, the two architectural firms are room-mates of sorts, sharing the same facility. Home is not what it used to be, though. The two firms purchased prop-erty together and renovated an old truck trailer manufacturing plant turned com-mercial kitchen equipment repair busi-ness. The end result is a LEED certified, shared campus, with clever recycling. “We don’t take ourselves too seri-ously here,” quipped Mike McGlone, partner in Alamo Architects. “I call this

project “Design meets the Warsaw Pact.” “I like to call it “Urban Gritty,” said Mickey Conrad, OCO principal. Though humor plays a part in the de-sign of the 16,000-sf offices, the sustain-ability and educational elements are of a serious nature. The facility will be used to help ac-quaint visiting clients with green build-ing principals since many green elements are incorporated in the project, accord-ing to McGlone. The entire design takes into consid-eration site, transportation, water con-servation, energy use, materials and re-sources and indoor air quality.

Mickey Conrad

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2007 Page 25

Architecture and DesignThisMonth

Green is future gold

Interview with

Charles John, AIAFisherHeck ArchitectsSan Antonio, TX

Interview with

John Grable, FAIAJohn Grable Architects Inc.San Antonio, TX

Interview with

Mary Bartlett, AIA, IIDA, LEED APMarmon Mok Architecture, associate partnerSan Antonio, TX

As an associate partner and director of interiors with Marmon Mok Architecture, Mary Bartlett sees a

change in how architectural and design firms deal with the growing number of projects on the drawing board and the continuing technology adaptations in a global industry.

“The biggest challenge most firms are facing is hiring and retaining great people,” Bartlett said. “Globalization and outsourcing work to Mexico, India and China is becoming more and more com-mon. This allows an office to work 24 hours a day. “In the past few years many local San Antonio firms have grown their practice to include work outside of San Antonio and Texas. In return, I have seen more and more firms from Houston and Dallas doing work in San Antonio. With chang-

es in technology this allows us to com-municate more efficiently and effectively. The location of the office is a secondary consideration to the quality of the work.” Bartlett notes that design trends in commercial interiors are following a global, technological path, also. “Wireless capabilities and mobile phones are reducing the need for wires, cable trays and yards and yards of con-duit. It’s also making it possible for em-ployees to work from anywhere. The size of the workstations are shrinking, due to

the size of flat screens, and smaller filing needs.” Bartlett also sees workers’ tools changing, affecting design decisions. “The images you see of the laptops in the college setting are transferring to the corporate conference room. You find half of the table with yellow legal pads, and the other half with laptops. The tech-nology of the room needs to be designed to handle this growing trend. “Lately, the most common desire from my clients is to make the office more appealing to their younger employees or prospective employees. The office that worked for them 10-15 years ago is out-dated and no longer as efficient. “On the other hand, you have an ex-isting valuable workforce that is comfort-able in private offices and the formal meeting spaces. A successful design is usually a blend of both.” Other workplace changes requiring design adaptations involve the sound. Music streaming and iPods are replacing the “white noise” types of products that

were common with the open workplace environment, according to Bartlett. “The younger employees are no lon-ger verbally speaking to each other – they are literally using instant messaging to chat with each other during the day, be-cause it’s too much trouble to take the head phones on and off.” Another area Bartlett sees change is in the efficient use of real estate. “Multi-purpose spaces are in high demand. Firms used to want a lunch-room, large meeting room and a training room. Now they want one room that will handle all those functions and they are becoming better at scheduling. She finds companies are having more fun with their offices and putting their personality into the space. “I was in an office the other day where the owner said he wanted a full-size kitchen. He loves to cook and he would like to cook for the staff or clients on occasion. I thought it was great!”

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The preservation of historic buildings is a very “green” thing to do, according to Charles John, associate with

FisherHeck Architects. “Adaptive reuse is, by its very nature, sustainable de-sign. San Antonio has always been green, because more than many other places, we tend to recycle our build-

ings. We were green before green was cool.

“I think there is a trend toward envi-ronmental issues in building design. In the architectural profession we have al-ways talked about trying to be environ-mentally conscious, and it’s now gaining acceptance because our clients are rec-ognizing this has a benefit, economically and socially. Our impact on the environ-ment is going to be left to our kids and our kid’s kids.” FisherHeck is known for its historic preservation projects like the San Fer-nando Cathedral downtown and the Bex-ar County Courthouse downtown.

“We are extremely interested in ur-ban issues because so many of our his-toric buildings are in the heart of down-town. They go hand in hand.” The biggest obstacle faced in historic preservation and restoration, besides economics, is code issues, he says. “Obviously, things were different when most of the buildings we deal with were built. Bringing them up to code can be difficult at times, while being honest to the building and its historical integrity. “ John feels the most important con-sideration in historic preservation is what

the building’s use will be. “You always have to respect what’s there as much as possible. If a building is in a historic district like downtown, or is designated a historic building by some en-tity, we have guidelines we have to follow. “The building’s interior is somewhat of a gray area. If you are trying to adap-tively reuse the building there is leeway. Historic entities would rather see the building saved and reused rather than sitting there, rotting away.” Bringing old buildings up to modern uses involves blending technology with history. “One of our biggest challenges with the Bexar County Courthouse, in restor-ing all 11 of the historic courtrooms back to their original 1927 appearance, is inte-grating technology now utilized by mod-ern courtrooms. Nowadays, we have a slight advantage because the world is going more toward wireless technology. It helps a lot because one of the biggest issues is what to do with all the wires.” Materials affect design in older build-ings to a certain extent, but John feels what is more challenging is finding skilled craftsmen who can work with the materi-

als – finding the plasterers, masons, car-penters and painters who know how to deal with historic materials and buildings. “We are pretty fortunate here be-cause from the early days most exterior buildings were limestone or caliche block with plaster on them. We are sitting on an abundance of limestone. You look at some of our oldest buildings – the King William area, La Villita, the missions – all limestone.” John hopes San Antonio will some-how curb the urban sprawl and uncon-trolled growth outside Loop 1604 and redirect growth inside Loop 410. “We are starting to look like every-where else and that’s alarming and dis-heartening. San Antonio was always unique, grew carefully and tended to re-cycle itself. But now, uncontrolled growth is eating up our resources and our beauti-ful Hill Country. “They want to be in the Hill Country so badly, yet they are leveling the hills and wiping out the trees. Go to Arizona and build. When we talk about how unique San Antonio is, what we mean is

continued on Page 26

John Grable, founder of John Grable Architects Inc., does not base his work on trends in architecture, but

on something more far-reaching. “Design is not about a trend as much as design is steeped in tradition, and from there tradition is modified based on current thinking. I like to walk in a place and appreciate it for what it is and how it functions over time.

“If I wanted to get into trends, I would go out and chase fashion. I think about the Nehru jacket I really wanted in high school and just had to have but never got, and how smart my parents were.” Grable offers a warning about fol-lowing trends, because with the high cost of construction, buildings need to function for a long time. “Buildings that are built and torn down are really just a waste of natural re-sources. They clutter our visual lives and they don’t enhance our neighborhoods, culture or society. I am wary of trends, but do like new ways of delivering things, working together as a team.” Grable started his career in architec-

ture early, as an intern while still in high school. “My first project was safe harbor un-der an existing shell. I renovated our ga-rage into a room where I could invite my friends over and have that space every kid wanted – as far away from their family and parents as they could get.” After 18 years as a partner at Lake | Flato Architects, Grable ventured out on his own, with John Grable Architects. “Two years ago I left the firm and de-cided to go back to what I call ‘the garage band days,’ and started again small.’” Grable’s practice incorporates age-less elements in design, with an aware-ness of green building.

“The decisions architects and con-tractors make every day really affect na-ture in a very far-reaching and prolific way. I think LEED accreditation has done great things in terms of heightening the awareness of green building. “Renovations, additions or even things that are stand-alone brand new, all have something in common – they all have to reside on the land, under the sun. Those elements are then driven by histo-ry or regional precedent and traditional uses, yet the programs the client brings us are about what they want in the mod-ern world with all the conveniences. We blend all that stuff together.” In Grable’s practice, once a design is initiated, a partnership is formed. “Because everything is so driven by budgetary requirements, we firmly be-lieve in having what we call, ‘The Golden Triangle’ – the architect, the client and the contractor. From the early stages we work together as a team.” Grable says the combined input on a project makes for a better end result, and each part of the Golden Triangle contains vital information in decision-making. Grable has a concern for future con-struction in San Antonio and a movement

toward generic new construction. “The challenge is to never forget what brought us here and never forget what the city is about. Why wouldn’t you want to preserve this and make your con-tribution based on your generation and what your generation has learned from the past?” Grable’s appreciation for green building and preserving history led his company to build its offices using long-leaf pine from a North Carolina textile mill built in 1880. The lumber was also used on five other projects. “You can justify hauling something from that far away because we recycled it five times. And, those are the kinds of things that delight everybody, visually. “The rewards of the industry are hav-ing the 6 year old or the 85 year old come up to you and say, ‘This is really great. I love what you did.’ And the craftsmen who go home at the end of the day, who never seem to get mentioned but make the best contributions to an overall project. “It’s also being able to manage the gifts of the earth and the natural resourc-

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Page 26 San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2007

Architecture and DesignSubmitted by

RK Stewart, FAIA, presidentAmerican Institute of ArchitectsWashington, DC

Design and construction industryattacking challenge on a global scale

We all want to predict the future. While it’s hard to do, there are some tools that give us a glimpse of

what may happen. One such tool is the American Insti-tute of Architects (AIA) Architecture Billings Index (ABI). Evaluated on a monthly basis by AIA, the Index has proven to be a very reliable predictor of construction activity approximately nine to twelve months ahead. It currently indicates that the nonresi-dential construction industry is very healthy, with a high level of activity expected to run beyond 2007. When we consider that 75 percent of the built environment in the U.S. will be new or significantly renovated by the year 2035, architects and the build-ing industry have an incredible opportunity to change the planet’s history because of the tremendous impact buildings have on climate change. While the scientific evi-dence, such as the United Nation’s INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE report published in February 2007, the influences on climate change are many but clearly result from human habitation of the planet. Quite simply, buildings consume nearly three-quarters of all electricity generated at U.S. power plants, natural gas and coal fired power plants, that contribute nearly half of America’s green house gas emis-sions and driving climate change. Add to that fact an understanding U.S. energy con-sumption is expected to increase by 37 percent over the next 20 years, a significant part of the expected annual global energy consumption jump of 54 percent.

These predictions should serve as alarm bells for the design and construc-tion industry. At the same time those facts should give us hope that our indus-try can play a significant role in avoiding catastrophic events that are likely should we continue “business as usual”. Consid-ering that nonresidential buildings last an average of 75 years, the time is now to act to change our course and start mak-ing significant reductions in the amount of fossil fuel-generated energy our na-tion consumes through its buildings. To that end, the AIA has taken a position on architectural practice that includes a call

for the immediate energy reduction in the design, construction and operation of all new and renovated buildings to one-half the national average for that building type. We don’t stop there, call-ing for increased reductions of ten per-cent every five years so that all buildings designed by the year 2030 will be carbon neutral – meaning that they will not in-crease carbon emissions as a result of their creation and use. This effort will take our industry form “business as usual” to “business for the future”. In order to achieve demonstrable re-sults from this initiative, there needs to

be an industry-wide shift in the design, construction and operation of buildings. Obviously there are several moving parts involved and an effort of this magnitude requires true collaboration among all professionals involved at every stage. In order to overcome long-standing problems resulting from industry frag-mentation, irregular communication among professionals, an emphasis on short term / first cost decision, failure to integrate operation / maintenance issues into the design process and out-dated business models, the AIA has joined with the Associated General Contractors (AGC) and the Construction Users Roundtable (CURT) to form a collaborative working group known as the “3xPT Strategy Group.” The mission is straightforward: To promote efforts across traditional in-dustry boundaries that foster the use of Integrated Practice project delivery mod-els, models that may include Building In-formation Modeling and other intelligent technologies, by using collaborative ap-proaches to the fullest extent possible to maximize project productivity. The development and implementa-tion of Integrated Practice delivery meth-ods can lead to an unprecedented level of cooperation between building owners / operators, designers and contractors. Today this relationship is in the early stages of development, needing to ex-tend beyond the involvement of the three organizations to other participants in the industry creating our communities and our buildings. We will know this ef-fort is successful when we are part of a transformed and sustainable construc-tion industry, where projects are de-signed, delivered and occupied so they maximize their value at lowest environ-mental cost throughout their useful life.

There are hurdles to be leapt in order to achieve the widespread construction of green buildings; regulatory, legislative, financial issues that inhibit the changes we so clearly need made. There are some encouraging signs that change is possi-ble. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has adopted positions as the AIA and Archi-tecture 2030 have adopted to reduce car-bon emissions from buildings. State and local governments all over the country are doing an admirable job creating in-centives or adopting regulations that ac-celerate the creation of more energy-ef-ficient building designs. In order to assist cities seeking to cre-ate a more livable community with an improved quality of life for its citizens, the AIA has developed a Green Building Tool Kit for use by Mayors nationwide. The Toolkit includes case study examples of innovative city green building pro-grams, sustainable governmental opera-tion opportunities, steps to establish pri-vate sector green building initiatives, and design solutions that improve overall building performance and minimize life-cycle environmental impact and cost. Throughout 2007 the AIA will be provid-ing additional information that expands the Toolkit, making it an invaluable tool for every community. When we have a chance to think about it, Sir Winston Churchill had it about right, paraphrasing his words “First we shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us.” Knowing the impact buildings have on the issues around climate change, how can we as a profession and an indus-try not respond to change the future? Now is the time for us to chose what kind of ancestors we wish to be for future gen-erations who may, or may not, inhabit the Earth. So, what will it be?

RK Stewart is the 2007 president of the American Institute of Architects and a principle at Gensler...Ar-chitecture, Design & Planning Worldwide practicing architecture from the San Francisco office. –mdo

continued from Page 25 — Interview with Mary Bartlett

Green building is also on the rise in design, and Bartlett sees a push for archi-tects and designers to design responsi-bly, becoming more and more aware of the environmental impact the building industry has on this country. “This will not slow down; in fact, I think the goal will be to design buildings that produce more energy than they con-

sume. “One last item I see in the future is more stringent regulations. We will see continued changes in the ADA (Ameri-cans with Disabilities Act) guidelines, en-ergy consumption requirements and construction processes, like the way trash is disposed and indoor air quality during construction. –kf

continued from Page 25 — Interview with Charles John

inside Loop 410. You go out further and you could be anywhere in the country.” John says tighter planning controls are needed. “A moratorium wouldn’t hurt any-thing. Once in a while a slowdown is good, because everybody stops to re-evaluate. “The real solution is recycling. All these developers who keep going out

farther should stop and come back in and redevelop the inner city. Develop new neighborhoods inside the first loop.” John appreciates the current rede-velopment of South Flores Street where old buildings are taking on new life. “What a great neighborhood! I ap-plaud that! We need more of those vi-sionaries and urban pioneers.” –kf

continued from Page 25 — Interview with John Grable

es, knowing there is not an endless sup-ply. You can reclaim materials, recycle and energize them. There is an embodied energy in the notion of green building and recycling that comes from knowing you have said ‘thank you’ for such won-

derful gifts by being careful stewards. “It’s not about the architect, the cli-ent, or the contractor – but about the Golden Triangle. If everyone holds true to these notions, we can create something meaningful.” –kf

Page 32 San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2007

Happy fellows

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) elevated three San Antonio chapter members to its College of Fellows, an honor awarded to members who have made contributions of national significance to the profession. L-R: Greg Papay, FAIA, Lake | Flato; Gary Lynn, FAIA, Parsons 3D/I; Mayor Phil Hardberger; John Gra-ble, FAIA, John Grable Architects; and Chris Schultz, president of AIA San Anto-nio. Only six Texans were selected this year for the national honor. –kf

Starting Jan. 24, 2007, in celebra-tion of its 50th year manufactur-ing tractor loader/backhoes,

Case Construction Equipment an-nounced the launch of the Case Rodeo Series, a year-long series of loader/backhoe rodeo competitions to be held at Case dealerships across North America. Operators participating in the lo-cal dealership events will earn the chance to win $100 to $500 in prize money and a T-shirt available only to competitors. First-prize winners will also earn a special-edition Rodeo Se-ries jacket, a trip for two to Las Vegas for the North American competition and a collectible 1/16-scale model of a Case 50th Anniversary Edition loader/

Case launches year-longbackhoe rodeo series

backhoe. The winning operators from local rodeo events will compete in March 2008, during the CONEXPO-CON/AGG show, to determine who will win the North American Championship Event – and the grand prize of a brand new Case 580SM Series 2 50th anniversary edition loader/backhoe, valued at $119,203. We encourage any operator who wants to test or show off their skill with a loader/backhoe to check online at www.caserodeoseries.com or with their local Case dealer to sign up for a local rodeo event being held in Manor (Austin) on April 21, 2007 and in San Antonio on April 27, 2007. -bd

With an increased awareness of energy efficiency and green building in the construction in-

dustry, Donald Fetzer, vice president of Superior Insulation Systems, is putting his biology degree and environmental background to good use. Superior Insulation Systems, found-ed in 2005, works with spray foam insula-tion, a relatively new product to this area, said to reduce energy costs, improve air quality and reduce noise. The majority of the company’s work is with custom homebuilders. “I worked for 22 years for a consult-ing engineering company and was in-volved in construction materials testing and then moved into the environmental arena, basically providing consulting for asbestos abatement, lead paint and un-derground storage tanks. I have been involved in the construction industry in some form for a good number of years.” Fetzer sees a move to new ideas in building science. The financial communi-ty is also starting to recognize and offer incentives for energy-efficient homes. “I spend a lot of time providing infor-mation and education to builders, air conditioning contractors and homeown-ers, because this insulation is a little bit different animal. It’s like next generation technology.” Superior Insulation Systems is an au-thorized dealer of Demilec, manufacturer of foam insulation products. “Although the spray foam has been on the market for a number of years, the technology has improved tremendously. The main advantage of the foam is that it

Power of green

is not only an insulation, but also an air sealer. “The benefit for the owner is energy savings. It will cut an energy bill 30-50 per-cent and creates a structure that not only insulates the walls, but also insulates the roofline. We actually enclose the attic.” Fetzer explained that by enclosing the attic energy is captured that is nor-mally lost from leaking ducts. “In many cases we are able to down-size the heating and air conditioning package you would normally have to put into a house. Also, by enclosing the attic we are eliminating the dust and pollen that comes into the attic and ends up in your house.” Fetzer noted that the new insulation concepts are gaining in popularity, partly due to exposure on home improvement shows and people bringing the ideas to their builder. “We like to promote ourselves not only as insulators, but as an integral part of the building team, in terms of the edu-cational process. In order for you to have a success story in a building, you really need to look at the whole structure as a system.” According to Fetzer, the system is made up of three elements – high effi-ciency doors and windows; a tight enve-lope created by insulation and air sealing; and properly sized and installed air con-ditioning system. He feels this application would be especially beneficial for the affordable housing market, an area for future con-centration. –kf

Donald Fetzer