Washington’s mental health facility embodies flexible, patient-centered care

Washington’s new behavioral health facility’s open-concept and flexible layout aims to maximize wellbeing, healing, and learning around a patient-centered, integrated care model emphasizing a mind and body bridge.

New York multifamily project puts unique spin on classic brick aesthetic

Manhattan’s new West Residence Club multifamily project forms distinctive design by combining traditional New York-style brick construction with unique glass-intensive units.

INSTALL adds critical industry updates to training and certification programs

INSTALL, the floorcovering installation training and certification firm in Washington, D.C., will update its resilient flooring and carpet certification standards to accommodate crucial industry advancements in installation methods and material preferences.

PG&E substation aims to maximize energy efficiency and design sustainability

San Francisco’s new power substation will comply with Zero Energy Certification requirements by meeting optimal thermal efficiency goals and relying on precast concrete construction and other sustainability strategies, such as utilizing photovoltaic materials and natural ventilation.

Building healthcare in a coastal environment

In early 2018, RDG Planning & Design and its partner firms began design work to replace an existing, nearly 50-year-old healthcare facility on the Shell Point Retirement Community campus (a Continuing Care Retirement Community [CCRC]) in Ft. Myers, Florida. Borne out of a necessity created by aging-in-place residents, but also from a desire to provide world-class service, the owner acknowledged the time is now to build for the future.

Why fire sprinklers belong above suspended drop-out ceilings

A drop-out ceiling is, “a suspended ceiling system, which is installed below the [fire suppression] sprinklers, with listed translucent or opaque panels that are heat sensitive and fall from their setting when exposed to heat,” according to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, §3.3.61.