JRS in the News

New Jersey & Company
Feature Focus - “How Green is Your Office?”
July/August 2009

We are proud to acknowledge our
newly LEED Accredited Professionals:      Frances Consoli, AIA;
James T. Lalli, AIA;
Michael Sciara, AIA;
Ryan Pili
This certification recognizes those who have completed the necessary training, education and testing to apply sustainable architecture standards to their designs.  

Alex Hadjiyane, AIA, Principal and SVP;
Junior Project Manager, Dan Dziomba and Junior Project Manager, Brian Eichhorn volunteer their time for ACE Mentoring (See “Giving Back”).        

Kathy Pasquale-O’Malley, Director of Business Development and Marketing was the Event Chair for CoreNet’s Long Island Chapter Annual Charity Golf & Tennis Outing benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro NY and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island. Alex Hadjiyane, AIA, Principal and SVP, served on the Event Committee as well (See “Giving Back”).        

Milestone anniversaries:                          John G. Collins,
Director Of IT / Associate; LIO – 20 years     

Projects of JRS

Overview of several projects that we are currently working on across industries:

Bethpage Federal Credit Union –
Financial / Interior renovation         

Cablevision – Corporate / Interior renovation and Technology

First National Bank – Financial / Interior renovation

Great South Bay Imaging – Healthcare / New Building

Island Federal Credit Union – Financial / Renovation

Mount Sinai – Healthcare / MRI Suite and Cath Lab

Tritec – Corporate / Tenant Fit-out

What does a medical practice providing cutting-edge technology for neurological disorders have in common with a leading cable television provider? When the requirement is for high performance space, they both seek the services of JRS Architect, P.C. While its reputation for award-winning bank designs as well as workplace and base building projects is well established, it’s not widely known that JRS also specializes in the development of complex facilities for a growing number of sophisticated science and technology clients.

                                                         A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH....

The full scope of JRS’s expertise is reflected in its comprehensive project delivery approach. The process begins with selection of a project team, carefully matching the technical credentials of each member to the objectives of the new facility. With a track record of designing a wide range of complex and critical facilities, JRS has a seasoned staff that continuously monitors new innovations. Hands-on experience is supplemented with special trainings, attendance at best practice symposia, and regular contact with consultants and suppliers. JRS partners with the client’s in-house experts to analyze existing conditions and systems. Strategic planning is conducted, a budget is developed and schedules established. A series of conceptual designs lead to highly detailed Construction Documents. JRS provides oversight during construction and works with the client’s professional advisors and government authorities to help ensure that all legal and regulatory requirements are addressed.

When it came time for Neurological Associates of Long Island, PC to build a facility to house their new Hitachi Oasis MRI – one of the world’s most powerful open MR systems and according to the doctors, the first in the Tri-State-Area – JRS was tapped for the assignment.

Having designed imaging facilities since 1990, JRS provided an integrated, experienced team to manage every aspect of the project including coordination with the manufacturer, physicists, structural engineer, contractors, and local and state officials. With two “magnets” to contend with – the Oasis and an alternative Echelon unit – high importance was placed on protecting the new spaces from outside electrical interference as well as keeping patients, staff, and other building tenants secure from Radio Frequency (RF) waves generated by the devices.

To prevent seepage from the machines, JRS designed thicker walls to accommodate steel-plate shielding, and then brought

in physicists to precisely align the magnets to guard against interference from the shielding. Since the Oasis space called for outside windows to help put patients at ease, these were custom manufactured to JRS specifications to again make sure interference and seepage would not be problems.

Housing large-scale machines such as MRI scanners typically involves close attention to floor-load capacity and in the case of Neurological Associates this was especially true. Since the two 20,000-lb. units were being located on the floor over the building’s parking garage extra support became a critical issue. Steel beams were prohibited – their iron content could be a source of interference. The team’s solution was aluminum beams, and since local building officials were uncertain these could meet code, special approvals were obtained from Albany. For these and other ideas, the client has lauded the creativity and imagination repeatedly brought to bear by JRS designers.

WORKING WITH A CABLE GIANT

Providing fiber optic and digital cable services to millions of customers in the New York City area, Cablevision Systems Corporation entrusts the planning, design, and execution of its important head-end and data center facilities to only a handful of architects and JRS is among that select group.

A head-end is the facility that originates and communicates cable TV and modem services from a local cable facility to local surrounding subscribers which range from residential to commercial applications. The head-end includes numerous satellite dishes for receiving incoming programming, which in turn distributes the signals (via the cable or fiber optic network) to subscribers. Normally, all signals received at the head-end are those that are sent “downstream” to the subscriber; however some are received “upstream” such as when a customer requests a pay-per-view program.

The head-end also includes the computer system and databases needed to provide Internet access. The most important component of the head-end is the Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS). This system sends and receives digital cable modem signals on a cable network, giving subscribers the full range of Internet services. Finally, all head-ends rely on a “mission critical” facility called a data center. This facility houses multiple racks of computer systems and associated components such as tele- communications, fiber-optic and storage systems.

The facility generally includes redundant or backup power sources such as an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) or back-up generators, redundant data communications connections, environmental controls such as main and supplementary air conditioning, inert gas fire suppression systems such as Inergen, as well as multiple security devices.

Since mission critical facilities are operational 24/7 and sustain functions vital to a business, JRS works closely with Cablevision’s facility department and engineering team early in the planning stages to ensure a seamless transition during construction or expansion of the facility. Having a head-end or data center fail could be catastrophic both physically and financially to the cable company as well as the surrounding subscriber base. With no room for error as their bottom line, clients like Cablevision seek out firms with an impeccable track record in project delivery. With over 15 years experience in designing, coordinating, planning and executing numerous mission critical requirements, JRS is an acknowledged leader in this specialized field.

HIGH DEMAND FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE

With technology evolving exponentially on a world wide basis, the demand for high performance space to contain this technology continues to expand across all business sectors. At JRS this demand has been seen to be especially strong among its life sciences, defense industry and financial services clients.

● Laboratory Corporation of America, a pioneer in applying advances in medicine and science to laboratory testing, has sought the assistance of JRS to expand and upgrade its laboratory network in the New York area. Assignments have included an alteration/expansion of a main blood processing lab and most recently over 20,000 sq. ft. of laboratory and office space for LabCorp’s New York headquarters.

● JRS works with financial industry clients to meet that sector’s technology center and disaster recovery needs. Recently JRS was asked to convert an existing 180,000 sq. ft. facility and expand it to a total of 250,000 sq. ft. for a state-of-the-art office, data processing and disaster recovery facility. The 250,000 sq. ft. building is equipped with twelve generators, which supply electricity in case of a power outage and a UPS battery backup system in support of more critical functions.

***

● A global defense company serving government and commercial clients hired JRS to design a virtual warfare arena to model and simulate airborne early warning systems, command and control architectures; naval systems integration, precision targeting and maritime patrol and reconnaissance. The large screen theater and conference facility seats over two-hundred guests and incorporates computerized audio/visual and lighting as well as rapid information management technologies.          

The preceding examples illustrate the strong growth JRS expects to see for its Technology Practice in the next 10 years. Since technology applications vary greatly across industry lines , JRS invites businesses and institutions looking to incorporate these technologies into their environment to contact Jack Miller at wcjm@jrsarchitect.com or 609-688-9100 to arrange an exploratory meeting with one of its technical team members.  

Bethpage Federal Credit Union

On June 1, 2009 Bethpage Federal Credit Union held a Ground Breaking Ceremony, for a new ground up, full service facility in Roosevelt, NY. Many local politicians and community groups came out to show their support and excitement for this important project for this neighborhood. The new ground up branch will consist of 3,200 square feet with a completion date slated for the end of this year.

Pictured from left: Mark Foster, VRD Contracting: Bob Hoppenstedt, BFCU: Gloria Baca, JRS Architect: Anthony Levy, VRD Contracting: Anthony Edelman, BFCU: Rob Morrisey, JRS Architect

This BFCU branch will greatly assist in the revitalization of the area, utilizing a site which had been abandoned for years. BFCU represents the first financial credit union to come into this area and serve an under serviced market. This project marks another important step in the revitalization of the Nassau Boulevard Corridor and continues the work that the Town started several years ago with the upgrade and clean up of neighboring properties and the upgrade to some of the infrastructure elements in the area. A continuation of BFCU’s growth plan and initiative which was started back in 2004, this project also supports their goal of working with and giving back to the communities they serve. Bethpage Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution which is headquartered in Bethpage, NY and has 19 locations through out Long Island.

JRS Project Team
Rob Morrisey, AIA;. Vice President
Karen McGuinness, Director of Interior Design
Gloria Baca, LEED AP, Project Manager
Nick Williamson, LEED AP, Jr. Project Manager

Giving Back to the Community

The Architecture Construction Engineering (ACE) Mentor Program is a national, not-for-profit organization that helps prepare high school students for careers in design and construction. Industry professionals volunteer to become mentors to students to introduce them to the professions and encourage them to pursue careers in these fields. JRS Principal Alex Hadjiyane started the Long Island chapter of ACE and the firm has been an active force in the program for years.

Representing JRS as mentors this year were Junior Project Manager Dan Dziomba and Junior Project Manager Brian Eichhorn. This was Dan’s fourth time as a mentor and Brian’s first. Each year the chapter hosts anywhere from 15 to 20 teenagers who are then divided into 3 teams. Starting with a kick-off in October, Dan and Brian met with their team every two weeks at Chase Bank’s offices in Garden City – Chase sponsor’s the chapter. Each team takes on a construction design assignment similar to the ones professionals work on every day. Dan and Brian’s team decided on a ground-up luxury hotel to be sited on Jones Beach.

The students planned, scheduled and estimated their project. They then constructed the project, which in this instance took the form of a 3-D rendering. To cap off the 2009 program, student teams from area chapters presented their design solutions in May at a gathering attended by mentors, families and teachers at Chase Metrotech in Brooklyn. The special event concluded with the awarding of scholarships.

Participating student Steven Korzeniowski shared his thoughts about the program, “Working with professionals to

organize, design, and create a model project was a great learning experience. The ACE mentor program really helped me experience different parts of a project. The knowledge that I have gained from the mentors will be remembered and will help me continue my success in architecture.”

Dan and Brian expressed the great satisfaction they each felt at watching young people grow through ACE and both look forward to participating in 2010. Alex Hadjiyane noted the benefits to the professions that can be directly linked to ACE: “Having worked with the program for about a decade, I’m now seeing ACE alumni graduating college, joining industry firms, and coming back as mentors themselves. You can’t ask for more than that.”

CoreNet Global is a professional association for corporate real estate executives. Every year, the Long Island Chapter of CoreNet Global holds a Golf and Tennis Outing benefitting children's charities such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro NY and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island. This year’s Event Chair was JRS’ own Kathy Pasquale-O’Malley, Director of Business Development and Marketing in the Mineola office. JRS Principal Alex Hadjiyane, an avid golfer and dedicated participant in the outing served on the Event Committee. “We had a great day and everyone had fun,” said Pasquale-O’Malley, “but the best part was the opportunity to raise money for two outstanding organizations dedicated to helping children and families.”

Finally, congratulations again to Kathy Pasquale-O’Malley who was an Honoree at the Education & Assistance Corporation’s (EAC) Aloha Golf Classic and Tropical Paradise Evening in June. EAC is a not-for-profit organization that provides 70 community based programs which protect children, promote healthy families and communities, helps seniors and empowers individuals to take control of their lives. The event, voted Best Local Golf Tournament (Long Island Business), was an overwhelming success according to EAC, and grossed in excess of $190,000. “I was privileged to help support such a worthwhile cause,” said Pasquale-O’Malley.

Pictured from left: Lance Elder, CEO of EAC and Kathy Pasquale-O'Malley, Director of Business Development and Marketing at JRS.