ARCHITECTURAL EXTERIOR SHADING SYSTEMS

Overhang shading projections, also known as louvered aluminum sunshades, are horizontal or vertical fins. The purpose of overhangs is to prevent building interiors from overheating by shading windows in different seasons. In the summer, overhangs should ideally completely shade windows that face south, while in the winter, they should allow full sunlight to reach windows.

Fixed overhangs are useful for shading south-faced windows during the summers when the sun is high. Shading reduces a building’s overall cooling requirement and emissions and saves energy as a result. In the winters, the lower sun angles can bring in more heat, and that can mean lower heating bills for the user. In certain areas along the West Coast, particularly in California, shading requirements are now incorporated into building codes.

The two most important factors in shading design are seasonal sun angles and location. The sun’s path across the sky is so consistent that designers can control the light very precisely, with varying effects throughout the year. On east and west elevations horizontal or vertical line sunshades are most effective. On the south side of a building, specifiers should consider shading devices that project outward at least 3 to 4 feet.

The following pictures show several examples of shading systems that are available.

CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO ENLARGE

WHAT IS A SNECKED STONE WALL?

SNECKED MASONRY is a method of constructing a strong masonry wall using differently sized stones laid in a pattern. It involves three kinds of stones: RISERS, LEVELLERS & SNECKS. Seen below is a skilled stonemason building a fireplace stone wall in The Lodge Café at the Potawatomi Zoo -South Bend, IN.

The characteristic of snecked work is the combining together of parallel courses of stone. This is achieved by disrupting the level height of a horizontal course by placing a taller stone that reaches up into the next course. This attractive vertical interlacing gives a wall tensile strength and enhances its compressive strength.

Considerable planning is required, along with additional stonecutting and on-the-scene stone crafting skills performed.

Discover more here: https://www.selectstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/bobby-watt-snecked-stonemasonry.pdf

Published in the Stone Foundation magazine

Architectural Designers Are Incorporating PET Felt Acoustical Ceiling Panels

Designers, architects and building owners have tried a variety of methods and materials to control echoes and other noises in commercial spaces. Modern PET acoustic materials blend form and function, creating spaces that are aesthetically pleasing and provide comfortable acoustics.

Polyethylene terephthalate, known as PET felt, is a material that is strong and sturdy, and is better at controlling acoustics than drop ceiling panels.

Suspended Panels as seen below achieve enhanced acoustical performance and add a design element. Its modular single fin design is easy to install and can be mixed in different configurations.

Suspended PET Panels

Colored dimensional PET incorporated into lighting can add pop to your office spaces as seen below.

Colored Dimensional PET Panels

PET felt has the ability to be bent, sculpted, and pieced together, yielding a unique three-dimensional design as seen below in this SoundStar® by Arktura.

Sculpted Dimensional PET Panels

TURF Design offers unique ceiling panel options as seen in this space below.

Sculpted Dimensional PET Panels

Formed Acoustic Ceiling Tiles by TURF Design as seen below.

Formed Acoustic Ceiling Tiles

 

Many color options are available as seen in this TURF Design sample kit below.

DESIGN-BUILD - TURNING VISION INTO REALITY

WHY DESIGN-BUILD

Design-Build puts the owner in control. By choosing Majority Builders for your architectural design and construction services, we are your single point of responsibility. We want to hear every detail of your project needs.    

By having us as the general contractor on the team during the design process, the team is able to review construction details with various trades, getting input and collecting pricing information before the final drawings are completed.

This means you have more control over the final product and budget, with fewer costly surprises. We keep you informed throughout the entire process. Most importantly, this saves you time, since both the design and construction are able to run parallel on several phases of the project.

At Majority Builders, our Design-Build team will turn your vision into reality. Focusing on not only eliminating the risks that can add stress to the construction process, they also can save our clients up to   5% – 10 % on the construction costs and make sure the project finishes on time.

THE BENEFITS OF DESIGN-BUILD

TRADITIONAL PROJECT DELIVERY vs DESIGN-BUILD PROJECT DELIVERY

 

TRADITIONAL PROJECT DELIVERY

MAJORITY BUILDERS DESIGN-BUILD PROJECT DELIVERY

EXTERIOR BUILDING MATERIALS USED IN CONSTRUCTION PROVIDE LOTS OF CHOICES

Commercial buildings being built today have many exterior finish options.   

The exterior materials used to protect a commercial structure can have a big impact on its appearance and functionality. The type of exterior that you choose for your commercial structure will depend on many factors including the purpose or use of the building, location of the building and the budget.

View EXTERIOR BUILDING MATERIALS PDF

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MANAGING STORMWATER RUNOFF AND INCREASING USEABLE LAND

The system at the new Press Ganey Administration Office Building in Ignition Park will handle 248,540 gallons of stormwater. Underground stormwater detention allows for high volume storage of runoff in a small footprint area.

Stormwater detention systems slow and temporarily hold stormwater runoff so that it can be released into the environment at a controlled rate. This system increased usable land by providing space for a parking lot that will be above it. Majority Builders has “Solutions… Concept to Completion

REPURPOSING CONCRETE AND ASPHALT FROM A JOBSITE DEMOLITION

Concrete and asphalt crushing is a great way to reuse the materials available after a jobsite demolition. The machine pulverizes and screens old concrete or asphalt into useable aggregate.
Majority Builders uses a crusher & screener that grinds the larger chunks, then re-circulates the material through several times to reduce it down to a smaller usable size aggregate that is used as a base.
Crushing and reusing concrete and asphalt aggregate saves the cost of hauling in new materials and ensures a lower impact on the environment by lowering the use of new aggregate, reducing transportation costs, fuel emissions and unnecessary landfill.

Advantages of building with Precast Concrete Panels

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When a business has decided to expand or build a new facility, the type of building is the first consideration. Will it be pre-engineered steel, concrete block, or precast concrete panels? While any of these are a good choice, precast concrete panel construction yields some great benefits.


Quality & Precision…. The industrial production of precast concrete elements in a enclosed factory ensures highest precision and consistent quality.

Efficient Installation…. Precast concrete offers an efficient delivery model for your project.

Precision & Detail…. Precision molds create highly detailed precast concrete panels. There are many architectural designs that are available, allowing the architect to create a visually interesting exterior. Precast concrete can be stained or painted.

Reduced Costs.... Precast concrete products are manufactured off-site, in a covered environment and are delivered ready to install when needed. This process compresses project schedules, reduces site disruption and reduces overall project costs by requiring fewer trades for construction and fewer people on site.

Environment Resistant.... Precast concrete structures provide superior resistance to rain, wind damage and decay, providing lower maintenance and insurance costs.

Health…. A structures building materials are very important when it comes to the health and comfort. Precast concrete does not off gas hazardous substances whether wet or dry, providing better indoor air quality.

Thermally Efficient.... Costs associated with heating and cooling are greatly reduced through concrete’s thermal mass benefits. For example, a FABCON PRECAST® VersaCore+Green panel delivers R-values ranging from a LEED-friendly R-13.6 in an 8-inch thick panel up to R-20.2 in a 12-inch thick panel

Fire Resistant…. In most cases, concrete does not require any additional fire-protection because of its built-in resistance to fire.

Superior Durability…. Superior resistance to impact, soil, mold and mildew.

Low Maintenance.... The exterior of precast concrete panels can be left unpainted without damage from the elements.

Noise Reduction.... Because of the density of concrete, precast buildings absorb sound and provide outstanding acoustic insulation and isolation.

Wi-Fi Compatible…. Offices are increasingly wired for information technology, precast buildings do not interfere with radio signals, local Wi-Fi or internet networks.

Security…. Precast Concrete exteriors are more secure than steel.

The Importance of Renewable Energy Taking Hold in New Construction

Trends in new construction point to the increased use of solar of panels, allowing buildings to be self-powered. The term is “net-zero-energy” construction. When the team from FURRION approached Majority Builders to design their new Office and Innovation Center in Elkhart, Indiana, they specified that Photovoltaic Solar Panels fill the roof space and as a result, Furrion’s new building is energy self-sufficient. Solar panels are silent, require little maintenance and have become more efficient with the costs significantly decreasing in recent years. The panels were installed by Jefferson Electric

Solar power generation in the U.S. has quintupled over the last five years. The U.S. Energy Information Agency projects solar to grow by another 13 percent in 2018. With this year’s new tax bill, renewable energy will still receive tax credits for solar, wind and geothermal.

Photovoltaic Solar Panels are the leading renewable energy technology for buildings. The future is at hand.

To understand how PV Panels work, check out this video on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/f8_NdUb8sjc

FURRION Office & Innovation Center | Not your fathers’ office.

FURRION Corporation wanted to build a new corporate headquarters in Elkhart that would reflect the vision, innovation and market impact of their products. They chose Majority Builders to design and build their exciting, futuristic complex.

Elkhart County is known for its RV products creativity. FURRION is a newcomer as an RV electronics and appliance supplier. Their products have pushed the envelope of design and integration. They came to Majority Builders with a vision – our Design-Build team made their dream a reality.  At night the view for the I-80 Toll Road is riveting with exterior accent lighting highlighting the modern angled window architecture.

Entering through the front doors, you’ll find an expansive and impressive display area that is highlighted by a central hanging ceiling panel with accent light bands and a grand staircase to the second floor. The offices are floor to ceiling glass, looking over the product display below.

The exterior is a concrete sheet panel skin with angled windows that are unlike anything in the county. On the roof, there is an array of solar cell panels covering the entire surface.

What’s more, there is a helipad and fountain to round out this high-tech office and innovation center campus located at 52567 Independence Court, Elkhart East Corporate Park, Elkhart, IN 46514.