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SSOE provided Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineering design services as a subconsultant to Turner Associates for the Concourse E addition to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
International Airport. The addition of Concourse E added 24 gates, plus 9 remote, 33 gates which were dedicated for international or domestic flights or mixed use and complete federal inspection services.

The Concourse E Central Refrigeration Plant consists of four electric centrifugal chillers producing 5000 tons of chilled water. The system is designed for expansion capabilities to install an additional 5,000 tons. The Central Boiler Room consists of gas/oil fired hot water boilers. There are two 49125 MBH boilers and one 22375 MBH boiler. The Electrical Design included a life cycle cost analysis and determination of pay back for a parallel cogeneration system for Concourse E. The design includes provisions for four additional generators. This system will also function as the emergency power system. The Concourse E distribution system includes 4160v distribution to seven double-ended unit substations. Tenant work will add another substation. Utilization voltages include 4160v for chillers, 480v for motors, 277v and 120v for lighting and miscellaneous power.

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This Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA) T-Gates North AMOD project was assigned to SSOE through the J-V On-Call Design Services agreement. The design for this project has been completed and submitted for Permit. The scope includes the modernization of Concourse T-North Gates T9-T16 following the same design as the Concourse T-North Gate Extension project.

Electrical work includes the replacement of existing lighting fixtures, new addressable lighting controls, new electrical rooms, and power distribution equipment. Mechanical efforts include air redistribution to space with a challenging ceiling layout and plumbing / fire protection work includes the replacement and realignment of sprinkler heads.

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The Prisma Health Richland 8MP Catheterization Lab Suite, located in Columbia, South Carolina, represents a $4.2 million transformation of an existing sleep lab and shell space into a state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization suite. This 3,500 SF renovation features a procedure room, four recovery bays, and associated support spaces, delivering advanced outpatient diagnostic services within Prisma Health’s Medical Office Building.

Designed to meet I-2 occupancy requirements for Class 2 imaging, the project utilized a pre-existing 7,900 SF, two-hour fire-rated institutional occupancy area. This enabled compliance with code-required separations and exiting pathways, providing a future-ready space for hospital-based imaging services.

A key benefit of the new Cath Lab suite is its ability to shift low-risk diagnostic procedures from the acute care hospital to an outpatient setting, freeing up hospital resources for higher-risk procedures without impacting the acute care environment.

Core features include a diagnostic catheterization lab, prep / recovery bays, and critical infrastructure upgrades, such as an emergency generator and a rooftop penthouse. SSOE provided architecture, interior design, and engineering services—including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and civil—ensuring the seamless integration of design and engineering solutions.

Collaborating with the South Carolina Department of Public Health, the team successfully navigated regulatory requirements to deliver a functional, efficient space that aligns with Prisma Health’s mission of exceptional care.

The Prisma Health Richland 8MP Cath Lab Suite demonstrates the impact of thoughtful design and engineering in modernizing healthcare environments to enhance patient care and operational efficiency.

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Our architectural team collaborated with HGA and Acoustic Distinctions on the design of the new 175,000 SF Corn Center for the Visual Arts in historic downtown Columbus. The facility provides Columbus State
University’s nationally accredited art and theater programs with state-of-the-art program spaces.

The Center provides individual “area of interest” creative studios, including classrooms, gallery, and exhibition space. Other facilities include a 350-seat proscenium theatre, a 150-seat “Black Box” studio
theatre, classrooms, lecture halls, and rehearsal spaces. Both the Art and Theatre disciplines include multiple computer and graphics labs. The consolidation of Art and Theatre adjacent to the existing Downtown Schwob School of Music consolidates all of the arts into CSU’s RiverPark campus.

We provided structural engineering for the entire project. In addition, we provided MEP engineering for the studio theater, classrooms, lecture halls, and rehearsal spaces.

“The center creates not only dynamic new academic maker and performance spaces but lends a vibrant presence to downtown Columbus’s popular river walk.” – Donald Runnicles

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After the successful launch of their pilot line to produce batteries, this battery manufacturer selected the partnership of Turner Construction and SSOE Group to design and construct their new greenfield production battery campus. Spanning 1.25 million SF on a 125-acre site in the Southwest U.S., the campus will feature a two-story battery production facility, administrative and engineering offices, a cathode production building, lithium processing and storage buildings, and a hazardous scrap storage facility.

The SSOE team brings a full spectrum of architectural and engineering expertise to this multi-phased project, guiding the project from the foundational Basis of Design to the final Issue for Construction packages. The project employs a Construction Management at Risk delivery method, chosen for its ability to ensure timely and budget-conscious project completion while maintaining cost certainty and quality control.

Navigating through the complexities of site evaluation, seismic zoning adaptations, utility access, and hazardous chemical planning, SSOE’s multidisciplinary team has adeptly addressed and overcome each obstacle to ensure this complex project continues to progress toward completion.

At the forefront of battery technology, this manufacturer is working to scale these batteries industrially and commercially. The development of the batteries promises lighter, more efficient, and cost-effective solutions for electric vehicles and other applications that require high-energy density storage—and potentially revolutionizing the industry.

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During the development of plans for a new brownfield manufacturing facility, Ascend Elements engaged SSOE to provide engineering and design services. The focus was on renovating an existing 150,000 SF industrial building, which they had leased and equipped for recycling lithium ion batteries. The project unfolded through several key phases: front-end loading (FEL 2 and 3), detailed design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.

As a start-up, Ascend Elements faced the challenge of designing each production line component to achieve their ultimate goal: producing “black mass.” This valuable powder contains critical materials like nickel, cobalt, lithium, and graphite. SSOE played a pivotal role in refining Ascend Elements’ patented Hydro-to-Cathode™ process, which drastically reduces the carbon footprint of new battery cathode materials by up to 90%. The process involves discharging scrap batteries fully, crushing battery cases, and providing efficient dust collection. The recycling plant achieves an impressive 98% recovery rate for critical battery metals used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and gigafactory manufacturing scrap. By contributing to a closed-loop battery materials supply chain, Ascend Elements supports a cleaner and more sustainable EV industry.

Beyond the initial ribbon-cutting and production start-up, Ascend Elements continued to leverage SSOE’s expertise. Together, we optimized and debottlenecked their cutting-edge process, implementing new unit operations within the production factory. SSOE’s understanding of day-today manufacturing criticality facilitated seamless integration of process improvements.

Today, SSOE remains a trusted project delivery partner for Ascend Elements. Our collaboration extends to designing a state-of-the-art, first-of-its-kind EV battery materials manufacturing facility in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Situated on a sprawling 140-acre megasite, this complex includes over 800,000 SF of manufacturing space, reinforcing Ascend Elements’ commitment to innovation and sustainability.

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SSOE is currently working on prototype architectural plans for K-12 buildings throughout South Carolina to include elementary, middle, high school, and Career Technology Education (C.T.E.) buildings. Plans will be utilized by the participating school districts with the designer being hired by the school district to do the site-adapt of the plans.

According to the SCDE’s proposal for the American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds, students and schools in South Carolina face critical issues including the need for upgraded facilities. SSOE will work this client to develop the most effective and efficient learning environments benefiting the state education system overall.

 

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The SSOE Group architecture, interior, and engineering design teams worked closely with the Tuomey Hospital clinical and facilities staff to expand and renovate the emergency department in Sumter, South Carolina. The ED was originally constructed in the early 1990s. In addition to expanding the facility to accommodate a greater patient load, the existing space is modified to increase efficiency and reduce wait times. The project was designed and constructed in three phases, which allowed emergency services to remain fully operational throughout the construction process. Phase One included a 17,000 SF addition to establish a new walk-in entrance, security station, and patient / family waiting area.

A Rapid Medical Evaluation (RME) unit featuring six triage rooms, which provides immediate patient assessment. In addition, a 22-seat Results Lounge includes a comfortable space for patients and families to wait while diagnostic testing and lab work is being conducted. Patients requiring more acute care can be quickly transferred to one of the adjacent treatment rooms that encircle a central Team Center, where staff have visual observation of 18 new rooms. A new diagnostic imaging room within the ED provides convenience for all patients.

Phase Two includes 13,000 SF of renovations to enlarge existing treatment rooms, create a family waiting area, expansion of support services, and enhancements to staff amenities. Phase Three, to be completed in the future, is designed to enlarge all remaining original treatment spaces, and upgrade trauma bays, and the original nurse and physician work areas. In addition to the six RME Triage rooms, there are a total of 42 treatment rooms and bays.

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NPA Coatings Inc. (NPAC), a manufacturer of chemical coating products, purchased a 45 acre re-purposed brownfield site from the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee to build a new facility to manufacture e-coat, acrylic resins, and paint for the automotive industry.

SSOE was selected to provide an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) delivery method using a technically-led open book approach. NPAC is fully integrated in all activity, design reviews, procurement, and construction while SSOE offers a single point of responsibility – consistent project leadership from FEL to commissioning. Construction planning began from the project start, which prevents delays in the process install due to site construction and early site / structure packages, while eliminating waste and hidden costs in design hand-off to procurement, fabrication, and installation. Because of the all-encompassing scope of this project, SSOE drew from its extensive bench of engineers and architects from our chemical, facilities, and construction management groups to form an experienced team to work closely with NPAC.

An EPC open book strategy gives SSOE full project responsibility from FEL to commissioning, using one contract between SSOE and NPAC to cover the entire project. SSOE will bid and award hundreds of pieces of equipment and construction contracts, while NPAC will be fully involved in the decision making process and review of all quotations. A target budget will be prepared following the FEL work with a recommended contingency agreed by both SSOE and NPAC, ultimately leading to a reduction of the budget to offset overall risk.

The design includes translation from international practices to U.S. standards, for full safety and environmental compliance, including support for VOC / HAP emissions estimates, building classification evaluation, and storage for chemical compatibility hazardous materials storage, possible flood plain siting issues, and building height constraints within a nearby FAA regulated flight path.

SSOE is performing substantial FEL design to address all major code and safety considerations and resolve multiple design variables to define and provide cost certainty to the facility scope and enable funding approval by the parent company board in Asia. Based on the strength of that design process, NPAC will be able to evaluate and include substantial process controls upgrades in the design basis which will substantially improve product consistency, product quality, and employee safety.

Related to the building envelope, in addition to architectural design, SSOE’s facilities team is providing civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering including fire protection services. NPAC hopes to achieve LEED status for the project and design is ongoing in accordance with pursuit of LEED certification.

Streamlining steel package delivery with BIM2Fab® Steel

To meet the aggressive project schedule, SSOE plans to leverage our BIM2Fab Steel services, an innovative application of virtual design technology that seamlessly integrates steel design and fabrication to deliver exceptional quality. BIM2Fab Steel offers multiple advantages, from minimized risk to reduced cost and schedule—in this case, compressing the schedule by at least 4 weeks and saving NPAC time, trouble, and money in the process. Our BIM2Fab Steel models save weeks on construction schedules and can be used for clash detection and coordination across trades, ensuring a cleaner, better delivered finished product.

In close collaboration with the client and steel fabricators, SSOE’s BIM2Fab Steel team can release fabrication-ready drawings just days, as opposed to weeks, after design documents are released. SSOE will supply detail and erection sheets as well as CNC files for automated fabrication machines, further cutting down the time required to deliver structural members to the field.

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Two-Level Elementary School

 Mountain View Elementary School is a 144,000-square foot two-level facility that is replacing the district’s existing elementary school.

Upgraded Instructional Units

The elementary school expanded to 63 instructional units, 53 of those for Kindergarten through 5th grade classrooms. Other instructional units include a cafeteria and kitchen, gymnasium, media center, two computer labs, two art labs, and two music labs.

16-Acre Site

The replacement school is nestled on a 16-acre site which includes parking for 155 cars, a separate queuing area for buses and car pick-up, a playfield with track, two playgrounds, and two play courts.

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Ascend Elements, a leading provider of sustainable battery material solutions, began construction on its new EV battery recycling and engineered materials manufacturing facility. Known as Apex 1, this 140-acre campus in Hopkinsville will produce sustainable EV battery precursor (pCAM) and battery-ready cathode active materials (CAM) for up to 250,000 EVs annually.

SSOE initially conducted site and utility evaluations for Ascend Elements’ new flagship facility. SSOE supported the evaluation of potential sites for the new campus and provided a comprehensive evaluation that aided the client in selecting a site. During Front End Loading (FEL), SSOE developed a site layout to include process, packaging, warehousing, office buildings, a preliminary project schedule, and an execution plan. Our comprehensive team for this phase included architectural, civil, structural, process, mechanical (HVAC / plumbing), piping, electrical, instrumentation and controls, and estimating.

Throughout the design phase, SSOE worked with Ascend Elements and their process technology provider to create an efficient overall process design while exploring engineering alternatives to enhance project value. With Ascend Elements’ foreign OEM / technology provider, SSOE conducted evaluations of equipment and design specifications to ensure compliance with all U.S. codes and standards. This involved regular meetings and continuous BIM / CAD coordination.

SSOE collaborated with the Turner Construction Company / Kokosing Industrial joint venture to create the detailed design for this groundbreaking facility. Based on a design / build contract arrangement, the project benefited Ascend Elements by optimizing contractor-assisted design and Lean deliverables tailored precisely to the contractor’s requirements. This accelerated megasite project engaged 13 firms and more than 250 users across multiple countries. Lean leadership and real-time information reduced rework through a suite of tools, including Autodesk Construction Cloud, that virtually replicated co-location for an environment of collective efficiency.

This further enhanced the project’s success by streamlining information sharing across all parties, earning SSOE the Autodesk Design & Make AEC Best Construction Project Award in 2023. As a new player in the battery market, Ascend Elements trusted SSOE because of our established resources to deliver a project of this sheer magnitude, solidified by our agility in adapting to project execution throughout a dynamic, fast-track schedule.

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Marking a key development in their North American expansion, YKK AP American Inc. selected SSOE to design the company’s new manufacturing facility in Macon, Georgia. The 400,000 SF space marries SSOE’s industrial and architectural expertise on a greenfield site to a new client.

As the North American arm of the global YKK AP group of companies, YKK AP America needed a space in the U.S. to produce residential vinyl windows, bringing extrusion, production, fabrication, glass, and lamination together under one roof. SSOE partnered with JE Dunn Construction Group to bring the facility to life. Serving as a model for future North American manufacturing facilities, the $125 million plant signifies a recommitment to the community of Macon that has supported YKK AP’s residential business since it was first established in the United States.

Investments in automation were made to improve production capacity, product consistency, and employee safety. Additionally, the facility is scalable to accommodate additional automation, increased capacity, and future business and product expansion strategies.

The new manufacturing facility was built to enhance the day-to-day employee experience. Approximately 12,000 SF of office space features natural lighting including tubular skylights to help draw natural light to the back of the office. The main conference room features a tapestry piece showcasing the client’s residential windows. Outdoors, the plant also has a walking trail and a flexible court that can be used for basketball or pickleball. There are spaces outside the breakroom for exterior dining that can also serve as an event space.

When the project began, the client did not know how much office space was required. Through value engineering, SSOE was able to provide the client $9.2 million in Value Promise. The team was able to right-size the office space from 30,000 SF to 12,400 SF yielding $4,300,000 in construction cost savings, $100,000 in office design cost savings, and approximately $241,155 in annual operating cost savings over a 20-year period.

Right-sizing the office space for the client’s needs yielded $9.2 million in project savings.

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Discovery Life Sciences (DLS) hired SSOE for the laboratory programming and planning for a new building to be located at their Huntsville, Alabama discovery center. DLS was looking to consolidate multiple laboratories under one roof to increase efficiency and modernize their laboratory spaces.

SSOE’s planning expert collaborated with the client user groups to create a program and optimized program customized to fit their unique needs. Working alongside the eight different laboratory user groups, the SSOE team generated a program that included space for a planned 25 percent growth across each of DLS’s business units.

After right-sizing DLS’s program, SSOE’s planning team created adjacency diagrams and blocking diagrams to plan out where different business units needed to be located within the building. One area that necessitated special consideration was the bio-repository, which needed to be centrally located within the building due to the potential risk of damage from natural disasters.

SSOE generated a program that consisted of just over 90,000 SF, utilizing a modular planning concept to allow future flexibility and adaptability. Laboratory spaces include wet research labs, a cleanroom, a BSL-3 laboratory, and genomics spaces.

The project’s flexibility and adaptability were tested when the genomics program director changed just as our team was finalizing construction documents. We swiftly pivoted, transforming the genomics space from an open lab into three separate labs, complete with anterooms and pass-throughs to accommodate the product

The genomics sequencing rooms house 30 sequencers, each of which emits a significant amount of heat. To address this, our team meticulously planned the space, incorporating specialized cooling and exhaust systems. These systems are connected to emergency power, ensuring that there will be no interruption to services in the event of a power outage.

Additional spaces include a cell services and processing lab, infectious disease, proteomics lab, donor center, immunohistochemistry services lab, histology, pathology lab, specialized biorepository for tissue samples in freezers, paraffin and slide-based samples, and shipping and receiving logistics room.

SSOE worked with the DLS to select the laboratory equipment and coordinated with equipment suppliers to ensure the required infrastructure was integrated to support the selected equipment. This project led to subsequent initiatives with DLS that persist to this day.

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SSOE was selected to design a new, state-of-the-art training center for the Electric Vehicle (EV) market. The center, a collaboration between Hyundai Motor Group (Hyundai), The Technical College System of Georgia (TSCG), and Georgia Quick Start, is located adjacent to the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) facility and is poised to train the next generation of EV experts and innovators. Helping to solidify Georgia’s position as a national leader in EV manufacturing, the facility will support Hyundai’s first dedicated Electric Vehicle mass-production plant in the U.S. and promote Hyundai’s vision of becoming a global smart mobility solution provider.

Quick Start, a division of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) is Georgia’s internationally acclaimed workforce training program. SSOE and its partners designed the innovative 90,000 SF training center to further Quick Start’s mission by providing spaces that are highly functional, adaptable, and supportive of a dynamic organization, built on 50 years of experience, with a nurturing team-oriented culture.

The training center will feature technologies such as CAD, BIM, and virtual reality as well as classrooms, technical labs, and high-bay spaces. The space will contain manufacturing-scale training simulations incorporating robotics, mechatronics, welding, motors, and other advanced manufacturing technologies to simulate the EV production environment and prepare the trainees for success.

SSOE applied its expertise and experience in the EV market to deliver a cost-effective, high-quality solution for the client. The building is anchored by respecting the site’s geometry and the HMGMA factory context. Transitioning between the landscape architecture and the building are two courtyards of two distinct characters. The north courtyard serves as the main entrance to the facility and is active, welcoming, and dynamic, with trellis and colonnades as contemporary interpretations of the Southeast Georgia coastal vernacular. The south courtyard is intended to provide a quieter area of respite where staff and trainees can recharge and prepare for the day’s assignments.

Project completion is slated for late 2025 and will support the creation of more than 8,000 jobs in the EV industry.

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HCW Biologics needed to grow its operation and turned to SSOE to scale up. The client is transitioning from research and development to clinical trials for oncological and age-related medicine. With our Design-Build partner BE&K, SSOE provided full-service programming and planning, architecture, and engineering for the renovation of a 40,000 SF existing office, and warehouse space to be repurposed as laboratories, cGMP production spaces, warehouse, and support spaces.

Through workshops and collaboration with the scientific staff, our team generated a flexible and adaptable research laboratory. We worked with the client to develop their new production facility and guided the client through the development of their manufacturing procedures and established a Quality Assurance / Quality Control process.

Because the pharmaceutical industry is repatriating the drug manufacturing process, SSOE understood the client’s need to fast-track this project. Our national lab planner worked with HCW Biologics to ensure we were not repeating their smaller-scale configuration. Instead, we listened to the client to know what did and did not work in their limited operation to provide a more successful spatial arrangement in the designs for the larger operation.

SSOE designed spaces for specialty research labs including bioreactor, process, and microbiology, in addition to tissue culture and research laboratories. The new 5,000 SF cGMP cleanroom environment includes ISO 7 production labs and an ISO 6 sterile filling suite.

Finally, the project also included the addition of a new 1,000 SF vivarium space that is supplemental to animal holding including procedure rooms, isolation, and support spaces to facilitate vivarium operations. SSOE provided programming, planning, architecture, interior design, fire alarm, fire protection, technology, and structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and process engineering for the project. Construction will be completed in March 2024.

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SSOE’s design of vehicle and powertrain manufacturing facilities returned more than the total fee in construction savings when compared to the competition’s design for the same facility.

Toyota has utilized SSOE as their trusted A/E partner of choice since 1999. SSOE’s structural department has consistently designed facilities for Toyota that could be constructed for less than any of their competition in the market place, regularly designing much closer to the actual service factor. SSOE consistently delivers on schedule for Toyota, and the number of errors and omissions experiences is much lower than what they had seen with their previous engineering services providers.

With these factors in mind, it was an easy decision for Toyota to select SSOE to provide the design to double the size of their automobile manufacturing plant in Princeton, Indiana and for their greenfield facilities in San Antonio, Texas and Tupelo, Mississippi.

In Indiana, having gained an understanding of Toyota’s goals and needs from previous projects in France, SSOE provided architectural / engineering services for an addition to the existing factory space to double the assembly plant.

In Texas, SSOE provided the facility design for a greenfield truck assembly plant on a 2,000-acre site that included suppliers. SSOE also provided on-site engineering staff to Toyota’s Owner’s Representative Office (ORO) to support the construction efforts and coordinate the design documents during construction phases.

In Mississippi, SSOE performed the master planning and design of the plant, as well as provided on-site engineering staff to Toyota’s Owner’s Representative Office (ORO) to support the construction efforts and coordinate the design documents during construction phases.

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Gleeds is a leading global property and construction consultancy company, helping businesses and investors achieve the best value from their assets. With over 130 years of experience, their impartial intelligence is key to helping clients achieve their projects on budget, on time, and to an exceptional quality. SSOE was selected to help Gleeds create a new workplace that was welcoming and where their clients, employees, and co-consultants could be both productive and comfortable. The new space supports collaboration and is innovative with smart AV and remote technologies.

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Ford, our oldest client and one of America’s top electric vehicle brands, recently awarded SSOE the design of a new assembly plant—named the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center, part of Ford’s BlueOval City manufacturing complex—which resides on the West Tennessee Regional Megasite. This exciting new complex will become a vertically integrated ecosystem where Ford will assemble its next electric truck and batteries for future Ford and Lincoln vehicles.

Together with Walbridge as our construction partner, we’re executing the project under a design / build contract. In addition to the 4 million SF building design, we’ve been chosen as the engineer of record for the entire site design of the 4,000-acre mega campus. Our full scope of work includes preconstruction documents and detailed engineering as well as construction administration. Our team used the most innovative technology available to provide regular updates throughout the design process, with major deliverables scheduled out in advance for reviews and contractor use.

At its peak, SSOE assembled a dedicated team of more than 60 full-time employees to support the detailed design phase of the project. A project win for SSOE in several ways, this complex will also significantly support electric vehicle production in the Southeast U.S. and create close to 6,000 new jobs in Tennessee. Groundbreaking took place in May 2022 and Ford plans to begin production at BlueOval City in 2025.

On-Site and Full Circle
Our work on the West Tennessee Regional Megasite—formerly known as the Memphis Regional Megasite—actually dates back to 2007. SSOE worked with the State of Tennessee to develop the site and provided ongoing support as potential clients evaluated it. We were also involved with water and wastewater infrastructure projects specific to the site for over a decade. Worthy of note, SSOE provided the civil design of Ford’s BlueOval roundabout, an idea we presented to the client that makes Ford’s signature emblem shape—originally used to advertise Ford as the “hallmark for reliability and economy”—visible from the air.

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SSOE is proud to be Toyota’s engineering and design services provider for their BEV production facility on their 1,800-acre campus in Liberty, North Carolina. The new Toyota battery campus is currently in the design phase and will be constructed in phases over the next several years. This important investment for the Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina mega site further extends the 20+ year successful relationship between Toyota and SSOE.

SSOE is providing architecture, engineering, and on-site technical staff for the ambitious build, currently approximately 2.5 million SF of design is under construction. At full buildout, the project scope includes multiple BEV production lines with associated support buildings. In addition, Toyota continues to explore new energy savings opportunities for battery production at the campus in an effort to reach their long-term goal of carbon neutrality for its vehicles and operations by 2050.

Toyota’s robust campus vision includes the potential for a childcare facility, healthcare facility, and fitness center with associated outdoor sport courts. Adjacent to the team member amenities a park-like setting containing walking paths and green space is also under consideration.

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SSOE completed the redesign and historic rehabilitation of the empty David T. Howard School, once attended by notable African American luminaries such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., into a modern middle school in the heart of Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood.

The $52 million project, which began in early 2017, includes an administrative wing based on an originally designed element that was never built, a four-level classroom addition, media center, auditorium, music wing, and kitchen and cafeteria.

The design team’s approach focused on the existing plan diagram to ensure the building’s historic features were maintained. The new addition connects to the existing building with elements that keep the existing building’s brick visible and joins all the building’s components.

The school is a four-story concrete frame building with brick cladding. The floor plan is a simple “U” shape with corridors connecting the classroom wings. The main entrances along the bottom of the “U” are also identified by decorative brick and stone details. The existing classroom building reflects the original layout as much as possible, and the new classroom wing consists of core, science, and music classrooms; the kitchen and cafeteria; and an auditorium.

SSOE designed a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) HVAC system with 100% outdoor air for the classroom portions of the building, including the historic building. The VRF system allowed the design team to minimize ductwork in the classrooms and maintain the existing high ceilings in the historic classrooms and corridors. Because the VRF outdoor units weigh less than conventional systems, the design team was able to minimize structural modifications to the historic building, saving cost and time. The areas served by VRF are paired with packaged roof top dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) with energy recovery. The new DOAS and VRF HVAC systems designed for the project will save energy over the years to come and contribute to an optimal indoor environmental quality for the students and staff and give each space served the ability to control space environmental conditions.

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Originally built in the early 1950s by Atlanta architect James C. Wise, the post-war efficiency apartment building has been restored to its previous mid-century modern style after previous renovations converted the building into senior housing and condominium units. Located near Buckhead Village, the SSOE design team transformed the condominium units into a 216-key hotel that now features a restaurant and bar, courtyard dining, a private pool, and a rooftop lounge.

As part of this historic renovation, the original corridors and circulation cores were maintained, and the 216 guestrooms were configured to closely align with the footprint of the initial 1950’s apartments. The existing single-pane aluminum windows were refurbished, and large openings in the brick façade that had been cut-in for HVAC units were carefully toothed back. The entire exterior received a fresh coat of white paint, with light gray accentuating the horizontal elements of concrete brows and sills that trim the windows. At the rooftop, the previous deck was expanded by converting an abandoned mechanical penthouse into a colorful bar venue with roll-up doors and sweeping views of the Buckhead neighborhood.

The preservation of expansive landscaped areas, dining patios, and secret gardens surround the property, each with substantial hundred-year oak and magnolia trees providing canopy above. The seclusion offers a respite from the bustle of Buckhead, yet the property still engages with the urban fabric through the addition of two grand stairs connecting the sidewalk to the south entrance, which is under an existing concrete canopy. A restaurant occupies the same space as one did through the 1970s, with a new romantic dining patio overlooking East Paces Ferry.

The new porte-cochere on the east façade protects hotel guests’ arrival with a prominent steel and polycarbonate canopy inspired by angled canopies of the mid-century modern era. Guests enter through the original vestibule with new stained-glass windows and are met with an inviting living room area featuring a fireplace and views into the courtyard bar. That “secret garden” provides covered dining beneath a steel canopy and pergola, or intimate seating arrangements interspersed throughout the winding landscape paths.

The Kimpton Sylvan Hotel is an award-winning project for adaptive reuse and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

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SSOE worked with Delta Air Lines on the renovations to its administrative headquarters lobby and café.

Enhancing Delta’s Brand & Image

Creating an exciting and inspiring first impression for visitors, a space for employees to recharge, and a place to celebrate the heritage of a great company were several goals of the lobby and Woolman Café renovation project. The project supports Delta Air Lines in employee recruitment and retention while drastically enhancing its brand and image. By incorporating natural lighting, furniture selection, finishes and materials, artwork, lighting, and graphics, the newly renovated lobby / café spaces accommodate five services brands, doubled the seating capacity, and demonstrates Delta’s story in a sophisticated and progressive design.

New Hub of Collaboration

The lobby and café work together to create a new employee hub for collaboration, technology, and mobility as well as access to employee amenities including a clinic, fitness center, pharmacy, meeting rooms, and central elevator core for the building. While the lobby addressed Delta’s story, heritage, and visitor reception, the café’s vision is a positive influence on all who encounter the Delta community. The design is fresh, lively, honest, and unexpectedly fun.

Thoughtful & Energized Environment

Converting the existing spaces into this thoughtful, energized environment was no easy task requiring coordination with existing building infrastructure, systems, kitchens, elevators, life safety stairs, and exits. Opening existing exterior walls with large clear windows provides views to the organization’s bustling corporate campus.

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Colorful & Bright Designs

The Lovett School Senior Student Lounge incorporates colorful and bright design elements throughout the space. The furniture selected for this space is playful and easily movable, providing maximum flexibility to accommodate various activities from casual gatherings and club meetings, to larger senior class presentations and activities.

The entrance to this space was relocated and the stair from the café space bellow was redesigned, allowing for a safer flow of traffic during the morning rush.

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Downtown Convention Center

Located in the growing Entertainment District of the Columbia region’s historic Congaree Vista, the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, South Carolina’s only downtown convention center, is a two-story, 135,000 square foot facility that is home to the Columbia Metropolitan Visitors Center, an 18,000 square foot ballroom, 75,000 square foot exhibition hall, and numerous meeting spaces.

Historic Vista Location

Designed to complement the existing Vista area design vernacular, the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center pulls together the area’s neighboring arts and entertainment venues, serving as the main focal point for large and small events.

Unique Design Elements

Working in concert with tvsdesign, SSOE used brick facades and large expanses of glass to create a more modern, high-tech facility equipped with the latest A/V and wireless technology. Future developments include a large-scale corporate hotel, alumni center, and a small hotel-based inn.

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A New Experience

Located in the Common Grounds development along Atlanta’s Eastside BeltLine trail, The Illuminarium is an immersive infotainment and event venue with an associated café with indoor and outdoor patio dining overlooking the BeltLine.

The roof was extended up by twelve feet to form two large 22-foot high “illuminarium” rooms which create immersive projected environments where visitors can walk into and through another world. The rooms can also be set up for events and a weekend bar venue which take advantage of the projection and sound technology to create enveloping environments for themed events.

SSOE worked on the Illuminarium in association with the Rockwell Group.

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In The Heart Of Downtown

Trinity Avenue Mixed-Use Housing Development will be located in downtown Atlanta, across from Atlanta City Hall at Trinity and Central Avenues. The site studied is adjacent to a public parking deck which was previously built to accommodate an additional level to support development on this property.

Bringing Housing To A Needed Area

This [conceptual] project includes a vertical expansion of an additional parking level that will connect to the residential building and remain connected to City Hall. The building will be eight (8) stories with 113,595-square feet for workforce residential units, 7,500-square feet of commercial/retail space, and a 5,500-square foot amenity courtyard.

Unique Parking Deck Amenities

Residents will be able to enjoy an 18,000-square foot roof garden on the parking deck. In addition, the parking deck will feature a Solar Harvesting Area.

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In an effort to double its current coated tablet production capacity, a leading nutraceutical manufacturer requested SSOE provide architectural, engineering, and construction management services to increase its production area by approximately 3,500 SF. SSOE led the design for simultaneous operation of two separate tablet coating processes, which included the installation of tablet coating equipment and utilities, an air handling unit with dust collector and blower, conveyor systems, a bulk unloading system, and relocation of the deionized water system. To allow for the capacity increase, SSOE designed expansions to the manufacturing area by utilizing available floor space for a new tablet coating room with auxiliary rooms for cleaning. Our structural team calculated and designed requirements to maintain structural integrity to support the new equipment.

SSOE’s structural, process / utilities, mechanical, and electrical disciplines provided a wide range of engineering services for process design and equipment layout. Our project management team developed the project budget and installation schedule, and oversaw contractor bid reviews and vendor drawing reviews. We also provided construction management services to reduce the cost of hiring a general contractor and matched hours to the project schedule requirements.

Our project team came through in the clutch by quickly adjusting to a “crash schedule” due to delayed project approval, and completed all installations by the established project completion date. In an effort to remain on schedule throughout the project duration, SSOE’s on-site construction management personnel worked weekends, holidays, and extended work week hours to make this project a success.

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SSOE has documented nearly $2 million in savings, including $1.6 million for the AMS upgrade project, $153,000 for the tray washer project, and $101,000 for the first set of conditioning rooms, corn syrup tanks, and kitchen platforms.

To keep up with consumer demand, a leading nutraceutical manufacturer needed to double its current gummy vitamin production capacity—increasing the current production area by approximately 8,200 SF. SSOE led the design for simultaneous production of multiple colors and flavors, which required modifications to the up front unit operations and an upgrade to the existing Additive Mixing System (AMS). Installation of bulk truck unloading transfer piping with heat tracing and two new 5,000 gallon corn syrup tanks was also included in the project scope. To allow for the capacity increase, SSOE designed expansions to the manufacturing area, seven new conditioning rooms, and a mezzanine to support a new heat exchanger without taking up valuable floor space. Our structural team designed safety enhancements in the kitchen areas by designing new access platforms. Additionally, SSOE designed a new COP room to accommodate new tray washing equipment to satisfy the flow of operations.

SSOE’s structural, process / utilities, mechanical, and electrical disciplines provided a wide range of engineering services for process design and equipment layout. Our project management team provided the project budget development and installation schedule, and oversaw contractor bid reviews and vendor drawing reviews. We also provided construction management services to reduce the cost of hiring general contractors and matched hours to suit the project schedule needs.

Due to delayed equipment arrival, the SSOE project team needed to quickly adjust to a “crash schedule” as the project moved toward completion. Understanding the urgency for speed to market, SSOE’s on-site construction management personnel worked weekends, holidays, and extended work week hours to meet the client’s desired completion date.

SSOE has since provided ongoing design and engineering services for this client, supporting the manufacturing of a variety of gummies including prenatal and food-based vitamins as well as fiber supplements.

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Avondale Estate’s downtown reflects its endearing 1920s Tudor Village and a mixture of commercial and residential development. In 2017, 3,500 residents held a ‘Call for Ideas’ on developing four underutilized city-owned acres, creating a heart for the downtown area and a catalyst for economic growth. SSOE provided a concept plan for a destination park with adjacent commercial development. Two two-story mixed-use buildings overlook a two-acre park designed with active and passive uses for city events, festivals, and concerts. At the site’s highest elevation, a grand terrace has outdoor dining and prime seating for events, with a sweeping view of the park. An existing road bisecting the site becomes a pedestrian-only path that, along with new pathways, increases pedestrian and district connectivity.

SSOE provided architecture and engineering services for the park portion of the project as part of the developer-led team selected by the city. After a robust public involvement process, the team-established critical goals for the project – a flexible central gathering space with an identity that is unique. SSOE coordinated the work of all disciplines: landscape architecture, civil, lighting design, structural, and electrical engineering.

SSOE designed the Performance Pavilion, which has a stage fronting the Performance Green, covered seating facing a playground, and a decorative brick enclosure screening existing utility duct banks that are too expensive to relocate. In addition, SSOE designed the Market Pavilion, an open-air structure for events, food trucks, and farmer’s markets. Both buildings feature glulam arches that nod toward the Tudor architecture. Brick details match the Arts and Crafts style found throughout Avondale. Curved roofs and walls of the Performance Pavilion are in harmony with the winding site design.

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New Downtown Housing Development

The goal of 728 Market St. was to provide a new workforce housing development in Chattanooga, revitalizing the downtown area. Challenges of the downtown site include managing space constraints, addressing wind loads, providing light / views, and offering a product the market would positively respond to.

Mix Of Units

This project includes 125 residential units, of which there is a 85%-15% mix of one bedrooms to two bedrooms. The units feature sliding glass doors, operable windows, LVT plank flooring, and modern kitchens with granite tops and a stainless appliance package.

Shared Elements

Residents also share an amenity space with a workout room and roof deck for entertaining. Below the seven residential levels, there are 65 parking spaces for the residents, a level of loft office space, and retail / restaurant tenants at the street level. The project is certified “LEED for Homes.”

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DS Services is about complete beverage refreshment and convenience. They are more than a manufacturer and distributor of bottled water: A leading direct-to-consumer service provider to about 1.5 million home and office locations across the country, they offer America’s preferred coffee, tea, breakroom supply, and water filtration products.

Having grown both organically and through acquisitions, their physical environment took on a fragmented quality that challenged the way DS Services wanted to connect with their people and work processes. With the opportunity to build a new workplace and headquarters, they had a vision to transform their culture, streamline their work, feature their products and services, and position their company for the future.

On entry to the Division Headquarters, the product showroom, customer solutions, and training center are in full view and enticing.   Trainees begin the day at the large ”campfire” table for bagels, coffee, and team bonding. The adjacent large matrix AV screen serves to introduce the day’s agenda, the company, products, and services.

SSOE devised a new workplace that was open, transparent, and connected. A memorable expression of the organization’s dynamic brand begins on arrival at the elevator lobby with a refreshing wash of blue light and continues to be reflected in architectural elements and brand identity references throughout. Experienced upon arrival, their two floors are visually joined with a two-story reception space and open stairway. This space serves as access to adjacent collaborative areas as well as the open work / life lounge above. Central to the arrival experience, the reception space of this customer-centric workplace features hospitality –  showcasing the services, products, and brands of the business. This theme of refreshment and hospitality continues at strategic locations throughout the workplace.

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WestRock provides their business partners a competitive advantage with game-changing developments in paper making, packaging design, and retail solutions. Their focus is insight-driven innovation, providing value and solving their partners’ biggest challenges. Having recently become a global company through acquisition, WestRock made strategic decisions to position themselves for future growth and success.

SSOE crafted a transformational workplace to support WestRock’s passionate customer focus. Believing talent, shared expertise, and out-of-the box thinking drive value for their partners, the new workplace brings together over 1,000 people from three sites. This coming-together set the stage for new synergies, lots of energy, and enhanced idea sharing. Presence and welcome happen at the building lobby, with hospitality, product display, and an Innovation Center for customized client collaboration. The experience reflects the culture of the business, its people, and their focus on innovation.

SSOE ’s design concept evolved with an enhanced user experience at its heart. Nine floors of workplace are open, connected, and inclusive, featuring agile workspaces. A mix of settings recognize the diverse range of preferences and work styles, allowing individuals to “customize” their work experience. It makes for – “a place where we can optimize our ability to deliver for our customers.” Lots of glass, open and semi-open collaborative zones and an interconnecting stair energize the atmosphere, a visual buzz and hum. The comfortable central café is a gathering spot used throughout the day, offering refreshment, social interaction, gaming, and building community.

The workplace is an authentic representation of who and what WestRock stands for as an organization and reflects their shared purpose. The space is straight-forward, practical, not fussy nor pretentious. A natural palette of concrete, wood, and metal finishes celebrate the materiality of their products. The simple beauty and geometry of folded planes, layered, and textured surfaces are found in their products and inspire the design of the workplace plan and architecture. Display of their product is integrated into the design giving teams an opportunity to share current work and prompt dialogue throughout and serves as a connecting device within the multiple floors of the workplace.

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In the business of simplifying how people work and enhancing how people live, Alight partners globally with 3,000 clients, impacting the lives of 23 million people and their families. A leading provider of benefits administration and cloud-based human capital solutions, Alight combines data-driven, consumer-centered technology with a people-centric customer experience. Alight sought a new workplace to reflect their values: Enable people to do their best work – in a simpler way – a more connected way – a more insightful way.

SSOE facilitated a discovery process that was key to understanding the varied work styles needed to meet the common goal of a team-work environment that would enable people to do their best work and strive for excellence every day. SSOE’s strategic design solution led Alight to reimagine their workplace, embrace a dramatic shift in culture, and design for the future.

The transformational new space breaks down hierarchical barriers by eliminating private offices and providing neighborhoods of open team-based space. A variety of communal spaces with touch down tables, soft seating, and integrated technology support team work and provide social connection for employees. The open work place is more efficient and reflective of the culture – sparking new possibilities, interaction, and collaboration between teams. Multiple heads-down spaces ranging in privacy levels and size provide for focused work, when needed.

The finish palette is energizing – mirroring Alight’s brand and corporate identity. The architecture reiterates this approach, including playful ceiling soffits and branded recessed lighting. The result is an emotional connection of people to brand, culture, and clients.

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With an operational “go-live” in spring 2016, this is a young company. Born out of a program focusing on bottler process and data standards for a global beverage industry giant, CONA was created to pair powerful information technology skills with an equally strong understanding of their bottlers’ businesses.

“By the bottlers for the bottlers”. This team is transforming their industry, using technology and engaged customer collaboration, to drive change from “standardization” to “an innovation factory.” Growing and evolving, the group wanted a workplace that would “express a company identity that we own,” as well as engage and celebrate their bottlers and showcase their own deep IT expertise.

Expressing, “our defined culture is a work in progress” the client wanted a flexible, fun environment, emphasizing their connection with their clients. A place that would “help us get our work done” and “thrive for years to come.” They needed places for deep, meaningful, client collaboration as well as “labs” on site, to develop customized and innovative technology solutions. A “technology company,” at the leading edge of agile work processes, this nimble group frequently flexes in size, by potentially up to 50% with the addition of project specific contractors.

SSOE took an industrial, “bottling plant aesthetic” as inspiration to continuously reinforce this connection with their partners. Understanding the end game in everyone’s success is the people enjoying those beverages, we tapped into a theme of “where do you enjoy your drink?” We developed a design concept based on “neighborhoods” of work flow, creating diverse settings that enrich their people’s daily experience. Each neighborhood fosters their blossoming company identity and helps shape the emerging culture by integrating places that express their spirit and build community.

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This is a reboot for BrightWave : A combination of award winning work, innovative approaches to problem solving, and flat out crushing client success metrics are leading them to a higher caliber of client, spend, and employee. This leading e-mail and eCRM agency is “full steam ahead” in scaling the agency. BrightWave saw the need for a new workplace that would be an upgrade: A genuine, unique, elevated workplace that talks to employees and activates pride and cultural drive.

SSOE created a new workplace to work hard, establish new traditions, and have fun. These are spaces that encourage working together in a genuine, informal, and relaxed atmosphere that is “very chill”. Welcome and hospitality start at the front door with a space for: all-hands agency meetings supported with Apple TVs; catered lunch for all; entertainment events with hospitality for 50 to 60; wine and keg bar, self-help food and beverage service; and a variety of individual and booth seating which doubles as informal collaborative and individual work all day long.

BrightWave employees are typically millennials, 65% female, agile, ambitious, flexible, quick learners, and sophisticated experts. SSOE devised a variety of workspaces that engage this work culture: space for quiet thinking and spontaneous collaboration, individual heads down sit/stand workstations for flexible teams, stand up tables with big writable wall surfaces, and large Apple TVs to talk about their in-progress and showcase work.

A sense of fun infuses the space by referencing the nautical influence of the BrightWave brand: finishes and furniture selections subtly participate as well as a signal flag motif – conference and pitch rooms are named for mythical sea monsters. The brand in the space is the ambiance. The story telling and product is in screen content throughout the space.

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A global consulting firm, Russell Reynolds uses data and analytics, across industries and geographies, combined with expertise, to create the insights that prepare their clients for what’s next. An established entity, Russell Reynolds grew from conservative banking roots, but recent rebranding recognized “we’ve come so far from that.”

Russell Reynolds has evolved into an innovative, trusted advisory that delivers better results for clients, with a personal touch. The Atlanta team wanted a forward-looking workplace, reflecting the organization differentiators, while embracing this locality, it’s people and their preferences.

“We grow up our talent.” The Atlanta offices’ expertise includes technology, financial services, and executive recruitment. The nature of their work is primarily individual, focused, and confidential. Remote collaboration globally among colleagues – “more than the person next door,” connects resources and drives solutions. Working independently all day, they wanted an environment that intuitively fosters informal connectivity with their Atlanta colleagues, in relaxed and social settings. A dynamic group, the team wanted a visible energy and hum that expressed their attitude, even more important since their work is private and heads down.

SSOE’s design concept evokes a “Southern Modern” aesthetic that is both warm and sleek.  A centralized arrival, visually connected to adjacent collaborative settings and intersecting primary circulation, is welcoming, bright, and active. Introducing familiar “southern” details and materials, like shiplap and slate, reinterpreted with a modern take, we created a comfortable, but polished feel. Informal and familiar venues like the “front porch” and the “library”, occur throughout, creating “destination experiences,” encouraging people to work outside of their office at times. To build community and energy, we placed the “kitchen” at a prominent corner, overlooking the vibrant Midtown neighborhood, that people gather and circulate through all day. With 80% of their team in private offices, use of glass provides an environment that’s acoustically private but visual transparent. Focus + Connectivity + Community, Russell Reynolds’ new workplace captures the distinct elements of their success: high performance and high touch.

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The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency for the ten county Atlanta region. With an opportunity to relocate their headquarters, The ARC sought a new, creative, and dynamic workplace that would invest in the organization, attract new talent, encourage an evolving culture, and reflect the forward thinking and innovative aspects of what they do.

SSOE responded to the challenge and devised a hip, creative, and forward-thinking, urban lab. A workplace that enables high performance and innovative problem solving, inspires forward-thinking collaboration, as well as creates a memorable encounter and experience. A space that allows people to visualize the ARC’s success and understand that” we are thought leaders…smart people with great data and ideas –  we make a difference.

Newly located in a downtown high-rise building, the workplace required multiple floors in the building’s tower, a street-level conference center- available to public and regional entities, and a street level reception lobby, giving brand presence and street-cred.

SSOE designed tower workplace floors featuring arrival zones or “main streets” which provides bicycle and locker storage, incidental meeting, and touch-down areas. Collaborative areas and work-life lounges are focal points at each end of the “main street”. Open work stations and collaborative areas are accessed from the arrival zone. Glass enclosed meeting and collaborative rooms flank the work stations. The workplace is collegial…like a university…agile…new and emerging …a regional resource. The new space has a minimal number of offices and provides an open work environment. Writable walls and integrated technology is present throughout – enabling brainstorm sessions, knowledge exchange, and collaborative solutions.

SSOE reinforces the concept of urban lab, with a visual image that is dynamic in it’s juxtaposition of refined and unfinished elements – reflecting the on-going work of the organization. The concept is further revealed with exposed steel columns, exposed-deck ceilings, suspended acoustical ceiling elements, and a sealed concrete floor. The workplace boasts an eclectic artful dimension in a variety of multiple area rugs in playful graphic patterns and the work of urban street artists featured on walls and sliding panels throughout the space.

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The Shopping Center Group (TSCG), headquartered in Atlanta, is a large, retail-only real estate company, with national reach, providing a full assortment of advisory services to tenants, landlords, developers, investors, and financial institutions. Real estate experts in an exciting and competitive industry, they love what they do and have fun doing it together. Growing and evolving, and in a market sector that “gets” experience, they wanted their workplace to be one, for their people.

TSCG recognizes their people and culture drive the company’s success. Renewing their lease, in a tower overlooking Atlanta’s new SunTrust stadium, where the Braves play, TSCG decided to renovate in place. A focused, informal, and fun team, their goal was an environment their people want to work and “play” together in, not only as colleagues but also as friends. SSOE’s design concept is inspired by the nature of their work: Retail is fun, social, therapeutic, interactive, entertaining, relaxing, cool, welcoming, attractive, business!

SSOE’s response to the client’s goals was to rethink how their space was allocated. Mobility, work processes and people’s current preferences being different seven years later, we identified ways to reinvent environment and attitude. Looking for optimal connection points at arrival and throughout the day, we focused on “high impact” opportunities to create a fresh, informal, and current vibe. A “branded” arrival brings together

Relaxed and varied get-together venues, refreshment, and a decidedly cool style, speak to TSCG’s culture. A new, spacious work-life lounge, with ping-pong, foosball and a swing, is their “’hang out” space where the team comes together to work, relax, and refresh. The workplace is a visual expression of who they are and what they do. Without a doubt they have fun doing it.

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When Rheem Manufacturing decided to co-locate several business units for the first time, the vision was a space that would celebrate and facilitate a new transformative culture. The new Rheem Water Division Headquarters enables more meaningful collaboration between employees and customers with real-time, hands-on demonstrations and problem solving, and an interactive showcase of the company’s forward-thinking and innovative new products.

SSOE’s design provided a dynamic workplace, training, and customer solution. It facilitates success in support of evolving product technology, user interface, customer demographic, brand, and company culture, which encourages down-stream acceptance of more sophisticated products and technologies. This interactive facility is a key tool in enabling Rheem’s evolution from an engineering-based product company to an end-user focused company — a company evolving from a wholesale to a retail strategy.

Products are physically displayed nearby on multiple “display platforms” for a unique hands-on introduction and instructional space. Hospitality bars flank the space for breakfast, snacks, and lunch service throughout the training day. Trainees experience a hands-on “live-fire” lab where products are taken apart and reassembled, and where trouble-shooting exercises can occur. A glass-enclosed training room completes the experience.

The new workplace provides more efficient and collaborative work processes that promote a transition from departmental to cross-functional teams. A sense of community is further supported with integrated come-together spaces.

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SSOE came on board to help Norfolk Southern reimagine their 12-story tower, located at the crossroads of Atlanta’s vibrant Midtown neighborhood. Their goal was a dynamic, employee-focused, workplace to engage their people and reflect their innovative, expressive, high-tech future. Norfolk Southern wanted to connect the office with field operations and it’s frontline
sense of urgency.

Norfolk Southern’s brand statement “One Line – Infinite Possibilities,” inspired our design of a unified workplace aligned with the company’s cultural and operational aspirations. Arrival at each floor opens to a high energy, colorful, and connected vibe, as “the line” tracks to communal, collaborative, and individual work zones.

A comfortable, collegial work-life lounge, conceived as “The Roundhouse,” anchors refreshment, informal gathering, and meeting rooms. An open ceiling, sleek pendant lighting and acoustical “box cars,” that hover at standup tables, form an active ceiling. A new take on a railway trellis, strong finish palette, and just a touch of safety yellow, combine in a lively way that brings the field into the office.

As a nod to their storied past, SSOE reinterpreted vintage photos from Norfolk Southern’s archives to create high-impact, artistic wall graphics. A holistic approach to wellness includes a fitness center, healthy food choices, ergonomic furniture, updated building mechanical systems and more. Diverse activity settings, increased collaborative seats, access to privacy, and leading-edge technology foster teamwork, workplace satisfaction, and productivity.

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Novelis’ goal for their project was clear: “We want a workplace that makes people feel, “I want to be a part of this.” SSOE delivered on this with an emphasis on connecting global resources, unifying culture, and leveraging expertise to bring together Novellis’ Global headquarters and North American headquarters in a new 125,000 SF workplace, at a premier Atlanta
address.

SSOE’s enduring partnership with Novelis began with this project, interpreting their vision into an evocative environment. We developed a holistic expression of their brand, positioning the company to attract the dynamic team they sought, locally and globally, to build an innovative, result-oriented culture. The “wow” factor begins at arrival, with a soaring volume, open, interconnecting stair, a hub of glass collaborative settings and sightlines into a glowing Customer Solution Center. The use of aluminum, a sleek, machined aesthetic, and abundant daylight are tangible expressions of the Novelis tagline: “Lighter, Brighter, Better”.

SSOE’s design concept encourages flow within the facility, offering unique “draw points” such as a centrally located community lounge with stocked snacks and game room. To promote a strong team culture, we focused on visual openness using lots of glass and flexible space allocations, allowing teams to reconfigure themselves. A mix of collaborative settings, all with integrated technology, link global colleagues seamlessly, reinforcing “a sense of being part of the whole, of something bigger.” The Novelis’ Global Leadership Center, that welcomes high-potential team members from around the world, is strategically located adjacent to the executive team, sending a clear message: there’s no “ivory tower.”

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The Coca-Cola Company’s commitment to innovation sparked the development of Coca-Cola Technology Plaza. Enabling their people to collaborate, create, and accelerate productivity through technology inspired this workplace. The client’s goal was to integrate the IT organizations of the Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Refreshments, bringing together over 2,000 people in 275,000 SF to enhance collaboration, share knowledge, and invent. The design team partnered with the client to explore and optimize IT-centric work styles, culture, and work processes. We worked with a broad group of internal stakeholders at both companies, including business unit leaders, HR, Marketing, Change Management and not least of all, IT.

SSOE managed the design and consultant team resources to deliver well-integrated solutions in an accelerated format, completing design and construction of the project in 12 months. A close to 50/50 split between FTE’s and contractors, combined with highly mobile and agile teams, resulted in the development of a free-address alternate workplace strategy. This design fosters their informal culture, full of spontaneous collaboration, intense periods of individual work, spirited engagement, comraderie, and refreshment. A variety of live-work lounges at arrival and prime circulation points connect people. Interaction happens in open benching zones, as well as semi-private “pagodas” that bridge to fully enclosed work settings. This diversity of spaces was essential to optimizing how their people work, giving individuals and teams a choice of tools and environment. The design team interpreted the iconic Coca- Cola brand in ways that infuse energy, tap into the magic of Coca-Cola, and make you smile.

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SSOE provided architectural design, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and LEED® and energy modeling services on this new 25,000 SF North Warehouse and Distribution Center for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). This new space now consolidates all warehousing efforts onto the National Institute of Health (NIH) campus, not only increasing security, but eliminating the need for off-site leasing facilities.

The client’s goal was to design and construct the facility as a source basis Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB), a building that produces enough renewable energy to off-set its total source energy consumption on an annual basis. Net zero buildings are recognized worldwide as one of the highest aspirations in energy performance in the built environment. Creating a net zero building requires two basic steps. The first step is to increase energy efficiency through efficient building construction, efficient systems and appliances, operations and maintenance, and changes in user behavior. The second step is to address the remaining energy needs with on-site renewable energy generation. SSOE helped the NIEHS achieve both of these.

Since Title IV mandates that federally owned and operated facilities include LEED, the SSOE team not only designed a NZEB for this project, they also had to achieve LEED compliance for the systems used in the building. While the minimum acceptable certification level for the project was LEED Gold, the project team was able to achieve LEED Platinum in early October 2018. Additionally, the facility is the only NZEB in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Based on the calculations from the energy model, the project will save the client 157,000 kWh/year or approximately $12,381 year.

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Design-Build Engineering

As part of the design-build team with Turner Construction Company, our firm provided architectural and structural engineering design services for the SPLOST IV Capital Improvement Program.

Multi-Purpose Space

The new two-level classroom building addition includes eight standard classrooms along with one large multipurpose space that can be subdivided into two smaller rooms. The lower level, opens to an existing exterior courtyard and the area between the new buildings and existing facility is covered with a continuous canopy.

Design Balance

Designed with the surrounding community in mind, the 4/5 Academy addition respects the scale of the adjacent residential neighborhood.

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Architectural & Structural Design

As part of the design-build team with Turner Construction Company, our firm provided architectural and structural engineering design services for the SPLOST IV Capital Improvement Program.

Eight Classroom Addition

The new eight classroom building addition at Oakhurst Elementary School includes demolition of an existing kindergarten wing and the redevelopment of site utilities. Additional work includes new parking, storm water detention system, an outdoor playground and Farm to School garden area.

Located in an established residential neighborhood, the Oakhurst addition was designed with the surrounding community in mind. The addition is compatible with the scale of the surrounding residential neighborhood.

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New Home of Georgia’s Judicial Branch

The State of Georgia’s Nathan Deal Judicial Center is the first state-building in the history of Georgia devoted entirely to the judiciary. The seven-story, 224,500 SF facility houses the Supreme Court of Georgia, the Georgia Court of Appeals, and the newly created state-wide Business Court. This significant facility was designed to complement the State Capitol Building (Edbrooke and Burnham built circa 1889) and expand the Capitol Hill District across from Capitol Avenue. SSOE partnered with Robert A.M. Stern Architects to design a facility in the classical architectural approach that symbolizes the dignity of the courts from the beginnings of the republic.

State Leadership

The placement and orientation of the building is directly on axis with the dome of the State Capitol Building and the curved façade responds to the prominent Capital Avenue, Memorial Drive, and 1-20, I-75 / 85 intersections. Like the Capitol’s Legislative Chamber, the building features a central atrium that is elliptical, 112-feet in height, and connects six floors. The Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Courtrooms open onto the atrium that also provides stunning views of Capitol Hill and Downtown Atlanta and beyond.

SSOE worked in partnership with the courts, the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission (GSFIC), the Georgia Building Authority, and the Georgia State Properties Office from programming and planning, site selection, design, and construction over 10 years to complete this historic commission. Employing energy-efficient HVAC systems, LED lighting, water-saving devices, and Georgia-sourced materials including granite and marble, the facility is one of few in Georgia to achieve a three out of four Peaches in the Georgia Peach Green Building Rating System.

“This is a magnificent architectural achievement that should evoke pride in the entire state … it embodies the ideals of our courts, as well as Governor [Nathan] Deal’s deeply personal commitment to criminal justice reform and to this great state.”

Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, U.S. Supreme Court, at Nathan Deal Judicial Center Dedication Ceremony

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The Spartanburg County Courthouse was designed by SSOE beginning in 2018, in coordination with McMillan Pazdan Smith Architects and other consultants for judicial programming, landscape and site design, and structural engineering. The building, which completed construction at the end of 2023, is approximately 340,000 SF and contain 16 courtrooms that serve the Circuit, Family, Probate, and Magistrate Courts of the County. In addition, area is provided for the many Clerk of Court operations; Sheriff security and holding spaces; office space for the Solicitor, Public Defender, Probation & Parole, Juvenile Justice, and Guardian ad Litem; and other ancillary support components.

The new courthouse was constructed on the same site as the existing Judicial Center, which remained operational throughout the construction process. When the new building construction is occupied, the existing courthouse will be demolished and the sitework will be completed. A secure judicial parking area for approximately 30 vehicles was provided. An adjacent parking garage for public and staff parking was designed and constructed and includes 600 parking spaces.

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New School Featuring District’s Innovative Programming Standards

The King Springs Elementary School is a 67 Instructional Unit replacement school that is located on the same site as the former school. The program is based on Cobb County Schools’ standards and includes Pre-K, Kindergarten, Primary (Grades 1-3), and Intermediate (Grades 4-5) classrooms, as well as a Media Center (Learning Commons Area), cafeteria/kitchen, gymnasium, and art and music programs.

Reducing the Footprint to Work with Existing Site  

Due to the limited area of the existing campus, the new design is configured with a three-level main classroom element that both reduces the footprint as well as works with the existing site topography. Site amenities include two play areas as well as a separate play field, separate parent and bus parking, and queuing areas.

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Historic Rehabilitation

The project is a historic rehabilitation of the Charleston Cigar Factory, a Victorian industrial building built circa 1882 as the Charleston Cotton Mills. In 1903, the plant was leased to the American Cigar Company which operated the factory until 1973.

Mixed-Use Redevelopment

The scope of the project was to rehabilitate the existing 230,000 SF building into a mixed-use development including 50,000 SF of retail restaurant and event spaces, and 180,000 SF of authentic loft office space.

Restoring Appearance

Preservation and rehabilitation efforts focus on restoring the look of the building to its historic appearance while adapting the interior to contemporary usage. This includes the demolition of several large modern additions, removal of brick-infilled windows and inappropriate glazing, restoration of original windows surrounds, and new energy-conserving operable windows that replicate historic construction. At ground level, a retail promenade will invite public interaction with this revitalized Charleston icon.

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New Courthouse Facility

SSOE, in association with Justice Planning Associates and Goforth-Brown & Associates, was selected to design the new Florence County Judicial Center. Located directly across the street from the existing County Administration Building, the building features seven state-of-the-art courtrooms, a large jury assembly area, and designated public and private areas.

Three-Story Lobby & Landscaped Plaza

The spacious entry plaza and landscaped courtyard, reminiscent of a historic courthouse square, welcomes staff and visitors as they enter the facility.

Emphasis On Security

Special consideration is given to separating public traffic from a more restricted security zone, while a judges parking area is now separated from the general public. The three-story structure delineates the different functions of the county’s court system. Various support areas are easily expanded to accommodate two additional courtrooms in the future.

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Adaptive Reuse

SSOE is serving as the lead architect on the residential portion of the historic renovation and adaptive reuse of the Sears, Roebuck & Company building, located on Ponce de Leon in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood.

Urban Centerpiece

As the largest adaptive reuse project in Atlanta’s history, Ponce City Market will restore 2.1 million square feet of space, creating a vibrant urban centerpiece that combines 300,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, 450,000 square feet office space, and 259 residential units.

Numerous Residential Options

The residential units are a mix of studio, one, two, and three bedroom units with the option of a single or multi-level loft. The entire projects cost is more than $200,000,000.

The project achieved LEED Silver accreditation and “LEED for Homes” certification.

 

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Prominent Space

In support of Lanier Technical College’s mission to serve as the foremost workforce development resource in northeast Georgia the new Ramsey Conference Center fosters community engagement, enhances the student life experience on campus, and houses the Hospitality Services and Culinary Arts educational programs. The Conference Center is intended to provide much-needed exposition, conferencing, meeting, and performance space for the regional community.

Utilizing a prominent location on campus the highly efficient facility commands spectacular views of the campus, the adjacent Ramsey Lake, and surrounding foothills of the north Gainesville area. Great care was taken to align building entrances, outdoor terraces, and windows to take advantage of these views.

Venue Highlights

The building layout includes the campus bookstore accessible to students, faculty, staff, and the visiting public. The primary meeting venue is a large ballroom that is sub-dividable into up to eight (8) smaller meeting rooms. This room can support banquets of over 740 seats or lectures of up to 920 seats and is serviceable by a perimeter service corridor linking the room directly to storage, support, and the catering kitchen. Culinary Arts is supported by a large culinary arts lab and adjacent catering kitchen. The facility also includes two class / breakout rooms, a large lounge with outdoor terrace, large lobby and pre-function spaces, and a hospitality management office suite.

Pond (prime design professional), in association with SSOE, was selected to provide professional design services for the college’s new Gainesville campus. SSOE supported the overall design team by leading the Programming effort for the entire campus, leading the interior design and furnishing, fixture, and equipment (FF&E) efforts for the entire campus, and providing overall design team project management. SSOE also provided full architecture and engineering design services as Architect of Record for the Breeden-Giles Hall Administration Building, the Chris Riley Instructional Building, and the Wilbur and Dixie Ramsey Conference Center.

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New Arts & Cultural Center

SSOE was selected by the City of Lawrenceville, Georgia to design a new arts and cultural center located in the heart of the city’s Historic Downtown District. The new performing arts venue will feature a contemporary yet respectful design and will include a new state-of-the-art 500-seat mainstage theatre, Cabaret theatre, office suites, and dedicated educational spaces for classes and practice.

Dynamic Location

The new center will connect to the city’s existing Aurora Theatre, which is currently located off Pike, Clayton, and Crogran Streets. Entrance into this new facility will open onto Clayton Street and will be located directly across from the city’s Historic Gwinnett County Courthouse grounds. Upon completion, the new 500-seat mainstage will host one of the largest performing arts stage in the state of Georgia.

Growing Economic Impact

In recent years, the Aurora Theatre has been praised for its growing regional economic impact. Receiving regional, local, and national awards, the Aurora Theatre has become the second largest professional performing arts theatre in the State of Georgia.

A Note From Mrs. Judy Jordan Johnson, City Of Lawrenceville Mayor

“This exciting project continues the dynamic transformation of the Downtown area. Lawrenceville is the heart of Gwinnett and maintains a central area rich with activity for all…This [new] facility will bring the Arts community together with educational opportunities and all the other amenities that our vibrant community has to offer to create a dynamic core for Gwinnett County…We are thrilled to play the role of a lifetime in the future of our community alongside the City of Lawrenceville and Gwinnett County.”

The expansion of the Aurora Theatre, located in downtown Lawrenceville’s Historic District, will include a new 500-seat mainstage theatre, office suites, and educational / rehearsal spaces. The project also includes classroom space for Georgia Gwinnett College’s Music & Theatre studies.

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Designing For Two Separate Additions

SSOE was selected to design and develop Harrison High School’s Gym and Performing Arts Center in Cobb County School District. The project includes two separate additions; a 750-seat performing arts theater and a 3,000 seat competition gymnasium, in addition to several re-configurations of existing interior spaces, a new parking lot, new bus staging lot, and relocated tennis courts all on a challenging high school campus.

Strategic Configuration Of Space

Strategic planning of the existing configuration resulted in a layout that provided direct and contiguous access to the new program spaces. Effective use of the existing topography allowed the two-level gym to be situated so that access to the seats is on the upper level, with the court level below, with on-grade egress. Interior renovations included re-configuring the existing theater into a Black Box theater, broadcast video suite, multi-purpose music space, and connecting corridor to the new PAC addition.

 

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Catalyst For Revitalization

Beyond answering overdue programmatic needs for the County, the new Judicial Center has become a catalyst for revitalization of the city’s downtown core. By transforming a vacant parking lot into the County’s new Center for Justice, our design team was able to create a beautiful, hardscaped entry portico along North Harvin Street.

Addressing Site Challenges

Additionally, a linear park was created, which spans the setback area from East Calhoun Street southward toward East Hampton Street. Required site circulation concerns were placed well away from the public side of the courthouse. All service vehicles and courthouse traffic now share a driveway toward the northeast corner of the facility, while a small restricted parking lot was created for the judges.

Traditional Elements

Based on traditional architectural elements, the new courthouse features four courtrooms, Clerk of Court, Sheriff’s holding area, judges’ chambers, jury deliberation rooms, public areas, and security core.

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Facility Assessment Services

SSOE provided assessment services for the Department of Natural Resources to determine existing conditions and future facility upgrades at numerous lodges throughout the state. We provided complete architecture, engineering, and interior design services for the renovation to Unicoi State Park.

Interior And Exterior Renovations

Based on our initial Condition Assessment Study, renovations included entrance modifications and interior and exterior renovations to the Lodge, Conference Center, and Guest Room facilities. Landscape and hardscape improvements were also completed.

Outdoor Recreation

Unicoi State Park has a rich history, starting out as an experimental outdoor recreation research area. Its initial purpose was to study the relationship between man and the material world.

Unicoi Lodge, the flagship of all state park lodges in Georgia, is the first of several lodge renovations to occur at state parks throughout the area over the next three to five years.

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Designing For The Future

York County recently constructed a new County Administration Building at the corner of South Congaree Street and West Jefferson Street. As a part of the project, the existing one-story Ag Building, which housed several county government departments, was demolished. The new site now offers the County the opportunity to consolidate most of the office space needed for day-to-day operations including internal space for future expansion. The programmatic needs called for 80,000-square feet of area. Considering the site, the solution is a four-story building of 20,000 square feet per floor.

Matching The Historic Fabric Of The Area

The new structure takes several design clues from the existing historic Courthouse. The government center is set back from South Congress to align with the Courthouse. A generous green space is uninterrupted for the entire block. Most of the existing trees remain and were supplemented by new plantings. Due to unusual topography, the scale of the new building is seen as a three-story structure along South Congress Street. The height is consistent with neighboring buildings in the area (the Courthouse and those across the street). As the grade drops to the rear of the site, the lowest level is exposed to become a four-story façade.

Creating A Traditional Exterior

The composition of the exterior is traditional in nature and has a cast stone base, brick mid-section, and topped with a cast stone cornice. A hipped roof hides the rooftop mechanical equipment, while the colors, textures, and scale are complementary to the town’s historic Courthouse. Further site development included the re-design and expansion of the parking lot. A garden wall hides the cars from South Congress as well as the addition of trees and landscaping. A secondary lot is also located at the rear of the site. The low portion of the site accommodates site drainage and is treated as an attractive feature.

The new York County Government Center is an 80,000 square foot County Administration Building located at the corner of South Congaree Street and West Jefferson Street across from the existing historic courthouse.

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Historical Integrity

SSOE worked with state officials to renovate the historic South Carolina State House. Intermittently constructed over a period of 50 years and renovated numerous times since its completion, SSOE successfully developed a design strategy that would protect the historical integrity of the building by restoring several areas obscured by prior renovations.

Adapting Existing Drawings

Where current needs demanded further modifications to the structure, unifying elements were created by adapting existing details pulled from archived drawings and newly developed site plans completed by the design team.

In order to address concerns surrounding the building’s current requirements for life safety, the restoration also involved replacing all mechanical, electrical, and fire protection systems with top-tier, state-of-the-art designs, while also incorporating all required codes, ADA, seismic (which involved the creation of a base isolation system – the first of its kind east of the Mississippi), and fresh air requirements. Additionally, interior finishes were upgraded to reflect the history and overall brand essence of the State of South Carolina.

“Must-See” Architecture

Hailed as one of the state’s most iconic structures, this 150 year old landmark, is a cultural “must-see” and features key renovations of the Senate and House chambers and gallery, main lobby, legislative meeting room, library mezzanine, Governor’s and Lt. Governor’s office and staff areas, legislative council room and press office.

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Prestigious New Courthouse

Based on the exterior vernacular of renowned courthouse architect Robert Mills, SSOE, in association with Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott, designed Richland County’s prestigious new federal courthouse.

Spacious Central Lobby

Featuring a central lobby anchored by a rotunda, the courts surround this public axis creating a striking space, while the large, open public lobbies provide circulation areas outside the district and magistrate judge courtrooms.

 

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Traditional Elements

This 100,000 square foot courthouse is located in the heart of  Lancaster  County’s downtown Historic District. Influenced by the architectural style of famed architect Robert Mills, the building was designed using traditional elements that were incorporated throughout the body of the development.

Security Emphasis

Asked to maintain a reasonable scale to the county’s existing courthouse, the entry pavilion was highlighted with its own gable roof form, creating a more traditional entry façade. Additionally, a two-story glass curtain-wall opens up to green spaces outside while the building’s interior spaces were arranged with emphasis placed on security.

Historical Building

The Lancaster  County Courthouse features six courtrooms, Clerk of Court, Probate Court, Sheriff’s holding area, jury assembly and deliberation rooms and judge’s chambers.

A Note From Steve Willis, County Administrator

“We were very pleased with the progress of the new courthouse. The design process went smoothly and SSOE kept us in the loop regarding all aspects of design. The communication of the design-build team to the Owner was, in one word, exemplary.”

 

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Significant Gathering Place

SSOE was selected by the Georgia Building Authority to create a new outdoor civic space expanding the Capitol Hill grounds and to provide  the public a new place of demonstration or celebration. Known as Liberty Plaza, this significant public gathering space has the State Capitol Building and other State Government Buildings as its backdrop and includes installations of relocated public art promoting Georgia’s rich history.

Complementary Accents

The plaza is supported by securable ornamental fencing, robust security monitoring, and state-of-the-art irrigation systems. It utilizes a native Georgia plant palette and Georgia granites in promotion of state resources, with colors and textures selected to work in concert with the State Capitol Building.

Facilitating Access

To create this civic plaza SSOE provided full design services along with Hughes Good O’Leary Ryan as the team’s landscape architect. The scope of work included the demolition of an existing circa 1954 parking deck, the creation of the open plaza, sidewalks and street trees, and an ADA accessible ramp to connect the new plaza to the existing adjacent overhead pedestrian bridge. Plaza entrances are designed with large public crowds in mind facilitating access from the city’s rapid rail and public parking, and is supported by a new small bus stop on Capitol Avenue just south of the plaza.

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A New Headquarters

The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) constructed a new Headquarters Building on their existing property at 201 Pryor Street. The facility includes a new office building, the renovation of the existing headquarters building (originally built in the early 1900s and expanded in 1987), a new 150-space parking deck, and the creation of outdoor courtyard / collaboration spaces. The new facility faces both Trinity Avenue and Pryor Street and includes a new front door located off of Pryor Street.

Four Stories High With A New Parking Deck

The building is four stories tall with a connector to the existing building with connections at two levels. The building also shares an elevator and stair with a new parking deck which replaces their existing surface parking lot and consolidates all parking needs into their facility. The building also includes an exterior fourth-floor terrace with views of the Capitol building.

Building Accents

The parking deck is five levels with connections to the building at one, four, and five that corresponds to building levels one, two, and four. The building’s façade is red modular brick with large storefront windows on the ground level with precast arched headers. On the upper levels, punched windows have architectural precast headers, sills, and bands. The two-level connector is primarily a glazed wall system with a precast base and sill. The parking deck also has a red modular brick façade facing the street with active use office storefront openings on Level 1 and aluminum framed openings on the upper parking levels.

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Engineering Design For New Business School

SSOE’s engineering team recently completed the electrical, mechanical, structural, and civil design of the University of South Carolina’s new Darla Moore School of Business. The school features a number of flexible classrooms and conference rooms, student work spaces and administrative and faculty suites.

State-Of-The-Art Features

With more than 250,000-square feet of floor space (Levels 0 – 5), building highlights also include a five-story central courtyard and enclosed garden pavilion, as well as a 500-seat auditorium.

State’s First LEED Platinum Facility

Tasked with the goal to design, construct and commission one of the state’s first LEED Platinum buildings, the new Moore School of Business is on par to achieve Net-Zero energy use, by becoming one of the first Net-Zero Energy buildings of its kind in the southeastern United States.

First Net-Zero Energy Building

SSOE worked hand-in-hand with lead architect Rafael Viñoly, the U.S. Department of Energy and Lawrence Berkeley Labs, to design a modern, yet contemporary, state-of-the-art facility capable of generating as much energy as it will consume through the used of advanced technologies.

A Note From Debbie Brumbaugh, Chief Financial Officer And Director Of Administrative Services

“The entire SSOE team provided exceptional professional support for us throughout our project and often were the main supporters of our vision when challenges arose. Their team seemed to always retain focus on our specifications, expectations, and the intended design plan and were careful to avoid “over compromising” when differences occurred. They could be relied upon to explore and solve complicated challenges in ways that were efficient and favorable for our School.”

 

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Working Together

Working in concert with the City of Sumter’s Economic Development Board, the design team provided complete architectural, engineering, and interior design services on the renovation and additions to the new, contemporary, two-story facility.

Growing Central Business District

Located in the downtown proper of Sumter’s growing Central Business District, the facility includes work and office space for the Board’s staff and Director, as well as reception and event spaces, two state-of-the-art boardrooms, and a large conference room. The new building is bounded by E. Liberty, S. Main, Caldwell, and S. Harvin Streets, with the existing building located on a neighboring site, adjacent to the proposed new space.

Sustainable Design

Renovations to the facilities existing structure houses additional event space, a complete catering kitchen, and temporary office suites for newly relocated businesses. In addition to the proposed additions and renovations, the new building features a number of sustainable design elements that include geothermal mechanical systems, creative placemaking, and pending LEED certification.

Furthering The Mission

Originally founded in 1957 by an act of the South Carolina General Assembly, the Sumter Economic Development Board began operating independently in the mid-1990s as the leading economic development organization for those residing within Sumter County. Funded through a Public-Private-Partnership that includes Sumter County Government, the City of Sumter, and the Sumter Smarter Growth Initiative, the Board’s new building will help further the organization’s mission to increase jobs and capital investment coming into the area.

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Renovating Five State Visitor Centers

SSOE provided full architectural and engineering design services for renovations to five state park visitor centers, including retail enhancements for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Sites include Crooked River State Park in St. Marys, Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge, Mistletoe State Park in Appling, Reed Bingham State Park in Adel, and Georgia Veterans State Park in Cordele.

Creating Social Spaces

These new environments were designed to create a sense of social space, as well as an individual experience for visitors.

 

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Pre-Existing Renovation & New Construction

SSOE was hired by Bamberg County School District Two to provide Pre-Bond Referendum Conceptual Design Studies that would enable the district to renovate their pre-existing high school and construct a new Pre-K-8 facility and School District Administration and Maintenance offices.

Combined Pre-K-12 Campus

The goal – create a combined Pre-K-12 campus, or school facility, with accompanying baseball, softball, and soccer fields, tennis courts, and a new 1,500-seat football stadium, that will be able to compete with neighboring districts all while providing an environment that fosters success and sparks creativity.

Decreasing Maintenance Costs

With hopes of ultimately decreasing the district’s yearly facility maintenance costs, the proposed new campus will consist of the following: a new 75,000-square foot Pre-K-8 school with an initial core capacity of 700 students; shared kitchen area; and more than 85,000-square feet of renovations to the District’s existing high school.

The new PK-8 Elementary / Middle School and High School Renovations include more than 100,000-square feet of space.

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New Library Branch

SSOE provided architectural and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering design services for the new 25,000 SF Milton Branch Library. The project team worked closely with the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System and the community to receive input on the project.

Four-Acre Site

The four-acre wooded site features significant existing trees, large outdoor program space, drive-up materials return, and patron drop-off which is adjacent and connected to proposed pedestrian, cycling, and horse back trail system.

 

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Designing A New Home

SSOE provided architecture, engineering, and interior design services for the relocation of Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. Moving to a new site on Memorial Drive, the scope included the complete renovation of the 1950-era Pittsburgh Plate Glass Distribution Warehouse. New facilities included the 25,000 SF Family Support Center, the 45,000 SF House Crew Operations Warehouse, and a new 24,000 SF ReStore retail outlet.

Renovations For A Better Tomorrow

The 5.5-acre master plan included employee, customer, and volunteer parking, house crew trailer parking, and loading service areas. In addition to the incorporation of the new parking areas, the design complies with the Beltline Overlay District’s requirements for new sidewalks, street trees, and landscaping.

Sustainable Features

The new facilities also include several sustainable design features such as improved daylighting by way of a renovated clerestory system in the warehouse; the use of reclaimed building materials; and a Rainwater Harvesting System which stores up to 70,000 gallons of water for re-use by neighboring organization Trees Atlanta.

A Note From Don Maddox, Jr., Executive Vice President And COO Of Atlanta Habitat For Humanity

“These new facilities support our mission of making adequate and affordable housing a matter of conscience and action. During all phases of the project, SSOE demonstrated considerable skill in managing the design within the budget and meeting our timetable for moving into the new facilities. The team remained resilient and creative dealing with the [numerous] discoveries found during a very challenging renovation. [In the end] the results have been a great benefit to our staff, customers and volunteers.”

 

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High Level Of Care

Keeping in line with Prisma Health’s mission to provide patients with the highest level of care, SSOE was hired to perform a number of tenant upfits within the new Parkridge Hospital campus.

Innovative Project Design

Featuring numerous procedure and examination rooms, patient rest areas, and shared teaching and office spaces, this innovative project design combines multiple physician practices into one common layout, creating better staffing efficiencies and a more positive patient experience.

Pockets Of Activity

Additionally, the shared reception area and team centers create pockets of activity around which patient care flows.

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New Instructional Philosophy

SSOE worked with Richland School District Two to design and develop a new, PK-5 school that directly reflects the district’s latest philosophy for instructional space for an elementary school.

Accommodating 1,200 Students

Designed with an infrastructure and core functions capable of accommodating up to 1,200 students, this new facility incorporates two identical, two-story classroom wings, with flexible learning spaces, separated by core Administrative and Media Center functions. A separate, central wing houses the school’s cafeteria, multi-purpose room, and art and music classrooms, while each floor of each educational wing includes a spacious Collaborative Commons Area.

Challenging Site

The sloping site, which features wooded wetlands on two sides, also includes separate parent vehicle drop-off access to an adjacent housing development, as well as separate bus and parent drop-off access points on-site.

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Providing Safer Access

The goal of this project is to provide safe pedestrian access from the existing parking decks to the main terminal; to eliminate pedestrian traffic across the upper level roadways from the parking decks to the terminal; and to accommodate the anticipated increase in pedestrian traffic at the airport through the year 2030.

Programmatically, new elevator and stair cores will be connected to the garages to transfer all pedestrians to the lower level curbside. The lower level terminal tunnels will receive all pedestrians entering the building from the garages. Canopies are included to provide weather protection at all levels.

A Unique Design Solution

There are four transfer points – two accessing the north terminal and two accessing the south terminal. The design solution centers about the creation of two simple masses per transfer point. The stair mass is to be constructed of poured in place concrete and curtain-wall providing natural light and openness for security purposes.

The elevator core is wrapped in metal panels in a “mosaic” pattern. The colors correspond to the airport colors for the two terminals (South-Red/North-Blue) with large canopies that will be punctuated with circles. Consideration was given to future replacement of the parking decks, while the stairs and elevators are designed to be modifiable.

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New Building Concept

SSOE was approached by School District Five of Lexington/Richland Counties to develop a concept for a new on-campus Health Sciences building.

State-Of-The-Art Features

The new state-of-the-art facility, sited on an existing hill, separates the school’s main campus from its neighboring athletic facilities and is now subdivided into three levels that feature a number of flexible learning spaces, athletic support areas, and an adjoining physical therapy area.

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Support For Instructional Needs

SSOE has completed the design of Albany State University’s new Fine Arts Center. Located on the university’s Upper Campus, the $18.5 million facility will support instructional needs for music, visual arts, english, and modern languages departments.

Building Features

Academic spaces include classrooms, computer labs, art studios, faculty music studios, and individual music practice modules. The main lobby accesses an art gallery, performance theater, and choir / recital room for public events and performances.

A Note From Art Dunning, Albany State University President 

“I think culturally, economically, and socially the new Fine Arts Center adds a lot of assets to this community. We, as a university community, will always be thoughtful about how we use it because it’s not just a physical facility. It’s a facility that will house music, the arts, and places where people can always come together!”

SSOE teamed with Albany-based architectural firm, Yielding Wakeford & McGee Architects, on the new 80,290 SF facility. The building is LEED Silver certified.

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Warehouse Retrofit

Working in conjunction with the University of South Carolina’s College of Engineering and Computing, the new 36,600 SF warehouse retrofit will accommodate the school’s new “Center for Predictive Maintenance” research facility.

Robust Architectural Layout

The building will house research labs designed to test the various mechanical functions of an aircraft’s rotors, transmissions, and sensors for methods that will address failures before they occur. The facility design seeks to utilize an efficient architectural layout, integrated with robust data and electrical systems, to support current testing, and future expansion of their program via outside investment.

 

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District’s Vision Comes To Life

The new 20,000 SF Training & Support Facility is designed based on the district’s following vision statement: “The Children First Professional Learning Center will provide an inviting, inspirational environment that promotes collaboration and fosters professional learning for district staff to increase student achievement and success.”

New Spaces

The facility will include multiple small, medium, and large conference / training rooms to accommodate up to 150 attendees in one space. The new addition will also include a large IT receiving space as well as offices for the Curriculum and Special Services Departments.

 

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Integrating New Technology

Electric Guard Dog is a company that provides theft deterrent services to a variety of businesses throughout the country. By integrating new technologies into their electric security fence system, Electric Guard Dog has become a leading voice in the security market.

Tech Focused Facility

The new headquarters for Electric Guard Dog is located on the fifth floor of the Center for Innovation, a tech-focused facility that was designed by SSOE in 2016. Centered on the edge of Columbia’s Innovista District, the new 20,000 SF upfit includes a new reception space, conference and training rooms, a live/workspace, and additional programmatic areas all integrated with the latest technology.

Beneficial Work Experience

At the core of Electric Guard Dog is a concern for the health and wellness of their employees. Their new upfit subsequently merges the company’s aesthetic brand with adequate natural light, quality indoor air control, and new design strategies that seek to provide a beneficial work experience for each employee.

The new headquarters for Electric Guard Dog is located on the fifth floor of the Center for Innovation, a tech-focused facility completed in 2016.

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Specialized Care At Baptist Location

SSOE worked with Prisma Health on the design and development of a new 5,000 SF rehab facility located at the recently completed Baptist Parkridge Hospital. Offering specialized orthopedic care for a full range of conditions, patients will be partnered with a team of highly skilled physicians based throughout the Columbia area. The space was designed to allow caregivers the ability to work one-on-one with patients as they are guided through treatment, diagnosis, and recovery. Rehab spaces include an open floor plan with natural views and daylight to energize patients on their path to wellness.

Innovative Work / Flow Space At Northeast Location

Working with the Prisma Health / University of South Carolina Medical Group, SSOE recently completed a full-service Orthopedics clinic with associated rehab space. The clinic is designed around an innovative workflow, which includes semi-independent physician, physician assistant, and nurse / tech within a self-sufficient module. While the overall practice is large, the patient experience remains small and personal. The rehab space was designed to be open and light-filled, helping to encourage patients with their medical rehabilitation.

Open Floor Plan At Downtown Location

This new facility, now home to the agency’s sports training and rehabilitation program, is built within an existing warehouse, with the final design including indoor running tracks, turf play areas, video recording, analysis equipment, and weight therapy. The open floor plan provides access to outdoor training areas via a roll-up garage door and also includes a small basketball court, running lanes, and a sandpit.

SSOE worked with Prisma Health-USC Orthopedics on three new state-of-the-art specialized orthopedic rehabilitation sites: Prisma Health Baptist, Prisma Health-USC Northeast, and Prisma Health-USC Downtown. Each site boasts the development and design of full-service orthopedic clinics and rehab training space.

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New Athletic Arena

Originally designed in 1929, Brookland-Cayce High School has since undergone a series of additions and renovations. Recent improvements include a new cafeteria and kitchen addition, fine arts and media center wing, various classroom renovations, athletic facilities upgrades, and a new state-of-the-art 5,000-seat athletic arena.

The design architect for this project is Jumper Carter Sease. SSOE provided electrical and civil engineering design services.

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Three-Story Renovation

The Westminster Schools Pressly Hall Renovations encompassed the renovation of Pressly Hall’s three stacked levels. Project goals were to update the following three areas: Office of Institute Advancement (OIA), college counseling, and student counseling departments. The renovation reflects Westminster’s desire to obtain more open, modern spaces that reflect their pedagogy as an institution. This goal was achieved by creating inviting spaces with the flexibility to better serve students, families, donors, and members of the community for generations to come.

Student Counseling Office

First floor renovations involved the schools’ student counseling office, specifically counselor offices, training rooms, waiting areas, and small break area. The new training room, adjacent to the student counseling office, was opened up to the corridor with glass doors, movable walls, and flexible furniture.

Office Of Institute Advancement

The pre-existing OIA, located on the third floor, was dated, closed-in, and non-flexible space. Project goals were to provide open collaborative and private spaces for meetings with donors. To attain this, the team used glass walls and open ceilings with acoustic clouds.

In addition, the space is also to be used for small events. To accomplish this, an exterior entertainment deck on the adjacent roof of the second floor was placed outside the OIA Break Area. By providing a small, spacious place for events, staff can enjoy and entertain guests and donors in a private area with views overlooking the lush campus.

College Of Counseling Center

Located on the second floor, renovations to the college counseling center, was to provide open and inviting spaces for students and their families. A reception area with casual seating welcomes students and families. Each office has glass walls with privacy film to allow exterior light to extend to the corridors and to provide space for meetings. A small conference room was included in the design for meetings with extended families.

Changes to the second floor highlight the student counseling area, setting it off with wood panels, glass doorways, and openings, creating a feeling of accessibility and openness.

Renovations to the second floor main hallway from the grand staircase to the end of the hallway, past the President’s Office, were key to setting the tone for the new model.

SSOE worked with The Westminster Schools on the renovation of the three-story Pressly Hall.

 

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Traditional Courthouse Located At The Center Of A Historic Town

Nestled in the heart of historic downtown Gallatin, Tennessee, the Sumner County Courthouse is a testament to timeless design and modern functionality.

The courthouse site features a unique slope from front to back, ingeniously utilized to create distinct public, restricted, and highly secure zones. This thoughtful design ensures seamless operations and enhanced security.

This impressive 5-story building, with one floor reserved for future expansion, will house the Circuit and Chancery Courts, as well as the Criminal and General Sessions Courts. The architectural design harmoniously blends traditional elements with contemporary needs, ensuring the new structure fits perfectly into the historic fabric of Gallatin.

The courthouse’s exterior showcases a classic palette of brick, cast stone, and glass. A striking Palladian window graces the center bay, flooding the upper floors with natural light. The two-story entry pavilion offers ample space for queuing before the security checkpoint, enhancing the visitor experience.

A spacious entry plaza welcomes visitors and integrates the courthouse seamlessly into the Main Street setting. This project is a proud collaboration between SSOE, in collaboration with ESA Architects, combining expertise and vision to create a landmark for Tennessee’s judicial system.

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Growing Downtown Research Park

The new Horizon II Office Building (Center for Innovation), located on the University of South Carolina’s growing $144 million Innovista Research Campus, is a partnership between Carolina and Multinational Technology and Consulting Corporation, IBM. University officials and lawmakers envisioned a downtown research park in which private developers would build offices and laboratories for private companies who want to partner with the school in hopes of generating a new research-based economy for the region’s growing downtown area.

Fortune 100 Commercial Space

The new five-story office building will feature office space for several Fortune 100 companies and other entities collaborating with IBM and local University of South Carolina researchers.

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Building A Connection

The proposed laboratory building is situated to connect to the existing science building via a covered walkway and expand the common courtyard area shared with the Clendenin Computer Science Building (also designed by SSOE). The exterior materials of the building are to include brick and stone veneer.

Proposed Building Program

The building program includes 10 teaching labs for chemistry and biology, seven student project labs, and 21 faculty offices. A large public lobby will accommodate student computer networking stations. The design provides for a future bridge connection to the third floor of the science building. Faculty offices face west with a view of the Arboretum across Marietta Drive.

Services for the building addition included conceptual designs provided in support of a capital funding request and grant application to the National Science Foundation.

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Crucial Operational Space

The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority’s new Express Operations and Maintenance Facility was constructed to provide crucial operational space for its growing bus fleet, integrate more sustainability and energy-efficient technologies, and provide state-of-the-art offices and meeting spaces.

Upgraded Functionality

SSOE worked with the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority to design 12 maintenance bays, six drive-thru bays, and six pull-in bays. The upgraded bays function with engine dyno and brake tester, quick lube and preventative maintenance, in-ground lifts, and underground maintenance pits.

Efficient Technology

New energy-efficient technologies include LED lighting, advanced ventilation systems, infrared gas heaters, and touchless bus washing systems that recycle 70 percent of the water used. Additionally, the SSOE team incorporated recycled materials such as concrete and asphalt into the design of the new space.

State-of-the-art offices and meeting spaces now include Wi-Fi, high-definition security cameras, a video wall, and additional technologies that further advance the facility’s overall operation. The building program also includes a high-tech command center, driver lounges, conference and counseling rooms, secure locker areas, and a large training center that can accommodate more than 50 attendees for training and group sessions.

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Addressing The Changing Role Of Media Centers

SSOE recently completed the interior redesign of Fulton County Schools 14 existing high school media centers, all based on newly-adopted space criteria that acknowledged the changing role of media centers in high schools.

Inviting Environments

Design elements include new furniture, improved technology, updated finishes, and the re-configuration of staff and student spaces that create flexible, inviting environments for individual study or small group collaboration within several classrooms.

New Concepts

New concepts include a technology bar, learning commons, sandbox classroom, group study rooms, soft lounge seating, computer benching, mobile stacks, and a hands-on project space.

The schools included Bannecker High School, Creekside High School, John’s Creek High School, Milton High School, North View High School, and Roswell High School.

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Design And Construction

SSOE worked with the South Carolina Department of Mental Health on the design and construction of a new, state-of-the-art Children’s Mental Health Facility.

New And Renovated Buildings

The hospital consists of three fully renovated patient lodges and school buildings combined with new admission and administration buildings.

Industry Best Practice

Important considerations included patient safety and the ability to accommodate a wide range of patient ages, medical needs, and gender for the pediatric population. The final design is based heavily upon industry best practices.

Patient safety and the ability to accommodate a wide range of patient ages, medical needs, and gender for the pediatric population was of utmost importance during the design and construction phases.

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Addressing On-Campus Growth

The 176,026 SF student recreation and activities center was expanded and renovated to accommodate Kennesaw State University’s enrollment growth to 20,000 students. The center was completed as a phased construction project, arranged to keep the existing facility operational throughout the 18-month construction cycle.

Two-Story Fitness Atrium

The center was expanded to create a 300-foot long, two-story fitness atrium including free weight, cardio, fitness, group exercise areas, and new locker rooms.

New Facility Features

New facility features include four court gyms with looping jogging tracks around the upper level of the gym, a two-story climbing wall, an indoor lap pool, and a bike shop with a convenient equipment checkout area. In addition, the exterior recreation area includes sand volleyball, basketball, tennis courts, and an outdoor leisure pool.

The new student recreation & activities center, which is certified LEED Silver, was a collaboration with Cooper Carry, Architect of Record, and Hardin Construction Company, the Design-Build project lead. Our firm provided interior design and engineering services.

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Downtown Presence

When the YMCA of Columbia decided to move from their historic 100-year-old facility, SSOE was brought on to help them envision a new downtown presence that would meet the needs of the Main Street Business community.

Central Location

Located one block from their previous location, the new facility is centrally located within the Business District and convenient for the area’s business community and downtown residents to use.

Modern, Sleek & Inviting

The two-story facility provides a new image for the YMCA and incorporates a modern, sleek, and inviting environment. The main level, which houses the fitness and aerobic equipment, is connected to the upper level by an open stairwell. The second level houses a large group fitness room, a small cardio training room, and yoga / exercise room. Corporate-style locker rooms are also provided for men and women and include a sauna and steam room in each space.

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Tech Tower Renovation

The Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans Administration Building, commonly known as Tech Tower, is an 1888 historic building and focal point of the central campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Uncovering Building Amenities

One of the goals of the construction process was to uncover previously hidden building amenities and highlight them to show historic character.

Scope Of Services

The planning and design work includes the following: 1) Restroom renovations throughout the building; 2) ADA accessible enlarged elevator within the existing building; 3) New MPE / FP systems throughout the building; 4) Reprogramming the garden level, first, second, third and fourth floors, dean’s suites, meeting spaces, corridors, and support spaces. In addition, the design team created shared office support locations on all floors and added a new interior exit stair throughout Floors 1-4.

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Seventh Floor Renovation

SSOE worked hand-in-hand with the Owner, Great Southern Management, to renovate the seventh floor of the TD Bank Building (former Carolina First Building). Located on Main Street, in the heart of downtown Columbia’s Business District, the design team utilized a more open office concept – one that would foster interactivity and encourage teamwork.

Varying Work Environments

Challenged to reduce the overall square footage per employee by more than 20 percent, a departure from the more traditional design style commonly associated with architecture, engineering, and interior design firms, the team was able to creatively incorporate work areas of varying styles; allowing staff to interact in an environment better suited for collaboration.

Space Efficient Floor Plan

Originally renovated by our firm in the late 1990s, the TD Bank Building, a former Belk’s Department Store, is a seven-story “Class A” speculative office building with a garden-level terrace, hardscaped plaza, and spacious main lobby area. Designed using a space-efficient floor plan which utilized the building’s existing column locations, this recently completed tenant upfit features open office areas, private meeting rooms, conference rooms, and a flexible, work / life collaboration lounge.

Located in the heart of downtown Columbia, SC’s Business District, the design team utilized a more open office concept, one known to foster collaboration and encourage teamwork.

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Project-Based Immersive Learning

The Ronald E. McNair Middle School is Fulton County Schools’ first example of a facility design based on the principles of project-based immersive learning. By introducing immersive learning concepts and further developing district-specific ideas originally presented in a two-day charrette, SSOE and immersive learning consultant, LITTLE, transformed the conventional wing design of their previous middle schools into groups of instructional spaces organized as “neighborhoods.”

Interconnected Neighborhoods

Individual classrooms and science labs in each wing were reconfigured into three distinct yet interconnected neighborhoods, also known as learning communities. The redesign allows teachers to interact with more than one class at a time, evoking a greater sense of community and communication between learning areas. Students can remain in their neighborhoods for the better part of a school day, freely circulating between productive spaces designed for class, labs, and teamwork.

Collaborative Spaces

The neighborhood includes four connected classroom areas and a workshop / lab, along with a series of adjoining collaborative spaces for individual study, small group activities, and a tiered lecture space. In addition, a strategically located teacher planning area is at the center of the neighborhood.

New Design For Upcoming Middle Schools

The outcome of this effective immersive learning design has proven so successful for the McNair Middle School that the same design principles were developed for a series of middle school additions in a separate part of the district.

 

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Reducing Stress, Stimulating Healing & Enhancing Personal Well-Being

Opening its doors in January 2015, the new Healing Waters Spa at Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge offers a number of traditional spa treatments and aesthetic cosmetic services designed to reduce stress, stimulate healing, and enhance the personal well-being of patients.

Incorporating “Transformational Change Principles”

Lead by a team of highly trained professionals, the design highlights the brand’s “Transformational Change Principles” – CALM, BALANCE, CORRECT, RESTORE – which were creatively interwoven throughout the design of the facility.

Spacious Environments

Located on the first floor of the recently completed Baptist Parkridge Hospital, Healing Waters features a spacious retail area, numerous medical procedure rooms with associated office and consultation spaces, esthetician and massage therapy rooms, relaxation area with a food and beverage bar, full-size locker rooms, and customized water features.

SSOE worked with Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge on a new health spa for specialty client, Healing Waters.

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Developing A Campus Master Plan

Faced with growing challenges pertaining to circulation and architectural identity, SSOE worked with School District Five of Lexington / Richland Counties to develop a campus master plan for Irmo High School that would artfully address concerns regarding contrasting architectural styles, school identity, and on-site circulation.

Addressing On-Site Circulation

By revamping on-site circulation and creating a clear delineation between vehicular and pedestrian traffic, our design team proposed an increase in on-site vehicle stacking in order to alleviate traffic backing up onto St. Andrews Road, the main thoroughfare onto campus.

Visually & Physically Reconnecting The Campus

By incorporating a number of new plazas and canopies in front of the existing academic buildings, C.A.T.E. facilities and proposed new auditorium, the design team was able to visually and physically re-connect the campus.

SSOE worked with School District Five of Lexington / Richland Counties to define a new architectural identity for Irmo High School.

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Creating A New Child Development Center

The new Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Family & Child Development Center house program activities for the Cooperative Extension Program and the Academic Program of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, both part of the College of Agriculture, Home Economics, and Applied Programs.

Three Building Components

This building is comprised of three specific components; the Cooperative Extension Program (Conference Center), the Child Development Center, and the Home Management Residence, each with its own separate entrance.

A Welcoming Aesthetic

The largest, most prominent entrance welcomes the public into the conference center and is located just off the main parking area. The main north-facing entrance opens into a two-story open entrance hall that allows lots of natural light to fill the space and serves as a beacon to visitors during the day or at night.

The new Fort Valley State University Family & Child Development Center features a two-story open entrance, Child Development Center, conference center, and on-site home residences.

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Renovations To Existing Facility

SSOE provided Architectural, Structural, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire Protection, and Electrical design services for renovations and additions to the existing Dougherty Comprehensive High School in Albany, Georgia.

Center For Excellence

The existing school will be transformed into a Center of Excellence for the Arts. The project will be completed in two phases.

Building Features

The Vocational Wing (High School CTAE Career Pathways) includes business labs; health occupations lab; engineering, drawing, and design lab; automotive service technology lab; engineering and technology multi-use lab; and personal care services / cosmetology labs.
The Arts Center of Excellence wing includes a renovated auditorium, along with a Black Box Theater, dance studio, and music and art labs.

The additions and renovations to Dougherty County Comprehensive High School transform the existing facility into a state-of-the-art Center of Excellence for the Arts.

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A Bold New Vision

The new Morgan County High School and Career Academy is the result of a bold vision by district leadership to create a new school with a central focus on college and career pathways. In a journey that began with the idea of a renovated high school facility and new career academy transformed through much planning and community input into an ambitious program that delivers both into one facility.

Building Highlights

The 42 instructional unit includes 28 classrooms; five science labs; a media center; gymnasium; band, choral, and art departments; F]family-living suite; and JROTC Suite. The two-story academy wing includes specific spaces for programs in healthcare, culinary arts, horticulture, ag mechanics, engineering, biotech science, business, cosmetology, and marketing. Also included in the design is a 500-seat auditorium.

The building’s plan features separate drop-off entrances for buses and parents as well as a third entry for the career academy program. The new facility, which is adjacent to and connects to the existing ninth grade academy, is situated directly across from the pre-existing stadium.

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Implementing A Contemporary Design

In order to comfortably accommodate a significant increase in the school’s student population, SSOE worked with School District Five of Lexington / Richland Counties to implement a contemporary design that successfully addressed the district’s challenges surrounding circulation and capacity relief.

Building Features

The renovation and expansion project included numerous instructional spaces, science labs, visual and performing arts facilities, ROTC training classrooms, and a new state-of-the-art athletic facility with adjoining practice fields.

SSOE worked with School District Five of Lexington / Richland Counties to develop a design concept that would better accommodate the growth in student population at Chapin High School.

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Cutting-Edge Facility

This contemporary, two-story cutting-edge facility is designed around a new model of care that completely re-evaluates the patient experience with emergency care services.

Innovative Model

The innovative “no wait” model features six rapid medical evaluation rooms with a patient and family “results lounge” for those with quick, in and out needs. For patients requiring further care or observation, the facility combines 12 treatment areas with two trauma / resuscitation rooms.

Architectural Character

The staff work areas are separated from the patient and family areas, creating a quiet, less stressful working environment where doctors and nurses can easily communicate. In addition, the building exterior was designed to harmonize with the architectural character of the community’s Historic Mill District.

 

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New Learning Environments

As part of Fulton County Schools’ goal to introduce new learning environments into their existing school facilities, SSOE worked with school administrators and staff to design a new two-story addition at Autrey Mill Middle School. The addition, which now connects to the building’s pre-existing two-level classroom, also included the addition of lab and teaching space totaling more than 25,000 SF.

Incorporating A New Learning Typology

The resulting addition incorporates the district’s new “Immersive Learning” neighborhood concept incorporated at the recently completed Ronald E. McNair Middle School and re-formulated it to integrate with the existing school.

New Additions

The addition includes 11 classrooms, two science laboratories, and one new art lab, designed to replace an existing undersized art suite. The decision was made to relocate the new art lab, making it a vital part of the new addition as a way to better introduce art into the school’s core classroom planning scheme.

SSOE designed the original 185,000 SF facility back in 2001. The Autrey Mill Middle School Addition incorporates the district’s new “Immersive Learning Neighborhood Concept,” which is based on the recently completed Ronald E. McNair Middle School.

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Creating An Environmentally Supportive Space

The new STICU is Phase I of an overall $38 million ICU Master Plan for Prisma Health Richland. The Richland Hospital is the tertiary healthcare facility for the Midlands region and is the only Level 1 Trauma Center in the area. Because of their traumas, patients treated in this unit are the most vulnerable to detrimental environmental effects. Great care was taken to create a unit that would environmentally support patients, staff, and their families – focusing on infection control, therapeutic lighting, expanded room size, equipment placement; and coordination and staff views of and access to their patients.

Incorporating Tunable Lighting

A highlight of the design is the use of “tunable lighting” as a therapeutic treatment and environmental enhancement for patients and staff. Tunable lighting, which uses LED lighting to mimic the natural progression of daylight, is utilized throughout the 18-bed unit. Research has begun to show that this type of lighting may help patients heal faster, decrease delirium, and have less long-term negative mental distress from being in the hospital. This type of lighting has also been shown to increase staff alertness, lessen fatigue, and limit health issues associated with night shift work.

Utilizing Shared Spaces

Another feature is the use of disposal rooms in lieu of patient toilets. As these patients are typically too sick to move out of their beds, the unit utilizes a shared disposal room between each pair of patient rooms, giving staff a close disposal location that decreases the infection issues associated with the transport of sanitary waste. In addition, each disposal room is equipped with a special light that is illuminated when the room is not occupied, that has been tested to kill 99.9% of germs and bacteria.

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New 96-Acre Campus

Located on a 96-acre site in Northeast Georgia, SSOE is working with prime design professional Pond and Lanier Technical College on their new Hall County Campus. Construction will take place over a three-year period and will include six new buildings, associated surface parking, and related site amenities. The new 310,000 SF replacement campus is slated to achieve two out of three peaches from the state of Georgia’s sustainable design grading program.

Programming

Campus Vision and Project Goals: The new vision for the Lanier Technical College site will be to provide a 21st Century campus for education, continuing education, and workforce development training opportunities over various programs.

Programming Project Goals

To date, the following project goals / objectives were identified: 1) Create a “cutting edge” campus that fits into the architectural vernacular of the community; 2) Integrate student life activities throughout each new facility on campus; 3) Create a campus that will become a showplace for economic development; 4) Incorporate spaces for future growth; and 5) Create buildings that are distinctive in character and that will promote student success via a nurturing campus environment that will become “the place to be” for students, staff, community, and industry partners to work, learn, and expand workforce opportunities. In addition to the Campus Support facilities, Technology & Industrial Education and Allied Health, SSOE is specifically focused on the following projects.

Administration & Student Success Center

Viewed as the new “iconic front door” to the campus, the Administration and Student Success Building will be comprised of the Office of the President, Student Services, and Student Life – each requiring a unique, responsive, and dynamic facility solution. The goal of the building is to create a high-quality supportive learning environment that prepares students to enter the workforce and will be the first stop for each person on campus. Entry roads, parking, directional signage, and iconic design will reinforce the college’s message that “Great Careers Begin Here.”

Student Affairs and Bursar functions will also be located to maximize opportunities for student reception and engagement. A “one stop shop” concept for customer service will be incorporated for student services, while a large and spacious circulation concourse will feature soft seating and information kiosks that will reinforce student access, utilization, and connection to services for advisement, financial aid, counseling, and placement.

Instructional Building

The new Instructional Building will house the General Education, Adult Education, Business and Computer Technology, and Early Childhood Development programs. The building will feature numerous integrated technology classrooms / labs, studios, and small and large group areas all designed around problem-based learning (PBL), team-based learning (TBL), and a student-centered active learning environment with evolving pedagogies.

Conference Center

The new Conference Center will feature a 225-seat auditorium, 10,000 SF Exhibit Hall, Testing Center, Culinary Arts Facility, and break-out classrooms. To encourage the development of a “community of learning,” collaborative study zones, magnet spaces, and student spaces will be located in the Conference Center and across campus to allow students to wither work in teams, study or, simply, relax.

Six Buildings – 310,000 SF Total

Instructional Building: 44,281 SF; Administration & Student Success Center: 46,004 SF; Tech & Industries Building: 94,500 SF; Allied Health Building: 61,000 SF; Campus Support Facility: 32,300 SF; Conference Center: 44,500 SF

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