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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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SSOE provided programming and design support for a state-of-the-art modular data center, scalable to 2MW. Collaborating closely with the client’s design team and construction partner, SSOE focused on optimizing the white space to grey space ratio, ensuring efficient use of space for both equipment and support infrastructure. The design emphasized concurrent maintainability, allowing for operations to continue without downtime, thus enhancing reliability and uptime for critical processes. By leveraging advanced design techniques and modular construction methods, SSOE delivered a high-performance, energy-efficient data center that meets the stringent requirements of the semiconductor industry.

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SSOE is providing design and engineering services for constructing a new greenfield solar cell manufacturing facility for a solar client. The project, once complete, will span approximately 1 million SF and will be designed to produce 5 GW of solar cell manufacturing per year.

Our team supported the client throughout the site selection and acquisition process, preparing a site due diligence report analyzing environmental, utility, zoning, site development, and permitting constraints. Our services also included master planning and early site development plans, including mass grading and stormwater management plans and specifications.

As part of the project, SSOE has worked closely with a Chinese Design Institute to assist in localizing the client’s technology used overseas to ensure compliance with all U.S. codes and standards. This involved extensive evaluation of the design basis, hazardous chemical usages and storage volumes, egress requirements, and modular construction methodologies. In this analysis, SSOE was able to optimize the facility layout to suit a uniform structural layout, fostering a modular concept for the cleanroom space of the production building.

Additionally, SSOE spent the early stages of the Schematic Design focusing on the most critical and highest value systems within the design. Through discrete analyses of the cleanroom classification, water purification, recycling, wastewater strategy, and process utilities, our team refined these concepts to provide more cost certainty to the client and the contracting community.

Our team also concentrated design efforts on critical path items, such as early earthwork packages, preliminary structural design including steel mill orders, and major facility equipment specifications to facilitate early procurement for long-lead items. As such, SSOE and the client have maintained the overall project schedule and the anticipated start of production timelines.

Construction on the project is expected to begin later this year with production beginning at the end of 2026.

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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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ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital selected the design / build team of Roncelli / SSOE to deliver a new, state-of-the-art facility featuring comprehensive mental and behavioral health programs designed to serve the most complex and vulnerable pediatric patients. An interdisciplinary team of experts will provide developmental and behavioral health services, as well as an intensive outpatient program.

The Behavioral Health Pavilion complements the recently completed Psychiatry Unit Renovation at Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital.

ProMedica relied on the team’s creativity to design a developmentally appropriate and safe pediatric behavioral care setting while meeting the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) grant requirements. Both the Psychiatry Unit and the Behavioral Health Pavilion were required to be completed within 24 months and a total budget of $17 million.

Located at an urban intersection on ProMedica’s North Campus, the Pavilion meets special local zoning requirements by establishing a street-front presence while providing a private, calming interior environment paired with a protected, private courtyard.

The building serves as a gateway to ProMedica’s Toledo Hospital Main and North Campuses. The increased use of glass along the building’s front enhances its street-front presence, creating an open and inviting atmosphere for children and caregivers while addressing the growing need for behavioral health services.

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$100 million documented project savings to date with additional savings anticipated.

A well-known electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer has partnered with a leading non-domestic battery producer to develop an advanced battery chemistry aimed at enhancing EV performance. The goal of this collaboration is to offer customers improved battery value, durability, and fast-charging capabilities. To realize this vision, SSOE—a seasoned design firm with extensive experience in the EV and battery manufacturing sector—was selected to lead the engineering design and execution of the groundbreaking $1.5 billion investment.

SSOE partnered with construction firm Walbridge to implement a design / build delivery method. Since the project’s inception, all stakeholders worked closely to ensure unified project recommendations aligned with schedules and budgets. SSOE’s responsibilities encompassed the entire facility design, programming, and engineering.

The nearly 2 million SF facility includes production space and ancillary buildings supporting the main manufacturing area. Drawing on insights from the client’s existing battery manufacturing facilities, SSOE adapted their foreign manufacturing processes, building design, equipment, and layout to meet U.S. codes and standards throughout all design phases.

This greenfield battery plant marks the first U.S. location for the foreign client and will serve as their flagship facility in North America. Leveraging SSOE’s expertise in foreign direct investment, we’ve ensured a seamless transition for this global manufacturer as they establish operations in the U.S. Once operational, the plant is expected to add more than 18 GWh of battery capacity and employ over 2,500 workers, contributing to the local economy and advancing sustainable transportation.

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A pioneering battery manufacturer known for its high-density silicon-anode batteries is embarking on an ambitious expansion project. The company is converting a former Kmart distribution center into a state-of-the-art production plant. This move represents a significant leap from R&D to pilot manufacturing, to scaling up the production of their cutting-edge batteries used in phones, drones, military applications, and electric vertical takeoff and landing (EVTL) vehicles.

SSOE Group, with its recognized architectural and engineering design expertise in the battery manufacturing market, has partnered with Turner Construction to develop and construct the 775,000 SF facility, which is part of a more extensive 1.2 million SF multi-tenant complex. Phase 1 is engineered to have a production capacity of 500 megawatt-hours of battery power once in production.

Turner took the helm with site selection, evaluating potential sites across the U.S. Ultimately, a site in the west was selected offering an optimal climate, suitable humidity levels, and a robust utility infrastructure, complete with existing substations and the possibility for future expansions.

A rezoning effort was necessary to transition from a warehouse-only designation to one that includes manufacturing capabilities. SSOE and Turner provided expert support to a subsequent community engagement campaign, which was launched to dispel misconceptions and provide transparent information about the facility’s operations and processes. Despite facing initial resistance and a legal challenge
against the city, the rezoning efforts were successful, allowing the project to move forward.

Addressing the challenges presented by the brownfield site, SSOE’s team had to overcome layout limitations, which led to the design of an additional structure and modifications to the ceilings to create a suitable cleanroom environment. Moreover, relocating the process line from China to the U.S. required a detailed plan to comply with the diverse standards and regulations concerning electrical systems, utilities,
and piping, ensuring a seamless transition.

This company’s commitment to innovation and overcoming challenges, while harnessing the advantages of the environment and topography, position them to help transform the battery industry with its high-quality, dense power solutions.

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SSOE provided facility master planning, design, and engineering services for the 13,849 SF expansion and the 32,778 SF renovation of the Natural Science Technology Campus (NSTC). The project reconfigured existing classrooms and support spaces to provide each classroom with flexible learning environments for enhanced 21st-Century learning and the expansion of grade levels. In addition to the interior renovations within the existing building, two new additions were added to provide a timber framed multi-purpose space, eight additional classrooms, and additional restroom facilities, among other infrastructure improvements.

As part of the overall design strategy, major enhancements to the exterior were incorporated into the facility expansion / renovation. These improvements included the installation of new window systems in key locations, strategic upgrades to the exterior envelope, a redesigned and reskinned building entry with an added wood timber framed canopy, and a completely new roofing system for the entire existing structure.

The interior enhancements feature upgraded finishes, advanced technology and WiFi, improved lighting and power, modern casework, ADA-compliant door hardware, flexible furniture, and increased natural light in previously windowless areas. Notable elements include the hanging acoustical lily pads in the corridor, simulated wood-wrapped TV areas, and nature-inspired finishes, colors, materials, and graphic panels.

The goal for the NSTC was to provide spaces that reflect Toledo Public School’s mission and purpose. As TPS’s design partner, SSOE aligned architecture, interior design, and branding in the first phase of the facility’s renovations. Regardless of size, SSOE approaches every project with the same design passion and programming to ensure the client’s needs and expectations are met.

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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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SSOE worked closely with Wayne State University to provide design services for the installation of a new 3T Magnetom Cima.X MRI scanner and associated support spaces within the Eugene Applebaum Building. An existing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) machine was relocated within the building to create space for the new MRI procedure room, control room, and equipment room. Support spaces included a patient changing room, toilet room, waiting area, and “mock” MRI space to help patients prepare for their procedure.

The project presented several unique challenges. While design was underway, the cutting-edge MRI equipment was still awaiting FDA approval in the United States. Partially funded by federal grant funds, the project required an aggressive design and construction schedule which did not allow for any delays. To ensure the final completion date, SSOE worked closely with the client, equipment vendors, and contractor to respond to changing equipment needs and identify and specify potential long-lead items.

In addition to the design challenges, an early structural analysis of the facility by SSOE showed the lower level to be the most suitable location for the new equipment. Because the construction access for the new MRI had to be through the existing below-grade exterior wall, the MRI was craned into the building from a main thoroughfare between the WSU facility and an adjacent hospital. Important to the success of the project, SSOE worked with the equipment manufacturer, shielding vendor, and contractor to help ensure a smooth process.

The project scope included new lighting, diffusers, millwork, and finishes, as well as incorporating the shielding and equipment requirements into the construction documents.

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SSOE is providing multi-disciplinary design services to the four Veteran Affairs (VA) medical centers in Michigan as part of an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The renovation of the second floor of Building 83 is one project from the IDIQ, on the VA Battle Creek campus.

This project focused on the renovation of 18,170 SF of space in the Nursing Home Care Unit (NHCU). The existing space contained large, multi-bed dorm rooms which were reconfigured to private bedrooms and bathrooms in compliance with current VA design criteria. A portion of the rooms were designed to accommodate bariatric residents and other specialized needs.

The entire interior of the second floor was demolished to provide a floor plan that would meet the current and future needs of the residents and staff. The secondary electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and medical gas systems were upgraded and replaced. All items were required to be coordinated with the previously renovated first floor plan and systems.

In addition to privacy, patient safety and security was critical to the success of this project. SSOE’s design services included nurse call systems, upgrades to the building fire alarm systems, wireless network design for improved coverage, IP security camera additions, and Network Video Recorder (NVR) storage expansion to provide adequate video storage.

The future residents of the facility and their care was the leading factor in the design. New nursing stations were created at the center of each patient care area to allow for better patient observation. Open dining and family rooms for visitors, a large dayroom for activities, and bedrooms with adjoining bathrooms are also examples of patient focused care. All of the finishes and space planning focused on eliminating the existing institutional feeling and providing for a welcoming and residential aesthetic.

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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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When a world-leading semiconductor manufacturer decided to build their largest-ever U.S. campus, they turned to SSOE as a trusted A&E partner to support making it a reality. The initial campus design and build-out includes two chip fabrication facilities (Fabs), a flagship office, entry building, parking, data centers, warehouses, chemical production and storage, and utility buildings. SSOE was invited to provide design support beginning with site planning, logistics, and enabling, continuing through full design and construction support.

SSOE has developed scope packages for select campus structures including:

  • 52,000 SF flagship entry building. Serving as the public gateway to the facility and the aesthetic and brand-affirming focus for the campus, this space will host client and vendor VIPs, customers, and visitors. Featuring specialized mass-timber construction, it includes an auditorium and an employee wellness amenity center.
  • 670,000 SF six-story high-rise office building. The nerve-center for the new campus, this building includes office spaces, labs, initial employee amenities, a café floor, campus operations and security centers, and a Fab cleanroom gowning space.
  • 2,900 vehicle multi-story parking deck with an integrated 109,000 SF office building. This garage includes EV charging spaces, storage for campus vehicles, and a pedestrian bridge to the main office building for convenience. Additional employee offices are located above the top deck of the structure.
  • Cleanroom-rated building link. Connecting the office structure with the factory floor, this structure allows employees to gown up and enter the cleanroom environment within the office building, and then move into the Fab while maximizing the square footage within the Fab for manufacturing activities.
  • 100,000 SF warehouse with automated storage system and specialized systems for receipt of semiconductor fabrication tools and equipment.
  • 15,000 SF independent data center to support the entire campus.

SSOE was also engaged to apply our modular and fabrication design expertise to executing specialty Lateral design with fabrication design services for both of the initial chip fabs.

A huge undertaking, really eight or nine large projects rolled into one program, our team has exceeded client expectations in terms of detail, thoroughness, and deliverables for every milestone. Our client partnership benefits from our steady contribution of creative design ideas to support not just the stated goals of this campus, but the client’s overall growth strategies.

The ongoing success of this project has resulted in SSOE being awarded design work for a sister facility.

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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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Bon Secours Mercy Health’s St. Vincent Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center and Level III NICU, selected SSOE to develop a study to document the renovation and refreshing of the Birthing Center. Responding to local needs, St. Vincent’s advanced a portion of the overall plans to transform three existing antepartum rooms into two Labor, Delivery, and Recovery Rooms to meet the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) standards while enhancing the patient experience.

New windows provide ample light into the spacious and accessible rooms that create well-defined zones for the mother, baby, family, and clinical staff. The refreshed area creates a warm and welcoming environment.

Due to the accelerated nature of the project, SSOE worked in an integrated manner with clinical and facilities staff, along with the selected contractor, to complete the project within an aggressive schedule. The Birthing Center remained in full operation while renovation progressed on the Labor, Delivery, and Recovery Rooms which were located at the hub of the surgical suite, LDRP rooms, and nursing station.

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Working in close collaboration with a long-time client, SSOE transformed the third floor of the Marathon building, known as The Hub, into a modern dining experience and more. This central gathering spot is not just for eating, but also for meetings, attending events, and even working quietly alone in a warm and inviting environment. The variety of settings within the Hub support all of these ways of working and gathering.

The removal of the outdated kitchen and serving line allowed the reorganization of the space to create a modern and open chef-driven cooking arena with fresh food being prepared in front of employees. These opportunities for choice, as well as a visual connection to the cooking, promote positive interaction with space and colleagues. The Hearth, a 7,000-pound Italian pizza oven, encased in copper, centers the serving area and the hospitality feel of the overall space.

The project faced several challenges, one of which was the need to maintain operation while construction took place, catering to a campus with 2,800 employees. The team created 3D models to help the client visualize the space, worked closely with the kitchen crew to map out their steps for efficiency, and collaborated with the kitchen equipment consultant to ensure the space functioned well for the kitchen team. The open kitchen layout provides flexibility for future menu changes and the ability to use less staff with visual monitoring available across the space.

The new café boasts several unique architectural features and a mix of materials that create a balance between enclosed and open spaces, offering exterior views from nearly every angle, while still maintaining a cozy atmosphere.

Located at the center of campus, artist-created signage that complements the interiors provides clear wayfinding to all connecting buildings. Inspired by Marathon’s roots as a refining and transportation company, as well as the Art Deco style of the campus buildings, the Hub speaks in reverence to the past, but also the active future. The

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When Toledo law firm Eastman & Smith needed to lease new office space, they began reevaluating their growing needs while trying to stay connected to their existing roots in downtown. The firm opted to remain in One Seagate and move to the 27th floor of the facility, and they sought SSOE to design their new 22,400 SF space. In order to make this space work, our team of architects and interior designers were able to create an office that reflected the firm’s brand and mission while focusing on providing welcoming spaces for clients and employees.

In their previous space, Eastman & Smith’s office denoted an obvious hierarchy in terms of office size and location. In the new space, the firm wanted a neutral and level playing field, as well as a more collaborative environment. In the new design, the offices are all the same size and are outfitted with the same fixtures. There are no corner offices in the new design, and instead the four corners are spaces that can be utilized by any employee.

To accommodate diverse work needs, the space also features flex offices that allow for a hybrid experience, and large and small meeting rooms. Technology was upgraded throughout the suite to provide team meeting spaces and electronic sign-outs for a variety of spaces.

The renovated space includes employee-focused and collaborative areas: a café with views of the Maumee River, spaces for collaboration and team-bonding, and a wellness room. The wellness room is a private area built for one person to have quiet space. There is a separate mothers room.

Our interior designers worked with the furniture vendor to incorporate prefabricated modular walls for the offices. We selected the furniture and finishes for the built environment. In addition to the aesthetic and functional elements, SSOE provided structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering, along with Data / Fire / Security services.

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SSOE was selected by a semiconductor manufacturer to generate specifications and design for a new Acid Waste Neutralization (AWN) system that would allow the client to reclaim and reuse materials that would otherwise be classified as hazardous waste. The client in particular relied on SSOE to provide a sophisticated understanding of semiconductor manufacturing processes, and acid waste neutralization systems to identify the technical requirements for the AWN, meet the client’s goals for recycle, and determine the ways it would fit into the existing material flows within the facility.

Defining the Problem
SSOE mapped the existing material flows and generated a sampling plan to collect water quality data from the system as it currently exists. Samples were taken from the RODI feed water, Gray Water / DI reclaim, RODI effluent, ROR tank effluent, FAC / EDI / CDO scrubber blowdown, cooling tower blowdown, HFW effluent, Fab effluent, AWN effluent to the wastewater treatment plant, and BGW effluent to the AWN. The test results indicated what specific mitigation strategies would be needed (e.g., addition of water softener, advanced filtration and RO) and at what points.

Articulating Solutions
Based on how SSOE articulated the results of the sample study, the client was confident in moving forward with vendor selection and constructability evaluation. SSOE managed this vendor selection on the client’s
behalf, at the client’s request. The sample study were used to provide vendors with equipment performance specifications and solicit bids. Results from the top three bids were then brought to a construction partner
for early-project cost estimating and implementation / constructability review. The client was empowered to make a quick and confident decision based on a clear understanding of each option, including performance, cost to install and operate, and other trade-offs.

Implementation Support
Next steps for this project include programming and detailed design for the selected AWN solution, equipment, and installation support.

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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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Transforming Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s Marketing Building: For four decades SSOE has partnered with Marathon Petroleum Corporation. Together we have reimagined the work environment and provided forward thinking design and engineering solutions that will empower and impact the building and people alike. Our collaboration on the Market Building Workplace Renovation project exemplifies our ongoing partnership and shared commitment to design excellence.

Enhancing Workplace Strategies. The renovation project celebrates a dynamic and inspiring workspace, catering to both existing and potential team members. Designed as an ecosystem to foster connection, teamwork, and social engagement, the Marketing Building leverages the structure’s unique industrial characteristics. Feature elements of the overall design transformation include the integration of natural light, versatile communal spaces conducive to collaboration, visible engineering elements, carefully chosen furnishings, a selection of finishes and materials, and sleek linear lighting fixtures. The refreshed workspace offers its team members a refined, and forward-thinking work environment for both digital and in-person connections.

New Hub of Collaboration. A new connecting stair has been thoughtfully positioned just below the newly installed skylight, providing employees with access to natural light while fostering distinct neighborhoods within the workspaces. This stair serves as a main connection point between two work floors, offering opportunities for social engagement and gatherings. Adjacent to the staircase are communal zones that have been designed to serve as a vibrant nexus for employee interaction, technological engagement, and dynamic work styles. Throughout each level, versatile, multi-use areas cater to a diverse range of activities, from solitary work to large group gatherings. The project space embodies a modern, energetic, and authentically surprising aesthetic empowering team members.

Thoughtful and Energized Environment. SSOE and Marathon Petroleum Corporation together made a commitment to be environmentally conscious while leveraging the pre-existing building framework, systems, and furnishings, to install a state-of-the-art size-pipe HVAC system. To amplify natural lighting in the workspaces, we incorporated a substantial 15-foot square skylight that extends through the roof and third floor. This infusion of sunlight not only establishes a central hub for collaborative zones but also ensures equitable access to daylight for all employees throughout the workday.

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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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SSOE was selected to provide comprehensive planning, design, and construction administration services for a greenfield solar wafer manufacturing facility. The project kicked off with an in-person meeting in March
2023, followed by bi-weekly “big room” meetings that increased to weekly sessions for three months. These meetings, which included representatives from the client, SSOE, and the contractor, were essential for setting expectations, reviewing deliverables, and maintaining a cohesive team.

During FEL 1 and 2, SSOE provided site readiness requirements and recommendations, Basis of Design, conceptual facility designs and plans, basic cost estimating, and a preliminary design schedule. During the
FEL stages, SSOE conducted value engineering evaluations resulting in client-approved design solutions that saved approximately $400 million.

SSOE continued to offer comprehensive services through FEL 3, detailed design, process equipment fit-up design, and construction administration and support services. Nearly all SSOE disciplines were involved,
ensuring a holistic approach to the project. The client’s hands-on approach required frequent and detailed interactions to keep design requirements and expectations aligned. The project team faced challenges
with decision-making processes, necessitating multiple iterations and solutions. SSOE’s solution-driven approach, including dedicated time slots for issue discussion and brainstorming during meetings, proved
effective in overcoming these challenges.

The facility design includes a main process area, wastewater treatment, raw and finished goods warehouses, elevated operating floors, administration, and office spaces. The project scope encompasses facility layout
(civil, structural, architectural), water supply distribution, HVAC, electrical supply and distribution, emergency safety systems, fire protection design, and waste and hazardous material management. In addition to adhering to client standards and code compliance, SSOE is delivering a sustainable building design.

The project adhered to client standards and code compliance while incorporating innovative solutions to meet the client’s needs. The client appreciated SSOE’s commitment to finding the best solutions within
budget and their proactive approach to problem-solving.

During the FEL stages of the project, SSOE conducted value engineering exercises resulting in client-approved design solutions that saved approximately $400 million.

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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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Due to a recent acquisition, this client is closing a plant in the South and moving its three different product lines to separate existing plants. Because of SSOE’s successful execution of a recent network optimization project, we were asked to assist the client in moving one of the three lines affected by this complex plant consolidation. Using the same team that worked on the previous plant relocation project, we capitalized on their knowledge of the client’s equipment and installation specs and standards, utilizing many design details from the recently completed project.

Well into the design of the original project, the client changed course due to the extreme product demand caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. They gave us three days to collaborate with vendors to develop a cost estimate to purchase and install all new process and packaging equipment for the destination plant and completely re-engineer the two production lines. Without hesitation, SSOE shifted direction to help this long-time client achieve their business and market needs. The pandemic also required us to change the way we worked together: we moved from face to face communication to virtual communication and utilized large venues for major client review meetings to achieve social distancing requirements.

To properly manage a project of this size and scope, SSOE utilized a Project Manager / Design Manager approach, both of whom have worked with this client for many years: the Project Manager is the Packaging Subject Matter Expert who acted as the Owner’s Representative and handled client interface and overall project cost and schedule management; the Design Manager is the Process Lead and discipline coordinator.

The project is on schedule to have new lines running at the new facility in August 2021, only three months after the original scope’s due date. SSOE’s services for the project include structural, architectural, civil, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, process, controls, packaging, fire protection, lighting, wastewater treatment, overall project scheduling, on-site construction management, and project management.

SSOE recorded over $1.35 million in project savings through implementation of multiple value engineering opportunities and identification of sales tax credits.

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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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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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When Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., a Panasonic Group company, sought to build its first standalone lithium-ion battery production facility in the U.S., they knew they needed a partner with cleanroom, battery, and manufacturing experience. With SSOE’s reputation as an industry leader in the design of battery manufacturing facilities, greenfield site development expertise, and experience working with Panasonic on previous projects, they knew we could deliver their vision. SSOE was selected to provide primary engineering design and architectural design oversight.

SSOE’s involvement began at the earliest stage of the project when the firm became engaged in site evaluation efforts with Panasonic’s site selection team. We pulled together a team of architects and engineers to guide Panasonic through defining and ranking site criteria, assisting in the evaluation of multiple campus locations. In July 2022, Panasonic ultimately landed on Astra Enterprise Park (formerly the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant), originally constructed in World War II and vacant for a quarter of a century—with 300 acres and hundreds of millions of dollars in incentive packages to go with it. A win for Kansas, this is the first economic development project exceeding a billion dollars for the state and will make the location a key economic driver for the region.

In parallel with site evaluation efforts, SSOE worked with Panasonic to generate a preliminary Basis of Design with enough detail to allow the construction manager to forecast a construction estimate in a post-COVID market. From there, we’ve continued to lead the project through the preliminary design phase. To mitigate labor market and supply chain challenges, the cutting-edge nature of lithium-ion battery manufacturing requires our design team to adapt to process and usage changes driven by Panasonic’s refinement to their battery technology. SSOE continues to suggest solutions that are adaptable to future process refinements.

Designing a facility that aligns with Panasonic’s employee-centric culture is to be top of mind. The site plan limits interaction between vehicles and pedestrians through a thoughtfully designed parking layout, one-way traffic, separate truck entrance, and site-specific traffic study. Architectural design is still in progress but promises the intelligent integration of the production process into the building design and spaces throughout to specifically support employees. The U-shaped design of the production facility will frame various support structures and utility buildings that will reside behind it. The fact that Panasonic and SSOE’s cultures naturally align has streamlined the ability to communicate and deliver what they’re looking for in this facility.

With a nearly 100-year history of innovation in batteries spanning both battery cell technology and battery business operations, Panasonic continues to strengthen its lineup of automotive lithium-ion batteries and expand its production capacity. The De Soto facility, the company’s first standalone EV battery facility in the U.S., will help do just that. The Japanese-based company’s expansion in Kansas is expected to bring in a projected $2.5 billion in yearly economic activity to make it the largest economic development undertaking in the state’s history. It will also allow Panasonic to ramp up production to meet surging demand and lead the evolution of the EV industry in the U.S.

Due to the complexity of the design and size of the facility, the City of De Soto will approve its development plan one phase at a time. Panasonic broke ground on the new plant in November 2022, with production slated to begin in 2025.

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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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Through value engineering activities within the assembly and stamping areas, we provided more than $8 million in cost savings to Toyota.

SSOE provided design services for Toyota’s San Antonio plant, which spans more than 2 million SF, and continues to provide services for multiple projects as the facility grows. Our familiarity with the plant, on-site construction support services, and responsiveness make us a valuable asset to Toyota. Based on our intimate knowledge of this facility and our successful long-term working relationship with the client, Toyota selected SSOE as the A/E firm of choice for this program.

A number of factors drove this significant program. Changes to the Toyota Tundra model required a different assembly footprint to accommodate new options. Additionally, Toyota moved Sequoia production from their Indiana plant to San Antonio. This relocation called for alterations in multiple areas to house the new line. SSOE provided all architectural and engineering design services, including on-site representation and permitting for this program.

Our team leveraged technologies such as laser scanning, Cintoo, SharePoint, and Plangrid for file sharing and construction administration.

In total, the program affected eight plant areas including stamping, welding, Forma (an on-site supplier who shares space within the plant), Avanzar (an on-site supplier who feeds the assembly shop), Vuteq (a Tier 1 supplier), assembly shops, the east parking lot, and the dock area. Using a staggered approach with a significant focus on schedule, we coordinated the expansion of multiple areas simultaneously. Our team utilized non-production times to complete work without halting production.

SSOE coordinated a revised process layout for the assembly shop expansion, positioning noncritical spaces to the west and maintaining the roof pitch from the existing area to the new expansion. These value engineering measures eliminated the need for a step-up in the roof, new roof drains in the existing roof, new storm drainage piping, and existing structural member reinforcement to mitigate water ponding. These creative design concepts provided Toyota with savings of approximately $750,000.

For the stamping shop expansion, we began with a compressed air usage study. The results showed the existing system could support the new laser weld process with minor piping modifications. This discovery eliminated the need for a utility building expansion and associated equipment, providing a cost savings of $5 million. We continued value engineering within the stamping shop with our approach to the sheet receiving area. As sheet receiving is critical to the stamping process and cannot be shut down for an extended time, we developed a construction sequencing plan to reconfigure delivery to the area. This plan allowed the area to remain functional, saving Toyota approximately $2.5 million in lost production costs.

SSOE successfully executed this program though the strategic coordination of projects led by an experienced project manager and team with intimate knowledge of the entire facility. Our team collaborated with the client daily and leveraged on-site design reviews with the affected process groups to ensure our designs met their business needs and goals.

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Through the use of reality capture and advanced 3D modeling, SSOE was able to return $1.8 million in project savings to the client.

This global glass manufacturer called upon SSOE to assist with a capacity increase and process improvements at one of its production facilities. Because the project required integration of new equipment into an existing facility, the design team used laser scanning to capture an accurate representation of the space. An added layer of complexity came from the new equipment, which was a one-of-a-kind system. SSOE and the client worked collaboratively to ensure it would meet the desired outcome. The use of advanced 3D technology and laser scanning provided the client with the opportunity to see the proposed facility layout in a virtual environment before moving into the construction phase.

The unique equipment integration brought significant challenges for the design team that required a high degree of flexibility and agility to mitigate rapid changes. Through close collaboration and coordination, the SSOE team delivered a successful project, providing mechanical, electrical, controls, structural, architectural, and environmental design services. In addition to design services, the SSOE team played the role of equipment integrator, assisting with equipment design, commissioning, and start-up.

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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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The first EDGE radiosurgery LINAC of its kind in North America—second in the world.

Henry Ford Health System chose SSOE Group to provide architectural and engineering services, which included the removal of a linear accelerator (LINAC) and installation of a new Varian EDGE radiosurgery system in an existing vault in the basement of Henry Ford Hospital. Initially, the vault was not adequately shielded for the radiation output of the new equipment, as determined by the client’s on-staff physicist. SSOE worked closely with the physicist, shielding contractor, and construction manager to creatively solve this problem and ultimately provided a fully-shielded treatment room to house the first EDGE radiosurgery LINAC of its kind in North America—second in the world.

SSOE has become a trusted partner of Henry Ford Health System over the years, often called upon to provide our expertise in some of the most challenging of circumstances. We pride ourselves on providing the finest solutions in architectural, structural, mechanical, and engineering services to allow our customers to provide their patients with unparalleled healthcare. The EDGE radiosurgery system allows doctors to minimize treatment time and provide more accurate treatment of cancerous tumors, while minimizing radiation damage to normal tissue surrounding the tumor.

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To support their North American growth in the production of automotive electronic components, Continental AG chose an EPCM approach to deliver a modern, world-class greenfield facility in central Mexico. Due to our deep understanding of what is currently driving Continental’s business, knowledge of their various facilities, ability to successfully partner on large-scale projects, and proximity to the site, SSOE was selected to serve as designer, construction manager, and owner’s agent on the project located in FINSA Industrial Park.

The expert design team we assembled utilized SSOE’s Revit-based platform to create a complex 3D model that was used for weekly review meetings, and can be further utilized by the client’s maintenance staff to make future updates and repairs. Although our U.S. staff served as the discipline leads, we engaged our multidisciplinary, English-speaking team in León, Mexico to heavily support the design phase and bring additional value to our client. During the design phase, our team suggested design enhancements to achieve Continental’s desired vision for the new facility—suggestions were incorporated with no
impact to the original schedule.

Building areas on the 122,000 sq. m. site totaled 24,250 sq. m. and consisted of a single story manufacturing facility and adjacent two-story office, staff area, and cafeteria. The project also included infrastructure lines on-site, internal roads, parking lots, bus drop off and truck waiting areas, as well as median connections to the park road at the boundary of the property. Design was complete within the aggressive five month schedule.

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Having extensive international manufacturing experience combined with nationwide higher education experience made SSOE the right choice for Owens Community College for the design of their new Dana Advanced Manufacturing Training Center. SSOE’s manufacturing facility design experts worked closely with our higher education team and the client to incorporate the latest manufacturing trends into Owen’s new real-world training center. We have worked on thousands of industrial projects and kept pace with this dynamic industry by working alongside experts in the field. The application of the knowledge we have gained resulted in the delivery of a teaching and training facility that truly reflects today’s manufacturing environments. Simulation of real-world working environments allows students to be prepared for success as they complete their courses and enter the workforce.

This project included the renovation of an existing high bay building into an advanced manufacturing education and workforce training facility. The facility includes seven classrooms for training and education, five computer labs, hydraulic / pneumatic lab, two mechanical labs, three electrical labs, a robotics lab, pipefitting lab, four building trade labs, group project space, storage for tools and supplies, and offices spaces. The training center houses approximately $3-$4 million worth of advanced manufacturing equipment. Also included in the project is site development to include 100-200 new parking spaces adjacent to the building. The building’s entire mechanical system was also evaluated and updated as needed to fit the project’s needs.

SSOE performed architecture, civil, structural, electrical, mechanical and plumbing engineering, fire protection, technology, communications, security design, interior design, and loose furnishings design.

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Nissan North America commissioned SSOE to provide the design of its new automotive assembly facility in Aguascalientes, Mexico. This 1.9 million SF facility is the first of three project phases planned for the greenfield site. SSOE delivered this fast-track project in partnership with Yates Construction, who served as the prime general contractor and provided at risk construction services for the manufacturing plant. The plant was designed, constructed, and placed in production within 22 months.

SSOE was responsible for the entire assembly plant layout and subsequent design of the automotive manufacturing campus. The project involved multiple buildings to be completed simultaneously, including more than 300 acres of developed land, a stamping facility, body assembly shop, paint shop, and final assembly area. Additional facilities were designed to support the manufacturing system, such as an electrical switchyard; water pretreatment, wastewater treatment, and stormwater systems; and a fire protection system, including storage tanks.

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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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A New Space For A Mission-Focused Organization

Creating a new headquarters building for the Georgia Department of Public Safety required a solution that enables DPS’s mission by providing spaces that are highly functional, adaptable, and supportive of the organization, one built on a legacy of tradition, with a dynamic team-oriented culture. The new headquarters project includes a four-and-a-half-story building that expresses DPS’s rich history, professionalism, and excellence. Adjacent to the new building is a 200-space parking deck that is cut into a steep slope allowing for unobstructed views from the building.

The project is located on the existing state campus on United Avenue. The project also includes a new entrance gate and front lawn that is respectful of the surrounding Grant Park context and neighborhood. Care has been taken to be contextual while also providing a robust and secure fence line that helps to secure the campus which also includes facilities for the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.

Exemplifying Georgia’s Excellence

The new headquarters provides staff with office and training spaces that are light and bright, with warm woods that are refreshing, comfortable, and user-friendly, environments that convey a sense of calm and control. Visitors and guests will encounter these welcoming spaces beginning with a lobby that includes exhibits and artifacts demonstrating how DPS exemplifies excellence in Georgia. The program includes a 150-seat auditorium, training room, a wide variety of conference rooms, all supporting office suites for the department which includes the Divisions of the Georgia State Patrol, Motor Carrier Compliance, and DPS Command Staff.

Metal panels, Georgia granite accents, glass, and spandrel glass are used to accentuate the entrance and public spaces while addressing the views and access to natural light through the building. The high function and adaptable floor plates allow for a future rearrangement that will help to “future-proof” the facility as a long-term asset for the state. The project also includes a new memorial honoring fallen troopers.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety consists of a 98,000 square foot building with a 200-car parking garage located in downtown Atlanta. The project will include a memorial honoring fallen troops, office and training areas, 150-seat auditorium, flexible conference rooms, and unobstructed views of the neighboring campus.

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One of our long-standing consumer products clients recently acquired several product lines from a global healthcare company’s consumer health division. To expand further in the Latin American markets, they wanted to create a production facility in Mexico. After a recommendation from a general contracting partner in Mexico, they short-listed our team to provide design engineering services and ultimately hired us based on our knowledge of Lean tools and delivery methods, our relationship with the client’s U.S. counterparts, and our ability to work locally.

Still underway, the new three-story, 50,000 SF freestanding facility is being built in a fully Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) environment. Although we’ve completed projects at varying degrees of Lean intensity, this is SSOE’s first Integrated Form of Agreement (IFOA)—a contract that incorporates Lean practices and establishes shared risk and reward with our client and three trade partners to tie team success to project success.

The SSOE-designed facility will produce solid oral dose tablets for over-the-counter distribution in a growing market on our client’s existing campus. Our team is also providing process design, validation, and start-up services, bringing in a resource in product development to assist with formulation transfers and technology selections. By having project activities occur concurrently, it is allowing and engaging early contribution of knowledge and expertise of contractors in key trades.

The design phase is complete and construction is underway. SSOE has a full-time engineering resource on-site as a single point of contact for the trade partners and client. This full-time presence is a significant investment, but we believe the time savings associated with rapid information flow and increased quality control makes this a cost and time savings approach.

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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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SSOE provided architectural and engineering design services for KORE Power’s greenfield battery cell production facility, KOREPlex. KORE Power, a U.S.-based developer of battery cell technology for the energy storage and electric transportation industries, collaborated with Yates Construction and SSOE as the Design / Build team. SSOE advanced the design package to 60% completion at which point the client halted further design and construction.

The KOREPlex design included automated cell assembly lines, automated material movement and handling, an automated packaging line, and a pandemic-ready design to allow for safe workspaces.

The facility’s many cleanrooms were designed to maintain very low humidity requirements throughout the space, some targeting a temperature / humidity set point within the -45°C dew point range. The design used dedicated desiccant chilled water dehumidification units to dry the air, while providing space-level cooling. The rooms also utilized recirculating air handling units to allow for HEPA-level filtration and overall cleanroom pressurization requirements.

The SSOE team drew upon our unique expertise in the battery manufacturing sector to develop the KOREPlex designs—combining our understanding of large-scale manufacturing facilities with a technical mastery of controlled environments and process engineering.

The KOREPlex facility was designed to support up to 14 gigawatt hours (GWh) of battery cell production, producing nearly 60 million battery cells annually. The new facility would have production capacity to provide power for 3.2 million homes per year.

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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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SSOE’s client ProMedica, a prominent hospital and healthcare system serving communities in 28 states, was interested in providing services to an underserved area of Toledo, Ohio, where the client’s headquarters resides. The building selected had been vacant for years, sitting on a corner just outside the Central Business District in a re-emerging urban neighborhood. Our client wanted to address the social determinants of health, with a focus on hunger and nutrition, and increase access to healthy food, delivering nutritional education, and providing job training opportunities.

The renovation of all four floors was completed in three phases. Although it would have been ideal to work on all four floors concurrently, the budget constraints on this donation-funded project, in addition to the fact each floor had its own separate and unique systems, required our team to exercise their agility by renovating one floor at a time. First came the Market on the Green—a 6,700 SF nonprofit grocery store that offers nutritional options for people in the neighborhood, formerly deemed a “food desert.” Located on the ground floor, the full-service grocery store also offers nutrition education for customers in an area that previously lacked accessibility to whole food providers. The second floor now offers financial services, training rooms, as well as a space for healthy cooking classes—complete with a commercial kitchen. The third floor is currently leased out to a tenant who hired 60 individuals from the neighborhood and has committed to creating more Toledo-based jobs in the future. The fourth and final floor is currently being utilized by ProMedica’s Population Health program.

The fourth floor is the capstone of the building and the Ebeid Institute initiative. The open workspace immediately welcomes visitors upon entering, offering a view from the top and a different perspective of their neighborhood. The three enclosing walls are perforated with multiple window openings, with an unadorned solid brick wall as the backdrop for mechanical room and multiple gathering spaces of varying size for clients to privately meet with their service providers. Along this row of meeting spaces is a dedicated nerve center intended to evolve into a data-gathering / data-sharing hub within a technology-rich environment. Here researchers and guests can obtain the latest information on Population Health and the social determinants. The glass-fronted room serves as a symbol of ProMedica’s vision to provide a gateway to a healthy community.

SSOE was involved in the renovation of all four floors, providing full architectural and engineering design services, including interior design, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection design, and data / fire / security services. Redeveloping a space that would bring multiple agencies together is not an easy feat. An adaptable, flexible design was needed to meet the conditions, the building reflected an open plan arrangement with larger spaces, which was also key for keeping visitors emotionally and physically engaged. Existing architecture was maintained on the 1925’s stone and brick building, with existing joists and beams exposed and many of the walls left uncovered to preserve the original aesthetic. Our knowledge of complex security design allowed us to make the building welcoming for visitors, yet secure for tenants.

Today, the ProMedica Ebeid Institute is a safe place for people to connect with neighbors and service providers—a place just for them. It also provides a much needed grocery store for the area. It brought social services to uptown and set the stage for other organizations to follow suit. This area now provides more social services than any other district in the area.

 

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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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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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A New Life Design Program

Bowling Green State University (BGSU) has become a national leader in supporting student success. SSOE was enlisted as a critical partner in this initiative, designing a home for the Geoffrey H. Radbill Center for College and Life Design. Located in the heart of campus, the facility and program is available to all undergraduate students, helping create a dynamic, collaborative, and functional home where students work along with Life Design coaches as they take a creative approach to enhancing their college experience and lay a networking foundation for their future careers.

A Highly Inclusive And Collaborative Project Process

To ensure our design fully met the program’s needs, we immersed ourselves in the concept of ‘Life Design’, researching other similar programs in the country, and enhanced those models to develop a uniquely BGSU Life Design environment. Branding the vision of Life Design for students was key. Words describing the tenants of the program appear in large letters emerging from the walls of the new space. The interior architecture is centered around a radical collaboration space, an active zone that adapts to the needs of individual, small group and large group work. Passive zones for private study and coaching, along with a coaches suite form the backdrop of this interactive zone. Perched on the third floor, coaches and students are provided a bird’s-eye-view of a tree-laden quadrangle. Life Design is strategically located at a highly pedestrian traveled intersection of the Academic Core and Technology Core. An exclusive all-glass entry off of the quadrangle was created to guide students, day or night, to the new home of Life Design.

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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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Master Planning

SSOE was selected by the City of Decatur to provide design services for renovations and additions to the Decatur Public Works Facility. Two adjacent properties will be master planned to provide expanded space for the various public works departments, as well as consolidating two other city departments: City Schools of Decatur facilities and grounds maintenance; and the planning, zoning and engineering departments.

Schematic Design

We are providing architectural, engineering, and interior design services including site analysis and schematic design, design development, construction documents, and bid assistance. The existing 15,000 SF facility will be completely renovated with all new systems, finishes, furniture, and equipment, and will include an additional 15,000 SF of new construction.

Facade Enhancements

The city also purchased two adjacent parcels for additional space to be used for maintenance equipment storage. The design contemplates a new exterior facade compatible with the evolving, mixed-use neighborhood. The project incorporates the City of Decatur design guidelines for streetscape and pedestrian street enhancements. The new facility is now LEED certified.

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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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SSOE was selected to provide architectural and engineering design for the Sandusky County Courthouse’s interior renovation project. With the main part of the building dating back to 1844 and an expansion in the 1930’s, the courthouse’s interior was in need of significant modernization. Mindful of the building’s original Grecian design, SSOE was able to complement its 19th century style, while giving it 21st century functionality.

The age of the facility provided many obstacles that had to be overcome to ensure the design was feasible with the building’s current architecture and the schedule could be realized. The courthouse’s architectural improvements included ADA upgrades, enhancements to both public and staff areas, and department layout improvements to provide increased efficiency—marrying contemporary and traditional finishes throughout for a uniform appearance. Project savings were realized by preserving existing corridor marble walls with the removal of 100+ years of build-up.

The courthouse’s technology and security systems received a complete overhaul as well, which included installing a single point of entry with metal detectors, securing all remaining access doors with card reader access control. A complete lock down security system was installed with alert buttons placed in each department for use as needed. By better defining public and staff areas, we were able to improve workflow from one department to the next. Most importantly, employee safety was significantly enhanced through the security and mass notification measures put in place by SSOE’s data / fire / security experts.

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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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Originally built in 1913, Jesup W. Scott High School has endured to become an icon in the City of Toledo’s Historical West End District. The SSOE led renovation ensured preservation
of the historic landmark in the Old West End of Toledo, giving the facility a face-lift and adding modern technology to create a modern school in a timeless structure.

The renovation of the facility re-used much of the demolished material from the project, including the quarry-tile flooring. New electrical and mechanical systems, lighting schemes, and low-flow plumbing add to the energy management system providing extra cost savings. Installation of new replacement windows were installed to match the historical aesthetic of the facility. The exterior of the facility was updated with a white reflective roof and the terra cotta stone was cleaned, preserving the early 20th century look.

The renovation not only protects the school’s historical presence and restored to its original grandeur, but also updates the institution for today’s students. This project received a design award from AIA Toledo for the renovation of the Jesup W. Scott High School.

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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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The project’s program was to solve access and security issues for a multi-building county courthouse complex. The site consisted of three existing buildings facing an exterior plaza. Two of the existing buildings, the county courthouse and old jail facility, both were constructed in the late 19th century of Ohio-quarried rock-faced Berea sandstone. The third building was constructed in the early 1970s of precast concrete panels. The solution required connecting the three buildings with an addition that would create an enclosed complex for approximately 500 people.

Functionally, the new addition needed to create a primary public entrance that clarified internal circulation and way-finding to all the county departments. The addition also needed to satisfy court security required by The Ohio Supreme Court. Aesthetically, the addition needed to complement the existing buildings.

Early in the design process, it was determined the addition should provide a transition between the architectural styles of the existing buildings. A pallet of materials was chosen that mirrors the original building materials. The introduction of the Berea sandstone, clay tile roofing, and natural concrete provides that transition of style to complement the entire complex. Minimized connections to the existing buildings permit them to stand on their own. The glass and skylights provide views to the architectural details of the past.

A relocated fountain from the 1970s serves as a focal point at the new entry plaza to the complex. The materials are introduced on the plaza and continue to the interior of the addition to reinforce the connective function of the addition. This new complex entrance does not compete with the primary facade and entrance of the courthouse. The design of the addition also permits the entire complex to be secured with only one entry point, satisfying the requirement of the Ohio Supreme Court.

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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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Encompass Health commissioned SSOE to develop a design to replace the 50+ year old 96-bed rehabilitation hospital located in Toms River, New Jersey. Encompass Health wanted to keep the new facility in the same area as the existing hospital, however, there was no land available to design and construct a completely new replacement hospital nearby. As a result, SSOE developed a plan to replace the hospital on the existing campus, through renovation and additions.

The new hospital has 98 rehabilitation beds with approximately 53,141 SF of new construction and 32,600 SF of renovation. The design / construction documents were developed to allow the hospital to remain fully functional and to continue serving patients during the construction of the new hospital.

The project was built in four phases. Each phase required approximately nine to 10 months to complete. Phase I was completed and opened in November of 2017. Phase II was completed in June 2020. Estimated total construction cost for all phases of this project is $27 million.

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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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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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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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