Engineering Archives - Page 4 of 4

Tight coordination of the procurement process prevented potential schedule delays and cost increases due to a scarcity of available parts.

Increasing demand for gas in areas served by an obsolete pipeline prompted Consumers Energy to engage SSOE’s engineering and procurement services to upgrade and replace the line. The project included developing multiple iterations of the routing plan to avoid recreational areas. SSOE assisted in obtaining permits from the township and various other agencies. The approved route added two miles to the line, making the 24-inch pipe 11 miles in length. SSOE also designed a temporary bypass to maintain gas service while the 2.5-year project was completed.

The project also involved significant changes to the existing metering stations. One station was demolished and replaced, while the other was upgraded and remodeled. A separation wall was installed to provide safety in the event of a gas leak. SSOE developed renderings of the stations and designed landscaping to create a residential character to these buildings, allowing them to blend into their surroundings.

Procurement proved to be challenging due to the extent of supplies and materials that had to be pre-purchased and the difficulty of obtaining the needed parts. SSOE responded to the challenge with careful tracking and tight coordination of the procurement process.

May 31, 2018/in Energy / Power Architecture, Engineering, Data / Fire / Security (DFS) Midwest U.S., U.S. Markets - Energy / Power /by david

SSOE applied significant value engineering to the preliminary schematic project design. Through design innovations, utilization of specialists in blast resistant design, and other ideas, Husky realized more than $7 million in savings.

In an effort to improve safety and communication at their Lima Refinery, Husky embarked on a plan to relocate all non-essential personnel away from blast risk zones to a centralized location outside the battery limits of the production facility. They called upon SSOE’s extensive refinery expertise and familiarity with blast resistant structures to design their new control building. SSOE provided full architecture and engineering for the 250,000 SF, two-story structure, which consists of a central control room, laboratory, warehouse, maintenance shops, vehicle repair center, and unit personnel housing.

Due to it’s proximity to plant production operations, the facility was designed to resist a substantial blast over-pressure while maintaining an open and architecturally appealing structure. SSOE collaborated with the owner, specialized design consultants, constructors, and material systems providers to provide a functioning structure that is fully code compliant, protects its occupants from hazards, and allows for the operation and controlled shutdown of systems should an event occur. This collaboration and the application of specific design techniques resulted in a $3 million reduction in the cost of the structural frame alone.

As part of the project, SSOE customized the fire alarm, access control, data cabling, and raceway systems including the specialized protection needs of potentially hazardous operations. SSOE’s Data, Fire, and Security (DFS) team also designed an electronically secure enclosed area featuring anti-passback technology within the access control system.

May 31, 2018/in Chemical Engineering Western U.S., U.S. /by david

Process developed had six month payback and increased the overall product yield by 10%, generating $2 million per year in extra production without an increase in feed stock quantities.

When the client acquired a rural site to take in municipal waste, railroad ties, and used tires, it sought SSOE’s process engineering expertise in transforming the brownfield site into an alternative energy facility. The client needed to ascertain if these elements could generate sellable chemicals and result in a commercially viable business. As one of the top ranked chemical plant and green industrial and manufacturing design firms, SSOE was uniquely qualified to tackle the complexities of front-end process design while planning a fully functioning, energy-efficient facility.

SSOE performed preliminary and detailed chemical process engineering involving putting the waste products through a plasma gasification system, producing syngas, and generating methanol and DiMethyl Ether with future capacity to produce mixed alcohols (butanol, ethanol). In developing the process, SSOE discovered a means of recovering hydrogen from the purge gas stream that increased the client’s overall product yield by 10% with a six-month payback. Overall, the plan generated $2 million per year in additional production without an increase in feed stock quantities.

SSOE performed process studies for capacity improvement and evaluations of alternative technologies, including alternative refrigerants. Its process engineering services included developing the process alternatives, process modeling once the Process Flow Diagram (PFD) was finalized, and identifying manufacturing solutions for all of the unit operations. It also provided input for environmental filings and responses to due diligence queries from the financing engineer.

May 31, 2018/in Energy / Power Engineering Midwest U.S., U.S. /by david

Met the client’s aggressive schedule, enabling them to submit their grant proposal on time.

With the next step in their growth (and a major expansion) on the line, Xunlight looked to SSOE to provide the Department of Energy (DOE) with an extensive review of their planned expansion from an initial 25 MW plant to a full scale 100 MW production facility.

This review included:

PV cell manufacturing and module assembly processes
Facilities and site requirements
Chemical handling and safety requirements
Production cost estimating
Permitting review
NEPA assessment assistance

The challenge was to provide a very rapid assessment of Xunlight’s scale-up plan that would also be thorough enough to ensure the DOE’s review process would be smooth and quick. With extensive resources in both industrial process and facilities, SSOE was able to instantly assign a team of multi-disciplined experts to fast-track the process.

The successful technical review that resulted was a product of a proactive and responsive client as well as deep technical resources that allowed a fast-track review by “A-team” experts for each discipline. SSOE’s extensive experience in integrating facility and process design and large project execution produced findings that satisfied Xunlight’s specialized needs.

May 31, 2018/in Energy / Power Architecture, Engineering, Sustainable Design Western U.S. Markets - Energy / Power /by david

Reduced engineering schedule by 30%, saving GLE $60,000 a day.

Glacial Lakes Energy (GLE), a manufacturer of corn-based ethanol, underwent a capacity increase to more than double their existing capability. SSOE provided full engineering, design, procurement, fabrication, erection, and commissioning support. We coordinated with GLE, the contractor, and the process provider to successfully complete a fast-track, turnkey project which increased GLE’s existing ethanol production to 100 million gallons per year.

SSOE utilized staff in its Shanghai, China office to provide 24-hour project support, which reduced the engineering schedule by 30% and helped bring the facility to full production capacity in just 11 months. Also, as a result of the accelerated schedule, the client recognized a sizable profit. GLE saved $60,000 per day, which equaled approximately $1.8 million in profit per month.

May 31, 2018/in Energy / Power, Chemical Program / Project Management, Engineering Midwest U.S., U.S. /by david

On the merits of SSOE’s broad experience with chemical / energy projects and front-end process design, Secure Energy enlisted SSOE to help it develop a coal gasification system at its Decatur, Illinois plant.

SSOE served as the lead process engineering firm and integrated the various technologies required for the process into the plant. The firm was responsible for modeling and design of the process areas as well as scheduling and cost estimating for the overall engineering effort. With a minimal number of coal gasification units working in the U.S., SSOE developed a mathematical model of the chemical processes involved in transforming coal into synthetic natural gas and utilized the first gasifiers brought into the country by the client’s technology provider.

Running at full operational capacity, the gasification units convert 1.4 million tons of coal annually to 21 billion cubic feet of pipeline quality synthetic natural gas. The gas is supplied to the interstate natural gas pipeline network.

The client’s coal gasification transition was sparked by loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Policy Act of 2005 designed to spur the deployment of alternative energy technology projects.

May 31, 2018/in Higher Education Engineering, Data / Fire / Security (DFS) Southeast U.S., U.S. /by david

This prominently sited, five-story structure ties the University of South Carolina (USC) traditional campus to its new urban “innovista” research campus. The facility supports programs in engineering, technology, scientific research, and industrial development of alternative energy sources.

Research includes two floors dedicated to hydrogen fuel cell studies with laboratory areas for Proton Enhanced Membrane (PEM) and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC). The first floor is dedicated to characterization chemistry and the second floor has a program in nanopolymers. The ground and fourth floors are set aside for future development.

Each laboratory utilizes high performance variable air volume fume hoods with air flow control based on sash position. Fuel cell research laboratories have centrally piped hydrogen and nitrogen gases and also house cylinders for hydrogen rich specialty reformate gases. All laboratory process equipment utilizes a recirculating cooling system to reduce portable water usage.

SSOE was involved in the planning and programming efforts and provided mechanical, electrical and fire protection construction documents for this building. Review of the contractor’s shop drawings, was performed to detect errors and omissions which were found and corrected prior to the fire marshal’s review. The fire alarm design was upgraded to meet code. This allowed passing of the drawings by the jurisdiction on the first review. Life cycle analysis and careful evaluation of alternative energy usage systems were important to the sustainable aspects of this building. The construction was fast-track accomplished by utilizing Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) method.

May 24, 2018/in Energy / Power Architecture, Engineering Midwest U.S., Western U.S., U.S. /by raincastle

SSOE provided on-site assistance at the fist beta site unit which has prepared this company for additional installations and further enhancements to the turbine and balance of system design.

Wind Energy Corporation executed a multiphase project at two separate locations. SSOE provided design and application engineering services for a new vertical axis wind turbine. In the first phase of the retrofit project, SSOE optimized the design of the turbine unit, its structural supports, and power electronics integration. In addition, the project scope included the complete integration of the prototype vertical axis wind sail system. SSOE also provided inverter specification, electrical permit drawings, and controls system development.

As part of SSOE’s Value Promise, SSOE provided on-site assistance at the first beta site unit, which prepared this company for additional installations and further enhancements to the turbine and balance of system design.

For the second phase of the project, SSOE delivered product development support which required multidiscipline team coordination. This effort included control and transmission development, inverter specifications, and system integration for planned installations – executed by our electrical controls team. SSOE’s structural team provided specifications for tower mounting and building integration. By utilizing a planned installation project delivery method, SSOE delivered the project on schedule, which was based on timelines and critical milestones.

May 15, 2018/in Automotive Program / Project Management, Architecture, Engineering, Data / Fire / Security (DFS), Sustainable Design Southeast U.S., U.S. /by raincastle

Through innovative design concepts, benchmarking common practices, and scheduling, SSOE offered Volkswagen a savings of more than $44 million.

Having successfully performed design work for more than 50% of all greenfield automotive assembly plants built in the United States over the last 10 years, SSOE was well qualified to oversee architecture, engineering, and construction management services for Volkswagen’s new automotive production facility.

Volkswagen was also looking for a firm with a strong sustainability focus who would help the company execute its green initiatives.

Located on an 830-acre brownfield site, the production facility includes conventional steel framed buildings with concrete columns, roof structures with skylights, metal wall panels with windows, and a single-ply membrane roof. The plant has the capacity to produce 150,000 mid-sized vehicles annually. The primary manufacturing operations include weld, paint, and assembly. Other facilities on this site include outbound logistics, an extensive training center, media (utility) center, social hall with cafeteria, technical center, tank farm, recycling center, and fire station. SSOE provided environmental permitting, civil, architectural, structural, mechanical, fire protection, plumbing, electrical, fire alarm, access control, and security system design as well as construction management. SSOE’s expertise led to the first and only LEED^® Platinum automotive assembly plant in the world. SSOE assisted with the preparation, submittal, and multiple agency approvals of the air permit in record time—2 weeks ahead of an aggressive 3-month schedule.

April 14, 2017/in K-12 Education Architecture, Engineering Southeast U.S. /by hitch

Two-Story Addition & Expansion

SSOE, in association with local WBE firm, Red Iron Architects, worked on the additions and renovations to Stratford High School. The project entails a two-story addition and cafeteria expansion (with space for up to 695 additional students) with 10 classrooms, a COPE classroom, Sports Medicine Lab, and a state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Kitchen. In addition to new classrooms and a sports medicine lab, programming also called for the demolition and narrative repairs to address seismic concerns and life safety analysis specific to the area.

Flexible & Economical Designs

Flexible and economical designs were used throughout the project – one that included an expanded program for a new lobby area for special events and potential after hour use, features incorporated without increasing the construction budget.

April 13, 2015/in Architecture, Engineering Southeast U.S. /by hitch

New Division Headquarters

To accommodate their expanding staff, SSOE provided complete architecture and engineering design services for the Wildlife Resource Division, a division of Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources.

Designing With The Mission In Mind

Since the Wildlife Resource Division staff interacts directly with the public, the new headquarters design needed to be more inviting, all while invoking the division’s mission to, “Conserve and promote hunting, fishing, and wildlife resources through management, education, and scientific research.”

Campus-Like Atmosphere

The new headquarters is located north of the central parking area, with the existing Wildlife Resource Conservation Center located to the south. The campus-like atmosphere has a positive impact on the division’s productivity and efficiency.

March 7, 2015/in Architecture, Engineering /by hitch

Former Tobacco Warehouse

Formerly a tobacco warehouse and charcoal briquette factory, the Ragsdale Building was renovated into a temporary exhibition venue for traveling art displays.

Structural Enhancements

Structural enhancements were needed in addition to new mechanical units. In addition, a study for new Comfort Stations is currently on the boards to be completed.

The Ragsdale Building, also known as the The Rob, was built in the 1920’s and used to be a former charcoal briquette warehouse. The building is now considered the “go-to” venue for all large-scale events in Lake City.

April 8, 2014/in Architecture, Engineering, Sustainable Design Southeast U.S. /by hitch

Central Shopping

The Sweet Auburn Curb Market, originally established in 1918 as an open air shopping center, was established on land cleared by the Great Atlanta Fire of 1917. In 1923, prominent Atlanta Architect A. Ten Eyck Brown designed a fireproof brick and concrete building that quickly became a central shopping center for the local community.

Capital Improvements

In 2011, this historical center was in critical need of capital improvements inside and out. J.M. Wilkerson Construction and SSOE teamed together to successfully complete the 50,000 square foot historical Municipal Market renovation.

Restoration & Upgrades

The scope of work included renovation of public restrooms, repair/replace doors and gates, electrical and mechanical upgrades, lighting retrofit, addition of HVAC units, plumbing upgrades, fencing, redesign of interior seating areas, replacement of damaged glass in windows, exterior lighting restoration of signage and other improvements.

Today the Market continues to operate as a vibrant social and cultural center in the Sweet Auburn District of Atlanta. With retail vendors and restaurants, the Sweet Auburn Curb Market continues to create new shopping experiences and bring together the city’s unique cultures, all while preserving the historic value of this iconic jewel of the city.

April 7, 2014/in Architecture, Engineering Southeast U.S. /by hitch

Transforming Abandoned Warehouse

To meet the needs of Artfields initial season, this recently abandoned warehouse, located in the heart of downtown Lake City, South Carolina, was renovated into a state-of-the-art, flexible exhibition gallery and events space.

Unique Building Characteristics

Brick walls, arched openings, and exposed trusses give this structure its character, while new systems successfully meet the demands of traveling art exhibitions.

April 7, 2013/in Architecture, Engineering Southeast U.S. /by hitch

Former Library

SSOE recently completed the renovation of the former 1950 Lake City Library. This building played an important role in the early education of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, Lake City native and former NASA astronaut who, at nine years of age, was denied access to books about advanced science and calculus, due to the color of his skin.

Creating A Center For The Community

After refusing to leave the library, the police intervened and the books were entrusted to McNair’s mother who promptly handed them to McNair on the way out of the library. Today, the center serves as a community space for a variety of educational and civic activities. Future phases include a science education center and a public park featuring space related exhibits.

March 8, 2013/in K-12 Education Architecture, Engineering Southeast U.S. /by hitch

Large Flexible Space

The design of the Lighthouse, Shandon Baptist’s new student center is based on a single-story structure that features a large flexible space for a variety of activities all located near the University of South Carolina campus.

Significant Changes

The structure is pulled forward on the site, similar to neighboring buildings in the community, with hidden parking located at the rear of the property. A significant change in grade is negotiated via a series of ramps and terraced patios, all complying with ADA requirements.

The character of the building is a landscape hugging structure with wide overhangs and a hipped roof. Brick veneer and siding complete the palette of “warm” materials.

March 7, 2013/in Architecture, Engineering Southeast U.S. /by hitch

Creating An International Museum

This former Macy’s Department Store, built in the late 1960’s, is now home to the internationally recognized Columbia Museum of Art. SSOE transformed this vacant storefront plaza into a tourism hotspot that is known throughout the Columbia region for its unique traveling exhibits, art studios, galleries, conference rooms, and art shop.

New Contemporary Hub

Challenged to create an easily discernible “front door,” the museum’s new main entrance is strongly identified by the unique inverted truss design of the roof, while a spacious two-story atrium floods the lobby with natural light, transforming this dilapidated building into a new contemporary hub of activity.

Downtown Revitalization

The completed design of this area includes the former Carolina First Building (now the TD Bank Building), Boyd Plaza, and the Columbia Museum of Art, all contributed to the downtown revitalization of Columbia’s Main Street.

April 8, 2012/in Architecture, Engineering Southeast U.S. /by hitch

Region’s New Library

SSOE worked with the county on the design of the region’s new main public library. The building, designed using a square floor plan to increase operational efficiency, features two prominent street facades of glass and a central atrium.

A Significant Structure

Since its inception, Richland Library has been extolled by community leaders as one of the most significant structures built in the Columbia area in the last 50 years.

One-Of-A-Kind Building Features

Building highlights include the aforementioned glass facades and atrium, 42,000 square feet of space per floor, two wedged-shaped atriums with a central sky lighted free form pod, interior garden areas, spiral staircase, meeting and conference rooms, administrative office suites, and more than 750,000 volumes of books.

January 13, 2012/in Architecture, Engineering Southeast U.S. /by hitch

A New Conference Center At A Historic State Park

To accommodate the need for a larger conference, SSOE was asked by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to provide professional design services for a new conference center in Indian Springs State Park. Indian Springs is Georgia’s oldest state park, opening its doors in 1825.

Providing A Space To Gather

Located in middle Georgia, the conference center accommodates up to 500 people. The building was designed with flexibility and accessibility in mind and can also be subdivided into three separate spaces. The conference center also features a warming kitchen and two, small multi-purpose rooms near the main building entrance.

March 14, 2011/in Architecture, Engineering Southeast U.S. /by hitch

New Home Of DNR’s Law Enforcement Division

After serving as the home to the Wildlife Resource Division, SSOE’s main goal was to renovate the building to better accommodate the needs and identity of Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources’ Law Enforcement Division.

A New And Welcoming Lobby

The key feature of this project is the main lobby space. Previously, the lobby was a constrained space with outdated finishes. In coordination with the Law Enforcement Division, SSOE generated a material palette that was lighter and more welcoming to the public. The lobby space has two feature walls; a wood-clad memorial wall honoring fallen officers, and a wall that displays historic artifacts of DNR’s Law Enforcement Division.

April 11, 2009/in Government / Judicial Architecture, Engineering Southeast U.S. /by hitch

Historic Renovation

SSOE provided design services for the historic renovation of the 1920s South Carolina Court of Appeals. Due to the age and original construction of the building, the translation of functions from paper to viable working spaces posed several design challenges.

Creative Engineering

From an engineering perspective, the spatial layouts also had to accommodate the concealment of HVAC and electrical services in each of the restored areas. Unable to pull information from the original architect’s plans, the designers adapted existing molding and plaster detail in the creation of new millwork and decorative treatments.

Designing With Authenticity

Additionally, our team also discovered that several of the shaped profiles in the elevations existed in the marble work on the first floor, thus assuring accuracy in the overall restoration. By lengthening one bay to increase capacity, the courtroom appears architecturally as it originally did in 1927. Renovated areas included administration spaces, courtroom, library, and public areas.

November 18, 2008/in Residential / Hospitality Architecture, Engineering Southeast U.S. /by Hannah Lee

Activating The Retail Experience

In an effort to activate the street level retail experience of a five acre, mixed-use development, SSOE designed this 14-story, 242-room hotel as part of the Park Pavillion in Atlanta’s Luckie Marietta District.

Creating More Entertainment

The entertainment block also features a 700-car parking deck, 25,000 square feet of retail at street level and a 6,000 square foot, Legal Sea Foods restaurant on the second level.

Signature Rooftop Event Space

Signature rooftop event space sits atop the building’s prominent corner across from the Park and the Georgia Aquarium which is served by a glass enclosed, sidewalk elevator. Located adjacent to the Centennial Park District, this project anchors a prominent corner of this revitalized commercial district.

August 26, 2007/in Residential / Hospitality Architecture, Engineering Southeast U.S. Markets - Residential / Hospitality /by Hannah Lee

Renovation Design

Our design team completed the renovation design of this historic 1913 hotel in downtown Atlanta. The project revitalizes the once posh Hotel Winecoff into a boutique-style 127-room hotel.

Historic Layout

Maintaining the historic layout, the floor plan incorporates ten rooms per floor. The exterior was restored to it’s original grandeur with cast stone and new historically compatible storefront on the street facades.

Multi-Functional Spaces

The reconstruction of the “air terrace” over the Peachtree Street sidewalk provides a wide, multi-function outdoor dining space adjacent to the food and beverage areas on the second floor.

November 18, 2005/in Residential / Hospitality Architecture, Engineering Southeast U.S. /by Hannah Lee

Extensive Renovations

Under the threat of demolition only a few years ago, Downtown Atlanta’s historic  Glenn office building reopened as the cosmopolitan  Glenn  Hotel following extensive renovations. The 80-year old, 10-story building has added a new rear entry courtyard and a private second story terrace.

Striking Views

A roof-top patio bar with glass railings was added, taking advantage of the striking views of Midtown Atlanta to the north and Downtown Atlanta to the east.

Compatible Systems

All new systems were provided and windows were replaced with historically compatible, insulated units. A second exit stair was added by cutting through the existing slabs. The limestone and brick facades were cleaned and repointed.