Sonny Hamizadeh, AIA, Senior Account Executive at SSOE Group, was recently featured in Modern Healthcare in an article highlighting the recent uptick in building renovation and conversion projects in the healthcare industry—as seen in the publication’s annual Construction and Design Survey results. Sonny explains that new construction is still prevalent, but when renovating is more practical and cost-effective, many clients are now considering that route. The feature goes on to detail SSOE’s recent renovation project for ProMedica Health System, still under construction, which the article appropriately dubs a “whopper remodeling job”. The project requires transforming two historical industrial structures in Toledo, Ohio into what will soon be ProMedica’s corporate headquarters. The design consists of repurposing a 19th century landmark steam plant and connecting it to a former bank building to create an office space for nearly 1,000 employees. Complex to say the least, the urban revitalization effort also required the demolition of two deteriorated 20-story brick smokestacks, which were replaced with smaller steel replicas that required close coordination with National Register of Historical Preservation officials. Continue Reading →

SSOE's Ryan Cousino, Project Manager with over 10 years of healthcare project experience, was recently published on the topic of life safety compliance—specifically a section of the Joint Commission’s survey assessing Life Safety Code NFPA 101 compliance. He recommends seeking assistance from a qualified architecture / engineering firm such as SSOE to prepare for this, guaranteeing a trouble-free outcome. Continue Reading →

Evan Baker, Data / Fire / Security (DFS) Manager at SSOE with over 10 years of experience, recently authored this illustrative article detailing best practices for designing an effective hospital mass notification system (MNS). Today’s technology allows for customized life-safety messages to be communicated in real time in various ways, with many features varying by vendor. Evan writes that a successful MNS design starts with calculated planning and the involvement of many parties—including the building’s architect, fire protection engineer, hospital personnel, insurance provider, and code officials—to help determine priority MNS features. Continue Reading →

John Gill, Director of VDC and Craig Pickerel, Architect and Section Manager take a look at how VDC has already transformed the way design and construction teams work together to develop new healthcare facilities—and where they see additional benefits in the future in Medical Construction & Design Magazine. The pair provides insight into specific ways VDC could enhance operations, maintenance, and management of a healthcare facility, improve the patient experience, and enhance staff efficiency and performance. Continue Reading →

John Gill, Senior Project Manager at SSOE discusses what he considers are the two main contributors to the rise in Energy Star certification in hospitals in Medical Construction & Design Magazine’s 2013 May/June issue. The trend toward increasing Energy Star certifications is positively reflected in the EPA’s most recent data for Energy Star-certified hospitals, which Gill partially attributes to sustainability awareness and outreach to heath care facility managers by the U.S. Department of Energy. Continue Reading →

Tony Damon, CEO of SSOE Group, was interviewed for the August 25, 2012 edition of The Economist. Damon provides insight on questions surrounding the increasing presence of work available in China and the effects this may have on jobs locally. In response, Damon states, "global growth is a question of survival, not choice, and that profitable work in China keeps jobs in Ohio". Continue Reading →