MichiganConstruction.Net

CSM Group

The Girl Scouts of Glowing Embers Program &Training Center provides an ‘urban oasis’ for girls as well as administration by providing various conference and meeting rooms, an administrative wing, a commercial kitchen, along with an all-purpose activities wing that can be transformed into a camping spot that brings a natural environment into the heart of the city.  This center serves as the hub to afford the opportunity for girls from all backgrounds and geographies to get to know one another in a comfortable, non-threatening environment.  

In almost every aspect of the project, the structural, mechanical, and electrical components of the building’s infrastructure have been left visible so that the girls and other visitors can learn about the construction process.  In addition, this building was constructed with as many building products as possible to enhance the learning process. 

The building’s infrastructure includes structural steel, precast wall panels, precast floor plank, poured walls and floors, and structural glue-lam beam members.  Other materials used included corrugated metal panels, cedar siding, wood, hollow metal, and aluminum doors, a revolving door at the lobby entrance, aluminum clad window systems, aluminum curtainwall systems and two vegetative roof assemblies. 

Design Plus

Design Plus is the Architect of Record for this new 33,356 SF program and training center for the Girl Scouts of Glowing Embers Council. Working with lead architect, Hal Hayes of H3 Architecture in New York City, Design Plus completed architectural design development and construction documents, as well as structural engineering coordination, and coordinating interior design finish and furnishings selection and documentation with SKP Design out of Kalamazoo. Design Plus completed mechanical and electrical engineering design development with construction being completed design/build. We coordinated landscape architecture services with O’Boyle Cowell Blalock & Associates out of Kalamazoo. The new facility is completely handicapped-accessible and includes a resource library, staff lounge, kitchen, activities area, day camp check-in area, teen lounge, donor’s plaza, kitchen, gift shop, executive director’s office, administrative gallery, board room, greenhouse, conference rooms, multi-purpose room that accommodates 130 people, toilet rooms, locker rooms with showers, washer/dryer hook-up, covered terrace, and storage. The project was completed in September 2007 with a final construction cost of $4,500,000.

WPF Engineering

WPF Engineering provided construction administration for lighting and power systems, working with electrical contractor and architects to complete design build electrical project.  Amy Zeboor was the electrical engineer on the project while employed at Design Plus.

Challenges on this project were high ceiling atrium spaces and design build budget.  Amy provide an energy efficient building while working with architect to accent architecture.