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  1. St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers Presents United Excel Design with Best Practice Award

    The St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers (SLCCC) presented a Best Practice Award to United Excel Design and team member KAI Design & Build for exceptional pre-project planning and risk assessment in relation to the $93.7 million, 170,550-square-foot renovation of the Mike O’Callaghan Federal Medical Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

    The St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers recognized five projects during its annual Awards Dinner Gala on Monday, March 6, 2017, at the Palladium in St. Louis, Missouri. United Excel Design received the “Best Practices Award in Planning for Startup.”

    The Best Practice awards recognize successful implementation of one or more of the 17 Best Practices validated by the Construction Industry Institute to improve cost, schedule and quality for construction projects.

    “We are honored to have been selected for a best practice award, said Leo Zerjav, principal of United Excel Design. “Having a strong team helped us provide a world-class health care facility that will provide the best medical care possible for military personnel and their families for years to come.”

    The complex project encompassed the design, construction and outftting of more than 170,550 sf of space within 26 departments across four different floors, while the hospital remained fully functional throughout the construction process. This extensive renovation modernized the building, increased space efficiencies, developed functional space adjacencies between clinics, consolidated patient services, improved wayfnding and more, enabling the accommodation of new technologies, evolving medical practices, staffing increases and mission changes.

    LEAN process mapping was used to inform the layout of spaces and evaluate different design options. United Excel served as the prime contractor on the project, and Mill Creek was responsible for the medical equipment and furniture planning, procurement and installation.

    The project was delivered under the design-build initial outftting delivery model. Considered the future of health care design, this model involves key multi-disciplinary participants throughout all phases of construction. Integrating all parties from the project’s start is reputed to help reduce risk, minimize uncertainties in design interpretation, create cost savings and lead to a shorter schedule.

  2. United Excel Design to Serve as DOR on Substantial Air Force Clinic Renovations

    United Excel Design was recently selected to serve as the designer of record on two government design-build initial outfitting contracts. The projects, awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Little Rock District, will renovate the medical clinics located at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., and Vance Air Force Base, Okla. As the designer of record, United Excel Design will provide the architectural and interior design.

    The prime contractor that will be managing the construction process is Kansas City-based United Excel. KAI Design & Build, based in St. Louis, Mo., will provide the engineering design. United Excel’s Kansas City-based affiliate company, Mill Creek, will oversee the procurement and installation of the medical equipment and furniture.

    “We take seriously our contribution towards supporting the government’s ability to provide the best medical care possible for military personnel and their families through world-class health care facilities,” said Kevin Rogers, principal at United Excel. “United Excel Design will be an important partner in helping us deliver success on these projects.”

    The two projects will be delivered under the design-build initial outfitting delivery model. Considered the future of health care design, this model involves key multi-disciplinary participants throughout all phases of construction. Integrating all parties from the project’s start is reputed to help reduce risk, minimize uncertainties in design interpretation, create cost savings and lead to a shorter schedule.

    The $37.7 million clinic renovation project at Minot will occur in three concurrent phases, with a construction duration of approximately 38 months. This project will reconfigure and modernize approximately 47,000 square feet of space to address the growing obsolescence of the facility, accommodate the demands of its outpatient mission and meet the ongoing healthcare needs of the beneficiary population. Utilities and mechanical infrastructure will also be upgraded. The project will be designed to obtain LEED Silver certification. Major trade partners include mechanical subcontractor Mowbray and Son, Inc., and electrical partner Main & Holmes Electric, both based in Minot, N.D.

    The $13.9 million renovation at Vance Air Force Base will update the clinic’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system to optimize efficiency and make it code compliant. The scope will also right size and modernize multiple departments, including radiology, pathology and clinical laboratory, the patient centered medical home and portions of the dental clinic. The project will be designed to obtain LEED certification. Construction will occur in three phases, with a total project duration of approximately 34 months. Major trade partners include mechanical subcontractor Luckinbill, Inc., and electrical partner KC Electric, both based near Enid, Okla.

  3. United Excel Design Wins Best in Show at IIDA Unravel Raw Simplicity Fashion Show

    United Excel Design recently won “Best in Show” at the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Unravel Raw Simplicity Fashion Show. The biennial competition pairs local design firms and schools with building finish manufacturers (e.g., carpet, upholstery, tile, office furniture) to create unique garments that toe the line between fashionable and architectural. The thirty design teams that participated were challenged to produce garments conforming to the theme of “Raw Simplicity,” focusing on the beautiful simplicity of the materials used in our everyday spaces.

    This year, United Excel partnered with AIS, an office systems furniture provider from Kansas City. United Excel Design Team members included April Schafer, Interior Designer; Corey Davis, Architect; Sarah Green, Interior Designer; Allison Bleser, Designer; Matt Huettenmeyer, Designer; Tracy Donohue, Office Manager; and Ashley Mensinger, Project Coordinator (now with KAI Design & Build).

    allison-on-runway-front-1Early in the process, the team was required to provide a design sketch and a written description of their dress, explaining how it fit within the theme and the manner in which it would be constructed.

    “We knew we wanted the dress to be simple and elegant, yet made with the most raw materials possible,” said designer Matt Huettenmeyer. “The idea was to use pieces of hardware that make all of the connections, hold everything together, and without, the desk and/or chair wouldn’t function properly. “

    allison-on-runway-backAs the process progressed, the team further developed the concept to utilize metal washers connected with copper wire from the electric power whips, essentially creating a dress made from elements that are typically hidden.

    A significant amount of time was spent designing the form of the dress, with the understanding that it was going to be extremely heavy and wouldn’t allow much movement.
    After many iterations, the team agreed on a form fitting dress with a plunging neckline and deep V-shaped back, with a high-low cut at the legs above the knee. The small train on the base of the dress added to the elegance and provided excitement through its flowing movement when walking. The ensemble was finished off with a necklace and head piece made from various sizes and types of washers, strung together with copper wire.

    In the end, the dress weighed about 25 pounds. Through a process that took more than 20 minutes, the dress was meticulously fitted to the team’s model, designer Allison Bleser, via an inconspicuous piece of cord laced up the side.

    More than 1000 people attended IIDA’s fashion show. Proceeds from the event benefitted HomeFirst STL, a local charity dedicated to providing resources to end homelessness.