First Key Permit Obtained for Solar Plant

Abengoa Solar received a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility from the Arizona Corporation Commission, one of several key permits necessary to begin construction on its Solana Generating Station solar power plant in Gila Bend, 80 miles southwest of Phoenix.

Solana Generating Station, Gila Bend, Ariz.

Abengoa Solar has a Power Purchase Agreement with the Arizona utility APS for the electricity generated by Solana. The plant will have a capacity of 280 Megawatts.

The Solana Generating Station will generate enough electricity to power 70,000 homes while avoiding over 475,000 tons a year of greenhouse gases that would otherwise contribute to climate change. The plant will employ a proprietary Concentrating Solar Power trough technology developed by Abengoa Solar, and will cover a surface of approximately 1,900 acres. The construction of the Solana Generating Station will create around 1,500 construction jobs and employ approximately 85 skilled full-time workers once completed.

Designs Begin for Office Building at Glendale Urban Development cdb101

SmithGroup has been selected by cbdiversified as architect for the Phase I office building at cbd101, an urban mixed-use development in Glendale, south of University of Phoenix Stadium. The initial conceptual design is for a multi-story, mixed-use facility with corporate offices over ground-floor retail.

Barcelona, Spain, and Portland, Ore., were used as the models for the cbd101 development. This includes the concept of short blocks and narrow streets, which allow buildings to provide abundant shade for commuting pedestrians. Shade and sustainability are primary goals in this urban neighborhood project where each building is planned to be no more than a five-minute walk from parking areas.

"Cbd101 is a forward-thinking development in sustainable strategies," says architect Bob Colletta, vice president of SmithGroup Phoenix. "The development will be respectful and responsive to the surrounding areas as well as help to conserve the Valley's resources."

Retail will fill the mixed-use building's ground floor, stimulating social activity. "The ground-level will create a dynamic urban environment, burgeoning with professionals and community members," Colletta says.

The construction manager at risk for phase one is Sundt Construction.

Performing Arts Building in Surprise and New Chapel in Mesa

Progress is underway on Dysart Unified School District's latest school construction project. The team of D.L. Withers Construction, Gilleland Brubaker Architects Ltd. and local subcontractors are working in collaboration with the Dysart Unified School District and the City of Surprise to build the Valley Vista Performing Arts and Academic building.

The 96,704-sq-ft Performing Arts and Academic building will serve Valley Vista High School and the community at large. The building's features include towering 28-ft store-front glass doors, a stair-stepping ceiling rising from 12 to 28 ft, 1,300 auditorium seats and an arched ceiling. Behind the stage will be an area of 5,200 sq ft for the performers and crew to utilize for the performance.

Under the stage is the orchestra pit that will seat a 30-piece ensemble with elevator access for equipment. The control booth will be situated to the back of the auditorium at an elevation of 20 ft off the main floor. The booth has been designed to provide the technicians the latest in lighting and sound systems that are available.

Beyond the stage is 28,000 sq ft of classroom space that houses the learning area for the band, dance and drama departments. In the center of the structure is a lecture hall that accommodates seating for 210 students.

The project is currently 65% complete with an anticipated opening in April.

D.L. Withers also broke ground on the site where the first cancer chapel and shrine in Arizona will be constructed. The St. Peregrine Chapel & Shrine will be located at 1551 E. Dana Avenue in Mesa at Christ the King Catholic Church and will serve as the new headquarters for the Healing Through the Body of Christ (HTBC) Cancer Ministry - an outreach program in partnership with the American Cancer Society. Volunteers from HTBC, which is recognized by the Diocese of Phoenix, will offer one-on-one support, cancer information, educational programs and community outreach.

Cochise College Campus Gets Redesign and More

Architects from DLR Group, designers of several new and renovated facilities on the Cochise College campus, joined college dignitaries and officials for the groundbreaking of the new Student Union and academic buildings.

The master facilities plan calls for construction of three new buildings, an addition to the science building and renovations across the Sierra Vista Campus. A career and technical education building and the science building addition, both phase one projects, are complete. A new academic building and student union are part of phase two, which is just beginning. Renovations will be completed during the next two years.

The academic building consists primarily of classrooms, faculty offices and a learning commons. The 25,000-sq-ft single-story building is surrounded by a terraced courtyard and central lawn, with the student union directly to the north.

The learning commons is the premier space in the building, providing for 100 computers in both fixed and roaming positions. Tutoring areas also are featured, along with a variety of support spaces to round out the learning commons' program, including a help desk, group study rooms and faculty accommodation.

San Marcos in Chandler Moves on to Second Phase

San Marcos Commons, a $100 million, 15-acre mixed-use development in downtown Chandler, broke ground on phase two. The second of three planned phases, the project will complete the 79 luxury townhomes. The townhomes will face the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Resort golf course, overlooking the course's greens and nearby mountains. Homeowners have started moving into the 37 townhomes in phase one, which line Buffalo Street facing the historic resort and downtown corridor. Phase two is expected to The YMCA facility will encompass 27,842 sq ft and feature a state-of-the-art fitness center, teen center, racquetball courts, gymnasium and a covered 25-yd lap/play and fitness pool. In addition, the lobby will incorporate a rock climbing wall and snack bar. The 20,513-sq-ft community center and classroom building will provide a multi-purpose room, caterer's kitchen, banquet room, senior living room, special function rooms, classrooms and administrative space. Completion is anticipated for the third quarter. Architekton of Tempe serves as project architect.

B/S/H Showroom and Training Center Opens to Public

B/S/H Showroom and Training Center, Scottsdale, Ariz.

merz[project] architecture + interiors + urban design has finalized and delivered the largest commercial project in company history for the international Germany-based BSH Corporation. Located in Scottsdale, the 12,000-sq-ft facility provides seminar space, classrooms and a training center for one of the largest appliance manufacturers worldwide, while serving as a showroom to outside retail, industry patrons and potential customers.

Through its dual role, visitors will experience hands-on cooking demonstrations in various residential settings. The design team was challenged to seamlessly impart stringent corporate graphics and display standards within an environment that felt nothing like a standard showroom. The concept behind the entire design was to develop a space that allowed for users to research, learn, linger and entertain without feeling as if they were in a school or strict corporate environment.

[merz]project designed the spaces to showcase and highlight the displayed appliance brands of B/S/H, following the tradition of outstanding German design with the philosophy of less is more.

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