Architect

James A. Strapko. Clients Dr. James Hughes, OMS

This office for general dentistry is designed for a relatively large site that -Permits expansion of building and parking in the future. -A wish to design building and site using sustainable, green ideas. -Focus on energy conservation: preliminary ideas include geothermal heating and cooling, highly insulated envelope, and day lighting.

The building is aligned with a busy street along the north property line. It is angled to get the entrance close to bus and automobile drop-off points. Grade along north and east property lines is roughly even with adjacent streets, sloping down to the west and south. Placing the building near the northwest corner of the site gives it prominence and minimizes imported fill. A relatively large green island is located in the center of the parking lot; it is shaped to provide planting space for shade trees. The walkway shown in the island will probably not be used, so I will eliminate it in the next sketch. Snow storage areas are indicated. Elaborate planting islands are considered a nuisance by Owners who must plow their lots, so I kept this one as simple as possible.

The version of the site plan shown here includes some projecting areas at treatment rooms. the designer got this notion in the 3d model so he made the made the floor plan fit to it . Thus the Site plan, floor plan, and 3D model are developed at the same time. The Doctor is not demanding an addition, but the site permits expansion and it is prudent to design for it.so he made a 3D view that includes a future building addition

The floor plan sketch is based on a drawing provided by SullivanSchein, dental equipment supplier for this project. My development of the plan shows projections at treatment rooms that will become deep window sills for seat cushions or for display. When I have used this idea in the past, sills have been decorated by staff, giving each room a special character. Headwalls viewed from the hallway offer opportunity for decoration or identification of treatment rooms. I try to align hallways with headwalls.

Office waiting Toilets Staff Stair well waiting kids Lab sterilisation

Building plan is firmed up with the computer drawing sh0wn above. It is similar in organization to the hand sketch drawn previously. A partial basement is planned for mechanical equipment and storage. The basement is constrained by a variety of code requirements and is drawn only after the main level layout is established.

View from Northeast

View from Southeast

Location: Apple Valley, Minneapolis

Total construction cost: $805,000 Gross square footage: 7,000 sq. ft. Owner: Dr. Stephen Dalseth and Dr. Pascal Dalseth Architect: Tim Alt, ALTUS Architecture + Design

The Dalseths envisioned a dynamic, joyful, and comfortable place, where kids and adults would want to come. Stephen Dalseth also requested a green environmentliterally and figurativelywith naturally luminous interiors. As he puts it, Sunlight always energizes people