Are you an Office Manager or Financial Assistant (or both) looking to join a firm that combines a solid history with design confidence, innovation, and sustainability? At RB+B Architects, our projects range from craft breweries to K-12 schools and have received recognition at the local, state, and national levels for our creativity and positive impact on communities. Our work hard/play hard mentality means we not only get the job done, but also have a great time doing so. During the day we have in-office collaborative charrettes, Friday design chats, and engaging discussions to facilitate continuing education. And when the work day is over, our team loves hiking, skiing, biking, and enjoying the Fort Collins craft beer scene together.

What makes us unique? Our staff! We are a fun group of people who genuinely like each other, both during the workday and after hours. Our team values integrity, quality, and relationships, and extends that same culture to our projects.

The ideal candidate for this job is reliable, accurate, and a good communicator with a passion for Office Management and Accounting.

Responsibilities for Office Manager:

• Front Desk activities including greeting, phones, and shipping.
• Firm function planning/execution including meetings, birthdays, picnics, and holiday parties.
• Employee handbook review/updates/communication.
• Assist personnel onboarding.
• Benefits review, enrollment, and reporting with ADP TotalSource.
• Assist in compiling client/consultants contracts and gather/track insurance certificates.
• Assist with revising and edits to documents, printing, collating, binding documents and reports for submissions and proposals.
• Create internal company newsletter.
• Creating/maintaining project files on file server, including archives.
• Assist with meeting preparations, luncheons, and errands.
• Manage and Purchase supplies (office supplies, cleaning supplies, etc.).

Responsibilities for Financial Assistant:

• Oversee all AR, AP, general ledger, and billing functions in Deltek Ajera.
• Coordinate with accounting firm to prepare year-end and corporate taxes.
• Assist accounting firm in generating financial reports.
• Coordinate payroll with ADP TotalSource.
• Generate annual payroll reports and annual reconciliations for accounting firm and 401k company.
• Oversee and execute all client invoicing on a monthly basis.
• Assist in service contact purchase/negotiations (maintenance, phone, wireless, etc.).

Requirements:

• 2-4+ years of office management or accounting experience with a college degree
• Ability to work in Microsoft Office, Deltek Ajera, and Adobe Creative Suite.

RB+B Architects, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and provides competitive salaries, excellent benefits and a culture that promotes work/life balance. Benefits include health insurance, 401K, life insurance, paid vacation and paid sick leave. For more information visit www.rbbarchitects.com.

If interested, please email your resume and cover letter to jniemann@rbbarchitects.com.

RB+B recognizes that the most creative and important assets we have are our staff; each year our co-workers commit to the firm creates an occasion to be celebrated! But at five-year milestones, we take a little extra time to check in with our talented team members to celebrate their major accomplishments, and get their take on what’s important moving into the future.

Five Minutes with Rebecca

What has been your proudest moment/accomplishment at RB+B? 
Over 20 years, there have been many proud moments: great award-winning projects, happy and successful clients, and career advancement. But if I were to pick one, it would be the grand opening of the Boulder J. I was deeply involved and invested in the Boulder Jewish Community Center project from the first interview in early 2011 through years of design, negotiation with the City, redesign, more negotiation, value engineering, construction and finally opening 5 ½ years later in September 2016. And, it extends beyond that night. I’m still proud every time I open their newsletter and see photos of members using the facility, or attend a reception in the beautiful Levin Hall, or when I visit and see gleeful children, parents and teachers in the ECC. 

Describe a funny moment during a project.
During construction at Red Truck Beer Company in Fort Collins, they had the Baja racing truck on site and Laird, the GM, gave Ben and me a ride around the block even though it’s not “street legal”.  It was crazy-loud at over 800BHP. But we had our hard hats and safety vests on, so no worries!

Why do you enjoy working at RB+B?
I love the people. I’m happy to be making a difference in the lives of our employees as well as our clients.

Tell us about a goal you have for the next five years.
As one of the leaders of our firm, my goal is always to provide excellent service to our clients and support the talents and personal growth of our staff.

What do you like to do outside of work hours?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, whether that’s traveling to new places or enjoying the beauty in our own state through outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and snowboarding, or just enjoying good food and good company.  

What drew you to RB+B? Why have you stayed?     
RB+B is known for our exceptional school and civic work. I liked the idea of designing substantial buildings that have an impact on their neighborhood and community while also serving the public.

Do you have a hidden talent or passion?   
I don’t think I hide it very well, but I really love mountain biking.

If you could share a piece of advice with your 20-year old self/30-year old self, what would it be? 
Appreciate all the experiences you will have, especially in terms of the opportunity to travel and see different cultures, landscapes, buildings, and meet people.

The leadership team at RB+B Architects is proud to announce that Matt Arabasz, AIA, ALEP, LEED APBD+C, has been named the newest Principal at the firm.

Matt joined RB+B in 1998 and has been instrumental in the success of many of the firm’s projects, including: Emerald Elementary School (Broomfield), Trailside Academy P-8 School (Mapleton), Fossil Ridge High School (Fort Collins), Kinard Middle School (Fort Collins), Summit Elementary School (Casper, WY), and Kelly Walsh High School (Casper, WY). He is currently leading several School Districts throughout Northern Colorado in developing district-wide roadmaps for the future of their facilities, as well as leading the new Poudre School District Middle/High School projects in Fort Collins.

While Matt’s commitment to the profession of architecture presented itself early in his career through committee volunteering with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), more recently this commitment has been focused on, as Matt articulates, “shaping our work from the inside out, as we refine our internal processes to elevate the quality of our work.” Notable initiatives with which he has led or been involved include setting up the firm’s standards in AutoCAD and, more recently, REVIT standards; managing office technology for a number of years; working collaboratively with the firm’s GREEN Team; pursuing work to enhance marketing initiatives; planning office-wide and leadership retreats; and helping to clarify the firm’s design process and messaging. He has a passion for improving building envelope design and serves as one of three professionals in the office who maintain the integrity of our projects in a Quality Control Review role.

Matt’s list of accomplishments is lengthy, though his proudest work lies in the realm of educational planning and his Accredited Learning Environment Planner (ALEP) credential. Matt received this accreditation several years ago through the Association 4 Learning Environments, an international organization focused on the design of educational spaces. Matt notes that, “obtaining this credential was part of a deliberate effort to improve my ability to help lay the groundwork for successful educational projects and to build a skill within our firm that would lead us towards continued success. In my experience, our clients are increasingly reliant upon their architect to provide leadership in this realm on educational projects of all scales.”

Corky Bradley, current President of the firm notes, “Over the past 21 years, I have seen Matt grow into not only an outstanding Architect, but a true leader and mentor. Matt exemplifies the design philosophy and culture of RB+B, and always puts the client first. His diligence in guiding our firm into the years ahead, as well as providing outstanding client service, shows he is unflinching in his commitment to high performance building design, our community, and to our profession. It is my honor and privilege to welcome Matt as a new Principal at RB+B Architects.”

Matt shares that, “Over the last five years, I have been deliberately shifting my focus from being the full-time “go-to person” for one or two projects to being a part-time steward of several projects, supporting other up and coming Project Managers in our firm. This shift affords me the opportunity for direct interaction with more of our clients and with more of our staff while creating advancement opportunities for our younger staff to grow into.
 
“Looking forward to the next five years, my goals are two-fold: first, to continue to refine and advance my skills as an Educational Facility Planner, and, second, to empower and encourage our staff to refine and advance their own skills. Perhaps my most important role as a Principal is to ensure the longevity of our firm and of our profession by supporting each member of our staff in reaching their full potential as the administrative professionals, marketing professionals, interior designers, and architects they wish to be. As a wise colleague once advised, the search for my replacement begins today.”

Matt joins current Principals Corky Bradley, Rebecca Spears, and David Kress in this leadership role. His personality, work style, and professional interests round out a leadership team that provides a diverse set of strengths from which both our clients and our staff benefit. He shares that our family-style office culture is what makes RB+B an exceptional place to work and an exceptional partner for our clients. “As a Management Team, we give ourselves the flexibility to manage each member of our staff as a unique individual, and we promote individuals with complementary skills into positions of leadership. This approach illustrates that, as a team, we strive for something greater than simply serving as a collection of strong individuals.”

RB+B Architects is a 22-person architecture, planning and interior design firm located in downtown Fort Collins. With an emphasis on high performance design, RB+B designs spaces that are vibrant, sustainable, and comfortable for those who inhabit them. Our collaborative design process engages each client personally, centers on the discovery of creative solutions that respond to each client’s unique needs, and results in Design Confidence.

Last month, two RB+B projects were acknowledged for their creative and responsive educational planning and design by the Association 4 Learning Environments’ Rocky Mountain Chapter. The Mobile Academic Classroom (Poudre School District) received a Summit Design Award (for renovations) in a special new category, appropriately dubbed the, “Magic School Bus” award. The Early Childhood Center at the Boulder Jewish Community Center took home the Peak Design Award for new construction.

Both projects were judged on criteria within four categories: (1) Planning Process, (2) Learning Environment, (3) Physical Environment, and (4) Community Environment.

The Mobile Academic Classroom (MAC) was honored for its creativity shown by a project that re-thinks what a learning environment can be. Judges shared that while the project was difficult to compare to other stationary buildings, it was, “impossible for the jury not to honor the project. The MAC is singular in its creativity and illustrates that a learning environment can occur in a multitude of forms. The jury was very impressed with the thoughtfulness evident in every inch of the transformed bus. In addition, the lightness and brightness of the overall space truly creates a unique and fun learning environment. Most importantly, the jury loved the underlying goal of extending the classroom into the community throughout the summer and the care used in designing the three discreet learning settings within the old bus.”

The ECE at the Boulder Jewish Community Center stood out to jurists for, “its overall attention to detail in all aspects of the project. The building implements the Reggio Emilia Philosophy which dictates the building serve as a neutral and natural backdrop to the children’s learning. The jury also was impressed with the commitment to the Design Advisory Group process and how the project engaged the community and realized the identified themes of Gathering and Inquisitive Play. The multi-year planning process is evident in the coordinated design of indoor and outdoor spaces. The jury appreciated the outdoor spaces being a seamless extension of the indoor spaces utilizing natural materials (water, mud and sticks) as play ‘equipment’. The playground looked and felt more like a backyard.”

RB+B design teams have been honored throughout our practice to work with visionary clients whose passion matches ours in regards to creating educational environments that are creative, functional, and responsive to helping their students grow and thrive. These two projects are examples of how a collaborative and inclusive design process can result in outstanding spaces for kids to learn.

More about the A4LE:

The Association for Learning Environments believes that:

• Facilities impact the learning, development and behavior of the facility user;
• The planning process is essential for quality facilities;
• Sharing and networking improves the planning process; and
• There is a standard by which to measure.

The organization is a non-profit whose sole mission is improving the places where children learn. Regional chapters spread this mission on a local level.

Are you a recent design graduate looking to join a firm with a solid project history that incorporates cutting edge design with innovation and sustainability?

With an emphasis on high-performance design, RB+B Architects designs spaces that are vibrant, sustainable, and comfortable for those who inhabit them. Our collaborative design process engages each client personally, centers on the discovery of creative solutions, and results in Design Confidence®: which is the assurance our clients have that the design process is inclusive and their building will be a reflection of what makes them unique. Our projects range from craft breweries to K-12 schools and have received recognition at the local, state and national levels for their creativity and positive impact on communities.

RB+B’s staff has remained around 20 in size for a decade, which is large enough to take on complex, high profile projects yet small enough that each member of the design team works closely with one another. Our firm encourages a relaxed but active working environment that underscores a work hard/play hard mentality: Principals to Interns enjoy in-office collaborative charrettes, Friday morning break with design chats, and collaborative discussions to assist in our continuing education. When the workday is over, members of our team find our “footings” in climbing Fourteeners, skiing, biking, running, roller and ice skating, playing hockey, and enjoying the Fort Collins craft beer scene.

We are unique in our staff and office culture by bringing a “family” attitude to the office both during the workday and after hours. We value integrity, quality, and lasting relationships, extending those same values into all of our projects. RB+B is known for consistently exceeding client expectations and setting a new standard for how architectural services are delivered. We focus on fostering a work environment that encourages individuals to excel and develop their own professional skill sets as well.

The ideal candidate for this job has a purposeful attitude with a regard for the details. They are confident in their design pursuits, and motivated with a passion for creative and innovative design. They find communication and open collaboration a staple for good design, and use effective time management skills to organize their work.

If you enjoy working with dynamic and talented team members who care about sustainability and positively serving communities through architecture, send jniemann@rbbarchitects.com your resume and portfolio. Tell us why you think you’d be a great fit! We’d love to consider you for our team. 

Requirements:

• Proficient in REVIT
• 0-3 years’ experience
• Degree in architecture
• Team player
• Someone who likes to collaborate and have fun!

RB+B recognizes that the most creative and important assets we have are our staff; each year our co-workers remain committed to the firm creates an occasion to be celebrated! But at five-year milestones, we take a little extra time to check in with our talented team members to celebrate their major accomplishments, and get their take on what’s important moving into the future.

Five Minutes with Matt

What has been your proudest moment at RB+B? 
I believe “we” (in any grouping – a “team,” an “office,” a “society”) should strive to remember “we are all in this together.”  My proudest moment at RB+B was accepting a proposal from the firm to take a 50% pay cut during one unusually slow period to ensure one of my peers would not be laid off.

Describe a funny moment during a project.
I remember coming in one morning in a T-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops, to meet Derek so he and I could settle in for our final push on the Seven Generations Office Park project.  I was at my desk all day, then all night, then most of the next day.  Derek and I finished late the next afternoon, and when we left together to drop our project off at the Print Shop, I was walking through a foot of snow in my flip-flops and freezing my butt off.  We had been at the office for so long (probably 30+ hours) in one sitting that the seasons had changed!  Ah, the good ol’ days (when I could draw)…

Why do you enjoy working at RB+B?
Agency.  Working at RB+B, while there are things I must accomplish, my day is what I make of it.

Tell us about a goal you have for the next five years.
I would like to learn a foreign language and travel to where that language is spoken.  Right now I am targeting Spanish / Patagonia.

What do you like to do outside of work hours?
When I’m not at a soccer event for one of my boys, I enjoy camping, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, snow shoeing, snowboarding, telemarking, dirt biking, and motorcycling.  And when it is dark outside or the weather is poor – shooting pool and occasionally “binge watching” TV shows.

What drew you to RB+B? and/or Why have you stayed?
We moved to Fort Collins so JoAnn could attend graduate school at CSU.  I’ve stayed with RB+B for the flexible working environment – while working at RB+B I’ve worked with some great people on some great projects AND started/raised a family AND engaged in some great recreational activities.  At RB+B, I haven’t had to choose between THIS or THAT.

Do you have a hidden talent or passion?   
It’s not so hidden, but I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands.  Some of my favorite childhood memories are of the times I spent with my grandfather in his garage repairing or making something.

If you could share a piece of advice with your 20-year old self, what would it be? 
All of life’s answers are “right here,” not “out there.”

We are pleased to announce that Brianne Smith, AIA, LEED AP^BD+C, has been selected to participate in the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) through the AIA Colorado. The CKLDP aims to train the next generation of leaders in architecture through a year-long leadership training curriculum focused on:

• entrepreneurship and firm management;
• teamwork and collaboration;
• negotiation skills;
• client development;
• community leadership; and
• understanding industry trends

Just 16 emerging professionals are selected annually from across the state to collaborate, learn together and develop as leaders in architecture. Prospective participants must go through an application process for selection where proven career success, community involvement and the individual’s firm support is considered.

The program is named after Christopher Kelley, AIA, who was an active member of the D.C. architectural community and suddenly passed away in May 2012. He was a respected leader within the Institute as well as within his firm. Through his volunteer efforts, he participated and contributed to initiatives and programs that have had a positive impact on emerging professionals at different stages of their careers. In 2010 Christopher was honored with the AIA Young Architects Award for which the jury stated, “Christopher has proven himself a young leader within and around the AIA, a real example for other young professionals.” This program is intended to continue his legacy of leadership and activism.

Brianne is a Senior Associate at RB+B and has been with the firm 11 years. For more information on the CKLDP program, please visit: https://aiacolorado.org/christopher-kelley-leadership-development-program/

RB+B recognizes that the most creative and important assets we have are our staff; each year our co-workers remain committed to the firm creates an occasion to be celebrated! But at five-year milestones, we take a little extra time to check in with our talented team members to celebrate their major accomplishments, and get their take on what’s important moving into the future.

Five Minutes with Corky:

What has been your proudest moment at RB+B? 
There have been so many over these 25 years! From great projects (Fossil Ridge High School, Red Hawk Elementary School, the Windsor National Guard, Conservatory Green at DPS, just to name a few), to 2004  when RB+B was named Firm of the Year by the Colorado AIA. And I’m constantly reminded of how proud I am of RB+B at every interview!

Describe a funny moment during a project.
Well, remarkable if not ‘funny’: In Douglas County, the contractor drilled and poured a drilled-pier for a foundation. When they returned the next morning the whole thing had vanished!  (“Alright, who stole our caisson?”) Seems that it may have been installed directly over an abandon mine and literally fell to its death!

Why do you enjoy working at RB+B?
This could be a long list! But what immediately comes to mind is: it’s a great place to earn the respect of colleagues, the staff are passionate about RB+B and excellence in Design, and I’m surrounded by friends (who put up with my silly humor).

Tell us about a goal you have for the next five years.
Plan the second half of my life? I would love for the next large project we design to achieve Net Zero Energy.  And, I am very excited to be underway on the new High Schools for PSD!

What do you like to do outside of work hours?
Travel, attend concerts, occasionally getting to go sailing, and spend time enjoying my five grandkids!

What drew you to RB+B?      
My wife, Ruth and I were leaning towards moving out of Southern California to ‘try something different’ since we were both born and raised there. When we traveled through Fort Collins in 1992, we fell in ‘like’ with it. I had stolen the one page of Architectural Firms out of the “Yellow Pages” phone book (Google it!) and later, I began calling the three firms in town about coming to work for them. When I got RB+B Principal, Bill Brenner on the phone, he was the nicest, most genuine and patient Architect I’d ever spoken with. I couldn’t wait to come out and meet him!

Do you have a hidden talent or passion?   
Well, I’ve been known to sing at a wedding (my own). Back in the day, I performed in Japan and Europe with a large chorale group, and I played the drums. Oh, and played and marched in the Rose Parade one New Year’s Day with my University Band!

If you could share a piece of advice with your 20-year old self, what would it be? 
Time goes by fast!  Do what’s important, not just what’s urgent. Pause and remind yourself of just how fortunate you are. Tell your family how much you love them at every opportunity.

RB+B recognizes that the most creative and important assets we have are our staff; each year our co-workers remain committed to the firm creates an occasion to be celebrated! But at five-year milestones, we take a little extra time to check in with our talented team members to celebrate their major accomplishments, and get their take on what’s important moving into the future.

Five Minutes with Lacey:

What has been your proudest accomplishment at RB+B?
It’s hard to pinpoint a single event, but I feel really good about the way our firm has continued to evolve over the years in a changing industry. Marketing is one aspect of that; we’ve continually pushed ourselves to better communicate our story, and have been able to do so with success. Winning a Marketing Communications Award from SMPS Colorado was one example of the result of that effort.

Why do you enjoy working at RB+B? 
It would have to be the family-oriented culture and the friendships I have made. Our office is made up of people who are genuine, helpful, appreciative and honest. I’ve made lifelong friends here.

Tell us about a goal you have for the next five years.
In this world there are so many things always competing for our attention and begging to be pursued. My goal is to continue to help our firm make wise decisions in how we spend our time marketing so we can truly focus on doing the right things well. Personally, I keep thinking running a marathon is on the horizon, but half marathon training is so much more manageable!

What do you like to do outside of work hours?
Most of my “outside of work hours” time is devoted to my five- and three-year-old kiddos, and husband. I also enjoy running, reading, biking and attending events in our community, like outdoor concerts and festivals.

What drew you to RB+B? Why have you stayed? 
We moved to Colorado for the outdoor adventures, and RB+B in particular offered a unique position that I knew I could grow into. I liked the idea of working for a smaller firm that was able to complete large projects, and I respected the high quality, sustainable design work the firm was creating. I’ve stayed because I truly feel the organization is one I can stand behind, which is critical in the marketing profession. My coworkers are also some of the most talented professionals I know; they make my job easier because of the high caliber work they deliver.

Do you have a hidden talent or passion?
I am such a planner! Sometimes it’s a fault, but usually being organized is what saves me and helps me to manage the responsibilities of work, family, and making a little time for myself.

If you could share a piece of advice with your 20-year old self, what would it be?
Don’t compromise what you value just to maintain a job. At RB+B I’ve never felt I’ve had to apologize for someone’s decisions, justify behavior, or compromise my values in how we do business. We truly are a firm built on solid ethics. That is something I would not necessarily have appreciated earlier in my career, but I certainly do now.

RB+B Architects is pleased to announce that Jayne Niemann has recently earned the credential of Certified Design Firm Administrator (“CDFA”) after successfully completing the CDFA exam developed and administered by the Society for Design Administration.

Jayne has been a key team member at RB+B for 11 years and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from CSU Global Campus in 2014 and an Associate of Arts from Front Range Community College in 2006. She has also served on the Board of Directors (Treasurer) for FoCo Roller Derby for seven years and is currently the Treasurer for the SDA Denver Chapter.

As Office Manager for RB+B Architects, Jayne’s influence spans many facets of the organization and she plays a key role in communicating with clients and consultants, as well as behind the scenes helping our projects to run smoothly. “Earning the CDFA designation clearly demonstrates a commitment to the A/E/C industry and to personal and professional excellence,” said Natalie Newman, SDA National President.

Established in 1959, the society for Design Administration is the largest organization directed to Architecture/Engineering/Construction Administration. SDA’s mission is to promote the exchange of ideas and to educate its members in the related disciplines of design firm administration and management. To become certified, an applicant must have experience in A/E/C firm management and administration, pass a thorough examination of competencies, and adhere to a professional code of ethics.

For more information about SDA or the CDFA certification process, visit sdanational.org. For more information on RB+B Architects, contact Lacey Reckelhoff at 970-484-0117.

RB+B recognizes that the most creative and important assets we have are our staff; each year our co-workers remain committed to the firm creates an occasion to be celebrated! But at five-year milestones, we take a little extra time to check in with our talented team members to celebrate their major accomplishments, and get their take on what’s important moving into the future.

Five Minutes with Josh:

What has been your proudest moment at RB+B?
I would say it was a day last year when I was giving a tour at High Plains School and was able to see a project I had poured effort into for years finally working to inspire hundreds of kids!  It’s easy to get caught up in the details of design and construction so experiencing first-hand the smiling faces of the students was incredible.

Describe a funny moment during a project.
I rendered a video once for a client whose business focus was on ranching so I put cows outside the windows that you could see as you flew by. I thought it was hilarious but the client wasn’t so impressed.

Why do you enjoy working at RB+B?
I love the family atmosphere of the office. There are people behind all the work that our office does and the quality of the work we produce is a reflection of the amazingly collaborative culture we have here.

Tell us about a goal you have for the next five years.
I’d like to work on the design of a net-zero building of some kind. I also want to hike some more 14ers and explore the southwest region of Colorado.

What do you like to do outside of work hours?
I like hanging out with friends, hiking, camping, volleyball, skiing, traveling and relaxing with my dog, Baxter.

What drew you to RB+B? Why have you stayed?     
I first applied at RB+B because I really wanted to live near the mountains in Colorado and be part of a firm that designed quality, sustainable architecture. I’m still here because I still love the mountains and this firm as much as the day I moved here.

Do you have a hidden talent or passion?   
It’s not really a secret, but I like playing piano and writing music. Sometimes I pretend I’m a photographer.

If you could share a piece of advice with your 20-year old self, what would it be?
I’d think I’d say to relax a bit and to not be afraid to make more mistakes. I’d tell myself to get more sleep for sure!

RB+B Architects is pleased to announce the recent licensure of Seth Lehman, AIA, LEED AP.

Seth graduated cum laude in 2013 with a Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University and has been with RB+B for two years.

Seth has experience with projects of a variety size and scope. He is currently serving as Job Captain on the $20 million Gering High School Renovation and Addition in Gering, NE.

RB+B recognizes that the most creative and important asset we have is the RB+B staff. Yes, each year a co-worker remains committed to the firm is an occasion to be celebrated; but at five-year milestones, we take a little extra time to check in with our talented team members to celebrate their major accomplishments, and hear their take on what’s important as we move into the future.

Five Minutes with Eleanor

What has been your proudest accomplishment at RB+B?
Becoming licensed in 2016!

Describe a funny moment during a project.
I was checking-in the furniture inventory once it was delivered at Kelly Walsh High School. School was already in session. I walked into a room to check that everything had been delivered and was sharply reprimanded by a teacher for being a “student in the teacher work area”.  I had to then explain that I was actually one of the architects that worked on their school! 

What drew you to RB+B? Why have you stayed?  
I liked the type of work I saw in RB+B’s portfolio. I was interested in working on schools because they are buildings designed to last. I was also eager to work for a firm that took sustainability seriously. When I toured the office for the first time, I was wowed by the sweet downtown location! I’m proud of the quality of work this firm designs and delivers. I am never ashamed to say “my firm designed that!” I’ve stayed at RB+B because of the office culture. The firm size is perfect because you get to know people really well. The people that I work with are awesome. Everyone is super chill and friendly. I also feel like RB+B really values me as an employee and makes it a point to show their appreciation. I love coming to work every day!

Do you have a hidden talent or passion?
I’ve enjoyed photography for many years. When I was little, my mom would get angry with me for “wasting” all the film in the camera!

If you could share a piece of advice with your 20-year old self, what would it be?  
I’d tell myself to get a little more sleep. I’d reassure myself that working as an architect is far less stressful than studio!     

Tell us about a goal you have for the next five years.
This question is so hard! I want to maintain the work-life balance I’ve enjoyed for the past five years. I think as you move up the ladder it’s sometimes harder to do that, but it’s important to have a healthy career and personal life!

What do you like to do outside of work hours?
I like to stay active – running, rock climbing, hiking with my dog, and snowboarding are my favorite activities. I also try to spend as much time as I can with family and friends!

Bright colors. Flexible spaces. STEAM curriculum. A hands-on garden. Some features of High Plains P-8 School are pretty unique. But why has it become such a shining example of 21^st Century Learning, receiving national accolades from the Association 4 Learning Environments (A4LE) and being featured as a case study at the Green Schools Summit in Colorado?

“High Plains is such a unique school because the envisioned student curriculum and experience were set as the primary design drivers for the project from the very beginning” says Josh McGarvey, AIA, LEED AP, Associate at RB+B Architects and the Project Manager for High Plains. “There is not just one piece of the building that makes the project unique; instead, the way each intricate detail supports the overall intent of the design is what makes it such a special place. And of course, the administrative leadership and teaching staff play a significant role in how the building is actually being used.”

High Plains is a 63,000-square-foot, LEED Gold, preschool through 8^th grade facility in the Thompson School District, Loveland, Colorado. It opened in August 2016.

This past October, High Plains was one of just a handful of recipients to achieve an LEsolutions Award from the A4LE, and was the standout winner in the category of Exceptional Planning. This particular recognition focused on four areas of the design: the planning process, community connections, learning environment, and physical environment. The award was given to RB+B in association with thinkSMART planning, inc., the Educational Planner for the project. Onsite at the conference, Josh shared the story of how High Plains’ design process was unique and how an open-minded approach to design led to a successful design solution.

The presentation at the Green Schools Summit was in collaboration with two Thompson School District representatives, School Principal, Danielle Feeney and Executive Director of Operations, Matt Throop. “The most innovative aspect of High Plains is how the District was able to move from a fairly traditional approach to the design of their facilities and step out into a new way of thinking. This was the foundation of what has generated such success at the school and was the focus of our presentation at the Green Schools Summit. From the very first meetings with district staff, through the charrette process and the innovative review group called the Construction Review Committee, the school district and community had a positive energy, desire and willingness to do something different….something better.

Josh has been with RB+B for 10 years. Other notable projects Josh has been involved in include Summit Elementary School in Casper, WY, Midtown Arts Center in Fort Collins, and Odell Brewing Company, also in Fort Collins. When he’s not at the office, you’ll likely find him hiking, skiing or hanging out with his incredibly awesome dog, Baxter.

For more on High Plains, take a peak at this video created by Thompson School District.

RB+B Architects is always looking for talented staff to join our team.

If you are interested in working with a firm that combines a solid history with responsible design, creativity and sustainability, send us a note! At RB+B, our projects range from craft breweries to K-12 schools and have received recognition at the local, state and national levels for their design excellence and positive impact on communities. RB+B’s staff has remained around 20 in size for a decade, which is large enough to take on complex, high profile projects yet small enough that each member of the design team works closely with one another.

Our firm encourages a relaxed but active working environment that underscores a work hard/play hard mentality: Principals to Interns enjoy in-office collaborative charrettes, Friday morning break with design chats, and collaborative discussions to assist in our continuing education. When the workday is over, members of our team find our “footings” in climbing Fourteeners, skiing, biking, running, roller and ice skating, playing hockey, and enjoying the Fort Collins craft beer scene.

RB+B is known for consistently exceeding client expectations and setting a new standard for how architectural services are delivered. We focus on fostering a work environment that encourages individuals to excel and develop their own professional skill sets as well.

Take a look around our website at our projects, news and people; if you think you might be a good fit, send us an email! We’d love to hear from you.

Current Open Positions:

We are currently looking for two new team members who have a purposeful attitude with a regard for the details. They are confident in their design pursuits, and motivated with a passion for creative and innovative design. They find communication and open collaboration a staple for good design, and use effective time management skills to organize their work.

Project Architect

Requirements:

• Proficient in REVIT
• 3-5 years’ experience
• Licenced or pursuing licensure
• Team player
• Someone who likes to collaborate and have fun!

Emerging Professional

Requirements:

• Proficient in REVIT
• 0-3 years’ experience
• Degree in architecture
• Team player
• Someone who likes to collaborate and have fun!

RB+B Architects, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and provides competitive salaries, excellent benefits and a culture that promotes work/life balance. Benefits include health insurance, 401K, life insurance, paid vacation and paid sick leave. Submit a letter of interest, resume, and apply for the position here.

RB+B Architects, in collaboration with Fielding Nair International, is pleased to announce that Boulder Valley School District’s Emerald Elementary School has been named a Peak Design Award winner from the Rocky Mountain Chapter Association 4 Learning Environments (A4LE). The project is one of BVSD’s Exemplar Schools that employs a new way of teaching and 21^st Century design. The project is also net-zero ready and targeted to operate at just 30 kBTU/sf/yr. Swinerton Builders enabled the building come to life.

The Rocky Mountain Chapter A4LE awards recognize excellence in four areas of educational design: planning process, physical environment, learning environment, and community connection. The new Emerald Elementary replaces the existing building on the same site and was built while the site remained operational. The facility deliberately encourages more collaborative, student-centered, project-based activity. 

Many traditional areas of a school were reimagined at Emerald. Inside the building, a central gathering space that would once have served as the media center is redefined as the Curiosity Center to better reflect its use as a place for gathering, research, discovery and project creation. Collaborative learning and project areas are associated with groups of three to five classrooms and teacher collaboration and planning areas are located throughout. The preschool and kindergarten wing has a common teaching/reading area. Transparency between learning areas and the outdoors was also a key component of the design.

The 56,000-square-foot building cost roughly $18.7 million. More details on the project can be found here.

RB+B Architects, together with thinkSMART planning, inc., is privileged to announce that High Plains PK-8 School in Loveland, CO has achieved one of the highest honors awarded in educational planning excellence. The Association 4 Learning Environments’ (A4LE) LEsolutions Awards recognize projects that stimulate systemic change in the educational system by addressing difficult questions, challenging the status quo, and raising expectations. The awards embody great architectural design solutions, and the successful components and characteristics of these projects have been founded in an interactive process that engages multiple stakeholders to create educational environments that hold purpose and distinction within a community.*

High Plains was one of eight schools selected from an international pool of 59 entries to receive an LEsolutions Award. Categories of recognition included New Learning Environment, Post-Secondary, Renovation/Addition, Small Project, Exceptional Planning (the category of award for High Plains), and a Juror’s Choice award.

“We like to say that the best projects come from the best clients, and High Plains is no exception. Without the Facilities and Administrative leadership from Thompson School District, as well as the collaborative involvement from High Plains’ Design Advisory Group and Construction Review Committees, this project would not have achieved the results that it has. Significant support from these groups, the Loveland community, the professional talents of our entire Design Consulting Team, and Heath Construction are what truly made this project a success,” says Corky Bradley, the project’s Principal in Charge.

About the Association 4 Learning Environments
The A4LE believes that great schools begin with open dialog and deliberate planning. As such, the Association is committed to recognizing learning environments that positively affect the teaching and learning process while serving as an example of sound planning principles. They result in appropriate and effective design solutions that reflect the community to which they belong.
 
Click here for more information on the award winners from the A4LE website.

*Information from the A4LE.

RB+B Architects teamed with Sampson Construction to design and construct renovations and additions to Vikan Middle School in Brighton. The $6.7 million Design-Build project celebrated its grand opening Thursday. Vikan is the Sampson/RB+B Team’s second Design-Build project in the last year and one of four total projects on which the firms have collaborated.

The scope of the project included renovating six small classrooms into four larger classrooms, as well as electrical, mechanical, and infrastructural upgrades. The design adds 10,000 square feet of new space to accommodate more classrooms and support facilities. A new entry and vestibule were also redesigned to enhance the overall aesthetic of the school; the reception area was also renovated and a new secure entry and administrative area was designed.

Vikan was one of a dozen new or major renovation projects funded through the District’s 2015 Bond Program. Numerous other schools in the District also received safety, security, and maintenance upgrades. The project was completed under a short schedule—11 months for design, permitting and construction—and was completed within budget and on time for the 2017/18 school year.

RB+B Architects announces that the Boulder Jewish Community Center wins 2017 Crystal Awards from the Colorado Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers. The project received two awards: Commercial-Institutional Award and Judges’ Merit Award for Commercial.

The Crystal Awards, organized by the Colorado Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), is held annually to honor projects that have achieved excellence in Interior Design. Project entries can be submitted within nine commercial categories (as well as residential) and are blind-judged by a team of established interior commercial and residential industry leaders from disciplines such as industrial designers, architects and educators located throughout the United States. The 53,000-square-foot, LEED Certified, Boulder Jewish Community Center (JCC) was recognized with two honors last week at the organization’s gala: the Award for Commercial-Institutional projects and the Judges’ Merit Award for a commercial space.

The JCC is a community center open to everyone, completed last year. The JCC embodies a timeless quality with local natural materials, outdoor gathering spaces and an abundant amount of natural light. The entry courtyard, with its signature massive stone wall, brings together visitors and is a protected space for gatherings and events. The building is comprised of two primary wings: the daycare and early childhood center housed in one half of the building, while the other half houses a community hall with glorious views of the Flatirons, a fitness center, Jewish library and classrooms serving infants through seniors. The selection of finishes and materials possess a timeless quality and aesthetic, while withstanding daily use.  All finishes respect the importance and symbolism in the building. Porcelain tile, carpet, vinyl wood and engineered wood flooring contributed to the contemporary interpretation of the design.  Wood ceiling and laminated beams lend textural warmth. Finishes in the Early Childhood wing are light and natural, lit from all sides and from above.

“We’re very happy to receive these two awards for the interior design of the JCC,” says RB+B’s Principal in Charge for the project, Rebecca Spears. “Working closely with Kellie, Susan, Roberta, Jonathan, and the rest of the design team, we were able to achieve their vision of a peaceful, welcoming building, transfused with warmth and light that portrays a solid, lasting presence. Congratulations to the members of the JCC on their award-winning building!” 

Designed as a replacement facility for Weld County School District 6, Prairie Heights Middle School (Evans, CO) incorporates a number of high performance design strategies. As any well-designed building should, the LEED Gold Certified school incorporates a number of passive design elements that help lower operating costs and provide a healthy environment for students.

Supplementing the sustainable building strategies is a 499 kW photovoltaic (PV) array located onsite. The array is a ground mounted single axis tracking system which tracks the sun from sunrise to sunset, maximizing production throughout the day. The PV system is currently offsetting 92% of the building’s energy loads.

Other high performance design features of the school include:

• Aggressive daylighting and integrated south shading to provide high levels of natural light and exterior views;
• Displacement ventilation, an energy efficient HVAC system that delivers fresh air low at the students’ level and is very quiet due to low-velocity air movement;
• Skylights serve the central atrium hallway spaces, providing light to both the front and back of classrooms;
• A rooftop garden above the main entry, accessed from the library.

Prairie Heights was designed as a joint venture of RB+B Architects and HCM. Want more details on this school? Check out our portfolio.

In November 2016, the community supporting Mapleton Public Schools passed a $150 million bond, with funds allocated to improve nearly every school in the District. Midtown PK-8 is a new 72,300-square-foot PreK-8 building is part of the area’s new Midtown Development, located near 68^th Avenue and Zuni Street.

Designed for 488 students, this new facility will integrate Expeditionary Learning as the educational delivery model and has taken on an identity combining “Urban” and “Art” themes. Mapleton Public Schools is structured to provide choice, intending to match each individual learner with his or her optimal learning environment. MPS will transport any student in the District to any facility within the District; accordingly, each educational facility is not viewed as being a “neighborhood school”, but rather each educational facility is viewed as a unique offering within a larger portfolio of educational offerings. Early in the process, the Design Advisory Group determined the new Midtown PK-8 would be the “Urban” school within the District’s portfolio and is exploring opportunities for using “Art” to define and express the “Urban” concept.

RB+B Architects teamed up with Sampson Construction to deliver this $17.3 million Design/Build project. The school will open March 2019.

In March 2013, the architectural team for the new High Plains PK-8 School was selected by Thompson School District to design a vibrant new learning facility that would accommodate 600 students in Loveland, Colorado. Four years later, RB+B Architects is pleased to announce that High Plains has achieved LEED Gold certification and is now the second RB+B project to achieve LEED status in 2017 through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Design began with significant inclusion of a Design Advisory Group (DAG), which included District staff, administrators, educators, facilities personnel, parents, designers, and community members who helped to set the vision and direction of the new school. The DAG discussed curriculum options, how the facility might serve that curriculum, and formulated high performance design goals.

The aesthetic of the 63,000-square-foot building is a modern interpretation of a traditional hillside village. Generous amounts of north and south facing windows provide optimal daylighting throughout the building to enhance creativity and learning. The ground source heat pump system, coupled with 100% LEDs for lighting, allow for major reductions in energy consumption, potentially saving the district thousands of dollars a year in operating costs.

The school’s 870-square-foot green roof—situated over the gallery—boasts 200 square feet of inhabitable space. The green roof, along with proposed ground-mounted planters to the south of the school, offer gardening experiences to students and a unique outdoor learning space where various topics, including plant biology, could be taught.

Durable materials and learning concepts built directly into the design all help to contribute to this vibrant, functional, and high performing school. The $15.7 million project opened to students in August 2016.

The leadership of RB+B Architects, Inc. is pleased to promote Brianne Smith, AIA, LEED AP^BD+C to Senior Associate.

Brianne joined RB+B in 2007 and is an involved Project Manager for RB+B’s K-12 work.  Most recently, she completed Conservatory Green ECE-8 School (Denver) and she is currently overseeing construction on Journey Elementary School (Casper, WY). She also managed the Quality Control review process and LEED Certification for the Boulder Jewish Community Center (Certified last month) and was instrumental to the success of the Colorado State University Research Foundation’s OnlinePlus facility (Fort Collins) and Lincoln Elementary School (LEED Gold, Gering, NE). Brianne currently leads RB+B’s internal Drawing Standards team as well as the firm’s Post Occupancy Evaluation research program. 

“We are privileged to have Brianne join our management team at RB+B. Along with her great leadership qualities, Brianne’s passion for design excellence is evidenced by the post-occupancy research she has led for our K-12 schools, helping make classrooms better places to teach and learn,” says Rebecca Spears, Vice President of the firm.

Brianne received her Bachelor of Architecture in 2005 from Ball State University (Muncie, IN) and is a licensed Architect in both Colorado and Wyoming. She is a member of the Association 4 Learning Environments and the American Institute of Architects, and is currently a classroom volunteer in the Thompson School District.  She has previously served in various Board positions with the Northern Colorado Branch of the USGBC and is a 2013 recipient of the Northern Colorado Forty under 40 Award. Brianne has been a speaker on educational design and sustainability at various conferences—both regionally and nationally—including the A4LE National Conference, USGBC Colorado Green Schools Summit, and the Rocky Mountain ASHRAE Technical Conference.

RB+B Architects is pleased to announce that the Boulder Jewish Community Center has achieved LEED Certified status through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Grounded in the past, the new 53,000-square-foot Boulder Jewish Community Center (JCC) is a contemporary interpretation of today’s sustainable design. The facility, which has been in the planning stages for the last 10 years, is the first building to populate the Boulder Jewish Commons at the SE corner of Arapahoe Road and Cherryvale Road in west Boulder. It embodies the timeless quality planned for architecture in that development with the use of local natural materials, simple forms and qualities of solidity, permanence and integrity found in Jewish tradition.* (*summarized from Barrett Studio’s Design Patterns, Standards and Guidelines.)

The entry courtyard features a signature stone wall and serves as a protected space for gatherings and events of all sizes. One half of the building is utilized by the early childhood center while the other half houses a community hall with glorious views of the Flatirons, a fitness center, Jewish library and classrooms that serve all ages, from infants to seniors.

The facility also features numerous outdoor spaces, including community gardens, play structures and outdoor classrooms, play facilities and pavilions for summer camp. A pool is planned for Phase 2.

The $18.8 million project was completed in spring 2016.

High Plains PK-8 School earned the prestigious 2016 Peak Design Award for excellence in planning and design. The award, given by the Association 4 Learning Environments (A4LE) Rocky Mountain Chapter, is given to a project that excelled in four key areas: planning process, community input, learning environment, and physical environment.

High Plains, which opened last fall in Loveland, Colorado, is a vibrant PK-8 school that accommodates 600 students and emphasizes Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Match (STEAM) as the foundation of its curriculum. High Plains is the first district-run school for preschool through eighth-grade classes, and the first sustainably designed facility in the Thompson School District.

High Plains integrates a strong approach to outdoor learning, which led to a new, cutting edge approach to the facility’s architectural design. The building takes advantage of majestic Front Range views and creates a constant connection to the outdoors.

The north wing houses administrative offices, Pre-K and Kindergarten suites, gymnasium, and cafeteria while the south wing is geared towards grades 1-8 learning. The south wing is divided into four study pods (two on the first floor and two on the second). Each pod has four traditional classrooms (grouped by grade), restrooms, small group space and a shared STEAM room.

The school physically embeds mathematical concepts within the design. The cafeteria floor pattern is in set dimensions of feet in one direction and meters in the other with different angles etched into classroom floors and both binary and morse code murals to label the elevator on different levels. Other learning elements integrated into the design include concrete animal prints of various native species, exposed and labeled pipes and cables to show building systems, and special lighting fixtures formed of a collage of the school’s mascot. All of these features encourage exploration, discovery, and wonder within the physical environment.

The school is tracking LEED Gold Certification.

By Brianne Smith, AIA, LEED AP^BD+C

As early as 1993, the US Office of the Budget concluded that American human capital was of more value to the United States than physical assets and land value combined.  Paradoxically, the educational infrastructure in place to develop America’s human capital for the future – the schools and classrooms across the country – has struggled to achieve the funding necessary to update and replace environments conducive to learning in the 21^st Century. This combination begs the question, “What is the return on investment for funding improvements to educational facilities, and what does the United States risk losing by not improving the structures in which its children learn?” 

In the last several years, there has been significant discussion of how to best educate children, and a plethora of educational delivery models have emerged. However, the condition of the building in which that education is being delivered is frequently not discussed.  The Government Accountability Office has reported that school districts across the nation have underspent on maintenance by a combined $270 billion.  A 2014 National Center for Education Statistics study of the condition of America’s Public School facilities also noted that “53% of public schools need to spend money on repairs, renovations, and modernization to put the schools’ onsite buildings into good overall condition,” meaning the roofs, structure, exterior walls, windows, doors, interior finishes, plumbing, HVAC systems, ventilation, electrical and lighting systems, energy management systems, life safety features, and security systems that comprise schools are often inadequate.  Other challenges for school districts include having insufficient space per child, the presence of materials that are hazardous and/or promote the spread of disease, inadequate accessible bathroom facilities, acoustics that unsatisfactorily enable students to hear and understand instruction, and insufficient electrical and data infrastructure for a modern education.  

These inadequate environments affect students’ ability to learn.   A 2015 study from the University of Salford, Manchester suggests that as much as 16% of the progress made in the classroom across the academic year is directly tied to the quality of the environment alone.  The classroom itself and its natural light, temperature, air quality, appropriate stimulation, and ownership and flexibility play a significant role in the learning process.  This is self-evident – most people would acknowledge that it is difficult to learn in stuffy spaces that are too dark or not a comfortable temperature.  Yet, day-after-day, many students and staff are required to function in such environments without adequate financial support to improve their condition.

The dollars spent on education often provide a significantly better return on investment than traditional investment options, however.  In 2012, the Economic Policy Institute reported “rigorous research has demonstrated that investments in both educational facilities and in providing high-quality pre-kindergarten education would yield extraordinary returns.”  For example, a study based in California (Cellini, Ferreira, and Rothstein, 2010) indicated that referendums passed to improve school facilities resulted in the willingness of marginal homebuyers to spend $1.50 for every $1 of investment. From a different perspective, economist and Nobel Laureate James Heckman argues that targeted high-quality early education programs and facilities results in a 12:1 benefit to program cost ratio for society as a whole by reducing crime and abuse costs for the same population later in life.  Further, 50% of U.S. Mayors surveyed in 2015 indicated their city would experience more economic growth if they had access to a more educated workforce, far exceeding other options like better infrastructure and less restrictive zoning laws.

But what if we went beyond good enough, to create educational spaces that are truly inspiring?  What if the quality of our community’s school buildings symbolized the value we place on raising future generations to lead our country and a place that staff, students, and parents want to be?   These intangible benefits would lead to tangible results, like reducing rampant absenteeism in our schools, attracting and retaining more qualified staff, and enhancing the quality of our communities.  “I never teach my pupils, I only provide the conditions in which they can learn,” Einstein claimed.  As a people, we must take a hard look at the condition of our schools, and decide if we’ve given our children the “conditions in which they can learn” – recognizing that great school buildings are an investment in the human capital of our country with returns that benefit academic progress, community value, and quality of life for all.

Several years after first expanding into the Colorado financial market, Blue Federal Credit Union is currently designing its third Colorado credit union location and second in Fort Collins. This 11,000-square-foot building is divided into four suites – one of which will be occupied by the credit union. The other three will be leased out to future tenants. The site was chosen due to its proximity to and views from the street, as well as its access within this growing part of town.

The overarching design concept centers on the creation of a large public plaza on the south side of the building that will enhance the retail experience for the credit union’s members. The plaza includes shade trees as well as space to sit and mingle. The plaza is designed to be a neighborhood gathering space, serving as a destination instead of just a space to pass through.

Both the north and south facades incorporate glass so as to encourage visual transparency from one side of the building to the other. Materials were selected for their visual appeal, durability, and cost effectiveness. Fiber cement cladding adorns the exterior with an appearance of wood but a far superior durability factor. Stone tiles are used at the base of the building.

The project is currently under construction and targeting completion for the first of the year. This is RB+B’s second project designed for Blue Federal Credit Union.

RB+B Architects is pleased to share that Matt Arabasz, AIA, LEED AP^BD+C, ALEP recently received the Accredited Learning Environments Planner (ALEP) designation, a mark of excellence developed to reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities of a competent educational facility planner. The ALEP credential was designed to elevate professional standards, enhance individual performance and identify those in the educational environment industry who demonstrate the knowledge essential to the practice of educational facility planning.

The Association for Learning Environments (A4LE, formerly known as CEFPI), creator of the ALEP credential, observed that “An individual who has been certified by A4LE has achieved the highest qualification in our profession. Clients can appoint ALEPs with confidence that they have been examined for competence by our association.”

After meeting eligibility requirements, taking a continuing education course, and submitting an application, ALEP candidates must pass a rigorous CEFP exam. Once a candidate has earned the credential, they must maintain it by fulfilling certification renewal requirements every three years, in addition to maintaining minimum continuing education units each year.

The Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) is the only professional organization whose principal purpose is improving the places where children learn. A4LE embraces a diverse group of professionals with one single goal – building healthy, safe, high performance and sustainable learning environments that enhance student and teacher performance and support culture and community vitality.  To learn more, visit www.A4LE.org.

Congratulations to Tivoli Brewing Co on receiving a 2016 Crystal Award from ASID Colorado in the category of Commercial Renovation under 15,000 square feet. RB+B Architects completed the renovation of this historic building in association with Ruggels Mabe Terrell Architecture.

Renovation of this historic space produced a unique working brewery, tap room, restaurant and educational space that is utilized by students, faculty and the community. The new stainless steel vessels and piping supporting the 30 barrel craft brewery have been inserted among historic remnants of the original operation. Twin 250-barrel (equivalent to 7,750 gallons) copper vessels towering through four stories of the building flank the opening between new brewhouse and production. 

The tie to history is brought out in features of the Tap Room. Table tops and restroom doors are made from re-claimed wood, and old beer bottle caps accent the restroom floors. Tap room walls are painted with the faded images of beer labels from the past similar to “ghost painting” advertisements. Original brew vessels, columns, brick and plaster have been preserved and are an integral part of the successful design, bringing this space back to its historical roots.

More details and photos of this vibrant space can be found here.

RB+B Architects is pleased to announce four new staff members that have joined our team.

Having relocated from Texas, Casey Adler holds Master and Bachelor of Science degrees in Architecture from Prairie View A&M in Prairie View, Texas. Casey is an Honorable US Naval Veteran and brings experience in management and logistics. He joins RB+B as an Architectural Intern.

With a Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University, Seth Lehman brings both architectural and construction experience with commercial projects to the firm as an Architectural Intern. Seth has an interest in community service and has served in a variety of capacities throughout the US and abroad.

Ashley Jackson, Associate AIA, joins RB+B as an Architectural Intern after receiving her Master of Architecture in 2015 from Tulane University. Ashley also holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology. Ashley has been involved in study opportunities all over the world, including Italy, Spain, China, and Hong Kong.

Currently working on his Master of Architecture degree at the University of Colorado Denver, Craig Kibbe spent six years serving in the US Air Force and studied at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Craig has a diverse background with interests in industrial, product, and graphic design. He joins our team as a summer intern.

“We anticipate the contribution of each of these individuals to the firm will be immediate. Each one brings a unique background and skill set that will help to round out our project teams as we continue to serve clients with exceptional and sustainable design solutions,” says David Kress, Principal at RB+B.

RB+B’s core design philosophy centers on creating vibrant places that are comfortable, sustainable, and uniquely respond to the needs of those who inhabit them.

Launching with three beers on tap and seven more to come, Intersect Brewery will introduce a unique environment for patrons with a mix of music-inspired, local artistry, collected instrumental and pop culture artifacts, and a style – both aesthetically and in their brews – that throws the rules out the window. For a more intimate beer sipping experience, guests can listen to old vinyl records in the lounge, or, if socializing with a large group, move the party to the oversized bar or barrel-tables.

Construction is set to begin on this RB+B-designed Fort Collins brewery located at the Drake Shopping Center. Intersect Brewery aims to serve the booming craft beer market in this under-served area.

Owner Will Herdrick is planning a 2,290-square-foot Tap Room supported by a 2,628-square-foot, 7 bbl Brew House with enough extra back-of-house space to expand his brewing operation in the future. A future barrel aging program and kitchen expansion was also taken into consideration. A large outdoor patio space will boast a biergarten, fire pits, outdoor games and kids’ area.

Whatever you are after, Intersect Brewery promises to have something for everyone. The brewery will start pouring later this summer.

RB+B Architects is pleased to announce the recent licensure of Eleanor Burke, LEED AP^BD+C.

Eleanor is from Leavenworth, Kansas and graduated from the University of Kansas. She has been with RB+B Architects since 2013.

Eleanor has experience with a variety of K-12 and higher education projects. She is currently serving as job captain on the $84 million Kelly Walsh High School in Casper, Wyoming.

Rebecca Spears, Principal, notes that, “RB+B is proud of our newest licensed architect, Eleanor Burke. Eleanor is a valuable member of our team and shows great dedication to our clients and the practice of architecture. This milestone of obtaining her architectural license marks an important step along her pathway of achievement.”

The leadership of RB+B Architects, Inc. is pleased to promote Josh McGarvey, AIA, LEED AP to Associate.

Josh joined RB+B in 2008 and has been a project manager for a multitude of projects, ranging in scale from the recent renovations/upgrades to Mead Elementary and Middle School, to the new 63,000-square-foot High Plains Preschool-8^th Grade School currently under construction in Loveland.

“Josh is very detail-oriented, has a great sense of design and scale, is fun to work with, and clients love him. He is a tremendous asset to our project teams and his promotion to Associate will enable him to continue leading clients through a successful design and construction process,” says Corky Bradley, Principal at RB+B.

Josh received both his Masters and Bachelor of Architecture from Judson University in Elgin, Illinois. He is a licensed Architect in the state of Colorado, a member of the American Institute of Architects, as well as a LEED Accredited Professional.

Together with Brinkman Partners, RB+B Architects celebrated the groundbreaking of the new 18,000-square-foot Ascent Studio Climbing and Fitness facility last week.

Opening fall of this year, Ascent Studio will be Fort Collins’ new premier Climbing Facility and will include the City’s tallest rope climbing terrain. In addition to rope climbing, Ascent Studio will offer extensive top out bouldering (the largest area in Fort Collins), cardio equipment, yoga, a dedicated climbing training area, upscale locker rooms, a daycare, dedicated group and party climbing area with party room, and the most dedicated and newcomer friendly staff in Northern Colorado – all in the heart of the City.

Metro State University of Denver is currently developing a new facility for its brewing and fermentation sciences programs. Looking to occupy the lower level of the Tivoli Student Union, directly beneath the recently re-opened “Tivoli Brewing Company” brewery, MSUD will have a unique program that is able to interact with a functioning commercial brewery. It will include multiple lab spac­es, both smaller and larger scale brewing equipment, a fully functional keg line system, and many other unique opportunities for its students to become engaged with the rapidly growing brewing and fermentation industries. RB+B was called on to provide program­ming, space planning, and renderings for MSUD’s fundraising efforts, and is excited to be working with them on this unique and innovative project.

Built in 2006, $17 million Kinard Middle School is the only school in Colorado to earn a perfect Energy Star Score of 100. Kinard was the first school in the country to specifically be “Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR” and was awarded an Energy Star rating in its first year of occupancy (2007). The school is the most energy efficient school in the state of Colorado operating at between 20 and 25 kBtu/sf/yr. In 2013, Kinard was awarded a Green Ribbon School award by the United States Department of Education and is currently a bronze level partner in the Environmental Leadership Program.

Take a virtual tour of Kinard and learn all about the building’s sustainable features, presented here by the Kinard C.A.R.E.S. program.

To learn more about Kinard C.A.R.E.S. visit their website or connect with them on their Facebook page.

Each year, RB+B Architects holds an internal staff workshop to support the firm’s Sustainability Management System (SMS). For the past two years, the SMS workshop has been held at Primrose Studio in northwest Fort Collins and has focused around sustainable project design.

Goals for this year’s workshop included:

• Help staff understand all the steps of a project going through the office, from Proposal to Post Occupancy Evaluation.
• Work in teams to develop a concept for a net-zero office building.
• Help staff become familiar with office resources that support our sustainability goals.

As an exercise to incorporate these goals, staff were divided into teams of four and given a hypothetical site on which to develop a concept for a net-zero office building. Teams were given information about the site, program, and design goals based on the One Planet Living® principles (RB+B uses the One Planet Living® framework to inform our sustainability program). Teams then researched strategies needed to achieve these design goals and, as a group, filled out the project goals checklist and built models of their designs – all in under one hour!

Model of one team’s conceptual net-zero design.

Model of one team’s conceptual net-zero design.

Students, staff and community members gathered last Thursday to celebrate the grand opening of their newest school in Weld School District Re-6.

The new 103,267-square-foot Prairie Heights Middle School replaces the former, ailing John Evans Middle School and houses 650 students in grades six through eight. The design is based upon a series of atrium spaces providing amenities in clusters to the students of each age group. The “pods” divide the school into smaller more intimate houses.

The arrangement of the classroom wing allows for natural light from both north and south windows, as well as from skylights serving the central atrium hallway spaces, providing light to both the front and back of classrooms. Located on the second floor, the library benefits from natural light, views west to the Rocky Mountains, and access to a rooftop garden above the main entry.

The new $22 million school has an international focus, which is highlighted in the character and detailing of the building. An emphasis is placed on technology and sustainability within the design, and serves as a feature of the project for both students and the public. 

This project was a joint venture with Hord Coplan Macht. 

Each year during the City of Fort Collins’ Bike to Work Month, RB+B Architects implements its own office-wide initiative to reduce carbon emissions. Alternative Transportation Month, as it has been affectionately termed, was an initiative developed by the organization’s G:REEN | team to raise awareness for, and encourage staff to participate in, commuting to work and meetings with less reliance on personal vehicles.

A quick recap of the results last month:

• The effort reduced 890 total pounds of carbon emissions.
• 90% of staff participated in the initiative.
• The person who commuted by alternative means did so 21 work days throughout the month.
• The person who commuted the most miles by alternative means tallied 208 miles by bicycle.
• The three methods of alternative commuting including bicycling, walking and carpooling.

Alternative Transportation Month by the numbers.

Last week marked the opening of Daredevil Brewing Company’s new tap room in Speedway, Indiana.

Daredevil is an independent, Central Indiana based craft brewery that was founded by two award winning craft brewers and a talented craft beer enthusiast to bring their eclectic interpretation of aggressively fun beers to the market. The new facility was designed to blend industrial and modern architecture into an aesthetic that supports the functions of both brewing and serving beer. The project, located in an historic neighborhood, includes a new brewhouse and tasting room within its 10,000-square-foot structure.

The design itself combines precast architectural wall panels integrated with traditional brick and detailing to retain the feel of the surrounding neighborhood. The interior of the building is treated as a single volume, with spaces separating the tasting room from the brewhouse remaining low in ceiling height to give visitors a sense that the ‘magic’ of the brewing process is happening just around the corner.

RB+B Architects was the Design Architect for Daredevil’s new facility. The local affiliated architect was JRA Architecture of Indianapolis, IN.

Recently presented for review to the City of Fort Collins, this six-acre development in northeast Fort Collins includes two components: a brewery and self-storage facility. The self-storage component (designed by another firm) and brewery will both express similar language in aesthetic as well as a shared material palette.

The 7,500-square-foot brewing facility includes a 5,000-square-foot brewhouse, 2,500-square-foot tap room, 2,000 square feet of covered wrap around porch and a 4,000-square-foot beer garden for year round use by craft beer enthusiasts. While a tenant has yet to come forward for the new facility, the building is sized to accommodate a 20 barrel brewhouse and a production capacity of approximately 3,000 bbl/year.

The leadership of RB+B Architects, Inc. is pleased to promote Ben Basalay, AIA, LEED AP to Associate.

Ben joined RB+B in 2000 and has been a project manager for a multitude of projects, ranging in scale from recent renovations/upgrades to elementary schools within the Poudre School District to the last two major expansion projects at Odell Brewing Company.

As a home-brewer for the past 16 years, Ben has combined his passion for brewing with his architectural knowledge to help expand RB+B’s craft brewing market over the past few years. Just this spring, Ben presented alongside a representative from Odell Brewing Company at the 2015 Craft Brewer’s Conference in Portland, Oregon on Brewhouse Expansion Considerations. The presentation highlighted Odell’s recent expansion project while sharing lessons learned and key considerations for breweries to weigh when growing their facility.

“We’re happy to promote Ben to the associate level at RB+B,” says Rebecca Spears, one of the firm’s Principals. “He has that rare combination of skill in creative problem solving plus care and dedication to our clients. This balance is what makes the projects he works on such a success.”

Ben received his Bachelor of Architecture in 1998 from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He is a licensed Architect in the state of Colorado, a member of the American Institute of Architects, as well as a LEED Accredited Professional. In addition to his service in the industry, Ben has volunteered as an ‘On-Call’ Wildland Firefighter for the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office – Emergency Services Division for the past 12 years.

In 2010, RB+B Architects adopted the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2030 Commitment. The AIA 2030 Commitment is a national initiative providing a framework with both metrics and strategies for evaluating and reporting project energy usage. The same year the commitment was adopted, RB+B was one of only 56 firms nationwide to take part in data reporting for their buildings. Data reporting helps architectural firms (and their clients) understand how decisions throughout the design process affect building energy performance over time.

Because buildings are the largest single contributor to greenhouse gas production (nearly the equivalent of both transportation and industry combined*), architectural firms’ primary impact on improving the environment is best achieved through energy efficient building design. More and more architectural firms are recognizing the benefit of utilizing tools such as the AIA 2030 Commitment. Just this year the program saw a 33% increase in the number of firms reporting data over the previous year.

This is an exciting step towards carbon neutrality within the architecture industry. In 2015, RB+B will continue to support programs such as the 2030 Commitment as we strive to enhance our culture of sustainability and the design of high performance buildings.

*Source 2013 2030, Inc./Architecture 2030.

RB+B Architects received the Summit Design Award last night at the CEFPI Rocky Mountain Chapter’s annual awards celebration for the STEM Conversion Project at Northglenn High School.

Northglenn High School is a large 1960’s-era comprehensive high school serving 1,900 students throughout Adams 12 Five Star Schools in northern Denver. The District provides aquatics programs for its students and for decades the swimming pool at Northglenn High School was the primary facility for these programs. When the District constructed a new comprehensive high school, a new aquatic center was incorporated into that facility and the aging pool at Northglenn High School became obsolete.

The principal of the school expressed a need for more educational space, and the District realized that the pool vessel and the building envelope were in relatively good condition. The District elected to re-purpose the existing Natatorium and Change House space into new educational space for their STEM program.

The Design Team worked with the district’s Design Advisory Group to establish a space program that included large STEM Studios for each desired pathway, a shared fabrication space, a shared large presentation space, a shared small presentation space, and shared breakout spaces. The intent was to provide generous spaces for direct instruction and lab-based exploration, and to supplement those spaces with spaces that support small and large breakout group collaboration, hands-on investigation and application, and presentation of findings to peers. Having access to a collection of different spaces affords instructors the opportunity to direct their students in a variety of learning settings.

The spaces are organized such that the large Studios are around the periphery and the presentation spaces are in the center, across the circulation path from one another. The large presentation space may flex to open to the circulation space on one side, and the small presentation space may flex to open to the circulation space from the other side, or both may be opened simultaneously to create a gallery atmosphere for special events, such as an exhibition of student work. A reception area, workroom, kitchenette, and large and small conference rooms were provided to support instructors and visiting outside professionals as well as after-hours use of the presentation spaces. In circulation areas, small informal spaces were created as well as spaces for storage and display of student work.

For more information on the project, click here.

The leadership of RB+B Architects, Inc. is pleased to promote Derek Young, AIA, LEED AP to Senior Associate.

Derek joined RB+B in 2000 and has been a project manager for several of RB+B’s high performance projects including, most notably, the Windsor Readiness Center, which became the first LEED Platinum facility in the United States for the Army National Guard. He also managed Casey Middle School (LEED Platinum, Boulder) and Hanna Elementary School (Hanna, WY). Derek currently leads the design team’s construction administration for the Weld 6 School District’s Prairie Heights Middle School in Evans, CO.

“Derek has all the tools we look for in a well-rounded architect – a keen sense of design, a strong desire to satisfy and exceed client expectations, and great attention to design and administrative detail,” says Ken Field, President of the firm.

Derek received his Bachelor of Architecture in 1996 from Philadelphia University and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

Congratulations to all the winners of the AIA Colorado and local chapter awards, as honored last night at the AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference Gala in Keystone, Colorado.

RB+B Architects is pleased to note that one of our projects – the Army National Guard’s Windsor Readiness Center – was among the honorees. The project received a Merit Award for Commercial Architecture through the AIA Colorado North Chapter.

Designed to house and serve the 1157^th Forward Support Company, the Readiness Center for the Colorado Army National Guard sets a new level of high quality, durable and sustainable design. Controlled daylighting, ground-source heat exchange system, recycled and reclaimed materials, building orientation, drought resistant plant materials and roof-mounted PV panels contributed to LEED Platinum certification. Comfort and security are delivered in a contemporary, efficient and specialized design.

Symbolically, the facility serves as a means to strengthen and honor military traditions while instilling a sense of pride in members of the unit. The architectural character of the Windsor Readiness Center is defined with a powerful form and color arranged in a linear design which allows for excellent solar orientation and daylighting throughout. The large sloping metal roof creates an impactful shape. The brightly colored interior/underside of the metal roof creates a flash of color that runs throughout the public portion of the building.  The linear quality grounds the building to the natural horizontal sweep of the eastern plains.  Arcing forms in the landscaping design at the entry as well as inside the main hall repeat the forms seen at many of the nearby industrial buildings, silos and tanks.

Working closely with military personnel and representatives allowed the design team to produce a high quality project that is efficient, aesthetically pleasing and will support the community-based citizen soldiers and their families for many years to come.

The building is situated in a generally east-west position in the center of the site taking advantage of the drainage patterns through the site to provide part of the Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection separation between the building and the Privately Owned Vehicles.  This orientation presents the main entrance and public portions of the building towards Great Western Drive and shields the military vehicle parking on the south and west side of the building leaving room for a future Field Maintenance Shop facility on the southwest corner of the property.

Students, staff and community members gathered today to celebrate the grand opening of Stapleton’s newest ECE-8 school at Conservatory Green.

Located north of I-70 on the former Stapleton International Airport site, the 113,600-square-foot facility serves the expanding community of Stapleton’s Conservatory Green neighborhood. In order to meet district needs, the building is designed to operate as two autonomous schools, sharing only the gymnasium, cafeteria, and other support spaces. High Tech Elementary School will contain early childhood education through fifth grades and Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST): Conservatory Green houses sixth through eighth grades. Colors and textures from the natural and built world are used throughout the design to inspire students to be more aware of the patterns that surround them every day.

Key sustainable characteristics of the project include a high efficiency building envelope combined with triple-pane windows to minimize energy costs. The school promotes the 21^st Century learning model with collaborative and individual scaled learning areas, outdoor classroom and vegetable garden, and ties to the local community.  The west wall of the gym features a brick mural of the runways of the original airport, lending itself to the elementary school curriculum of learning about regional history.  The building was designed by RB+B Architects, Inc. and built by Roche Constructors.

RB+B is happy to publish the third annual report of RB+B’s Sustainability Management System (SMS). The SMS document originated in April 2011 by RB+B’s G:REEN Team with input from the entire office. In our third year of implementation, it has become a valuable tool in guiding our office processes as well as the design of our buildings and their environments.

Our SMS annual report has helped us to document our vision and chart a course for action around each of the three areas of our business: Internal Operations, Internal Process + Technology, and External Product Offerings. With this report, we have provided a benchmark both for ourselves and for our industry to measure growth against. As we move forward, the SMS annual report will help us to tell our story, hold ourselves accountable, and celebrate our positive impact on the world around us. We firmly believe that sustainable design, as we practice it, will positively affect ourselves and the lives of the people who use our buildings.

Concentration areas for 2013 included (1) developing firm-wide sustainable goals and metrics for projects, (2) implementing sustainable design goals and tracking/reporting project data, and (3) broadly engaging staff in sustainability efforts.

The leadership of RB+B Architects, Inc. is pleased to promote Gopal Shrestha to Director of Design. Gopal joined RB+B in 1996 and his strong design ability has resulted in AIA North Chapter Design Honor Awards for projects like Westfield Park Pavilion, Fossil Creek Park Pavilion and Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School in Fort Collins. Gopal has been a significant part of the success of many recent RB+B projects including Red Hawk Elementary School in Erie (LEED Gold), Casey Middle School (LEED Platinum), Kelly Walsh High School and the new Boulder Jewish Community Center (targeting LEED Certification).

“Fundamentally, architecture is about shaping our built environment the right way, the way that cares for our planet and its people,” says Shrestha.

“Gopal has an infectious passion for architecture.  Beginning with a strong concept, his ideals infiltrate every detail of his projects.  Gopal’s enhanced role in our firm will be to guide each of our project teams into a unified  pursuit of design excellence, through collaborative design discussions,” says David Kress, Principal. 

Gopal received his Bachelor of Architecture in 1994 from Drury University.