2009

michael jacobs quoted in Architect
December 09
The Local Markets section of the December issue of Architect features photos of the University of Kentucky University Health Service building completed by Omni Architects in 2008. The article discussing the recent development in Lexington and the city's aspirations to balance new urban growth with its identity as "horse capital of the world" also includes a quote from Omni Principal and Vice President Michael Jacobs.

The article can be found on page 26 of the print edition or on the Architect website.

omni joins collaborative to develop LEED community

December 09

Earlier this year, Omni Architects became a partner in the Moderna community, America's first architecturally designed, LEED-certifiable residential development in Lexington, Kentucky. Located near Jacobson Park, the community is small by design and will feature 43 home sites developed as "high-concept" environmentally sensitive houses. The community is centered around the Miller Museum, which is owned by the Foundation for Advanced Architecture and designed by Jose Orbrerie, a collaborator with the legendary French architect Le Corbusier. Special access to the museum will be available to residents for events, parties, and receptions.

Omni is one of eight architecture studios assembled by The Miller Museum and The Foundation for Advanced Architecture to provide the design for each of the Moderna homes. Each homeowner will have the benefit of 175 years of collective experience in designing beautiful and functional residential space and the latest sustainable materials and techniques.

Projects are currently underway and lots are available for purchase. For more information, contact Michael Jacobs or visit the Moderna website.

omni launches new website

October 09

Omni’s new website debuted in October and features an expanded portfolio, news updates, and a special section on sustainability. Visitors can learn more about the members of our firm and the services we offer, subscribe to our email e-newsletters, and read about how we work.

two omni projects featured in The Lane Report Market Review

October 09

The new University Health Service building at the University of Kentucky and the new Science Building currently under construction at Eastern Kentucky University received recognition in the 2009-2010 Market Review, an annual publication by The Lane Report released earlier this month. A photo of the University Health Service building appeared on page 11 in an article entitled "Growing Strong in the Bluegrass" that discusses many qualities that make the Bluegrass a special place to live, including its growing emphasis on research and technology and its impressive healthcare facilities. A photo of the EKU Science Building is featured on page 45 in conjunction with the article "Easy Access to Talent" discussing how higher education institutions benefit the state economy by providing a highly educated workforce.

omni co-sponsors top-10 ranked uk solar decathlon house

October 09

The University of Kentucky Solar Decathlon team brought home ninth place in the U.S. Department of Energy's 2009 Solar Decathlon held on the National Mall last week - an outstanding achievement for a first-time competitor! The house was designed and constructed by an interdisciplinary team of architecture, engineering and communications students, faculty and staff from six colleges and 16 centers at the University of Kentucky. UK's entry, s.ky blue, is a 800-square-foot, fully equipped, single-story prototype house that uses only solar energy to power it and is designed to achieve net-zero—creating at least as much energy as it uses.

After arriving in DC, the team had just four days to reassemble the solar house to be judged along with projects from 19 other invited universities. Entries were evaluated in ten different categories including architecture, engineering, lighting design, net metering, comfort zone, communications, appliances, market viability, hot water and home entertainment. Teams were required to demonstrate that, using just solar power, their homes can do everything that other homes can do, from running computers to heating water and doing laundry.

Omni Architects is one of several sponsors of the project and donated time and expertise to assist the team in the design phase. After the Solar Decathlon, the s.ky blue house will be showcased on campus in front of the Main Building during UK's 2009 Homecoming Oct. 29 - Nov. 1, and will also be on display during the 2010 World Equestrian Games next fall.

uofl belknap research building to be renamed

October 09

The University of Louisville will name its Belknap Research Building after former University President John Shumaker at a dedication ceremony in November. Shumaker served as university president from 1995-2002, leading significant expansion in the university's research and academic missions during his term.

Designed by Omni Architects, the Belknap Research Building has received multiple awards for its design and construction including the 2005 Brick Award of Merit from the Kentuckiana Masonry Institute, the 2006 Kentuckiana ABC Capter President's Award in Construction, and the 2006 Kentuckiana ABC Chapter Mechanical Institutional Award of Honor.

psoc offers opportunity for minority business community

October 09

Messer Construction offered an special opportunity to Minority Business Enterprises (MBE's), Women-Owned Businesses (WBE's), and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE's) subcontractors to participate in the bidding of LFUCG's new Public Safety Operations Center designed by Omni Architects. The Construction Manager for the project, Messer invited over 40 businesses to a special Economic Inclusion Outreach Session on September 10 at Commerce Lexington, where they received 28 different bid packages, contract specifications and project requirements, as well as information about the many services of the Bluegrass Business Development Partnership. An informal networking session followed the presentations, giving business owners a chance to speak directly to the Messer team and other bidders and suppliers. For more information, read the article in the October issue of Business Focus (photo at left from page 7).

nku student union receives 2009 AIA Kentucky Merit Award

October 09

Northern Kentucky University's new Student Union designed by Omni Architects was selected to receive a 2009 Merit Award from AIA Kentucky in August. The 158,000 SF facility opened in July 2008 and has since become a major recruitment tool for the university, serving as a center for many campus activities and student services.

The Student Union was one of 36 entries reviewed by the Jury, who awarded one Honor Award, three Merit Awards, and one Citation. The jury was comprised of four representatives from three Seattle-based firms: Kirsten Murray, AIA and Les Eerkes, AIA, of Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects; Rick Mohler, AIA of Adams Mohler Ghillino Architects, and Grace Kim, AIA, of Schemata Workshop.

Jury comments about the project called it "obviously well designed and executed throughout. The placement of the building on a major circulation path is used to great effect, both activating the building and giving form to the pedestrian's experience. The building looks beyond its own program and acts to shape and create new exterior spaces for the campus. Programmatic uses take advantage of the site's sloped topography. The building engages the site and activates campus spaces at multiple locations. Subtle shifts in massing, material articulation and sunlit circulation areas give the building interest and character. It is well organized without being static. The LED lit tower creates an interesting and interactive new icon for the campus."

The awards were presented at the Honor Awards Banquet on October 2, 2009 during the AIA Ohio Valley Region Convention held at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. Omni Vice President Michael Jacobs and Northern Kentucky University Director of Campus Planning Mary Paula Schuh received the award on behalf of the design team. The design team included the following:

Commonwealth of Kentucky Division of Engineering and Contract Administration - Owner and Project Manager
Brailsford & Dunlavey - Student Center Planner
Staggs & Fisher - MEP Engineer
Senler Campbell & Associates - Structural Engineer
Vivian Llambi & Associates - Site Designer
Ricca Newmark Design - Food Service Consultant and Interior Designer
Messer Construction - General Contractor

omni chosen for L&N historic railpark and train museum

September 09

Omni Architects has been retained by The Friends of the L&N Depot in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to design a historic replica of an original 19th century Railroad Roundhouse at The L&N Depot Historic RailPark and Train Museum. The mission of The Friends of the L&N Depot is “to facilitate display, exhibits, and programming which preserve and present railroad history in the context of its impact locally and as a vital role in our nation’s social and economic development.”

Part of their vision for the new roundhouse includes the idea that the ultimate users may be community organizations such as a Farmers Market, retail shops, restaurant and the growing HR&TM railcar collection. The project also includes the design of a 450 foot long train cover that protects an engine and four historic railroad cars from the weather elements and development of a site plan that includes a plaza style entrance and increased parking.

The Omni team for this project includes Sam Halley as Principal-In-Charge, Eric Zabilka as Project Manager, and Tracy Jones as Project Architect. Omni has teamed with Staggs and Fisher as MEP engineering consultants, BFMJ as structural consultants, and M2D Design Group as site design consultants for this project. The design team will be assisting the organization in seeking funding at both the federal and state levels to fully fund construction.

hb2 begins, ranks kentucky among top in green construction

July 09

House Bill 2, passed by the 2008 Kentucky General Assembly, went into effect July 1, beginning a new chapter in sustainability in public construction in the Commonwealth. The new law requires all construction or renovation of public buildings for which 50 percent or more is funded by the Commonwealth to meet high performance building standards. The law sets a sliding scale of certification level based on the project budget, as follows:

$25 million or more - LEED Silver level or higher
$5 to $25 million - LEED Certified or higher
Less than $5 million - Designed using LEED Rating System as guidance.

The new law corresponds with the kickoff of the new LEED Version 3 requirements that the U.S. Green Building Council set into effect June 27.

According to the Governor’s office, these new standards put Kentucky in an elite group of 12 states with laws requiring that some or all design, construction and operation of state buildings earn LEED Silver or other comparable standard. The regulations, which will make Kentucky’s public facilities among the greenest and most energy efficient in the country, were developed following six months of work by the High Performance Buildings Advisory Committee (HPBAC), administered through the Kentucky Finance Cabinet.

nku student union receives flooring award

June 09

Northern Kentucky University's Student Union continues to receive national attention, being named the winner in the Education category of the 2009 Starnet Design Awards. Since 2002, the Starnet Design Awards have recognized outstanding commercial interiors featuring innovative flooring products and technologies. Omni Architects was recognized along with AIC Contracting, Inc. for excellence in design and installation of Wausau terrazzo, Amtico tile, Milliken carpet, Daltile mosaics, and Durken broadloom throughout the building.

Awards are presented in eight different categories, including small and large corporate installations, healthcare, education, and hospitality and public spaces, as well as unique challenges, green projects and student achievement. Entries are judged based on the creative use of flooring, as well as the design concept and overall quality of the solution delivered to the client.

The distinguished panel of judges included: Maurie O’Neill, Designer/Partner, O2 Design, past publisher of Floor Focus Magazine, New York; Clara Igonda, Principal, Perkins + Will, Los Angeles; Adel Smith Chapman, Director of Interiors, Architects Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker (DWRB), San Diego.

omni offers LEED workshop for uk physical plant division

May 09

At the request of the University of Kentucky, Omni Architects and CMTA Consulting Engineers led a two hour workshop for staff of the UK Physical Plant division focused on the requirements of House Bill 2. The new legislation goes into effect July 1 and requires all construction or renovation of public buildings for which 50 percent or more is funded by the Commonwealth to meet high performance building standards.

More than 40 engineers attended the continuing education workshop, which included a review of LEED standards, case studies of how sustainable design practices have been implemented on UK’s campus, and analysis of the cost and maintenance implications of various sustainable design solutions.

michael jacobs named teacher of the year

May 09

Michael Jacobs, Principal and Vice President of Omni Architects, was recently named University of Kentucky College of Design 2008-2009 Teacher of the Year. Michael was chosen to receive this honor by a selection committee led by Dean Michael Speaks and Director David Biagi. Michael has served as a faculty member teaching Design Studio at the University since 1986.

northside library receives brick award

April 09

The Northside Branch of the Lexington Public Library, which opened in July 2008, received the only 2008 Brick Award of Honor from the Kentuckiana Masonry Institute on April 29, 2009. The award was presented at an awards luncheon hosted by KMI at the Muhammed Ali Center in Louisville. Jury comments included: “very nice, clean detailing and the image really works to evoke the industrial/warehouse look. Excellent color selection, massing, and details...strong simple forms. Well organized for urban living; Simple materials are nicely detailed.”

eku breaks ground on science building

April 09

The design team at Omni Architects joined Eastern Kentucky University President Doug Whitlock and a large group of university administrators, faculty and staff to break ground on Phase 1 of their new Science Building April 24. The new facility, expected to open Fall 2011, was heralded by many at the groundbreaking ceremony as a revolution in the way science will be taught and researched on campus. Eric Zabilka, Omni’s project manager, was among several speakers to address the large crowd.

View photos of the ceremony. and check out the live web cam of construction in progress. (refresh page to see update_.

omni adds four more LEED APs

January 09

Beginning in 2006, Greg White and Michael Jacobs were the first Omni members to become LEED® Accredited Professionals. In the last two months, four more Omni architects passed the rigorous exam - Eric Zabilka, Don Adams, Jody Boelhauf, and Jeff Bennett. This new expertise will allow Omni to continue to offer our clients design solutions that take advantage of the latest technologies and trends in sustainable design.

Learn more about our expertise in sustainable design.