We were fortunate to have Bob Shallit of the Sacramento Bee visit us onsite a while back and allow us to give him the tour of our handiwork.
You can read the article by clicking this link:
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/03/29/3510568/bob-shallit-senior-complex-renovation.html
Thanks Bob!
An exciting project that is currently in it’s final stages at the Einstein Residence Center is the installation of a 75 killowatt (75,000 watt) photovoltaic solar array that serves as the roof of the guest parking lot parking canopy. Though not part of the Green Retrofit Project funding, it is just another example of the Einstein Center’s commitment to renewable and efficient energy use along with the use of green products and practices in their everyday activities. 
This marvelous addition to an already green and energy efficient living facility, was made possible by an agreement between our new neighbor Varenna Senior Apartments built by St. Anton Partners/Hurley Construction and the Einsten Center. Thanks to the diligent efforts of Robert Harris in brokering this arrangement, the array could save the Einstein Center up to $1000 a month in electricity costs.
The PV array is comprised of 312 panels each generating 240 watts each. You can see in one of the photos they are connected in clusters of 6 making up a larger panels that span the depth of the canopy structure.
Currently the panels are set and the technicians from Solar City are installing the DC inverter and other infrastructure that converts the direct current produced by the panels into alternating current that can be utilized by the building.
This week we completed the last of the 78 kitchen and bath renovations at the Einstein Residence Center.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the people involved in this endeavor that made it not only possible but an enjoyable and relatively painless experience:
All Cal Demolition – Thanks to the Trujillo family and their crew: Jerry, Jason, Cliff, Rick, Randy and Lance.
Plumbing Enterprises – Le
on Kelly, Colin, Chris and Augustine.
Lanz Cabinets -Ryan Lanz, Todd and Joe
Custom Design Countertops – Steve Amburg who installed the laminate countertops.
California Carpets – Carlos Lara and installer Dan Quinn of all American flooring who removed and installed two laminate kitchen floors and two Marmoleum bathroom floors a day by himself!
Last but not least I want to thank my able assistant and Tenant Host Hanane Omari and her helper Jerry King. They got the units ready by packing up the tenants kitchen and bath items the night before construction, and put it all back the following evening after the renovation of the apartment was complete. Then moving on to the next apartment and starting the whole process over again. Sometimes working until 9 o’clock at night!
You may have heard the term “universal design” or even the term”aging in place”. What is universal design? It’s the creation of products and environments so they may be used by as many people as possible from all walks of life. All ages, shapes and sizes. It goes beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act we are all acquainted with. It addresses issues facing older adults even without disabilities that allows them to stay in their homes longer and enjoy their independence.
Though the focus of the Einstein Center green retrofit project has been energy and water savings as well as air quality and the use of sustainable materials, we have made efforts to incorporate some of the principals of universal design where we could. We employed the services of a Certified Accessibility Specialist who consulted during the kitchen and bath prototype phase as well as creating a comprehensive analysis of the center’s long term accessibility needs and goals.
One design principal of universal design is that a space that is accessible and easy to use not look institutional or like a “handicapped space”. Unlike traditional disabled design, universal design does not focus on the specific needs of a single segment of the population. It is flexible and accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. By it’s very nature universal design is green and sustainable. If a space and it’s components is designed to accommodate a persons needs and abilities through all phases of their life, it will enjoy a longer period of usefulness.
Here is a link to an interesting article profiling the work of a pioneer in universal design Pattie Moore. Pattie traveled North America for three years disguised as a woman in her 80′s in order to learn firsthand the challenges facing older people.
Construction at the Einstein Green Retrofit Project continues to move along at a brisk pace. We have maintained our schedule of completing two apartment kitchen and bathroom renovations per day. With the first floor completed we will be starting the second floor next week.
We have completed the process for our second draw and have sent in the documentation requesting Draw #3.
So far each of our HUD inspections has gone well.
Recently we have been receiving some feedback from the tenants by means of thank you cards and notes. I thought I would share a couple that were sent this week to Les Finke the Executive Director of the facility. We have striven to minimize any disruption or inconvenience to the mostly elderly tenants, and are pleased to see that all the planning, hard work as well as attention to detail is paying off.
© 2010-2012 Sacramento Building Performance All Rights Reserved -- Copyright notice by Blog Copyright
