June-July e-Newsletter 2010

Aegis has opened a new facility in Bellevue, the Bellewood, which offers a rich array of amenities for its senior residents. Some of the more unusual offerings include organic gardening; a natural, whole and organic food program; nutrition classes; and alternative medical treatments such as eastern medicine, aroma therapy and massage therapy.

Bellewood provides a high quality of assisted living care, which includes around the clock care managers, medication managers, and a licensed nurse to monitor health care needs. For patients requiring more support, there is also a memory unit, complete with trained staff, meal preparation, managed personal and group activities, resident monitoring systems, assistance with daily activities (such as bathing or dressing), and a housekeeping and laundry service.

Indoors, there is a beauty salon, a game room, a technogym for physical conditioning, and a computer room as well as brain exercises to maintain brain health. Outdoors, there are not only gardening opportunities, but a playground for visiting family members, and easy access to local mass transit.

Bellewood is located within easy distance of parks, the waterfront and the Bellevue Collection shopping District; fast becoming the best shopping and dining destination in the Puget Sound region. Bellevue Performing Arts includes Ballet Bellevue, Chamber Chorus, Civic Theatre, Opera, Philharmonic and Youth Symphony Orchestras.

Bellewood Architecture was designed by Webber + Thompson for Aegis Living, and Abossein Engineering provided the MEP design. Abossein cherishes their successful relationship with Aegis Living, which has over 30 luxury senior facilities in the western US. Aegis is well known for its resort style accommodations and highly dedicated staff, and a mission to be the people who “make life better.”

Driftmier Designs Public and Private Buildings

Abossein Engineering has been fortunate to have the opportunity to work with this nieghboring Redmond firm for over 12 years now. Our relationship has been one based on mutual respect, and compatible working values, including a high quality of communication with clients and colleagues, and a dedication to innovation in designing buildings which are aesthetically pleasing, functional, and sustainable.

Having completed over 500 projects during those 30 years, Driftmier has collaborated with Abossein on projects such as: Covington, Valley District, and Mukilteo Water Districts; several banks, including First Mutual and First Security; the Redmond Shopping Center; a variety of other projects; and, one of the most exciting projects currently on the boards, a Habitat for Humanity development in Carnation. Driftmier regularly contributes skills and labor to Habitat for Humanity.

Driftmier Architects pride themselves on offering the attention to customer service that a small firm can deliver, while being large enough to provide solutions to a diverse range of design challenges. We’re happy to celebrate the 12th year of our professional relationship with Driftmier as we look forward to future opportunities.

Why ESCO Contracts are Becoming Popular

As the cost of heating and cooling becomes a larger concern for businesses, interest in Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) is becoming more popular for public and private buildings.

ESCOs are companies that develop, install, and arrange financing for projects designed to increase energy efficiency and reduce maintenance costs over a specific period of time. They do this through a wide range of energy conservation solutions, such as more efficient equipment, more efficient HVAC systems, automated light and temperature controls, and behavior modification of building residents. ESCOs typically also provide training to building managers and engineers on the most efficient uses of the equipment upgrades.

What makes an ESCO distinct is that they carry the cost of the energy saving equipment and their clients incur no up-front costs. The ESCO then receives their fee for equipment and services through a percentage of the monies generated through energy savings over a period of 5-20 years, depending on the terms negotiated in the individual project.

And ultimately, it’s all about the contract. An ESCO may provide energy auditing, design and equipment improvements. Frequently, they have knowledge of federal and local rebate programs and additional funding options to finance a specific project. An ESCO will likely install and maintain the energy efficient equipment, and then measure, monitor, and verify that energy savings is actually occurring. If the increased efficiency promised by the ESCO does not materialize, then the client is under no burden to supplement the ESCO’s losses.

ESCO agreements have been used largely in the public sector and their popularity is on the rise.

Last Month's Answer: True.

Question of the month (see next month's issue for the answer):

True or False? Does the Washington State Energy Code require "commissioning" for the building system?