» 3.3.10
Elk Mound School District Breaks Ground on District-Wide Projects

From top: Mound View Elementary, Elk Mound Middle School, and Elk Mound High School

Learn more about the Elk Mound Projects »

» 2.15.10
SDS Architects and UW-River Falls Pursue LEED Silver Certification for Residence Hall Project

SDS Architects with design consultant, Elness Swenson Graham Architects of Minneapolis, was recently commissioned by the Wisconsin Division of State Facilities to complete an 83,500 square-foot addition to the George R. Field South Fork Suites Residence Hall on the University of Wisconsin-River Falls campus. The 240-bed, cluster-style residence hall addition, scheduled for completion in August 2012, will pursue LEED Silver Certification through the U.S. Green Building Council, a national standard for green design, construction, and operation. Sustainability is a high priority goal for the UW-River Falls campus.

» 10.16.09
UW-Eau Claire Celebrates McPhee Grand Re-Opening

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire celebrates the grand-reopening of the newly remodeled McPhee Physical Education Center on upper campus. The celebration included a ribbon cutting ceremony, and Vicki Funne Reed, Brian Levin-Stankevich, and Beth Hellwig gave remarks on the building and the newly remodeled space.

The project revitalized 100,000 square feet of space, updating classrooms and offices, the gymnasium and pool, and gymnastics and wrestling areas.  The project also replaced outdated mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and telecommunications systems with advanced, energy efficient systems.

Built in 1969, McPhee is the center for Blugold athletics, and also houses classrooms and offices for the Department of Kinesiology.

From left: Vicki Funne Reed, Director of University Recreation Sport Facilities; Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich; Beth Hellwig, Student Affairs Office Dean of Students

Learn more about the McPhee project. »

» 6.19.09
Cynthia A. Estrada, Dale Burgess Poynter, Dean E. Kass become LEED AP

SDS Architects, Inc. announces three staff members, Cynthia A. Estrada, Architectural CAD Technician; Dale Burgess Poynter, AIA, Principal/Architect; and Dean E. Kass, Architect, have each recently become a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP).

LEED Accredited Professionals have the skills necessary to facilitate LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification practices in conjunction with the goals of the U.S. Green Building Council to create energy-efficient cost-savings through sustainable design and building practices. SDS has provided sustainable design solutions and helped clients achieve LEED certification since 2005 when our first architect achieved LEED AP status.

Cindy has worked for SDS since 2003. Cindy graduated with honors from Chippewa Valley Technical College with an Associates Degree in Civil-Structural Engineering.

Dale is a Principal/Architect for SDS Architects. He has been with SDS for 20 years and leads and designs religious, K-12 education, and higher education projects. Dale has a Master of Architecture & Bachelor of Science-Architectural Studies, magna cum laude, from the University of Illinois, and his education included a year of study at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in France.

Dean, Architect, has 30 years experience with SDS. His current projects include Project Architect for the Nicolet Area Technical College Birchwoods Center Addition & Remodeling (pursuing LEED Silver New Construction). Dean has a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of Illinois.

SDS Architects recently completed projects that allowed the Luck School District achieve LEED Certification on an existing building in 2008. Luck School District was the second school in Wisconsin to receive a LEED Certification and achieve this prestigious green building standard.

Other LEED Certification projects SDS Architects is currently designing include the Nicolet Area Technical College Birchwoods Center Addition & Remodeling (pursuing LEED Silver New Construction); the Xcel Energy Ashland Service Center (pursuing LEED Gold NC); and the Chippewa Valley Technical College, Chippewa Falls Campus (pursuing LEED EB O&M).

» 3.16.09
Luck School District Receives LEED Award

Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, presented Luck School District in Luck, Wis. with a plaque in recognition of earning the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification on Friday, March 13. U.S. Congressman David Obey was on-hand during the presentation.

Luck School District is the second school in Wisconsin to receive a LEED certification and achieve this prestigious green building standard on an existing building. LEED standards address whole building maintenance issues including chemicals, energy and water efficiency performance, indoor air quality and recycling programs, among others standards to maximize operational efficiency and minimize environmental impacts.

The design by SDS Architects provides a 50% reduction in natural gas usage and a 45% reduction in electrical usage in the 115,600 s.f. building.

From left: Steve Rubenzer, SDS Architects; Congressman David Obey; District Administrator Rick Palmer; School Board President Robert Clifton; Charlie Schneider of Focus on Energy

Learn more how Focus on Energy can save your school money at www.focusonenergy.com »

Learn more about LEED for Schools from the U.S. Green Building Council at www.buildgreenschools.org »

» 2.23.09
Dreyfus University Center Honored for Education Design Excellence

SDS Architects announces that the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Dreyfus University Center Addition and Remodeling, Stevens Point, WI has been selected for publication in American School & University 2008 Architectural Portfolio. The project is featured in the November 2008 edition of the magazine and also on the web at www.SchoolDesigns.com. The Architectural Portfolio, an annual competition honoring education design excellence, spotlights projects representing some of the most effective learning environments in America.

» 1.26.09
SDS Architects, Inc. Announces New Leadership

The Directors of SDS Architects, Inc. of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, elected officers at their annual Board of Directors’ meeting held on January 26, 2009. Dennis A. Ferstenou, a member of the firm for over 38 years and President of the firm since January of 2000, retired in January of 2009. Thomas M. Hanley, AIA, LEED® AP, assumed the role as President, and has been with SDS since 1996.

» 9.30.08
SDS Lends a Helping Hand at Community Table

SDS Architects builds a "team" and a community partnership by donating, preparing and serving an evening meal recently at the Eau Claire Community Table, Inc. The team, comprised of SDS employees, their families and friends, enjoyed the awesome service experience and appreciated the opportunity to contribute to the community for the second year in a row. Many thanks to the on-site coordinator, Pete, whose direction is invaluable for any team.

The Community Table, Inc. is a Charitable Organization in downtown Eau Claire that calls upon teams of volunteers to serve a hot meal to anyone who needs it. The Community Table relies on the generosity of the community for volunteers and financial support. Learn more about this organization at www.thecommunitytable.org »

» 9.22.08
Bangor Elementary School Dedicates New Spaces for Learning

The School District of Bangor formally dedicated an addition and renovation project that opened for the 2008-2009 school year at Bangor Elementary School. For the past eighteen years, the school satisfied its need for additional elementary school space through the use of portable classrooms. The district determined that the portable classrooms no longer provided adequate educational space. Additional space was needed, and the existing 1967 vintage facility was in need of upgrades. A referendum to finance the project was approved in February 2007.

The project designed by SDS Architects includes a 31,000 square foot addition that houses nine additional classrooms, a gymnasium with bleacher seating and locker rooms, central main offices, and upgrades to the mechanical, electrical, and technology systems. Special features of the project include energy efficient lighting, windows, and HVAC; secure entrances to the building through a computerized electronic card reader system; and ADA signage throughout the building. Learn more about Bangor Elementary »

» 8.5.08
Program Helps Wisconsin Students Train for Emergencies

The student-based program, Student Emergency Response Team (SERT)/Responding to Emergencies And Disasters with Youth (READY), is helping students in many Wisconsin communities, including Chippewa Falls, learn how to respond in case of an emergency.  Bob Severson, Director of Buildings, Grounds, and Safety has helped organize this program for the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District.

The READY/SERT trainers travel to schools to teach students between 13 and 18 skills in First Aid, CPR, AED, and training to be a First Responder.  Goals of the program include increasing volunteer efforts of students, encouraging students to take leadership in community efforts of prevention, and educating students to respond to emergency and disaster situations at their home and school.

These programs are funded by The Office of Justice Assistance and The Department of Homeland Security and by donations of community businesses.  Donated trailers carry the equipment necessary for the training.  SDS is proud to be a sponsor of the READY/SERT program.

» 5.30.08
SDS Architects Announces Groundbreaking for UW-Stout Jarvis Hall Science Wing

With construction bids nearly $2 million under budget, a June 17th groundbreaking event kicks off the construction of the University of Wisconsin-Stout Jarvis Hall Science Wing project.

This $40,000,000 expansion and remodeling project, designed in association with BWBR Architects of St. Paul, Minnesota, includes the expansion and complete remodeling of the original Jarvis Hall Science Wing constructed in the late 1960's. The project, targeted for completion in August 2010, will provide instructional and research laboratories, classrooms, and offices for the applied science and applied math programs.

In conjunction with University of Wisconsin-Stout's environmental goals, this design incorporates sustainable design and high-performance principles that emphasize energy efficiency and long-term durability, maintenance, and adaptability.

» 11.15.07
SDS Architects, Inc. Commissioned for UW-Stout Hovlid Hall Renovation and Addition Design

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDS Architects has been selected by the Wisconsin Division of State Facilities to provide architectural design services for the $6.8 million Hovlid Hall Renovation and Addition project on the University of Wisconsin-Stout campus. 

This project will include 54,000 square feet of expansion and remodeling of the original Hovlid Hall constructed in the early 1960s.  This expansion and remodeling project includes remodeled resident rooms, modern restrooms, floor kitchens, public spaces for residents, and a central desk/lobby area to provide service to residents in Hovlid and Fleming Halls.  The proposed addition will provide modern food service and informal meeting facilities to serve the approximately 860 upper level students living in the North Campus residence halls.  The project is targeted for completion in August 2010. 

The Hovlid Hall project is Phase II of the North Campus Master Plan which initially involved the completion of the 300 student Red Cedar Residence Hall designed by SDS Architects in association with ESG Architects of Minneapolis. 

SDS Architects, a full service architecture firm since 1953, is located in downtown Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  In addition to higher education projects, the firm also designs k-12 education, religious, community, commercial, government, healthcare, and industrial projects.

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