Construction Underway for KMA Designed U.S. Army Unmanned Aerial System Facility at Fort Huachuca

Sept. 19, 2011 - PRLog -- KMA Architecture & Engineering (KMA), a leading architectural firm specializing in sustainable, announced that construction is underway for the Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) facility at Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista, Ariz.  KMA was retained by general contractor Jaynes Corporation to design the 30,000 square foot facility to achieve LEED® Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.  The project is expected to be completed in 2012.

Operated by the U.S. Army, the $8.6 million single-story UAS facility is a design-build project that will house administrative, common and utility support areas.  The building’s service bays will require special design features including high ceilings, large insulated doors, an overhead bridge crane and translucent clerestory windows.

“With the current requirement to achieve LEED® Gold certification on all U.S. Army facilities, we found it necessary to incorporate the most cutting-edge sustainable and construction features,” said Don Blair, president of KMA Architecture & Engineering.  “We are certain that the special design features will enhance the work space for personnel and keep with goal of building more efficient facilities.”

In order to meet LEED® Gold certification, the facility’s design includes a solar hot water heating system, underground rainwater storage tanks for toilet flushing and irrigation and water efficient plumbing fixtures. The building materials, made out of primarily recycled products, include integrally-colored CMU block, structural steel framing, standing seam metal roofing, metal wall panels and aluminum windows. Incorporating sustainable elements outdoors, the landscape design includes drought-tolerant and native landscaping, as well as bike racks and parking for low-emission vehicles and carpools.
                       
The KMA team includes Don Blair, Rich Guerena, Jay Janda and Heather Mertes. Other services are provided by: Wright Engineers as the civil engineer; Jordan & Skala Engineers and Berg Electric as the electrical and low voltage engineers; Jordan & Skala Engineers and American Comfort Systems as the mechanical and plumbing engineers; Chavez-Grieves Consulting Engineers, Inc. as the structural engineer; Desert View Landscape as the landscape architect; and Aon Fire Protection Engineering as the fire and life safety engineer.
About KMA
Headquartered in San Diego, KMA has provided integrated architectural, engineering and planning services throughout Southern California and the Western United States since 1973. The company's services include site selection assistance, land planning, programming, scheduling, project design, field supervision and construction administration. KMA also offers Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED®) Accredited Professionals with expertise in the development of sustainable, high-performance buildings. For more information, please call 619- 276-7710, visit www.kma-ae.com, follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook.