29,749 Homeless Alabama Schoolchildren
Did you know that 29,749 schoolchildren enrolled in Alabama’s public pK-12 schools during the 2012-2013 school year are homeless according to a report released last month by the US Department of Education?
The challenge of living without safe, permanent housing often produces overwhelming emotional, educational, and health obstacles for these children as well as their caregivers and younger siblings.
Since its inception, Aho Architects has passionately served thousands of students and educators through the thoughtful design of numerous educational facilities. We do this because we understand the tremendous impact an education has on an individual’s life. As our firm grows, we desire to expand the positive impact we can effect in this region. For this reason, we are developing a stronger presence in the affordable multi-family housing market. Affordable housing and education often work hand-in-hand to promote well-being and achievement.
One of our firm’s core values is to serve others. Designing safe, comfortable, and aesthetically-pleasing affordable multi-family housing is just another avenue by which we will use our talents and energies to serve.
Alabama Building Commission Fees begin Today
The Alabama Building Commission Collection of Use Fees begins TODAY, October 1, 2014
Administrative Rule 170X-8 Collection of User Fees goes into effect today, October 1, 2014. As mentioned in an earlier Aho blog post, state agencies, K-12 schools, community colleges, universities, and others whose construction projects are reviewed by the Alabama Building Commission, will be required to pay a Plan Review Fee, Permit Fee, and, in some instances, a Contract Administration Fee. The fee schedule is generally figured as a percentage of the construction contract amount.
Additionally, this new rule outlines the procedure for scheduling inspections and some additional requirements for required inspections.
While this added project cost may seem like a burden, we anticipate one of the benefits of this change will be increased responsiveness. As an example, the plan review fee will be refunded to the Owner for reviews not completed within 30 days. Aho Architects supports the adequate and more-sustainable funding of the Building Commission so that it is better equipped to perform its duties.
Please click here for a summary of the new rules. The full text of Administrative Rule 170X-8 is available on the Building Commission’s website at www.bc.alabama.gov.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.
HABD Selects Aho for Marks Village Reconstruction
The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD) has selected Aho Architects to design a new building for the Marks Village community in Gate City.
The project will replace a structure destroyed by a deadly natural gas explosion in December, 2013. This is our first project for the HABD, and we are honored to be selected by them to be part of the team bringing healing to this community.
Aho Architects believes we are called to use our gifts and talents to help others. As such, this is the kind of project we find especially meaningful.
Image from al.com (Frank Couch/fcouch@al.com)
More information about the project may be found in the AL.com / Birmingham News article here
Hoover High School Interior Design Class Visits Aho Architects
The Interior Design class of Hoover High School recently visited Aho Architects' office to learn more about the professional side of interior design.
April Cain, Vice President and Interior Designer shared examples of the firm's real-world projects; demonstrated professional software for design, visualization, and cost-estimating; and gave the students an overview of pursuing a college degree in interiors and joining the workforce.
After the presentation, students spent time touring the office and speaking with other members of our staff to learn more about interior design, architecture, and what it is like to work in a firm.
We enjoyed hosting them, and welcome opportunities such as this to contribute to our community, our local schools, and the future of the design profession.
Alabama Building Commission May Begin Charging Review/Permit Fees - issuing for public comment
Proposed rules may affect many of our Alabama Public Education and State Agency Clients
Yesterday afternoon, the Alabama Building Commission (BC) approved a resolution allowing them to charge user fees including a plan review fee, permit fee, and some additional fees such as a contract document administration fee. It is our understanding that while the BC has had the authority to charge fees (Code of AL §41-9-141 (a) (8)) for years, budget shortfalls have now led it to propose doing so. We believe adequate funding is important to keep the Building Commission running. If the funding mechanism shifts to charge each project, you need to be aware of that. This isn’t unprecedented though; our healthcare clients, for example, pay plan review fees to the AL Dept. of Public Health.
Please click here for a copy of the proposed rules. The fees are calculated based on a tiered value of the construction cost and will increase in proportion to the project’s costs. The contract document administration fee is 1/2% of construction cost. For example, a $2,000,000 locally-funded K-12 project would be subject to a $2,330 plan review fee and a $4,660 permit fee ($6,990 total). If the project in the example above is PSCA-funded or a community college project, where the BC is required to administer the contract documents, then the contract document administration fee would be $10,000 (total of all three applicable fees = $16,990). As you can see, these fees add-up and need to be factored into project cost budgets. As an aside, these fees are doubled if the work starts without BC approval, so be careful to follow proper procedures (it is our job to help you do that).
The proposal (please see attachment) will now be issued for public comment. Once comments are received, the Commission will have to meet again to grant final approval of the fees and process. We do however anticipate this change is going to happen. Provided the user fees are ultimately approved, they will most likely take effect for projects beginning the process on or after October 1, 2014.
Aho Architects tries to stay as current as we can on developments like this which affect our clients. We will continue to monitor this and do what we can to help you comply with- and budget for- these added costs. I hope you’ll consider us your trusted advisors.
Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or need anything else.
Aho Architects, LLC | info@ahoarch.com | (205) 983-6000
Aho Architects, LLC names April R. Cain Vice President
Aho Architects, LLC names April R. Cain Vice President
Aho Architects, LLC is pleased to announce the promotion of April R. Cain, IIDA to the position of Vice President. For almost seven years, April has played a key role in the firm and contributed a great deal to its success and the reputation it now enjoys.
April’s work is characterized by enduring customer relationships, excellent service, and the personal embodiment of the values that our team seeks to display. Her exemplary project management skills and record on many key projects, as well as her vital role in shaping the way our entire organization functions to serve its clients, make this promotion a fitting recognition.
Aho Architects, LLC is a multidisciplinary architectural, planning and interior design firm with extensive experience serving institutional clients (Colleges and Universities, K-12 School Systems, Churches, Healthcare Providers) and similar organizations. For more information, please contact us at (205) 983-6000 or visit us at www.ahoarch.com.
March 2014 Habitat Build Day
Tim, April, Paul, Edmond, and Jennifer
Edmond and April cut trim pieces
As part of our company's commitment to stewardship and giving back to our community, we periodically spend a day working with Habitat for Humanity. We started doing this years ago, and it is something our entire team looks forward to.
This time, we worked on a new home in the Ensley area, for the Cooper family, as part of the 2014 Building on Faith initiative which seeks to see families in new homes in time for Easter. Major activities our staff participated in were roofing, caulking/insulation, soffits/porch ceiling, etc. This was a very productive day, and we accomplished a lot with the other volunteers on-site.
Alabama Fire College's Project Out to Bid
Aho Architects has completed the design of a new Building and renovations to the existing space of the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards Commission. This project will be bidding in the next few weeks (General Contractors have already been pre-qualified to bid on it). For information on the bid process for this project, please contact our office.
Thomasville City Schools' Roofing Project Bids Under Budget
Last week, the Thomasville City Board of Education awarded the construction contract for Aho-designed retrofit metal roofs on Thomasville High School and Thomasville Middle School. The project also includes HVAC replacement and upgrades. We are pleased to announce that the project came-in under budget and represents a very cost-effective solution for the school system. Once this project is complete, almost all "flat" low-slope roofs at the High School and Middle School will have been upgraded.
The Contractor with the lowest bid was Assurance Service Group. We look forward to working with them again, and appreciate all the contractors who expressed an interest in this project and put forth the effort to prepare a bid.