BPA Architecture & Design

We took a little "fall break" on posts, but have returned. Be on the watch for several updates in the next few days.

This past week, several of our interior designers & graduate architects donated their crafty skills to design a pumpkin for the Ronald McDonald house. Firms around Birmingham got together on Wednesday to vote on the best designs. BPA walked away with "Best in Show" for our pumpkin named Witch Hazel. Dekalb Office hosted the event and delivered all the pumpkins to the Ronald McDonald House for a fall treat.

 

Holly's Homemade

 

For the past few years, one of BPA's administrative assistants and "Office Mom", Holly Stringfellow, has filled her time away from the office by baking tray upon tray of what we think are the south's finest pita chips.  What started out as a weekend hobby has quickly developed into a thriving side business for Holly.  As the holiday season approaches, you can find Holly and her delicious garlic pita chips (as well as her unbelieveable secret recipe chocolate sauce) at local gift fairs and holiday markets.  This Saturday, October 1st, from 9am - 5pm, you can find Holly at the Handmade Show: 115 Riveria Road in Homewood, AL.  To place an order, give her a call at 205.531.6947 or send an email to hollyshomemade1(at)gmail(dot)com.

Credits: labels and logo design by BPA's Alicia Pughsley

St. Clair Replacement Hospital Four Months Out

 

For the last two years BPA has been involved in a replacement hospital for St. Vincent’s St. Clair in Pell City, AL.  The project replaces an existing facility that was originally built with funds allocated through the Hill-Burton Act of 1946.  While the facility has been maintained over the years, emerging technologies and modern patient-care models necessitate a new facility. 

With just a few months remaining in construction, the building shell has taken shape while the interior spaces are beginning to receive final finishes.  We’ll periodically update the blog with progress photos so stay tuned!

Facility Program Specs:

40 patient beds inclusive of a 6 unit ICU

Full Diagnostic Department (MRI, Radiography, Radio / Fluoroscopy, CT, Nuclear Camera, Bone Density, Mammo, Ultrasound)

3 OR Suite with dedicated Endoscopy procedure room

Ancillary admin and support spaces

 Photo credits: 1)  aerophoto.com

2011 Birmingham Heart Walk

The 2011 Birmingham Heart Walk took place this past Saturday and the event was a huge success, only partly because of the funds BPA helped raise.  The true value of Heart Walk was reflected in the faces of those who walked to remember a loved one, those who committed to living a healthier lifestyle that day, and those who stepped up their commitment to build a better community. The American Heart Association’s mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.  For more information, please visit: www.heart.org

 Photo credits: 1)  Maria Glaser

JCDH New West Groundbreaking Ceremony

This past Tuesday we attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Jefferson County Department of Health New West health center in Midfield, Alabama.  BPA's Tom Kidwell (pictured at far right) will lead the design.  The new 60,000 sq. ft. facility will include a pediatric clinic, WIC, maternity clinic, adult health clinic, family planning, dental clinic, eye care clinic, and a pharmacy. This exciting project will further expand the reach of the JCDH's top notch healthcare services in the Birmingham community.

Photo credits: 1)  Lydia Thomson 2) Birchfield Penuel & Assoc.

BPA Interior Designer Appointed to IIDA Board

BPA's Senior Associate Interior Designer, Maria Glaser, was recently appointed Vice President of Professional Development for the Alabama Chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) for the 2011 - 2012 term.

Cornerstone School Work Day

This past weekend BPA's own Chuck Penuel led a team to add a ramp to a partial play set donated to the Cornerstone Christian School.  This was part of a larger effort by the Dream Center to get the school ready for fall classes through interior painting, yard work and other projects.  

BPA Completes High-Tech Research Project

Earlier this year BPA completed a state-of-the-art clean room facility for the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  The clean room will be used to manufacture human cells to try to cure various diseases.  Follow this link to learn more about UAB’s program: http://blog.al.com/living-news/2011/06/uab_builds_super-clean_facilit.html.

Photo credits: 1)  al.com blog

Alabama Tornado Relief Donation Drive

 A huge THANK YOU goes out to all those that contributed to the Alabama Chapter IIDA Tornado Relief Donation Drive.  The outpouring of support and generosity for those affected by the recent tornadoes was second to none.  Donations were delievered to the Birmingham Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, Christian Service Mission, Dekalb County Recovery Center, Jefferson County Disaster Recovery Center, and Tuscaloosa Emergency Services.

BPA Architect Appointed to Dean's Advisory Council at Auburn University

Keith W. Starnes, AIA has been appointed to a 4-year term on the Auburn University Architecture Department's Dean's Advisory Council.  The council is charged with strategic planning issues related to the future growth of the architecture program.

Keith also recently completed his tenure as a visiting guest lecturer for the fourth-year professional practice class in the architecture program, where he taught and oversaw fifteen teams of students as they worked with regional mentor firms to learn about the practice of architecture.

Photo credits: 1) auburn.edu