Portfolio

Design Alaska was the Designer of Record for this 43,800 SF building with an 8,350 SF second floor to serve as the Fairbanks North Star Borough’s new transit and maintenance facility. Functions include transit administration, transit driver facilities, bus wash and bus storage, 10 bus repair bays, and repair support facilities. The building utilized steel structural braced frame with an insulated concrete slab on grade with shallow foundation system and steel roof and mezzanine decks. The Bus Storage and Repair Bays are equipped with radiant floor heat and unit heaters. A tailpipe exhaust hose reel system with dedicated exhaust fans is located between each Maintenance Bay in the Bus Maintenance area and in CNG Repair Room. Gas detection and intermittent exhaust ventilation is provided throughout the Bus Storage and Maintenance areas. The bays are equipped with lube reels which include air, transmission fluid, coolant, oil 5W‐30, oil 15W‐40, grease, and gear lube pumped from a central lube room. The building contains gas detection sensors for carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide and is fully sprinklered with a wet/dry pipe system. Electrical services include power distribution, interior and exterior lighting, data distribution, fire alarm signaling and a stand-by power generator in a walk-in, arctic enclosure. Civil work included soil improvements, gas, power, water and sewer services to the building, a perimeter security fence, asphaltic concrete and gravel paving, and on-site parking. Storm water is accommodated by on-site drywells. Pedestrian, vehicle and bus circulation is clearly defined and enhanced using landscaping elements.

Design Alaska was the Designer of Record for this fast-track, design-build project that created a new 20,300 SF after school care center for Eielson AFB, Alaska. The facility accommodates programs for 200+ children ages 5-12 (K-6 grade) with year-round activities. Program spaces include a large multi-purpose gymnasium, administration offices and lobby, game room, dramatic play classroom, science classroom, computer laboratory classrooms, art classroom, dining room/club activities room, commercial kitchen, and supporting utility and restroom spaces. The exterior of the facility includes an 18,159 SF play area with outdoor basketball court, covered playground, and outdoor exploration/learning environment. This is a highly energy efficient facility designed to UFC 01-200-02 High Performance and Sustainable Building Requirements. The project followed the DOD Guiding Principles Compliance for New Construction (GPC) and was the first building certified by the Green Building Institute under this system for USACE, Alaska District.

Design Alaska provided Architectural and Fire Protection Engineering services on this Design-Build project that renovated the day rooms in 22 barracks located on Fort Wainwright, Alaska, totaling 40,877 SF. The goal of the project was to provide a warmer residential feel to the barracks and upgrade the functionality and appeal of the day rooms. The project removed walls along corridors and expanded underutilized space into larger gathering spaces for soldiers. Existing common kitchens were also updated. The scope of work included repairing/replacing ceilings, new lighting, new finishes and in some areas adding a built-in gas fireplace. The open concept combines kitchen, dining and recreation activities into one large area providing a spacious atmosphere with more natural light. This project included a Structural Interior Design and Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment package, infrastructure for installation of security cameras and WiFi capabilities, and upgrades to fire protection systems.

Design Alaska was the Designer of Record for this 80,000 SF, three-story, hotel-style patient and caretaker lodging facility to support the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation regional hospital in Bethel, Alaska. The facility includes 109 guest rooms with a mix of single, multi-room, and apartment-style ADA suites, along with communal lounge areas, a large kitchen and dining room, outdoor decks, business center, market, office areas, and both public and commercial laundries. The interior design features color-themed floors inspired by water, land, and sky to aid in wayfinding and reflect the surrounding landscape. The exterior utilizes insulated metal panel wall assemblies with high R-value, operable windows, and energy-efficient mechanical and electrical systems with smart controls to perform in Bethel’s extreme climate. Structural systems address permafrost and remote construction challenges through deep steel pipe piles and a heated utilidor that consolidates utilities for long-term maintenance efficiency. Wood accents at canopies, railings, and decks soften the industrial palette, while large windows and high-ceilinged public spaces bring daylight into the interior. The design emphasizes cultural resonance, durability, and comfort, creating a welcoming environment that honors regional traditions and provides safe, reliable housing for patients and families traveling from more than 50 villages for medical care.

This Design-Build project provided a 6,200 SF addition for Behavioral Health Services in conjunction with the complete renovation of the existing 29,000 SF Kamish Medical Clinic at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Significant planning was put into construction phasing for seamless transitions and to allow the building to remain fully operational. Design Alaska provided full architectural upgrades, new floor plans and finishes, and complete mechanical/electrical replacement with energy-efficient systems, including a 7,000 CFM ventilation unit, renovated 30,000 CFM system, and new hydronic heating tied to district heat. Fire protection, telecommunications, security, and LED lighting were also modernized.

Design Alaska provided full Architecture and Engineering design services to demolish a 9,800 SF wing of the existing Bureau of Land Management Anchorage Field Office and construct a replacement facility connected to the District Office. The steel-braced frame structure includes open and private offices, records storage, conference rooms, huddle areas, a breakroom, restrooms, nursing mother’s room, law enforcement offices, and mechanical/electrical rooms. Security separations divide public and staff areas, and a covered walkway links to the original Unit B. Curved bump-outs add efficiency and a modern aesthetic.  Designed to maximize solar exposure, the facility features a 9kW photovoltaic array engineered for Anchorage’s 155 mph wind loads. Electrical systems include a dual-fuel 125 kW standby generator with 1,000-gallon storage, plus telecommunications, security, and public address systems. Mechanical design emphasizes energy efficiency with radiant floor heating from condensing boilers, an energy recovery ventilator, and two solar chimneys that provide natural cooling.

Design Alaska provided full Architecture and Engineering design services for this project that replaced the Birch Hill Ski and Snowboard Lodge on Fort Wainwright with a new 12,300 SF facility. Designed for year-round use, the building features a Great Room with a large expanse of windows providing a view of the ski hill, a grand fireplace, and flexible seating arrangements. Additional spaces include a commercial kitchen with food service line, a ski patrol office with interior and exterior access, and a ski issue room for ticket sales, equipment rental, and repairs. The layout was planned to accommodate patrons in winter gear with a clear flow from entry to ticket purchase to ski lift access. The facility incorporates high-performance building envelope systems, energy-efficient windows, low-emitting materials, and efficient mechanical systems.

Design Alaska provided full Architecture and Engineering design services for the FTW 336B 276-Person Barracks project at Ft Wainwright, Alaska. This facility is a cornerstone project for the Aviation Task Force Phase 1 effort at the Army Post. This 100,000 SF, 276-person barracks provides separate 2-person suites and features a central core recreation area with numerous outdoor amenities including basketball and volleyball courts and covered barbecue/relaxing spots. The project achieved a LEED Gold certification through the US Green Building Council. Highly energy efficient systems and a healthy indoor environment were some of our prime LEED goals with this project.

Design Alaska was the Designer of Record for this 26,500 SF, $11M, training facility located on Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The project was completed as a fast-track design-build project administered by the US Army Corps of Engineers Alaska District. The facility is comprised of four major functional areas: training classrooms, administrative offices, warehouse space, and woodshop/finishing rooms. The facility is a pre-engineered structure with insulated metal panels, walls and roof. The building exterior utilized a CMU wainscot to provide aesthetic features and to protect the insulated metal panels. The facility was designed with a compact, efficient floor plan that provided flexibility for future reconfigurations and additions. Special design features included raised floors in the training/classrooms, translucent panels in the warehouse area for natural day lighting, an aesthetic colonnade at the front entry of the building, vehicle ramps/loading docks for the warehouse, and separate mechanical systems for the warehouse and administration sections of the building. The building was designed through Building Information Modeling (BIM) meeting USACE Alaska District MILCON Transformation requirements. Design Alaska designed the facility to meet LEED V2.2 standards for Government self-certification at the LEED Silver level. Design Alaska was the commissioning agent for the building. The project is now complete and in use by the US Army.

Design Alaska was the Designer-of-Record for this project to construct a new Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS) facility on Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The project is a fast-track design-build effort administered by the US Army Corps of Engineers Alaska District. The project is located in a highly visible location along the Richardson Highway on the Fort Wainwright boundary and will be viewed daily by travelers going to and from Fairbanks. The building materials, site layout, and landscaping were selected to be both low maintenance and aesthetic. The 36,000 SF, $13M, ASOS facility houses US Air Force personnel assigned to work with the US Army at Fort Wainwright. The facility is a pre-engineered steel structure with metal insulated panels on the roof and walls. The building utilized a frost protected shallow foundation system. Unique project features included vehicle maintenance bays for Stryker vehicles, dedicated vehicle exhaust systems, simulator room, secure meeting rooms, and an armory. The design was accomplished using Building Information Modeling (BIM). The project design was finished in March 2011 and the construction was completed in August 2011. The project was designed with LEED V3.0 criteria and certified LEED Gold by the US Green Building Council. Design Alaska provided significant support to the building commissioning effort. We are very proud of this building and the opportunity to support both the US Air Force and US Army through this project.

 Design Alaska was the Mechanical and Electrical Designer-of-Record for this aircraft operations and 6-Bay hangar facility on Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. The project was completed fast-track design-build and administered by the US Army Corps of Engineers Alaska District. The 85,000 SF structure houses permanently assigned F-22A fighter aircraft and supporting aircraft maintenance and operations personnel. The project involved complex mechanical and electrical systems including high expansion foam fire suppression, oil/water separator systems capable of handling fuel spills, complex controls for multiple heating zones, snow melt heating systems, in-slab heating systems, multiple heat recovery systems, centrally controlled energy management system, specialized power system with device specific converters and receptacles, pop-up in-floor power receptacles, Class 1 Division 2 electrical systems, communications systems including highly secure network connections, and a large building service with multiple manual transfer switches to emergency back-up power. The building, including Design Alaska’s mechanical and electrical engineering design work, was done in accordance with USGBC’s LEED Silver criteria and Energy Policy Act 2005 requirements. Design Alaska participated in development of the HVAC and electrical commissioning requirements and functional checks. The project was designed with Building Information Modeling (BIM) including the mechanical and electrical systems. This building is a high quality facility that houses are nation’s premiere fighting aircraft. We are very proud to have been a part of the project delivery team. The project is 100% complete and in use by the US Air Force.

Design Alaska recently completed the 4th phase of a multi-phase remodel project of this downtown Fairbanks facility that is operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The University originally took the facility over from the State of Alaska in 2003 when it’s use was no longer required as a courthouse. Over the past few years Design Alaska has supported goals of coverting this facility into a state of the art educational facility that would meet their programmatic needs. Design Alaska is extremely proud of the part that we have played in the transformation of this building into the functional and attractive facility that it is today. Our participation in the different upgrade phases are summarized below: CTC Revitalization – Phase 4 Third Floor Remodel This project provided a comprehensive renovation of the building’s third floor to support the Information Technology, Construction Management, and CAD drafting educational programs. The renovation providee 11 classrooms, lobby/student gathering area, seven offices, reception area, and educational supply storage rooms. The rearrangement was designed to take advantage of south facing exposures by giving most offices and classrooms natural daylighting. Design Alaska provided full A/E services and the scope of work including mechanical and electrical upgrades. Construction Cost: $2.2M. CTC Revitalization – Phase 3 Exterior Envelope This project replaced the exterior envelop for the 70,000 gross square feet facility. Improvements included replacement of the facility’s storefront system on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors and associated finned tube radiation and new direct digital controls. Installation of new finish at ground floor masonry walls to improve thermal performance, as well as installation of new “high performance” windows and replacement of exterior doors. Other work included replacement of damaged soffits around the perimeter of the facility, installation of new exterior building lighting, and replacement of central heating and distribution equipment and controls. Design Alaska provided full A/E services. Construction Cost: $5.2M CTC Revitalization – Phase 2 After a condition studied identified code and ADA issues, this Phase of work provided corrections to the 1st and 2nd floors of the facility so that UAF could begin initial educational programs. The project involved completing deferred maintenance, code corrections, programming, coordination with user groups, and development of swing space to allow for future phases of renovation work. Design Alaska provided full A/E services. Construction Cost: $2.5M

This project involved the renovation of approximately 10,000 SF of space into public use locker rooms and a new “Nanook Complex” for the UAF men’s hockey team. The primary goal of the new Nanook Complex was to create a facility with an iconic image on par with other top teams in the CCHA League. The principal spaces in the complex include Nanook Locker Room, Players Lounge, Media Room, Coaches Meeting and Locker Room, and a Physical Therapy area. Support spaces include a Medical Exam and Laundry. Salient features of the design include an “ice” ceiling of translucent 3-D panels and a ventilation/radiant heating system that runs through the custom built lockers themselves to promote drying of equipment and significantly reduce or eliminate locker room odors. The design also incorporates creative lighting schemes, sculptural elements, and sophisticated wall tile design.