Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Construction Completed at the Ochsner PT and Primary Care Clinic at Bellemeade



The Ochsner PT and Primary Care Clinic at Bellemeade has been substantially completed by Clement Building Company on September 1st, 2016, for  Ochsner Health Systems in Terrytown, Louisiana.

This former K&B, an existing tilt-up concrete and steel framed building building consists of 19,043 SF of built area, on one floor with a mechanical mezzanine, and contains both a primary care clinic and a separate physical therapy clinic under the same roof.

The physical therapy clinic consists of  a 5500 SF gymnasium, full of equipment and therapy tables, as well as five 100 SF treatment rooms.  The suite also includes a waiting area, which is able to see the activity in the gym, but is shielded from the noise by an interior storefront wall.  There is also a custom reception desk that opens to both the waiting room and to the gymnasium, through the glass wall.  There is also a pediatrics room to treat children.

Since the Primary Care clinic is so large, it is designed specifically to be easy to navigate for patients.  The 26 exam rooms of the overall clinic have been arranged into two color-coded sub-clinics, and the hallways have been opened up to the existing high roof deck above.  The subtly color-coded cores of these sub clinics are the nurse stations, which are clustered around the doctor pods, secluded areas where doctors can collaborate with the nurses and one another in relative privacy, with most of the supplies and service spaces that all the caregivers will need located nearby. These two color coded service pods are visible from all hallways within that large, open, simplified volume, which makes it incredibly easy for patients to orient themselves within the large clinic.

The primary care clinic includes an X-ray suite, 23 regular exam rooms, one bariatric exam room, 2 large exam rooms, a shared/E-visit room, a conference room that can double as an exam room, a two-seat blood draw room, a point-of-care testing facility, a medications room, several enclosed offices for supervisors and scheduling needs, and plenty of storage.  The waiting room is enclosed by interior storefront, allowing views and an open feel to both the other waiting room, as well as the activity and dynamism within the gymnasium.

Despite the large footprint of the overall project, there were difficulties during design in fitting the extensive program within the building.  Careful analysis of the contents and usage of each room with the users helped us to massage the layout until all of the desired features could be accommodated.  One innovative technique we used was to install several single-stall restrooms, instead of large multi-stall restrooms.   This allowed us to have a smaller overall square footage of restroom area, by reducing the interior circulation space within the restrooms.  Making the restrooms unisex also allowed us to have fewer fixtures overall, as anyone can use any restroom.

Construction took  5 Months, since March 31st, 2016.  Including the 5 Months of design, the entire length of the project has been 11 months.

The final building cost of the project was $2.7 million, or $144/SF.  Change orders were kept below 3% of the bid cost.

We thank Ochsner Health Systems  and Clement Building Company for working with us on the project, and wish them the best in the future.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Renovations to St. Joseph’s Hall at Notre Dame are Complete




St Joseph's Hall at Notre Dame Seminary has been substantially completed by FH Myers Construction on July 22nd, 2016 for the Archdiocese of New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana.


St Joseph's Hall is an existing historic 4-story, 63,300 SF masonry student housing building at Notre Dame Seminary, a repeat client for HMS. We had previously renovated the 4000 square-foot auditorium in this building and are continuing to do work on campus. In this project, HMS worked with the Archdiocese to rearrange the 36 student dormitories and 21 faculty dormitories into more contemporary suites. The design solution created adjoining rooms with a shared bathroom. The rooms can be utilized individually or paired together to create a suite for faculty full-time residence. Several suites are set aside for visiting priests to stay while in town. In addition, the renovation included 5 classrooms, including one computer lab and practicum space. The existing chapel was relocated from a central rotunda to a more secluded cathedral-ceiling space on the top floor, with the rotunda turned into an easily-accessed student lounge. Finally, we reconfigured the ad-hoc office area to a deliberately designed, 31 office administrative suite.

The historic nature of the building and its close proximity to the seminary building meant the design team had to approach our work with sensitivity to the character of the original design and compliment the existing materials and craftsmanship.  To that end, the decision was made to refurbish the existing wood windows, salvage much of the existing interior masonry partitions, and create a custom wood baseboard detail that seamlessly integrates new power and data to each dorm room.  In a similar way, we reconfigured the previously retrofitted air conditioning system to be able to raise the hallway ceiling almost back to its original height, while still accommodating the lighting, air conditioning, plumbing, and new sprinkler systems.

The entire project was completed in 27 months including 15 months of construction. The project was opened in Aptil 2015 only one day behind the original project schedule, and well in advance of arriving students for the fall semester.  The project was also completed well under budget.

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

The Lakewood Elementary School Building A Renovations are Substantially Complete



The Lakewood Elementary School Building A Renovations were completed by Dynamic Constructors in late July, for St Charles Parish Public Schools, in Luling, Louisiana.

This existing steel-framed, concrete block building consists of 26,700 SF of renovated area, all on the first floor. The renovation modified a large shared classroom area, separated by temporary partitions, and split the area into 19 new classrooms and a teacher work area suite. Meeting the owner's desire for durable materials in this demanding education environment the design team used high-impact gypsum board on metal stud framing for the new walls.  This project also included new ceilings, and floor finishes, as well as adapting the existing mechanical and electrical equipment to the new layout with new light fixtures and ducts.  Overall, the project ended up costing $51/SF.

Working with the owner's desire to not lose any space during the school year the project was designed to have construction occur over the summer months when students would not be in class. Construction started after completion of the spring semester in May 2016 and was completed just ahead of schedule, allowing the owners ample time to re-occupy the space and prepare for the fall semester.

The final building cost of the project is more than 20% under the original budget, both due to a good bid at the outset, and by diligent construction administration, keeping the change orders well within 1% of the overall bid cost.

We thank St Charles Parish Public Schools and Dynamic Constructors for working with us on this successful project, and wish them the best in the future.


Wednesday, June 1, 2016

The Allemands Elementary School Classroom Addition is Substantially Complete




The Allemands Elementary School Classroom Addition has been substantially completed by F. J. Arcement Construction Co. Inc. on May 2nd, 2016, for St Charles Parish Public Schools, in Des Allemands, Louisiana.

This brick-clad, steel-framed, metal stud building consists of 6230 SF of additional built area added onto a 27,000 SF existing building, both all on one floor.   The addition contains 4 additional classrooms, including an art classroom, as well as a work room, restrooms, and support spaces.  The building cost about $175 per square foot overall.

Construction took 11 Months, since June 8, 2015, and has been substantially completed ahead of schedule.  Including the 9 Months of design, the entire length of the project has been 20 months.

The final building cost of the project was within 10% of the original budget, which was helped by finding about 1% of savings via change orders by careful construction administration.

We thank St Charles Parish Public Schools and F. J. Arcement for working with us on the project, and wish them the best in the future.



Wednesday, May 4, 2016

HMS Is Looking To Hire A Summer Intern

HMS Architects is a downtown New Orleans based full service architecture firm with projects throughout the region and country. We are seeking a full time summer intern to join our collaborative team. Candidates should be interested in contributing to and learning about all aspects of building design and construction. Experience with Revit is a must. Graphic design skills, Adobe Creative Suite and website capabilities are pluses.


Please send electronic version of resume portfolio and cover letter to the attention of Keith Steger at studio@hms-pa.com. When contacted by HMS for an interview we may request to see samples of your Revit work to understand your proficiency with the program. Please include in your resume any pertinent extracurricular involvements or organizations. 

Monday, April 25, 2016

HMS is Hiring

HMS Architects is a downtown New Orleans based full service architecture firm with projects throughout the region and country. We are seeking for a full time position a graduating Intern Architect or recent graduate with up to 5 years of professional experience to join our collaborative team. We are looking for someone that has proven experience with project design and documentation. Candidates should be interested in contributing to and learning about all aspects of building design and construction.

Required Skills and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Architecture
0-5 years of professional experience, professional internship if just graduating
Proficiency with Revit Required
Excellent communication skills to work effectively with clients, consultants and contractors
On the path to licensure is encouraged
Graphic design skills, Adobe Creative Suite and website capabilities are pluses

Salary is commensurate with experience, excellent medical benefits, vacation, holiday and sick leave.


Please send electronic version of resume portfolio and cover letter to the attention of Keith Steger at studio@hms-pa.com. When contacted by HMS for an interview we may request to see samples of your Revit work to understand your proficiency with the program. Please include in your resume any pertinent extracurricular involvements or organizations.

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Construction Has Begun on the Ochsner Primary Care and Physical Therapy Clinic at Bellemeade


Clement Building Company began constriction on the Ochsner PT and Primary Care Clinic at Bellemeade on March 31st, 2016.    HMS had previously finished the drawings and specifications for the clinic for Ochsner Health Systems, on schedule after 5 months of design work.

This former K&B, an existing tilt-up concrete and steel framed building building consists of 19,043 SF of built area, on one floor with a mechanical mezzanine, and contains both a primary care clinic and a separate physical therapy clinic under the same roof.

The physical therapy clinic consists of a 5500 SF gymnasium, full of equipment and therapy tables, as well as five 100 SF treatment rooms.  The suite also includes a waiting area, which is able to see the activity in the gym, but is shielded from the noise by an interior storefront wall.  There is also a custom reception desk that opens to both the waiting room and to the gymnasium, through the glass wall.  There is also a pediatrics room to treat children.

The primary care clinic includes an X-ray suite, 23 regular exam rooms, one bariatric exam room, 2 large exam rooms, a shared/E-visit room, a conference room that can double as an exam room, a two-seat blood draw room, a point-of-care testing facility, a medications room, several enclosed offices for supervisors and scheduling needs, and plenty of storage.  The waiting room is enclosed by interior storefront, allowing views and an open feel to both the other waiting room, as well as the activity and dynamism within the gymnasium.

More information about the Ochsner Clinic at Bellemeade
More information about HMS-designed Healthcare work
More information about the Bellemeade clinic at Ochsner's website
More information about the Clement Building Company

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Lakewood Elementary School Interior Renovation Construction Underway

St Charles Parish Public Schools received bids for Lakewood elementary school interior renovation on January 12, 2016.  HMS had previously finished the drawings and specifications for Building for St Charles Parish Public Schools, on schedule after 5 months of design work.

The Lakewood Elementary School Building A Renovations consist of 26,756 SF of renovated area, all on the first floor, and this renovation modifies a large shared classroom area, separated by temporary partitions, splitting the area into 19 new classrooms and a teacher work area suite, using high-impact gypsum board on metal stud framing, for durability in the demanding educational environment.

When including all alternates, the five bids ranged from $1.4M to $1.9M. within 35% of each other, reflecting the uncertainty of renovation projects.  The winning bid was for $1,401,000, or $51 per square foot, which is under budget by $399,000 or more than 20%.  This difference allowed all alternates to be accepted within the budget.

The winning Contractor, Dynamic Constructors ,  is expected to begin work in late May, for a contract length of 60 days, expecting to finish by the start of school.  We look forward to working with St Charles Parish Public Schools and Dynamic Constructors for the months ahead.

More Information about the Lakewood Elementary School Building A Renovations

Monday, January 4, 2016

The Hahnville High School Weight Training and Exercise Building is Substantially Complete




The Hahnville High School Weight Training and Exercise Building has been substantially completed by Crescent Commercial Construction on October 19th, 2015, for St Charles Parish Public Schools, in Boutte, Louisiana.

This brick-clad CMU building consists of 6900 square feet of built area, all on one floor, and contains a weight room and a general exercise room, with a retractable batting cage system, as well as restrooms and other support spaces.

Construction took nine and a half months, since January 5th, 2015, and has been substantially completed on schedule.  Including the eight months of design, the entire length of the project has been 18 months.

The final building cost of the project was $1,206,100, or $175/SF, after separating out the other building.  On the overall project, including both buildings, there was over $70,000 worth of savings during construction via change orders, or 2.4% of the bid cost of $2,869,000.

We thank St Charles Parish Public Schools and Crescent Commercial Construction for working with us on the project, and wish them the best in the future.