KMA Announces Designs Underway For Unmanned Aerial System Facility at Fort Huachuca

KMA Architecture & Engineering (KMA) announced that designs are underway for an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) facility at Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista, Ariz. KMA was retained by general contractor Jaynes Corporation in July of 2010 to design the 30,000 square foot facility to achieve LEED® Gold certification. The project is expected to be complete in 2012.

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

“Being a design/build project, our early collaboration with Jaynes allowed us to help the client determine what materials and methods for the design and construction schedule would be most efficient,” said Don Blair, president of KMA Architecture & Engineering. “This building will be state-of-the-art with the latest in sustainable design features to align with the military’s mission to achieve LEED® certification on all new construction.”

In order to achieve LEED® Gold certification, the 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 green 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 Antonio Bernardo, Don Blair, Rich Guerena, Jay Janda and Heather Mertes. Other services are provided by:

•   Wright Engineers: Civil Engineer
•   Jordan & Skala Engineers and Berg Electric: Electrical and Low Voltage Engineer
•   Jordan & Skala Engineers and American Comfort Systems: Mechanical and Plumbing Engineer
•   Chavez-Grieves Consulting Engineers, Inc.: Structural Engineer
•   Desert View Landscape: Landscape Architect
•   Aon Fire Protection Engineering: Fire and Life Safety Engineer