Architecture Awards 2021

13 2021 Architecture Awards BUILD oleil Lofts was a development project that continually pushed the boundary of possibility and often questioned “Why can’t we do that?”. The scale of the development alone was a challenge, with 600 apartment homes on a single site and the creation of the region’s first recreation centre-like clubhouse. Extensive coordination was required to keep the project on track and on budget. It was a completely sustainable-energy project which meant that new types of teams and consultants had to be brought onboard to identify challenges and present viable solutions. Soleil Solar was tasked with creating one of the largest residential solar arrays in the area and Sonnen Battery created a battery storage solution capable of sustaining the energy needs of the development and providing greater power-grid support (each unit houses its own battery storage module). Rocky Mountain Power manages the apartment community as a virtual power plant. Each in-unit battery is monitored 24/7 by RMP and energy can seamlessly flow from supporting an individual unit, to supporting the development as a whole and then providing peak power demand needs for the regional power grid when needed. The collaboration of the teams involved, the creative and innovative solutions that were attained, and a passionate developer who was not afraid to push boundaries and blaze new trails led to a nationally recognised award-winning development. Collaboration is key to a successful project and creating unique developments that stand out from rivalling developments and developers, but also tie directly to the look and feel of an Architecture Belgique Inc. project. Often opinions are gathered from multiple individuals within the design team; design is never solely focused on one individual or confined to one particular style of architecture. In a region full of current multi-family developments under construction, the company strives and succeeds in blending the inherent design limitations of repeated and stacked living units with non-repetitive facades, unique and cutting-edge materials and construction methods and unique property wide elements that define a project. It efficiently moves through the schematic design process thanks to the multiple perspectives and experience from its established architects. It understands its region, the design trends, and the defining characteristics of neighbourhoods and city zones. Its focus and attention continues with the same passion and dedication as the project moves into construction and administration phases. It believes that its relationships with contractors are just as important as the relationships it develops with its clients, and it is known and recognised for its responsiveness and timely assistance with end-to-end attention from ground-breaking to Certificates of Occupancy. Architecture Belgique Inc. believes that the design and development of a project is an end-to-end process. It prides itself in the fact that recommendations and referrals come from current clients, word of mouth, and general contractors as a direct result of its dedication and efficiency to all aspects of a project. Its roles and focus remain intertwined until a project’s full completion. Its designs are unique, cutting-edge, and go beyond the bounds of typical style present in the industry. The Architecture Belgique aesthetic style is easily recognisable while still maintaining intensely unique development designs. S Although Utah’s major population centres along the Wasatch Front housing demand is at unprecedented levels, the population is increasing at rates that exceed all historical data. Construction costs relating to supply-chain issues and available manpower have driven up the development costs, yet development continues as if the industry and regional demands have had no affect relating to COVID-19. The pace of construction is greatly surpassed by the influx of population and has played out in the company’s favour due to its dedication, experience, and ability to perform throughout the entire development process with an impression that the entire team is dedicated to a single project and a single focus. Potential clients are often surprised at the size of its team compared to the scope and scale of the projects it is involved in. It has proven the ability to perform at levels beyond firms three to four times its size. The success of the company is due to its team. It cannot attribute its success to one individual; without each member of the team, their experience, talents, and knowledge, it wouldn’t have been recognised and rewarded the way it has. The diverse team includes employees from around the globe, individuals with experience in fields outside of architecture that bring new insight and life to projects and are gender-inclusive and span many different generations. Architecture Belgique’s future is extending endless opportunity; it now picks and chooses the projects that it feels are exciting, defining and which fulfil the needs of the region, with a focus on sustainability, low-income resident needs, and projects that redefine the industry and perception of multi-family development. Potential projects include the expansion of sustainable building practices and evolving virtual power plant developments, cutting-edge net-zero carbon footprints, large-scale all-low income developments, first-of-their-kind developments, and approaches to what is possible in multi- family development. Architecture Belgique continues to expand the footprint it offers services in and has completed or is involved in projects across the United States. Company: Architecture Belgique Inc. Contact: Guillaume Belgique Email: [email protected] Website: www.archbelgique.com