![726 Monroe Building [2020]](https://serbinstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/726_final-1080x675.jpg)
by Lara Serbin | Jun 15, 2023 | Blog, Commercial Architecture
726 Monroe Building [2020] was a project designed by Serbin Studio. Architectural design started in 2020 and building construction completed in 2023. The building is situated along Monroe Avenue in downtown Buckeye, Arizona. The surrounding neighbors are places like Izzy’s Auto Shop, Argento’s Pizza, Pasta, & Wings and Millstone Cafe.
726 Monroe Building – Construction Complete 2022
726 Building had many uses, one of them was a dance studio. Next door there used to be a tiny building that had groceries. The Parker and Associates hand painted sign was the last vestige of that bygone era.
Parker & Associates Real Estate – 2015
The 726 Building is important for two reasons: 1) It’s one of the first stand alone buildings by Serbin Studio. 2) It created much needed office suites for small businesses in downtown Buckeye, Arizona.
726 Monroe Building – Before Construction 2020
726 Monroe Building Facade – Before Construction 2020
726 Monroe Building – Interior Construction – 2022
by Jeff Serbin | Dec 7, 2018 | Architecture, Blog, Data Center Design, Interiors, office architecture, office design arizona, office improvement, phoenix architects
Conference Room Interior Design
If conference room walls could talk. Designed to hold confidential conversation behind closed doors, these spaces must be adequately sized, comfortable and designed to allow people to connect. Flexibility is key in a facility where a presentation can be among a few to a large group.
The original facility for this fortune 500 technology company has several small conference rooms that were architecturally tired and able to handle up to about dozen occupants each at a time. The facility desired a large conference room that could easily hold up to 2+ dozen participants, technologically current and bring a bit of grandeur to a space which harked back to the 1980’s.
Solution
The solution was to combine two rooms into one large space. New finishes and furnishing were a must. A feature wall was incorporated (Interlam). One large continuous table (Nucraft Flow) was provided seating a total of 18. Additional benches (Steelcase Regard) around the perimeter allowed for additional seating. Floor finishes on a raised access floor included carpet tiles (Interface).
The accent wall was incorporated with color changing LED lighting allowing for a flexible mood of the space. If it is the dead of summer, a cool blue hue can achieve a cooling effect. On a cool wet winter day, a bit of red light can bring warmth. Wanting to focus on the bottom line, add a bit of green. If you looking to celebrate the holidays, add a bit of revolving color to add a little festive vibe.
If your conference room interior design is in need of an update, new finishes, furnishing and technology can bring your facility into the 21st century.
by Jeff Serbin | Oct 9, 2018 | ADA, architect in Arizona, Architectural Planning, Architecture, Blog, building code, Uncategorized
What is the Minimum size of a Bathroom? Does you current room meet ADA and building codes requirements? Are you building a new Bathroom and unsure of the correct size? Clearance and maneuverability is the driving factor to the size of a Bathroom. In a large building, may not big a big concern, as the percentage of area is minimal. When designing for a small commercial office or retail space, a Bathroom can take up valuable real estate.
As an Architect, I interact with clients, engineers and contractors who have acquired bits of information about Building Codes. Sometimes, those bits are misconceptions and regurgitated information. The building codes can be intimidating and have no beginning or end. To learn the code, the best way is jumping in feet first.
Upcoming Blog Posts
In the next series of blog posts, I will explore common Building Codes. Each City has adopted a code but most in Arizona use the IBC (International Building Code).
The following blog posts are:
- Door swing direction. Which way should the door swing, out of a room or in?
- Number of exits within a room?
- Door Size. Who said “size doesn’t matter.”
- Exit corridor width. How narrow can a hallway be?
- Clearances around a door? Door arrangement between two doors.
- Door fire ratings. What is the rating?
- Exit Travel Distance
- Do I need an elevator?
- Should my door have panic hardware?
- Do I need a drinking fountain?
- Minimum size of a Bathroom?
- Small commercial space, is one bathroom enough?
The item in bold are addressed in this post. As an Arizona Architect, most City’s jurisdictions work with the IBC (International Building Code). This code analysis is based upon the IBC.
Minimum Size of a Bathroom?
When designing a building, creating an efficient plan is important. Having a little extra space in an office, conference room or lobby is not a big problem. Who wants to have wasted space in a Bathroom? It really becomes critical when designing smaller spaces. In retail or office spaces ranging from a few thousand square feet, a Bathroom can take up valuable real estate.
Size of a Bathroom depends on orientation of the fixtures and the swing of the door, swing meaning into the room or out. See “door swing direction” blog for more information.
A few rule of thumbs for Bathrooms:
Rule # 1 – Doors shall not swing into the clear space or required clearance for any plumbing fixture. Fixtures would be mainly toilet and the sink. What is the clearance around a toilet or sink you may ask? They are as follows:
- Sink clearance – 30″ wide x 48″ deep (shown dashed on floor plans below). Note – Knee clearance can extend under a sink 25″ maximum, assuming you have a wall hung sink.
- Toilet clearance – 60″ wide x 66″ deep (shown dashed on floor plans below)
Rule # 2 – Required clear floor spaces, clearance at plumbing fixtures and turning space shall be permitted to overlap.
- Turning space – 60″ diameter circle within rest room.
Graphic examples of typical Bathroom with one toilet in varying configurations. Note that in all examples, door swing does not encroach on plumbing fixture clearances.
Minimum Size of a Bathroom
When swinging the door out of the room, it is possible to make the room the the smallest. I typically like to make the room just a tad bit larger than required by 1″ – 2″ to take into account construction tolerances and to make sure thickness of materials (ie. tile) or other unforeseen items don’t create a conflict.
Summary
When creating a new single person Bathroom, make it as efficient in size. Not only are you saving space in a building, it is more cost effective use of building materials. The ADA is a driving factor for the minimum size of a Bathroom. Plumbing fixture clearances are designed so occupants can easily use the restroom whether able bodies or in a wheelchair. Follow the examples above for reference but as always, refer to the local jurisdiction, the current ADA guidelines and a local professional to ensure your projects success.
by Jeff Serbin | Sep 11, 2018 | ADA, Architecture, Blog, building code, Uncategorized
Do I need a drinking fountain? As an Architect, I interact with clients, engineers and contractors who have acquired bits of information about Building Codes. Sometimes, those bits are misconceptions and regurgitated information. The building codes can be intimidating and have no beginning or end. To learn the code, the best way is jumping in feet first.
Upcoming Blog Posts
In the next series of blog posts, I will explore common Building Codes. Each City has adopted a code but most in Arizona use the IBC (International Building Code).
The following blog posts are:
- Door swing direction. Which way should the door swing, out of a room or in?
- Number of exits within a room?
- Door Size. Who said “size doesn’t matter.”
- Exit corridor width. How narrow can a hallway be?
- Clearances around a door? Door arrangement between two doors.
- Door fire ratings. What is the rating?
- Exit Travel Distance
- Do I need an elevator?
- Should my door have panic hardware?
- Do I need a drinking fountain?
- Minimum size of a single person toilet room?
- Small commercial space, is one bathroom enough?
The item in bold are addressed in this post. As an Arizona Architect, most City’s jurisdictions work with the IBC (International Building Code). This code analysis is based upon the IBC.
Do I need a drinking fountain?
Do you ever wonder when you need an automatic drinking fountain in your office, your store, your warehouse?
The building codes IBC (International Building Code) and IPC (International Plumbing Code) both discuss when a drinking fountain is required. Local jurisdiction may have overriding amendments. The information below states the requirements as interpreted from the current 2018 IBC/IPC.
CODE
Drinking fountains are required in all occupancy types except:
- Hotels
- Motels
- Boarding houses
- Residential apartments
The quantity of drinking fountains vary dependent on occupancy type, however the range is from 1 per 100 to 1 per 1,000. The following are the basic requirements:
- Drinking Fountain is not required in small occupancies per 2018 IBC/IPC for occupant loads less than 15.
- Per City of Phoenix Code Amendments, Drinking Fountains are not required for occupant loads less than 50. – Check local jurisdiction to determine code amendments.
- Where drinking fountains are required, not fewer than two drinking fountains shall be provided. One fountain to comply with wheelchair (36″ max. spout a.f.f.) and one for standing (~40″).
Exceptions or substitution:
- Restaurants which provide drinking water for free are not required to have drinking fountains
- Water dispensers shall be permitted to be substituted for not more than 50% of the required number of drinking fountains. (Interpretation – Drinking fountain with a bottle filler option, would satisfy the requirement for two drinking fountains).
- Drinking fountains shall not be required in tenant spaces provided that public drinking fountains are located within 500 feet and not more than one story above/below tenant space.
- In covered or open malls, drinking fountains shall not be required in tenant spaces provided that they are located within 300 feet.
Products
As water bottles have become more popular, bottle filling drinking fountain stations have become more prominent. In 2010, Elkay introduced a new drinking fountain. It was in response to consumer demand and environmental concerns of disposable bottles.
The product notifies the number of water bottles saved. Product notifies user to change filter as needed. This ensures and reinforces to the user that the water is safe to drink.
ADA
At least one drinking fountains installed must meet ADA requirements. Spout height at 36″ above finish floor maximum.
ADA sketch
The 2010 ADA standards does indicate, Section 211.2 Minimum Number – No fewer than two drinking fountains shall be provided. One drinking fountain shall comply with 602.1 through 602.6 and one drinking fountain shall comply with 602.7.
Exception: Where a single drinking fountain complies with 602.1 through 602.7, it shall be permitted to be substituted for two separate drinking fountains.
So what does 602.7 change to make it possible for one drinking fountain. Essentially the Spout has to be between 38″ minimum and 43″ maximum above the finish floor. This is higher than what is depicted in section 602.4 Spout height, which indicates 36″ a.f.f.
Summary
Do I need a drinking fountain? Drinking fountains are essentially required unless you have minimum occupants. Less than 15 occupants per IPC code and in some jurisdictions, such as Phoenix, less than 50 occupants. Where a drinking fountain is required, fixtures need to meet ADA requirements.
by Jeff Serbin | Aug 21, 2018 | Architectural Planning, Blog, building code, Uncategorized
Exit Travel Distance – Building Codes
As an Architect, I interact with clients, engineers and contractors who have acquired bits of information about Building Codes. Sometimes, those bits are misconceptions and regurgitated information. The building codes can be intimidating and have no beginning or end. To learn the code, the best way is jumping in feet first.
Upcoming Blog Posts
In the next series of blog posts, I will explore common Building Codes. Each City has adopted a code but most in Arizona use the IBC (International Building Code).
The following blog posts are:
- Door swing direction. Which way should the door swing, out of a room or in?
- Number of exits within a room?
- Door Size. Who said “size doesn’t matter.”
- Exit corridor width. How narrow can a hallway be?
- Clearances around a door? Door arrangement between two doors.
- Door fire ratings. What is the rating?
- Exit Travel Distance
- Do you need an elevator?
- Should my door have panic hardware?
- Do I need a drinking fountain?
- Minimum size of a single person toilet room?
- Small commercial space, is one bathroom enough?
The item in bold are addressed in this post. As an Arizona Architect, most City’s jurisdictions work with the IBC (International Building Code). This code analysis is based upon the IBC.
Exit Travel Distance
The maximum exit travel distance allowed by code is determined by the ‘Means of Egress’. The basic definition is as follows:
Common Path of Egress Travel – ‘That portion of exit access which the occupants are required to traverse before two separate and distinct paths of egress travel to two exits are available. The exit access is the component which leads you from the occupied portion of the building to an exit.’
Several factors within a building may require a 2nd exit from a space. The two most common triggers are occupancy quantities (ex. exceeding 49 occupants in an office space) or exceeding the allowable travel distance.
Below is an example of a scenario where occupancy calculation ( quantity of occupants) didn’t trigger a second exit. Travel distance triggered a second exit.
Storage spaces, Warehouses, manufacturing, Agricultural building etc. which are low in occupancy quantities will require a 2nd exit if travel distance allowable is exceeded.
Summary
The Common Path of Travel is the distance an occupant must travel to exit a building. In some scenarios, occupancy calculations dictate that a 2nd exit is required. Where occupancy quantities are low and the Common Path of Travel exceeds the distance allowable, a second exit is required. Follow the examples above for reference but as always, refer to the local jurisdiction and a local professional to ensure your projects success.
