San Diego’s Reno Contracting and Kilroy Realty are keeping pace with one of San Diego’s fastest-growing companies, Bridgepoint Education – by delivering an early September completion date of tenant interiors for the institution. Bridgepoint is the major tenant in Kilroy Realty Corporation’s Sabre Springs Campus, which consists of three buildings built by Reno Contracting. Designed by architect Hanna Gabriel Wells, the core and shell of Building Three awaits final LEED Silver Certification to add to Kilroy’s portfolio of notable projects. Reno’s Project Manager Kevin Horst comments, “The satisfaction of exceeding our customers expectations is what Reno Contracting and Kilroy Realty are all about.”
Beautifully Designed, Masterfully Built
Presently there are approximately 150 tradesmen from more than 14 trades working on the Bridgepoint interiors. Visitors to the building will be greeted by a $100,000 structural glass entrance wall that includes panels that took eight months to be delivered, a challenge to Reno’s reliable on-time record of project completions. On the first floor, work continues on the 8,000-square foot cafeteria seating area serving the education firm’s employees. Amenities such as LCD screens, floating ceiling discs with linear radius diffusers (known as floating clouds) will enhance the ambience of the dining area. The Leadership Room and Conference area has an interactive media wall including under-floor electrical with AV and data systems. The sixth floor executive suites have a state-of-the-art media complex with a Jumbotron screen, fitness center and a lounge with full catering facilities for food service. The executive suites’ spectacular entryway features a solid-stone water wall with their logo in etched glass.
Reno was contracted to build Bridgepoint’s T.I., with ID Studios of Solana Beach designing the building’s six stories of elaborate interiors. “We worked closely with Reno Contracting on the execution of the interior design of Bridgepoint Education headquarters,” said Amy Morway, Principal with ID Studios. “Bridgepoint’s logo and brand uses a suspension bridge, and reflected in our design are architectural canyon walls and water features. These elements echo the natural features a bridge might traverse and further symbolizes the bridge between designer and builder.”
Fast-TI Scheduling Has IT Challenges
An 18-week fast-track schedule doesn’t come without its challenges for both Reno Contracting and the design team. With high-end construction, specialty features and unique finishes, comes the extended design effort and coordination to marry these elements with construction methods that have changed little over time. Long lead times were involved on some of the specialty feature materials. Consequently, scheduling with concurrent ongoing framing and surrounding finishes required intensive coordination. Limitations imposed by the shell structure required last-minute reselection of flooring materials with less impact in preparation.
Ongoing project changes, such as doubling the amount of cooling for the backup power systems, won’t affect the aggressive T.I. build-out. “We need to constantly reassess priorities to get the job done and we do everything to keep the job moving ahead,” stated Tom Dances, Reno’s Superintendent for the project.
The Kilroy Sabre Springs project has posed unique challenges and the entire team has taken them in stride. In recognition of the team’s outstanding work, Reno sponsored a gratitude luncheon July 17 on the Sabre Springs site for all those who assisted with the effort in meeting the stringent deadlines.
Inside and Out: Sabre Springs is a Great Place to Be
Working closely with architects Nowell Associates, Reno built the architectural sitework. More than 1,000 bamboo trees form a screen to “soften” the view from the adjacent freeway with water features and walkways throughout the campus. “The tenants spend a great deal of time outside the building,” said Dances, “so the developer and designer wanted to create a park-like atmosphere.”
Along with its Ashford University campuses in Iowa and University of the Rockies in Colorado, Bridgepoint Education offers online continuing education and has been named by Inc. magazine as the fastest-growing educational institution in the United States. Bridgepoint signed leases with property developer Kilroy Realty Corporation in February of 2008 for the entire Building Three, and currently occupies space in both Building One and Two. Located near the intersections of freeways I-15 and SR 56, Bridgepoint Education’s new home symbolizes the bridging of students to higher-learning opportunities.
The tenant improvement for the lobby will feature a glass entryway and a dramatic bridge-like walkway spanning the length of the space.
The new biz-hub is enclosed within a natural curved environment reminiscent of organic shapes found in nature.
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