JMAIL Q3 2021
Exciting Projects
JMA Helps Transform Strip Mall Space for Property Lark
Property Lark, a company facilitating online real estate transactions, recently began construction on the renovation of their 1,300 SF strip mall office in Modesto, California after approving JMA’s designs.
“I am proud of our team for collaborating with an innovative client to help create a fresh and modern space,” said JMA Interior Designer Sean Kendig who led the design of the space formerly home to an auto parts store. “Our team proved once again that we can find the precise design solutions to transform a space and meet a client’s unique needs.”
“I am proud of our team for collaborating with an innovative client to help create a fresh and modern space,”
JMA worked virtually with Property Lark and the owner Brinca Investments, Inc. on the schematic design, space planning, visioning, and final material selection. Property Lark started construction in August after approving a design development package with renderings, full material specifications as well as a new layout and design.
“Our renderings did a great job in showing our vision and sparking feedback from the owners which was helpful since we worked on everything remotely,” said JMA Designer Caroline Johnson. “The client and owners were extremely helpful in getting us needed information and it was great to see everyone working together to overcome the pandemic’s challenges.”
The office will accommodate 14 staff members and include a private office, 12 workstations, a copy/print area, a waiting area with a collaborative work zone, a conference room, a kitchen, and a bathroom which JMA helped bring up to code.
UNIVERSITY DISTRICT SAFEWAY REDEVELOPMENT ACQUIRES FULL BUILDING PERMITS
The redevelopment of the University District Safeway received full building permits from the City of Seattle last month.
JMA designed the redevelopment and is overseeing permitting and construction administration for the project. The original Safeway store was torn down in December, and the redeveloped store will sit on the ground floor of a 7-story, 180 unit apartment building catered to UW students.
Check out a time lapse video of the construction progress starting in February:
Cubix Othello Anticipating Certificate of Occupancy
Cubix Othello, a modular apartment complex designed by JMA, recently received final planning approval from the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) and is aiming to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy by October 15th.
“Our JMA team has worked hard for this project, outlasting a pandemic and contractor changes to provide much needed housing,” said Principal Matt Laase who led the design and construction administration for the apartments in Seattle’s Othello neighborhood. “JMA has proved once again, that we are a modular design leader for the Pacific Northwest.”
The 6-story apartment building includes 85 units in studio, loft and 1-bedroom models with a welcoming neighborhood amenity space fronting the Othello Playground. It is the second Seattle modular project for JMA, and the first development to utilize the Cubix reconfigurable kit of parts, allowing for rapid iteration and development of future sites for NexGen Housing Partners.
Residents will appreciate a short walk to the Link light rail station as well as the Othello Residential Urban Village, an area zoned for accessibility and affordability.
The SDCI planning approval means the construction of the project met the Design Review Board’s extensive design criteria for the Othello neighborhood.
Networking & Events
Four Square Creates Emergence at 2021 Seattle Design Festival
Seattleites of all different backgrounds, ages, and physical abilities lined up to play four square at the 2021 Seattle Design Festival in Lake Union Park on August 21.
“Complete strangers were outside laughing, talking to each other, and enjoying the fun game together,” said JMA Project Manager Che Fortaleza who came up with the idea of having JMA host a four square court at the festival. “The festival theme, EMERGE, asked us to explore opportunities for adaptation and interaction in our city, and that is exactly what we did.”
JMA Graphic Designer Dani Karr designed the 12’ by 12’ court for the event along with matching posters which communicated JMA’s vision for emergence through four square. Associate Dirk McCulloch, Marketing Coordinator Joe Dougherty, and Designers Becky Peterkin, David Huang and James Amaya also helped plan and set up the pop-up experience. Principal Katerina Prochaska, Interior Designer Sean Kendig and Designer Jessica Ishizaka attended the event and played a few rounds of four square as well.
“It was so rewarding to watch different people come together and safely play outside,” said Karr. “Hopefully people were inspired to invigorate dead spaces throughout the city and create a new sense of community as we continue to emerge from the pandemic.”
The goal of the pop-up experience was to inspire the installation of courts throughout Seattle. Under JMA’s vision, the courts could have special designs and provide new opportunities for creative expression, and allow people to set up recreational leagues in spaces which need more positive engagement and interaction.
Click here to learn more about Fortaleza and how she came up with the idea of hosting a four square court at the festival.
JMA in Vegas
Principal Robin Murphy and Associate Dirk McCulloch presented JMA’s expansive self-storage design portfolio at the 2021 Self Storage Association Convention & Trade Show at the MGM Grand Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada last month. Check out some of the photos from the event.
Robin will return to Vegas next spring to give a presentation on self-storage design at the Inside Self-Storage World Expo. His presentation will cover critical self-storage design considerations including accessibility, safety, efficiency, and flexibility.
JMA Hits the Links
JMA played in the pirate-themed DCI Charity Golf Tournament as well as NAIOP Washington State’s Woodstock-themed Summer Social Golf Tournament- both held at The Golf Club at Newcastle.
Principal Matt Laase represented JMA in the NAIOP tournament and played alongside Dana Kimble with Skanska, Ian Klein with Westlake Consulting Group, LLC, and Ben Behnke with Ceco Concrete Construction L.L.C. (pictured below in the hippie van).
Laase also played in DCI’s tournament as did Graphic Designer Dani Karr, Associate Dan Rasmusson, and Designer Alex Karanja. Interior Design Lead Sean Kendig and Marketing Coordinator Joe Dougherty networked at the 16th hole which was sponsored by JMA. The tournament raised money for Childhaven, a non-profit dedicated to combatting childhood trauma and adversity through relationship, partnership, and innovation.
Congratulations to Dani Karr on hitting the longest drive among women at the DCI tournament!
Steel Fabrication Facility Tour
JMA staff attended the American Institute of Steel Construction’s tour of a steel fabrication shop. Architects, engineers, city reviews, and other professionals were invited to the tour which included a welding demo and overview of the machines often used in shaping and cutting steel.
Associate Megan Craig, Project Manager Che Fortaleza, and Designers Becky Peterkin and Margot Turek participated in the tour and enjoyed learning about the steel processes so often incorporated into JMA projects.
JMA off the clock
Hobbies, Adventures and milestones
Outside of finding innovative design solutions for clients, JMA staff volunteered for non-profits, baked goods, attended beer festivals, hiked mountains, rode bikes, and got married.
New Employees
JMA is pleased to welcome four new employees:
Intermediate Designer II Abby Bellin (Joined 9/27)
Intermediate Designer I Sonia Ramírez (Joined 10/4)
Intermediate Designer I Alex Wright (Joined 10/4)
Architect Steve Schmitz (Joins 10/11)
Upcoming CELEBRATIONS
Birthdays:
Tim – 10/11
Becky – 10/25
Molly – 10/28
AJ – 11/13
Joe – 11/23
Reighann – 11/25
Kaitlyn – 11/26
Sara – 11/26
Chase – 12/4
Katerina – 12/20
Caroline A – 12/21
Meghan C – 12/22
Alex K - 12/31
Anniversaries:
10/1 – Doan – 3 Year
10/14 - Caroline – 1 Year
11/1 - Megan K – 1 Year
11/11 – Darren – 7 Year
11/16 – Teisha – 6 Year
12/17 – Matt – 6 Year
