Contract Amount: $133,146,955

LEED Certification: Platinum

Contract Duration: September 2009 – June 2011

Gross SF: 455,691 (total)

Consisting of the design and construction of four separate Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ, equivalent to dormitories in the private sector), this single contract developed three separate sites to accommodate the four buildings. Each site presenting their own series of restrictions and challenges the buildings themselves shared similarities in order to maximize the efficiency of design as well as construction and cost. One design element used consistently throughout all of the sites in efforts to make them recognizable to one another was the introduction of colored and stamped concrete entries and circulation paths surrounding the building as well as leading up to the central community building. Surrounded by multiple major shared program components and recreational amenities such as open courtyards, sports courts and picnic areas a strong focus was placed on creating a comfortable atmosphere for residents to enjoy. Additionally, all of buildings shared a segmented and angled arrangement which promoted the social interaction and homelike environment desired by the owner. Emphasis was placed on masking the size of the buildings.

All of the structures were arranged in small “clusters” designed to be small in scale breaking up the building mass, reducing the overall size, and simultaneously broadcasting a variety of roof heights and forms. Each floor has expanded open central breezeways with plentiful natural light and offsets to eliminate long or dark straight corridors. Intermediate cross breezeways separate the building clusters, maximize natural daylighting, and capitalize on the prevailing wind for increased cross ventilation.

All of the facilities were individually registered with the USGBC and each received a Platinum rating. In line with the strict requirements for such a prestigious achievement durable and sustainable materials were specified throughout the project including recycled carpet tiles, stained concrete, Low VOC paints, recycled custom glass mosaic tile and upgraded linoleum flooring. Additionally, all of the sites maximized their water efficiency by utilizing xeriscape principles including low/no maintenance planting, low water use automatic drip sprinklers, and a creative use of varied crushed rock mulch and trees to accent key features.

Contract Amount: $50,852,581

LEED Certification: Silver

Contract Duration: September 2009 – January 2012

Gross SF: 56,000 (each Dining Facility, total of two)
24,700 (each Trainee Complex, total of three)

The scope of this contract consisted of the renovation of three exiting dormitories as well as the new construction of two new dining facilities. The two new single story buildings were designed and constructed to prepare and serve food in a seated dining area. The seated dining area can also serve as a gathering place for group activities. The 56,000 SF facilities were intended to be similar to a college cafeteria facility in the private sector.

Designed to seat 1,088 people the surfaces were selected to allow for low maintenance and easily cleaned room finishes that are commercially standard for the facility type. The building design incorporated many acoustic features to allow for a comfortable dining environment including sound insulation in walls and floor/ceiling assemblies. Aside from all the attributes associated with a commercial kitchen the Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) for the dining facilities were a Hybrid-Geothermal Heat Pump System (H-GHP). The H-GHP system was designed to extract solar heat stored in the upper layers of the earth to provide heat to the building, or, conversely, reject building heat to the earth (cooling the building). The H-GPH systems were comprised of a series of 200-foot closed-loop vertical ground heat exchangers (well holes) made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) piping and a high efficiency induced draft cooling tower placed on grade. The cooling tower will be piped to a heat exchanger placed in the mechanical room.

A far less expensive alternative to a structurally heavy solar water heating system is harvesting heat from the high temperature wastewater discharged from the sculleries (kitchen was areas). Rather than waste the heat, it was collecting and piped to a double–walled heat exchanger located in a collection bin where the waste water preheats the incoming domestic water for hot water applications. Additional heat was harvested from the geothermal system before the system water leaves the building for the geothermal well field. The system water enters a water-to-water heat pump water heater where its heat is extracted and used to provide all of the heating energy for the domestic hot water system.

The remainder of the contract consisted of the renovation of a portion of three dormitories which at time of award housed dining halls in the central area of the first floor. The dining facilities were converted to classrooms and administrative spaces. Additionally the existing atrium spaces which were part of the open air circulation of the ground floor were converted to the restrooms.

Contract Amount: $35,039,050

LEED Certification: Silver

Contract Duration: March 2009 – May 2011

Gross SF: 125,000 (Training Center)

This project consisted of four separate facilities, a Training Center, a Maintenance Shop, a Heated Storage building as well as an Unheated Storage building. The two-story Training Center building consisted of administrative, assembly, storage, locker and shower rooms as well as classroom components. The 125,000 square foot facility was provided with a clearly defined entry which lead to an enlarged lobby area. Rooms throughout the facility were designed to maximize natural light and take advantage of immediate adjacencies.

The floor plan consisted of multiple “wings” which maximized the ability to locate rooms on exterior walls. Support spaces such as the elevator, restrooms, and circulation spaces were located centrally around the lobby and were consistent from floor to floor allowing first time building occupants to easily navigate around the building. The first floor support spaces (mechanical/electrical rooms) were intentionally made accessible from the exterior with adequate clearance to allow for easy maintenance.

The one-story Maintenance Shop consisted of administrative, high-bay vehicle work areas, storage and tool areas, as well as an explosives vault. The Maintenance Shop was 24,980 square feet and was arranged to allow for clearly defined circulation schemes and maximized adjacencies of support spaces to the work bays. A 7.5-ton bridge crane was provided at one of the bays. Administrative spaces were located on exterior walls to allow for maximum natural light. The mechanical/electrical rooms were also located on exterior walls to allow for easy accessibility and maintenance.

The one-story Heated Storage building consisted of administrative, large open heated storage areas, vaults, and armory components. The building was 47,740 square feet and was arranged to allow for maximum efficiency of storage space with the more secure vaults and armory spaces located on the interior of the building. Administrative spaces were located on exterior walls to take advantage of natural light. The loading dock and coiling doors were located central to the building to allow for a shared staging area. Storage spaces are sized to coordinate with the required metal cage layouts while allowing for sufficient circulation space to facilitate movement of equipment in and out of the storage spaces. In addition to the facilities described above a 4,600 SF unheated storage building was also constructed. Consisting of large open unheated storage areas the floor plan was arranged for maximum efficiency of storage space.

All necessary site improvements were provided to support the new building facilities such as electric service, exterior and security lighting, fire protection and alarm systems, security fencing and gates, water, gas, sewer, paving, walks, curbs and gutters, parking, storm drainage and site improvements. The site design was developed to define a safe, workable, pleasing environment for the workers in a campus-type complex.

Contract Amount: $125,777,265

LEED Certification: Gold

Duration of Contract: September 2008 – August 2010

Gross SF: 448,928 (total)

The first of Harper Constructions multi-award contracts the challenge presented was the complete development of three separate sites, each with their own constrains and challenges. P- 097, featured here to the left, was situated between a main vehicular thoroughfare to the north and protected wetlands to the south and west. Creative massing of the structure as well as maximizing available land allowed for a facility which met the programmatic requirements of the contract while respecting its surroundings. Notable features of the facility were an extensive PV system supplementing the buildings energy uses as well as underground retention basins and permeable pavement which were necessary for the displacement of storm water.

Three of the remaining four structures were located on a masterplanned campus situated around a grand recreational area consisting of basketball, tennis and volleyball courts as well as putting greens and numerous bbq pavilions. Similar low-impact development techniques were utilized on this campus such as three independent PV systems as well as underground retention basins and permeable pavement. Located in the middle of an already highly developed area the main challenge with this site was properly integrating it within its surroundings. Successfully doing so, this project was used as the benchmark for future multi-contract awards of its kind.

Providing over 1,000 double occupancy rooms which accommodate nearly 2,000 residents these university-style dormitories were designed and constructed to offer much needed housing for the influx of new marines. Additional programmatic requirements which were satisfied consisted of centrally-located activity areas which provided areas for leisure and entertainment as well as basic services such as computer labs, commercial laundry mats and full kitchens. An additional challenge of this project was ensuring all buildings were properly coordinated to accept the comprehensive furniture package which was provided via a planned contract modification.

Contract Amount: $20,477,265

LEED Certification: Silver

Contract Duration: August 2008 – February 2010

Gross SF: 76,339

This facility was designed to house up to 300 personnel in 150 rooms with semi-private bathrooms. Equivalent to a university style dormitory the conceptual floor plan accepted at the time of contract award was finalized during design the charrette process which focused on user and owner interviews. Rooms were designed to the “2X0” (2-person room) configuration which helped determine the overall building mass and configuration. The facilities design is centralized around a core area with space for recreation as well as service areas consisting of laundry facilities, a main reception area as well as public restrooms and a kitchenette. Accommodating the outdoor recreation areas which consist of grills, basketball courts and other activities the kitchen area is easily accessible from the interior of the facility.

With an overall building footprint in an “H” configuration the two stories of the facility are interconnected via the central core area which is provided with a suspended pedestrian bridge overlooking the space below.

Located in the southwestern desert environment exterior conditions were of great importance. The use of entry vestibules, high performance glazing, solar screening, window awning, trellises, and redundant heating/cooling systems helped to ensure the building was provided with comfortable relief from the extreme ambient temperatures. The covered entries and shade structures had the added benefit of creating gathering points as well as well-defined entry points. The outdoor space was varied to create a series of active and passive areas for both intimate courtyard activities as well as full-size recreational courts.

Located immediately adjacent to the building were basketball and volleyball courts, horseshoe pits as well as covered picnic areas with built-in BBQ islands/grills.