Project Name: Kauno Dokas

Company Name: Capitalica Asset Management

Project Location: Kaunas, Lithuania

Project Information/Details: Global climate change, disruptive technologies, big data, and shifting human behavior are shaping the future of our cities. Green building trends for the coming years include an increased focus on sustainability: net-zero energy buildings and zero-waste principles in architecture are the future. “Kauno Dokas” in Kaunas, Lithuania, is the first building in the country to be cooled by the nearby River Neris’ water (free cooling) and powered by solar energy produced in the building. Meanwhile, “VERDE” in Riga, Latvia, is an example of cutting-edge sustainable design with integrated green terraces, beehives, exceptional air quality, and natural daylight, all of which enhance the well-being and productivity of its tenants. "In our company's vision, we prioritize the future of our cities. When developing real estate projects, we invest in the latest green technology and sustainable architectural solutions to create long-term value for our investors, tenants, and society. We stand for no greenwashing; it guides our business strategy. In 2018, Capitalica Asset Management embraced green technologies, securing a historic green loan from SEB Bank – the first in the Baltic countries," stated Andrius Barštys, Chairman of the Board at Capitalica Asset Management. “Kauno Dokas”: Lithuania’s Leading Green Business Center “Kauno Dokas”, a Class-A business center in Lithuania, is powered by solar and water energy, marking a pioneering engineering achievement in the country. By implementing a unique free cooling method, it uses water from the Neris River. The building also ensures optimal air quality, natural daylight, and microclimate control with separate ventilation systems, internal blinds, and opening windows. It promotes eco-consciousness and tenant well-being, integrating innovative AI solutions for energy efficiency. Digital Operator, a product implemented by the Estonian company "R8," is the most advanced green energy demand management solution developed for commercial real estate. It identifies and recognizes interactions initiated by staff and tenants, continuously learns from the dynamics of the building, and adapts to their changing needs. While solar panels are not a novelty in contemporary buildings, “Kauno Dokas” combines them with energy-saving elements like free-cooling water energy and the Digital Operator. This integration enhances the building's green approach and optimizes energy consumption. In July of this year alone, “Kauno Dokas” produced 10% of the building's total electricity with solar panels. According to Bionic data, most businesses consume between 15,000 and 25,000 kWh of energy per year, so the electricity produced at the “Dock’s” solar power plant accounts for almost half of this total amount. In the near future, the solar panels installed in the complex will produce 100,000 kWh/year. Architecturally, “Kauno Dokas” is distinguished by its use of natural materials and colors on the exterior, harmonizing with the waves of the neighboring Neris River. Glass constructions create an inviting sense of lightness both inside and out. According to the architect Gustė Kančaitė, “Kauno Dokas” looks like it is levitating in the air or standing on legs through which Neris River is clearly visible. It is characterized by lightness, rhythmicity, and dynamic division as if the waves of the river. Such a decision came from the green idea of modern architecture.” “VERDE” Building: A Productivity-Boosting Green Oasis “VERDE,” a Class-A office building located in Riga’s fast-developing Skanste district, incorporates innovative features that have been scientifically proven to boost productivity. "VERDE," designed by award-winning architects “Archis Arhitekti” in collaboration with “Around” architects’ office and “Zala Landscape Architects,” embodies the need for stability in the ever-shifting world. This is reflected in the dynamic structure of the building with a round base standing on asymmetrical columns. Spanning two buildings, 11 floors, and 30,000 square meters of leasable space, “VERDE” stands as a green oasis in Riga’s heart. It features relaxing terraces, meadow-inspired greenery, state-of-the-art air ventilation systems, intelligent lighting, smart layouts, and various amenities – all aimed at enhancing well-being and productivity. Harvard research confirms these benefits, including reduced sickness-related absences. “VERDE” is also a nearly zero energy building (nZEB) that ensures energy efficiency and sustainability. Its strategic location ensures accessibility to key destinations in Riga, including the airport, central railway station, shopping areas, parks, cultural venues, and sports facilities. “VERDE” building’s A complex was commissioned on July 29, 2022, and is well-positioned to serve the growing Skanste district, which is predicted to become Riga’s new central business district, with a projected 42,713 residents by 2030. B complex is being developed and will open its doors in the spring of 2024.

Project Name: Ephesus Experience Museum

Company Name: ATELIER BRÜCKNER

Project Location: Selçuk, Turkey

Project Information/Details: Nestled within the sacred grounds of the archaeological site of Selçuk, Turkey, the Ephesus Experience Museum resurrects the rich past of the once-legendary city Ephesos. An audiovisual symphony of myth and reality takes visitors on a journey into the past. ATELIER BRÜCKNER designed the architecture and the immersive visitor experience. It covers 2400 square metres and is intended to welcome 2200 visitors a day. The experience appeals to all senses. Visitors are immersed in ancient Ephesus and its history, told in three chapters. A three-dimensional soundscape, rich in musical composition, permeates the rooms. It evokes the melodies of antiquity, bustling markets and whispers of lives once lived. Like living particles, myths and tangible everyday life swirl around the visitors. The large-format 360-degree projections create a vivid spatial image that is enhanced by state-of-the-art audio technology and multisensory elements such as smell and fog to become an immersive experience. A storyteller guides the visitors through the rooms. The audio guide is available in over a dozen languages. In the first room (approximately 5min 30sec), visitors learn about the prophecies of the Oracle of Delphi almost eight millennia ago, about Androclos, an Athenian prince who founded the new city in Asia Minor and about the city's patron goddess, Artemis, and her role in the founding of the city. The room takes the visitor through its three temples; the First Temple, the Marble Temple and finally the Artemision, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. As the chapters of the city unfold, visitors are transported to the second room (approximately 7min 30sec), which takes them on a historic visit to the city at its height. They descend from high above the sea to the bustling Arcadian Way and meet Cleopatra and Mark Anthony on the marble streets. They marvel at the splendour of the terraced houses and feel the echoes of epic contests in the ancient theatre as the city marches on under Roman rule. In the city's poignant twilight, a new faith takes hold – St Paul preached here and the magnificent basilica of St John was built – before the metropolis surrenders to an age of silence. The third and final room (approximately 2min 30sec) is dedicated to the city's patron goddess. It offers an immersive experience of light and sound, combined with a life-size statue of Artemis and monolithic screens to envelop visitors in a poetic manifestation. Standing in front of the awe-inspiring statue of Artemis (faithful copy), visitors discover how Artemis has always been present; a guardian of life itself, immortalised in the breath of the trees, the pulse of the mountains and the heartbeat of the city through the centuries. A majestic finale that will leave the visitors spellbound. A visit to the Ephesus Experience Museum is a fulminant experience. It stands in deliberate contrast to the minimalist architecture of the museum, which is embedded in the trees of the archaeological landscape. The surface of the building reflects the surroundings. Its architectural volume gradually emerges among the pine trees. A gently sloping ramp provides a welcoming path, leading into a semi-enclosed courtyard before embarking on the expansive journey. The new structure was designed to be entirely reversible, emphasising the commitment to preserving the site's integrity for future generations.

Project Name: Repair/Restoration of Historic Silos

Company Name: Western Specialty Contractors

Project Location: McKinney, Texas United States

Project Information/Details: Western Specialty Contractors – Dallas, TX Branch proudly announces it has received a 2023 International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) Award of Excellence in the Special Projects Category for its repair/restoration of historic silos in McKinney, TX that would become the canvas for internationally-acclaimed Australian artist Guido van Helten’s U.S. silo series, “Monuments”. McKinney’s silo mural features painted images of local business owners, gatherings and neighbors that honor the city’s culture and past. Van Helten’s public art installations can also be seen in Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas and Arkansas. Western’s branch representatives received the award on Oct. 17 during the ICRI 2023 Fall Convention in St. Pete Beach, FL. Additionally, Western’s Charlotte, NC Branch was also honored at the ceremony with an Award of Merit in the Special Projects Category for its tower modernization work at Bon Secours St. Francis Downtown Hospital in Greenville, SC. ICRI conducts an awards program each year to honor and recognize outstanding projects in the concrete repair industry. Entries are received from around the world, and the winning projects are honored each year at the annual ICRI Awards Banquet at each ICRI Fall Convention. “This was such as large scale and important restoration project, not only for the artist, but for the entire City of McKinney,” said Western Branch Manager Austin DeJohn. “We knew going into this project that these silos were not only a part of the town’s history, but they would also become the canvas for an unbelievable mural that would attract visitors from around the country. Our work would not only need to stand the test of time to preserve this historic structure, but it would also need to be restored in a way that the mural’s integrity would be protected as well. It was truly an amazing project and we were happy to have been a part of it and we thank the ICRI for recognizing our efforts.” The McKinney project consisted of eight interconnected silos constructed circa 1927 as part of the Collin County Mill & Elevator Company. The mill closed in the 1970’s and the silos sat vacant for decades. The structures were contributing elements to the mill which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. As part of on-going redevelopment of McKinney’s historic downtown, city officials desired to restore the silos to serve as a landmark and backdrop to their adjacent, new municipal complex. Each silo is approximately 20-feet in diameter, 80-feet high and made of cast-in-place, 7-inch thick conventionally reinforced concrete walls and concrete roof slabs covered with built-up asphalt material. The silos also featured a two-story, rectangular concrete structure, called a “doghouse”, that extended above the top of the two easternmost silos and was connected to a steel-frame structure with sheet metal siding and a roof that was centered over the remaining six silos. Numerous cracks, delaminations and spalls were observed in the silos’ exterior walls mainly caused by insufficient concrete cover over horizontal steel straps used for reinforcement. The cantilevered edges of the silo roofs were observed to be in poor condition, with numerous areas of spalled concrete and exposed, corroded reinforcing steel. The exterior concrete walls of the doghouse were observed to be in very poor condition with extensive areas of spalled concrete and exposed, corroded reinforcing steel. The existing steel windows in the exterior walls were severely corroded and there were many visible signs of freeze thaw damage to the 6-8-inch-thick concrete walls. A steel frame had previously been installed to brace the deteriorating concrete walls and frame. Based on the observations, testing and intended future use of the silos by the City of McKinney, Western was contracted to perform the following scope of work which started in February 2022 and was completed within eight months: Crack Repairs: To mitigate moisture intrusion into the concrete, cracks in the exterior concrete walls greater than 1/32-inch in width where the concrete was not delaminated were routed and sealed using a flexible polyurethane sealant. Approximately 100-feet of crack repairs were implemented. Concrete Delamination: Spalled and delaminated areas of concrete on the exterior concrete walls were removed, exposed steel straps were cleaned and coated with a zinc-rich, epoxy-based corrosion inhibitor. Close attention was paid, ensuring conformance with ICRI Guidelines regarding surface preparation and repair geometry. The silo walls were repaired using pre-packaged polymer-modified cementitious repair mortar with integral corrosion inhibitor. Approximately 380-cubic feet of partial depth concrete repairs were implemented. Roof Slab: The roof slab roofing membrane was found to contain asbestos and areas along the outer edges had to be abated to expose the concrete roof slabs for full assessment. Deteriorated areas of concrete slab forming the overhang were removed along with areas of deteriorated concrete on the silo walls immediately below the roof slab. Supplemental reinforcing steel was placed, anchored into the remaining roof slab with adhesive, and coated with a zinc-rich, epoxy-based corrosion inhibitor. The overhang and areas of wall repair were then formed and repaired with pump and placed concrete. The remaining sections of the asbestos-containing roof membrane were encapsulated with a liquid-applied, two-component epoxy primer/sealer. Roofing: Upon completion of the reconstruction of the roof overhangs, a liquid-applied, polyurethane roof membrane was installed to protect the concrete roof slabs from moisture penetration. This product encapsulated the remainder of the asbestos containing roof membrane, thus minimizing the need for hazardous material abatement. Roof Top Doghouse: Demolition of the doghouse had to be completed before the old machinery that was in the doghouse could be cut up and removed. Once the roof was cleared, the floor openings from the doghouse were covered with steel plates and a new roof access hatch was installed. Approximately 12-inches of the north and south concrete walls were left in place next to the steel beams which were located over the silo divider walls for the doghouse structure. These were retained and covered with roofing for future reconstruction of the doghouse. The opened east end of the roof top metal shed was infilled with metal wall panels completing the work on the silo roof. Cleaning: When repairs were completed the walls were power washed to remove dirt and biological material and PVC downspouts were installed so the artist could start work on the mural at the north and west elevations. Supply issues and the unforeseen difficulties encountered during the demolition of the doghouse structure compressed the construction schedule. The main objective was to complete the north and west elevations first so as not to delay the artist from starting. Once the north and west face of the silos were completed, work continued on the roof and the rest of the silos while the artist was installing the mural. The mural was started in June 2022 and completed in August.