Billing Office for Medical Services Group

Tenant: Billing Office for Medical Services Group
Client Albrecht Construction Corporation
Consultant:
Spectrum Engineers, Inc. – mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineering
Description:
Symmetry First provided design for build-out of a 1,090 square feet tenant space within an existing medical office building Construction included: 2 Private Offices, Open Office area able to accommodate up to 13 separate work stations, Storage area, ADA Compliant restroom and an additional egress door into an existing corridor.
Pediatric and Pre-Natal Clinic at Walker Mill

Tenant: Pediatric and Pre-Natal Clinic at Walker Mill
Client: Albrecht Construction Corporation
Consultant:
Spectrum Engineers, Inc. – mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineering
Description:
Symmetry First led the design for a major interior renovation of two existing and adjacent tenant spaces. The total square footage of the new combined tenant space is 4,578 square feet, inside a 39,340 square foot building shell.
The existing demising wall between the two existing tenant spaces was partially demolished to make way for a new staircase and ramp to connect the adjacent spaces, as the existing southern tenant space’s floor line is 1’-4” above the existing northern tenant space. The new staircase for staff use is located in the rear of the space and the ADA compliant ramp for patient use is conveniently located in the front of the space, both serving as access between the Pediatric Services area and the Prenatal Services area.
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Prince George’s County Trap & Skeet Center

Client: Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission- Prince George’s County
Consultants:
Carroll Engineering, Inc. – structural engineering
SRBR Engineers, Inc. – mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineering
Phoenix Engineering, Inc. – civil engineering
Timothy Prigg and Associates – landscape architecture
Cedar Forest Products co. – heavy timber structural engineering
Description: An existing 2700 square foot heavy timber building was increased in size by 800 square feet, adding office and meeting space. In addition to the building expansion, work included replacement of windows and doors, and a complete roof replacement, which utilized ventilated roof sheathing to introduce proper ventilation under the asphalt shingle roof. The construction work was performed in large part by M-NCPPC maintenance personnel.
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Velatis Caramels

Client: Velatis of Maryland, LLC
Contractor: Albrecht Construction Corporation
Description:
Symmetry First designed the Tenant Build-out of 1,325 square feet in a ‘warm vanilla’ shell space, for use as a caramel manufacturing facility (1,000 square feet) and retail shop (300 square feet).
In addition to normal building permit approvals, the food manufacturing aspect of the plan required approvals by the Montgomery County and State of Maryland Health Departments. The facility includes a commercial kitchen, designed by foodservice consultant, Barry Harden. Kitchen equipment included a through-the-roof range hood and a make-up air unit.
In order for Velatis to open as soon as possible for the 2009 holiday season, both the design and construction schedules were fast-tracked. From our first meeting at the empty storefront in August, to the Grand Opening in December, every aspect of design and construction, down to the choice of MMA flooring for its one-hour cure time, was geared to getting Velatis up and running ASAP.
Read More »Taylor Village Retail / Office Building

Client: Historic Ellicott Properties
Description: Construction began in August, 2004, for this 25,000 square foot 2-1/2 story building situated within the new community of Taylor Village in Ellicott City, Maryland. The building houses a blend of retail shops and business offices.
The project was design to the Silver level under the LEED Program. Building materials were selected for their recyclable content and local points of origin. Building systems were been designed for energy efficiency well beyond code minimums.
Waterloo Shell Gas Station

Client: Jagdambe, LLC
Consultants:
Kelly Engineering Associates, Inc. – structural engineering
MM Engineers, Inc. – mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineering
Building Contractor: Kindred Builders, Inc.
Sitework, Tank, Pump and Canopy Contractor: H & H Concrete Construction, Inc.
Description:
Symmetry First designed the renovation of an existing gas station / convenience store located at the intersection of Route 175 and Route 1 in Elkridge, Maryland. The project included the construction of three new additions including a new canopy over the gas pumps, an automatic car wash bay, and a carry out restaurant, with a 2nd floor open office above and a basement below. The carry-out restaurant, R&R Taqueria, became a sensation (see the Diners, Drive-ins and Dives episode @ http://www.rrtaqueria.com ) and expanded their business with a carry-out location in Perry Hall and a sit-down restaurant in the shopping center next to the Waterloo Shell Station.
Waverly Silo Building

Client: Waverly Woods Development Corp.
Description: Symmetry First designed a two story office / retail building located in Marriottsville, Maryland, consisting of Office Suites, Retail and Restaurant spaces. The street face of this highly visible building on the edge of the Waverly Woods development is amplified by the inclusion of two silos.
Project Completed: 2006
Read More »William Donald Schaefer House

Client: Maryland Department of General Services
Description:
Originally built as luxurious single-family homes in 1913, the pair of residences and outbuildings in Baltimore City were converted to a campus for troubled youth. Operated by the Department of Juvenile Services, the facility provides housing, counseling and educational programs. Symmetry First Architects has designed various renovations:
- Complete renovation of the dormitory bathrooms
- Repair and painting of the exterior of both buildings
- Replacement of the windows
Weinberg Center for the Performing Arts

Client: City of Frederick
Consultants:
Kelly Engineering Associates, Inc. – structural engineering
SRBR Engineers, Inc. – mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineering
Contractor: Albrecht Construction Corp
Description:
Located within the City of Frederick Historic District and listed on the National Register, the Weinberg Center for the Arts is a 1920’s movie theater that is transitioning to a properly appointed live-performance venue. After developing a master plan for the changes required to make this transition, the first two phases of design and construction have been completed –
1) the addition of new public restrooms and an elevator shaft
2) complete replacement of all stage rigging
Read More »The Rosenstock Building

Client: Historic Ellicott Properties
Consultant:
Kelly Engineering Associates, Inc. – structural engineering
Description:
The Rosenstock Building is 3-story 12,000 square foot mixed-use building on Main Street in the Ellicott City historical district, built to replace the original Rosenstock Department Store, which was destroyed by a fire in November 1999. The new building accommodates a mix of retail, office and residential space.
While state law prohibited construction of a new building in a flood zone, the Maryland Department of the Environment granted an exception due to the historic context of Ellicott City’s Main Street.
The new building spans the 35’ wide Tiber River, which runs parallel to Main Street, and directly under several buildings. The first floor of the building is approximately 4’ below the 100-year base flood elevation – a waiver was granted by the Department of Licenses and Permits to allow the new building’s first floor elevation to be placed below the base flood elevation – this was requested to maintain handicap accessibility from the existing sidewalk elevation to the new first floor elevation.
While the original Rosenstock Department Store consisted of three connected wood-framed buildings, the structural system for the new building was selected to meet FEMA flood-proofing requirements: The first floor slabs on each side of the creek are dramatically thickened to increase their overall weight and resist the uplift pressure of a flooding river. Hollow core concrete planks, with a topping slab, span the river; The front, side and rear walls of the first floor are poured concrete, waterproofed up to 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Also, to meet the Building Code’s fire separation requirements, the party walls at neighboring buildings are 3-hour fire rated block.
The exterior of the building fits within the historic context of the street, meeting the Ellicott City Historic District Guidelines. The approval of the building’s three part Main Street façade was secured from the Howard County Historic Preservation Commission during the first presentation. The middle of the façade is more contemporary, and allows daylight and views from the street into all three floors of the building. On either side of the middle, the store display windows and ‘punched’ windows above reflect the original Rosenstock Department Store at the turn of the century.
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