SEI Design Group BlogBlog about news, information, happenings and mojo at SEI Design Group

Everyone is finally settled and happy in the new, improved SEI Albany Office.  We are located in the same building, but now have more room to breathe and work.  Stop on up to see us. 

We are happy to welcome Roscoe Central School District to the SEI family! We are providing architectural and planning services for the District’s Capital Improvement Project.  The project is expected to include repairs to roofs, plumbing, and heating and electrical systems.

One of our favorite sites, A Daily Dose of Architecture, had a post about J. Crew including Charles Renfro in an ad campaign showing how different men personalized one of their suits.  As you can see from the picture, it was all about the socks.  Question to all readers:  do you rock your socks?  If so, send us a picture of your socks by 1/31/12 2/6/12.   One lucky winner will get some new socks in this deal.  SEI friends and family may participate in this contest.  Let’s hear it for the socks!

An $8.2 million capital improvement project was approved by Brasher Falls Central School District voters last night.  The project includes replacement of the heating system, repair and replacement of old, deteriorated infrastructure, and replacement of 60-year old electrical distribution systems.  These improvements will increase both the safety and usefulness of the school facilities.

It’s official!  Genesee Fed, SEI Design Group’s 2011 Canstruction entry is a winner!  We were happy to have some of the team members, sponsors, and guests celebrating with us at the Award Gala Event.  Rochester City School District Principal Kathleen Denaro and Charles Nash from Edison enjoyed the event with the SEI folks. Brad Moreland – team captain, and team members Charles Nash, Kiel Wobser, Kelly Wobser, and Steve Staveski accepted the award for BEST USE OF LABELS.

We want to take this opportunity to say thanks again to our sponsors: Engineered Solutions, M/E Engineering, Watchdog, Campus Construction Management, Walmart, and Genesee Brewing Company for contributing to this event.

Two new biomass boilers were fired up at Ausable Valley CSD last week! Woodchip boilers are one of the green initiatives that many clients are considering.

The District is hosting a Grand Opening Event on November 16, 2011 to showcase one of their two new biomass facilities, part of the District’s $29.85 million Capital Project. The two (2) 140-foot x 30-foot woodchip boiler plants are a sustainable and eco-friendly heating source. By utilizing woodchips sustainably harvested from the local resources, the District can help the environment and local economy while reducing the District’s overall energy cost.

SEI has designed 60% of the biomass boilers in schools in New York State.

On Saturday, SEI participated again in a really great charity event, Canstruction. This is a design build competition for design professionals and students using cans. All the building materials (canned goods) get donated to food kitchens at the end of the event.   Since 1992, Canstruction has donated over 10 million pounds of food.  In Rochester, the cans are donated to Foodlink after the event.

Our entry ~ GENESEE Fed is on display and the Award Gala is this Friday in the Bausch and Lomb Wintergarden.   (read more)

The SEI Design Group Build Team

SEI: Brad Moreland (Team Captain), Jimmi Van Shaffel, Ted Mountain, Steve Staveski, Kelly Wobser, Kiel Wobser, Brian Cieslinski, Kurt Vater

Rochester City School District: Charles Nash, Andrew Hylton, and their mentors, William Broome (RCSD) and Wayne Williams (Gilbane)

We want to thank our sponsors: Engineered Solutions, M/E Engineering, Watchdog, Campus Construction Management, Walmart, and Genesee Brewing Company for helping us to compete.

As in 2010, 2009, and 2008, the Rochester office of SEI Design Group participated in the The Chase Corporate Challenge 2011.  Congrats to all who finished the race and thanks to Team Captain Ted Mountain who got us a prime spot for our tent.

The Albany office( and friends) participated in 2 events this spring, the most recent being the Friehofers Run shown here.

Only Apple could think of this creative solution that is only four stories tall.  They are out of space to house staff currently located on their campus and many rental properties throughout Cupertino.  This new plan presented by Steve Jobs himself (watch the video) would solve the current dilemma of housing 12,000 employees in 1 building in Cupertino.

Architectural Record Magazine is running a cocktail napkin sketch contest.

There have to be architects in addition to Vic who love doing this!

Details are here.  Also take a look at some of the past winners (and runner ups, honorable mention, etc.).  Very impressive.