Construction Notebook

KMA Architecture & Engineering announced that the new Marine Corps Infantry Training Center at Camp Pendleton recently achieved LEED Gold certification from the USGBC.

The project, designed by KMA in partnership with the Straub Construction, Inc. design-build team, is one of the first LEED Gold certified projects on the base.

The two-story center incorporates eco-friendly features, including photovoltaic panels on roofs to offset building energy costs by an estimated 14 percent and water efficient landscaping with drought-tolerant native plant species to reduce irrigation requirements by 60 percent.

Overall water-use reduction will be achieved with low-flow plumbing fixtures.

The building also includes translucent panel skylights, and low-e insulated glass for exterior windows to bring natural daylight into the building.

In addition, preferred parking for low-emission and fuel efficient vehicles was provided, as part of the plan to achieve LEED certification.

During construction, a waste management plan was implemented to recycle or divert 98 percent of construction waste from disposal.

All wood-based material is FSC certified, and adhesives, paints and coatings, carpet and composite wood products are specified with low VOC content, a common ingredient that is dangerous to the earthís atmosphere.

The KMA project team was comprised of Don Blair and Alison Warren, both LEED Accredited Professionals.

Engineering consultants were Berg Engineering for civil, DS Engineering for mechanical and plumbing, MPE Consulting for electrical, and SMR Consulting Group for structural. Additionally, K. Killman Design was the interior designer, and Crescere Design was the landscape architect.

PrimeCo Painting and Construction, of Oceanside, has been awarded the contract to provide wood replacement services for Pointe Surfside, a 102-unit condominium complex located in Huntington Beach.

The HOA community is under professional management by Jan Standish of Golden West Property Management, of Cypress, Calif.

The community is undergoing replacement of major wood components as a part of an enhancement project, according to Chris Erickson, sales consultant for PrimeCo.

Architect William McCulloch, has been retained by the homeowners association to oversee the wood replacement project as the construction manager.

Rudy Rodriguez, of Garden Grove, provided the community with structural engineering and consultation.

Edwin Scott, of Frazee Paint, assisted the community and PrimeCo with paint product selection.

Board president, Janet Cabourne was assisted by board members Michael Carralero, Mary Whaley, Patricia Enna and Gus Zakka in the vendor selection and contract negotiations.

The anticipated cost of the project is roughly $160,000 and is expected to take approximately two months to complete.

Octavio Partida, PrimeCoís project manager, said the wood replacement will be done under the supervision of lead carpenter, Abe Salah.

Cuyamaca College is providing a free four-week introductory course to eligible students interested in a career within the green construction industry.

The training program -- entitled Introduction to Green Building Careers -- is intended to help displaced workers, unemployed contractors, new workers and military veterans gain the skills to compete for green construction jobs.

Topics that will be covered include basic construction principles; environmental training; introduction to green building; energy retrofits and efficiency; water-efficient buildings and retrofits; solar and hot water installation and design; solar electricity installation and design; and work readiness and hands-on work experience.

The four-week course will be offered twice with the first running from Jan. 23 through Feb. 16 and the second from May 7 through June 4. It will go from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

In addition, a $300 stipend will be provided to students who complete the introductory program.

The course is funded through the State Energy Sector Partnership, an offspring of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The program is cosponsored by the San Diego Workforce Partnership.

Those interested in taking the classes must go through an eligibility process that includes basic skills assessments and various workshops that must be completed prior to the start of class, along with attending a mandatory informational orientation.

Students must also be 18 years of age or older, be able to read and speak English, registered for selective services and hold legal status or have authorization to work in the United States.

To register for the orientation or for additional information go to cuyamaca.edu/preview/greenbuilding/index.htm or email camille.currier@gcccd.edu.