Expertise

Wendel has been a sought after partner for term contracts in both the public and private sector. We currently are providing services, through term agreements, to NYSERDA, DASNY, State Parks, Alfred Ceramics, University at Buffalo and Buffalo State College. We believe strongly that success with term contracts requires a mindset that is very different from that required for conventional projects. From the owner's perspective, the rationale for Term contracts is almost always driven by the need for a timely response to design needs relative to the repair and renovation of facilities. For the A/E, the challenge is to provide the required professional services for these projects in both a timely and a cost-effective manner. The most challenging aspects are typically the scale of the work, as assignments often require design of relatively modest projects, and the need to react promptly. Though attitude and focus are the primary drivers of term contract success, our experience with Term contracts has led to an approach that allows us to respond to the demands of term agreements in a remarkably efficient manner.

 

Today’s College and University leaders face the ongoing challenge of maintaining and improving their campus with limited resources. We work with you to look for innovative and sustainable ideas to enhance the learning environment, while decr easing energy costs and operational expenses.

CUNY Kiely Hall:
Under its Energy Performance Contract with the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), Wendel was selected to perform an architectural-engineering study to assess building envelope and energy-related improvements to various buildings throughout the City University of New York’s Queens College campus. One of the buildings identified as having great potential for improvement was the 40 year old Kiely Hall. The windows (a curtain-wall designed structure) and roof are in need of radical replacement / repair, and the majority of systems and ancillary equipment are original and in poor working condition.

 
Wendel’s assessment of this building concluded with a recommendation for a total refurbishment of the building envelope systems (curtain wall, windows, and roof), all mechanical subsystems, and installation roof mounted solar/PV array. Implementation of these improvements provides substantial energy savings (electric and fuel) along with a reduction in operation and maintenance costs and a reduction in the carbon footprint of the building.

Annual Energy and Cost Savings after Implementation
Energy Savings: 14,053 mmBtu (annually)
Cost Savings: $206,412 (annually)

As colleges and universities evolve and transform, their common areas and building uses change. We challenge the repurposing if these spaces/places to be sustainable and shape the experiences of its users by communicating the core values of the Campus.

 
UB Landscape Master Plan:

Improving the overall “street appeal” and to create a more pedestrian / user friendly atmosphere was the goal for both the North and South campuses of this major university in New York State.

Work included an inventory and analysis of existing site and vegetative conditions. Several site concepts were developed based on site opportunities and constraints identified. A community participation plan that engaged the end users in the design decision-making process was implemented. As a result of this work, a final master plan was adopted for each campus.

 
Wendel completed a two-campus gateway signage planting plan and implementation as the first initiative based on the master plan recommendations. Future work included phased construction documents to implement the more significant components of the master plan for each campus which included Founders Plaza and the Abbott Squire Quad.
 

Many transit agencies are integral partners with their local colleges and universities. These partnerships create efficient operations, benefitting both the agencies and their patrons. Wendel has considerable experience designing transit facilities on a university campus which have resulted in an improved transportation system for all users.

Blacksburg Transit – Virginia Polytechnic Institute:
The project, currently in design, is to construct an environmentally sustainable, LEED Silver or higher, multi-modal transit/transfer center for Blacksburg Transit located near the heart of the Virginia Tech Campus. It is essential that the facility properly serves the bus passenger transfer and multi-modal transportation needs of the Blacksburg community and the greater region. The facility also must be designed in a way that weaves the functionality and appearance of the facility into the fabric of the Virginia Tech campus and fully integrates into the Virginia Tech Campus Master Plan. The facility will maintain the integrity and safety of vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic on the Virginia Tech campus.