Tilton, Kelly + Bell, LLC was awarded a new office design contract with Region 5 of the United States General Services Administration (GSA). This is one of two contracts for office design/ space planning in the six-state region. As a contract incumbent with over six years’ GSA experience, TKB was pleased as this demonstration of trust in the firms’ qualifications and past performance.
In partnership with special programs through the University of Illinois and Harold Washington Colleges, TKB has engaged architecture student Jessica Lopez, now in her senior year at the University of Illinois, and Susana Balcazar, from the City Colleges’ accounting program. Jessica’s internship was supported through a UIC grant, and Susana’s internship was supported in part through an Aon program for Harold Washington College’s top students.
Both students have demonstrated their value to the firm and have learned from the program. According to Jessica:
“Becoming an intern at TKB has been a non-stop learning experience. It has given me perspective on what it takes to do architecture as a profession. It’s been great not only in terms of architecture but I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in projects in adjacent fields needed in the industry, this includes interior design, marketing, proposals, and learning the business aspect in general. I’ve become more excited and feel more ready and comfortable to start my practice after graduating!” -Jessica Lopez
Carol Rydlewski retired from TKB after more than 30 years with the firm and its predecessor. The occasion was marked with a jolly party indulging in speeches, jokes, gifts, and a trophy poem. Carol’s retirement plans include more travel and more motor cycle riding. She will occasionally be working at TKB as a consultant for special projects, so it is not good-bye yet!
As a subconsultant US Equities and Epstein on a team charged with analyzing and making recommendations for all of Cook County’s real estate, TKB completed the benchmarking, analysis, and preliminary recommendations for all of the County’s “corporate” (i.e., office, highway and warehouse) portfolio. TKB’s work ended in a recommendations that will save the County $56 million over the next 15 years. The total study, also including courts and corrections, and health and hospitals netted over $100 million in savings.
TKB has partnered again with the Palatine Public Library in a targeted renovation of its main floor popular materials and checkout areas. The project will add a new digital media lab and expanded children’s literacy area to the library’s offerings.
Based on successful past collaborations, distinguished national architect Moody Nolan is teaming with TKB as associate architect for the new Malcolm X College campus in Chicago, IL. Malcolm X College, the oldest of the City Colleges of Chicago, will expand its medical programs, leveraging its proposed location north of the Chicago Medical District. The new campus will support the College’s 14,000+ students with technologically advanced classrooms, laboratory and support spaces. The project, which kicks off the week of April 15, will adhere to a stringent fast track schedule. Mike Kelly will be the principal in charge for TKB.
A team of experts, led by US Equities, is finalizing the extensive Real Estate Asset Strategic Realignment Plan for Cook County, IL. The report and recommendations will serve as a roadmap for the effective utilization, capital planning, and management of the County’s large real estate portfolio. Comprised of more than 18 million square feet of space, the plan provides detailed analysis of the three portfolios: health and hospital; courts and corrections; and “corporate”.
TKB completed architectural analysis and recommendations for the corporate portfolio of offices and warehouses, including the prominent downtown campus made up of 118 North Clark (the County Building), 69 West Washington (the Dunne Building), and the Daley Center. TKB also developed office standards for the County based upon their needs and benchmarking of best practices. The overall report, being assembled by team member and project manager Epstein, will be an action-oriented tool for the County.
A long-time volunteer for numerous organizations, Martha Bell, FAIA, LEED AP, once again served as a juror for the Building Design + Construction Awards, for the reconstruction category. Martha’s belief in giving back has also led her to serve as a member of AIA Chicago Bridge 3.0, a leadership and mentorship program for young architects. The organization provides Young Architects and Associate AIA members with access to AIA Fellows (FAIA) to “bridge” the gap between the need for mentorship in our profession and the ability of experienced Architects to pass on what they have learned to the future generation of architects. Martha is excited to share her knowledge and support emerging professionals!
For more information visit: http://www.aiachicago.org/bridge/
TKB has been selected for a 17,500-SF build-out of interdisciplinary space to facilitate the College of Engineering’s computer-based research. Comprised of offices and labs, the program calls for collaborative spaces that foster interaction, and are agile enough to allow for mobile and virtual work. The project is TKB’s fourth engagement on the University’s Urbana-Champaign campus.
Thoughtful assistance with preliminary site feasibility studies will afford TKB, and partner Epstein, a “hit the ground running” approach for this national society’s new Schaumburg, IL headquarters. The latest addition to TKB’s deep portfolio of work with professional associations, the building will be a hub of advocacy, education and administration for the ASA, and serve to further strengthen the organization’s public image.