S3 Builders Incorporated, composed primarily of alumni from Woodbury University’s School of Architecture, is awarded the design/build contract for the major renovation and addition to house the University’s new Film School
Posted on November 17, 2011
"We are always thrilled to be back on campus, especially for a project as exciting as this one", says Rapisardi (Principal of S3 Builders). S3 has been working with the University for the better part of a year on this project. The company was retained early on to assist with design development, pro forma analysis, and entitlement. Being involved with the project from its inception S3 was able to uniquely tailor this project to fit the needs of Woodbury both fiscally and functionally. "We have a unique relationship with the University. Often times we are handed a budget and a concept drawing and are asked to make the two ends meet. This is where we excel being a design-build firm rooted in architecture; our firm plays both sides of the fence when valuing design, understanding scope, and managing budgets."
The 5,250-square-foot facility will house a soundstage, 54-seat screening room, collaborative lobby space, and ample storage to support the filming education process. Much of the detail for the project is in the walls; for sound attenuating purposes some walls contain up to seven layers of drywall and are then covered with 2 inches of sound absorbing fabric quilts.
A portion of the funds for this project are derived from a grant Woodbury University received to start the new Film School degree program. This added one more layer to the process by necessitating that certain stipulations of the grant remained throughout the design and entitlement process. However, grant monies were not the only contributor to the project. The Ahmanson Foundation has made a major contribution towards the project as well.
The film school building is slated to start construction at the end of this month and is expected to be complete and filled with students starting their careers in the filming industry by fall semester of 2012.
Currently two of S3 Builders' employees hold a Bachelors of Architecture degree, one is working towards a Masters of Architecture degree, and one is working towards a Masters in Business Administration degree all from Woodbury University. "We truly have a vested interest here. In essence your degree is an ongoing investment that needs to be maintained; no different from any other investment type. By helping Woodbury University meet its goals and expand towards academic excellence, we are helping our personal education investment grow", says Rapisardi. It is this approach that has landed S3 Builders as the preferred design build firm for the campus.
The collaboration between the two entities was fostered late in 2007. Woodbury was amidst a major building campaigned being performed by a national builder. While constructing two of the campus’ major buildings another construction project came online for the campus Library Association. The project was a 5,000 square foot courtyard that was conceptually designed by 5th year architecture students. The origins of the project left voids in the scope thereby generating inflated proposals by larger firms looking to minimize risk. All of which were not able to meet the budget requirements set by a generous donation made by the Enkeboll Foundation. Rapisardi being only two years past his graduation from Woodbury was called on to assist with the project. S3 Builders was shortly thereafter contracted to develop the design of the project and construct the courtyard. It is estimated that the University saved 30% on the overall cost of the project when comparing actual construction cost with the budgets set by the other firms.
"We have been here doing the same type of design development, budget analysis, and construction services for the University for the past four years, contributing to over $3 million in campus wide facility improvements. At this stage in our intimate relationship with Woodbury our services replicate that of an in-house planning and construction department that smaller institutions such as Woodbury typically do not have the need or means to staff."