Featured Projects
As Principal Architect and General Manager at Thomas Anderson & Co, Bob Benz AIA, along with Founder and President Thomas E. Anderson, continue to share their passion for building in their design practice. With a complimentary background in design and construction, our design philosophy is simple. Construction is design. With an emphasis on integrated design, Bob manages all aspects of the design process from planning and programming, schematic design, contract documents, the public approval process, budgeting time and cost, and ultimately providing contract administration services.
We are proactive in our approach toward sustainable and environmental design. As members of the USGBC, we combine common sense sustainable design strategies with new technology to produce buildings that reduce energy consumption and maximize the use of sustainable materials.
We listen to our clients, and we cut to the heart of the matter by seeing opportunities and constraints and presenting realistic design solutions. The projects we have designed and built have benefited our clients while making a positive contribution to our built environment.
Regional Vernacular Architecture
Sustainable Design
Design - Build Construction Services
| Sustainable Building Strategies: | Application: | |
| Passive Daylighting | Northern orientation for daytime lighting | |
| Passive Ventilation | Agricultural fans, operable doors, windows, walls, and building geometry | |
| Passive Heating / Cooling | Thermal massing using concrete topping on floors with radiant piping or interior water volume with exposure to winter sunlight |
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| Wastewater Filtration | “Living Machine” vegetative biofilter |
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| Landscape Irrigation | Processed “greywater” drip system | |
| Native Landscape Revitalization | Regional planting strategy | |
| Permeable Parking / Hardscape | Permeable pavers or structural geotextile membrane | |
| Bioretention Swales | Stormwater catchment device used during wet-season | |
| Roof Rainwater Catchment | Collection and retention in pond or cistern | |
| Material Conservation: | ||
| Recycled Materials | Retain existing buildings lumber for reuse, removed asphalt paving | |
| Recycled Construction Materials | On-site collection of demolition and new material waste |
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| Local Building Materials | Redwood, western cedar, douglas-fir, field stone, quarries |
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| Low Embodied Energy | Refer to materials table for listing of high embodied energy material |
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| Fly-Ash Concrete | Additive byproduct of coal fired electricity plants | |
| Construction Methods: | ||
| Minimized Building Footprint | Efficient spatial organization with reduced ground contact | |
| Low-Impact Foundation System | Caisson or point specific wall structure located at grade | |
| Double Shell Roof | Offset heat barrier to conditioned spaces (barrier to forest fires) | |
| Retain Existing Building | Minimize renovation of existing building | |
| Water Use Reduction | High efficiency plumbing fixture upgrades | |
| Electrical Use Reduction | High efficiency LED lighting, automated controls and sensors | |
| HVAC Systems | High efficiency 19-SEER rated condensing unit and updated furnace | |
| Solar Hot Water Heater | Roof mounted water heater with optional backup system | |
| Hot Water Backup | Tankless water heaters used at fixture locations (propane fueled) | |
| Photovoltaic Solar Panels | Roof membrane or panel mounted |
