SMRT Media Center: Latest News and Articles

SMRT: Architects and Engineers - Portland View

The architects and engineers at SMRT love designing and engineering buildings in collaboration with our clients. We're proud of designing healthcare facilities that enhance healing, controlled environments manufacturing plants that speed time-to-market, corrections facilities that contribute to reduced rates of recidivism, and buildings for the Department of Defense that support the mission of our troops. Our energy services group ensures that our world is a bit greener, while our interior designers make it a better place to simply be. 

We can't lay claim, however, to designing the rainbow outside our Portland office windows this week - but we can share it with you.    

St. Mary's Hospital Wins Brick In Architecture Award

St. Mary's Hospital has been awarded a silver Brick in Architecture award from the Brick Industry Association. The new Regis A. LePage Surgical Pavilion features varying shades of exterior brick, representing a "woven" pattern in honor of the generations of area residents who worked the looms in the now closed mills.  

SMRT architects utilized three subtly varied shades of brick to approximate the color range of long dyed fibers in a silk carpet.

The Brick in Architecture award is considered the country's premier architectural award for projects utilizing clay brick. The Brick Industry Association established the award in 1989. 

Civil Engineer? Join SMRT

SMRT is looking for a talented Civil Engineer who is a self-starter that thrives in a team environment.  Candidate should have 3+ years experience in the design of site civil engineering components, including stormwater management, sanitary sewers, water services and other site utilities.  Demonstrated understanding of Civil 3D and HydroCADD stormwater modeling programs required.  Specific experience with athletic field design and regulatory agency permitting is beneficial but not required.  Professional registration preferred; FE or EIT required.  Multiple market sector experience preferred.  SMRT provides engineering services to public and private clients in Healthcare, Industrial/Advanced Technology, Education, Justice/Public Safety, Corporate and Government. Submit resumes to: jgabriel@smrtinc.com

MaineGeneral Medical Center Recognized by Construction Specifications Institute

The Maine Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute recently presented the MaineGeneral Medical Center project management team its Award for Innovation, recognizing the IPD delivery process developed for the new regional hospital. SMRT is providing lead architectural design and engineering services for the greenfield 640,000 square foot hospital, currently under construction utilizing Integrated Project Delivery. SMRT is a leading healthcare facilities design firm, serving healthcare clients for more than two decades.

Ellen Belknap, AIA, LEED AP, ACHE, Profiled in New England Real Estate Journal

The New England Real Estate Journal recently profiled SMRT president and leader of the firm’s healthcare design practice, Ellen Belknap. To learn about Ellen’s first “gopher” job, her favorite book and movie, and SMRT’s plans for the future, click here: http://nerej.com/55661.

Southern Maine Community College Welcomes Dr. Ronald Cantor as New President

SMRT attended the inauguration of Dr. Ronald G. Cantor as president of Southern Maine Community College, which featured remarks from Senator George Mitchell, a reception hosted by the school’s renowned Culinary Arts Department faculty and students, and a symposium on jobs, culture and service.  The 2-day festivities wrapped up with the President’s 5K Fun Walk/Run - won by SMRT architect Paul Lewandowski.  Paul is leading the design for the renovation of five buildings on SMMC’s Midcoast Campus, located on the site of the former Naval Air Base in Brunswick.

University of Maine’s Research Technology Center Opens in Old Town

The Grand Opening of the University of Maine’s Research Technology Center included tours and displays of groundbreaking research in clean technology products derived from wood by-products and other biomass.  The Center provides researchers from the University’s Forest Bioproducts Research Institute (FBRI) with equipment and floor space for developing and testing their products, which range from wood pellets and fuel oils to plastics.  SMRT designed FBRI’s new headquarters on the Orono campus.

SMRT Presents Haiti Project at PSA's DRINK 'N CRIT

SMRT architects Scott Vonnegut, Kristen Damuth and Abigail Cram took the stage at DRINK 'N CRIT recently to present a pro bono project near and dear to their hearts:  master planning for Saint Boniface Hospital in Haiti. SMRT’s long-standing relationship with St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston led the firm to the Saint Boniface Haiti Foundation and its focus on the primary hospital in the region, desperately in need of expansion following the 2010 earthquake.  SMRT presented its master plan, developed over the course of several years, and work currently underway by MASS Design Group in affiliation with Partners in Health.  

Portland Society of Architect’s DRINK 'N CRIT brings together designers in an informal setting to share work in progress.  SMRT is a regular contributor to the popular event, held at Space Gallery in Portland’s Old Port.

Armed Forces Reserve Center in Puerto Rico Awarded LEED Gold

The Armed Forces Reserve Center in Ceiba, Puerto Rico – designed and engineered by SMRT in partnership with Consigli Construction - has been awarded LEED Gold Certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The AFRC has also been lauded by Department of Defense officials for its efficiency, design and alignment with operational mission. The fast-track project includes a training building, vehicle maintenance shop, storage building, wash bay and parking. The training facility typically serves 600 military personnel on a rotating basis.

Mannington Unveils New Carpet Collection by SMRT Architect

Mannington debuted two carpets designed by SMRT architect Paul Lewandowski at NeoCon 2012.  Paul won Mannington’s tx:style design challenge, and has since developed colorways for his winning carpet design, Coastal Rocks, while designing a second pattern. Paul’s collection was on display in Mannington’s showroom, with Paul there to discuss his creative process with the media and show attendees.