When Abbott Had to Ramp Up COVID-19 Tests, This Contractor Had to Do the ‘Impossible’

The global need to ramp up production of COVID-19 test kits is unprecedented, requiring the delivery of complex manufacturing facilities in record time. When Abbott Laboratories reached out to their long-time contractor, Landry/French Construction Company to fit out a building, Kevin French called SMRT. His request: design and engineer a new facility in a retrofitted…

Adapting Medical Office Buildings to Increase Patient Safety and Confidence

One of the less visible, but daunting challenges to healthcare delivery during the Covid-19 pandemic: how to engender confidence and a sense of safety in patients and staff, so that people continue to receive both preventative care and non-Covid related treatments. Some studies have shown that about 1/3 of Americans are delaying healthcare during the…

Design of the Times – SMRT in Mainebiz

Ellen Belknap, President, and Jeana Stewart, Workplace Studio Leader, spoke to Mainebiz about how SMRT has transitioned to fully-remote operations in the face of the coronavirus and how workplace design may be affected in the near future. “I can see how this is really going to create less travel, and people are going to be…

Architects and Engineers Look to Embrace New Technology

Mainebiz interviewed 20 business leaders about their outlook on the coming year. Ellen Belknap, our President, spoke about Maine’s strong position for green technologies, particularly cross laminated timber, as the whole architecture / engineering / construction industry works to reduce carbon emissions.

Doors Open for Mount Washington Valley Adult Day Center

The Mount Washington Valley Adult Day Center, a cozy, safe and engaging memory care facility, recently celebrated its grand opening. Located in North Conway, NH, the center provides therapeutic, community-oriented activities to guests, while also providing respite for their caregivers. Designed to reflect traditional New England charm, thoughtful touches throughout the space focus on family,…

Virtual Reality in the Design Process

Mainebiz recently featured SMRT’s use of virtual reality to help clients visualize what their space can look like before the first piece of building material even arrives on site. “The use of virtual reality was an invaluable process as it allowed us to experience the building ‘live’ during the early planning process” and make any…

Prototyping & Standardization Bring Value, Efficiency, & Savings

SMRT Architects and Engineers, Martin’s Point Health Care and PC Construction collaborated to develop a new prototype medical office building. This team developed an innovative design for the primary care environment incorporating Lean concepts, flexibility, consistent branding, and standardized design and construction. Three medical office buildings later, the team continues to improve the design and…

Martin’s Point MOB Receives SEDCO Project of the Year

SMRTers always celebrate when our clients are recognized for their thoughtful approach to building projects. So we were excited and proud when the new patient centered medical home for Martin’s Point Healthcare received the Scarborough Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) “2017 Project of the Year” award. Karen Martin, executive director of SEDCO, summed up the Martin’s…