Project of the Month: Kuhn Riddle Architects and Wright Builders break ground on 13,513 s/f medical building

Atkinson Family Practice, Kuhn Riddle Architects, and Wright Builders broke ground for the medical group's new sustainable, solar-powered offices on April 25th, at their new location 17 Research Dr. Representatives from Amherst Family Practice, the town of Amherst, representative Ellen Story, as well as members of the architectural and construction teams were on hand to mark the project's commencement. The public was welcome to attend this event which coincided with the 42nd Earth Day celebration. Once Kate Atkinson, MD, a widely-recognized Amherst family physician, began looking for a new office four years ago she found it was not easy to find buildings or land that were zoned for medical offices in Amherst. Atkinson persevered and is now finally ready to break ground for the new facility which will exemplify the practice's values of patient service and disease prevention. High on the facility's requirements list was that it be a sustainable, solar-powered environment filled with natural light and healthy air for patients and staff. Due for completion in November, the new facility will have ample room for medical-behavioral integrated family-centered care. Psychologists Susan Molano and Chaia Wolf will partner with the medical team to provide whole person care to patients of all ages, from newborn to elderly in this family practice. Kuhn Riddle Architects, also of Amherst, was on board from the very beginning and designed this new 13,513 s/f building using sustainable components and building practices such as double wall construction, triple glazed windows, and VRV system heat pumps with energy recovery ventilators. Architect Ann Marshall put together a unique and visionary facility now slated for construction. Wright Builders of Northampton joined the team to provide estimating, value engineering and construction management. Dr. Atkinson felt that "the pairing of Kuhn-Riddle and Wright Builders was a natural choice, given their impressive history of collaboration on the design and construction of sustainable homes and offices throughout the Valley."