Smithsinnett

January 21, 2010 – Robeson County held an official groundbreaking for the County's new 20,000-square-foot facility, which is being build adjacent to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.

The new building, which is designed by Smith Sinnett Architecture, will provide space for the 911 Communications Center, Emergency Services, the Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force — consisting of local, state and federal officers — and a meeting room for use by all responders during an emergency situation.

“It will be nice to have all of these groups in close proximity to each other,” said Charles Britt, the county’s Emergency Services director and fire marshal.

“This building will open up more space for the Sheriff’s Office, provide for eight— rather than four emergency communication operators, and provide a new facility instead of a 70-year-old building,” Windley said.

Emergency Services is now operating out of the old agricultural building located across from the county administration building on North Elm Street.

Sheriff Ken Sealey said the center has been needed for years.

“This is a big day. ...,” Sealey said. “We will now be able to hire more because the new center will hold eight dispatchers rather than the current three or four.”

He added that when there is a storm, the new facility will provide the space needed by emergency responders to work faster and more efficiently.

“We’ll be able to work from one place, rather than from all over the county,” Sealey said.

January 19, 2010 – William Lawrence, Principal at Smith Sinnett Architecture, recently became one of only 350 Registered Roofing Consultants, RRC, in the country.

Lawrence qualified for the designation by meeting the reqirements of a rigorous two-part program based on verifiable levels of education, ethics, and experience, and successfully completing a examination.

For more information on this distinction, please visit www.rci-online.org

October 9, 2009 – Jamey Glueck, AIA LEED AP, a Principal at Smith Sinnett Architecture, recently received the distinction of
Recognized Educational Facility Professional (REFP) as designated by the Council of Educational Facility Planners
International (CEFPI).

Jamey, who joined Smith Sinnett Architecture in 1997, has over a decade of experience in designing educational facilties for clients including Onslow County Schools, Granville County Schools, Asheboro City Schools, and Pitt County Schools.

Courtesy of Jacksonville Daily News –

Stateside Patriots all about pride; Onslow County has a new elementary school

Stateside Elementary School is the county’s 19th elementary school but its first instructionally focused and themed one.

Stateside, located just off of Gum Branch Road between Jacksonville and Richlands, will mold its curriculum on a national pride theme, said Ken Reddic, Onslow County School’s director of academic innovation and part of the research and development team.

Reddic said having the theme helps in planning classroom instruction and enhances connectedness and continuity between subjects.

“This gives staff a much clearer direction,” he said.

The theme will be replicated not only in core curriculum areas but will be carried out throughout the school as a whole, said Stateside Principal Susanne Long, as she pointed out adornments and paintings keeping with the national pride theme hung throughout the school’s common areas and in classrooms.

“It will not only be about bringing children back to their roots but will include the pride they should have in the community and the nation,” Long said. “It will bring unity to these children and will make them more nationally and globally aware.”

Once a week students will take part in cultural awareness classes.

“The classes will include instruction on character education, cultural awareness, test taking as a genre and foreign language immersion,” she said. “They will be learning about our 50 states and our relevance to other countries.”

Frankie Harris, the Title 1 supervisor for Onslow County Schools and part of the research and development team, said the reading and writing connectedness and balanced literacy will lead to deeper learning and understanding.

“It helps students internalize and put it all together, which we think is imperative,” she said. “It will also produce more independent learners and thinkers and is connected to state goals as well. Ultimately it will create life long learners and critical thinkers.”

Believing in the vision of the new curriculum, Avriann Schaub, a fourth grade teacher, asked to transfer from Richlands Elementary to Stateside.

“I just felt the passion and I wanted to be a part of a change in our community,” she said. “Educationally we will really be enforcing 21st Century goals set out by Onslow County, but we’ll also be fostering the pride (students) should have in their community and the nation while making them more nationally and globally aware.”

Pat Simpson said she also chose to transfer from Carolina Forest Elementary to Stateside when she heard about the curriculum.

“After 33 years in teaching, I wanted to be a part of a new beginning while leaving a patriotic legacy,” she said. “The mission-vision to build responsible patriotic citizens … to be part of a collaborative effort to teach our students an appreciation for our surroundings, for our nation, and globally … as a teacher, I think all of us want to be a part of that.”

There are 537 students currently enrolled at Stateside. Long said Weyerhaeuser donated the land for the school and, in time, a community called Stateside will spring up around it.

The school was built in the same style and is similar in size to Meadow View Elementary, which opened last year.

“We are part of Onslow County School’s ‘go green’ initiative,” Long said. “We clean with totally green products and have built with and utilize energy saving products everywhere possible, including using waterless urinals — though I haven’t checked them out yet.”

The Onslow County Board of Education will dedicate Stateside Elementary School Monday at 9 a.m., when the flags in front of the school will be raised for the first time.

Long said Marines will raise the U.S. flag, members of the ROTC will raise the North Carolina Flag and local Boy Scouts will raise the school’s flag.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a few tears among some of us,” she said.

Courtesy of Rocky Mount Telegram –

Wednesday, September 02, 2009
WHITAKERS — Edgecombe County residents will receive extra emergency service manpower with the creation of new facilities.

County officials and Edgecombe County Rescue Squad officials broke ground Tuesday on the construction of two EMS facilities in Pinetops and Whitakers. Both facilities will allow each region to have its own paramedic coverage.

Edgecombe County Rescue Squad currently handles emergency services for the southern portion of the county. The new Whitakers location will take over emergency services for the county’s northern region, which Nash County EMS currently handles.

The locations are more than 30 miles apart, with the Pinetops location on Pinetops-Crisp Road and Whitakers station on Seven Bridges Road. Construction started two weeks ago and officials slated both to finish by February 2010.

The construction is primarily funded through U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development loans and grants. The county’s rescue squad received two low-interest loans of $1.7 million and more than $100,000 in economic impact initiative grants from the USDA. Both stations will include two bays with the capacity to hold four emergency response vehicles.

Emergency Services Chief Karen Johnson said county officials originally were interested in situating the Whitakers EMS facility on Wells Road, which Johnson said was the estimated midpoint between Battleboro and Whitakers. The county was unable to find property for purchase in that area, prompting them to go with the Seven Bridges Road location.

The new locations are expected to lower the rescue squad’s average response times, Johnson said.

“Hopefully, this will relieve confusion within and give hurt residents a better chance of survival,” Johnson said.

The groundbreaking comes on the heels of years of criticism in regards to EMS service quality.

In 2007, The EMSSTAR Group conducted a review of the county’s emergency services after residents complained about the lack of emergency coverage in largely rural areas.

One problem the company cited was the county’s lack of a guiding plan and county-run management system for emergency services. Recommendations of a countywide EMS system have been suggested but have enacted because of the high costs of salaries and maintenance.

“It takes much money to do those type of things,” Johnson said. “We’ve found ways to work around some of those issues. Right now, we have to take baby steps.”

Edgecombe County EMS, a nonprofit organization, receives $300,000 from the county for its annual appropriation. Johnson said the rescue squad will hire six full-time employees and purchase two new emergency response vehicles for its Whitakers location.

Whitakers resident Kimberly Page said the EMS facility down the road from her would allow a hurt victim extra time for survival.

“Those extra minutes is all it takes,” Page said. “Many lives will be saved because of this.”

Page said she began talking with county officials about the need of a Whitakers facility after her father died. In 1995, her father died from a heart attack. She said it took Stony Creek EMS an hour to respond.

“This will give so many other patients hope for survival,” Johnson said. “If one life is saved, then this will do some good.”

August 6, 2009 – North Carolina State University has recommended that Rebecca Hora receive the 2009 – 2010 Smith Sinnett Architecture Scholarship. Rebecca, a junior in NCSU\'s Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture program, is the third undergraduate to receive this scholarship since 2006.

Smith Sinnett Architecture is a proud long-time supporter of NCSU\'s College of Design and School of Architecture.

Smith Sinnett Architecture attends numerous trade shows conferences every year. Here is our upcoming schedule. We encourage you to visit this page often, as we are always adding to our schedule:

Council of Educational Facility Planners International
June 22 – 23

North Carolina Assocation of County Commissioners
August 27 – 30

North Carolina League of Municipalities
October 25 – 26

Friday, July 10, 2009 – Earlier this month, Jeff Ellington, Draftsman at Smith Sinnett Architecture, received an academic scholarship from CSI Raleigh Durham Chapter. Jeff, who is studying Construction Engineering and Management at North Carolina State University, was one of two local students to receive a $500 scholarship from CSI this year.

“I am very honored to be one of two recipients of the CSI Raleigh-Durham Chapter Scholarship Award." states Jeff. "This award will help me continue my studies at NC State University in the field of Construction Engineering and Management.”

CSI Raleigh Durham Chapter has made a commitment to the development of architectural / engineering students in the Triangle area and to recognize outstanding construction detail. For several years, CSI has offered two Scholarship Awards. These awards are open to any deserving student actively enrolled in an architectural, engineering or construction curriculum- details for submission to follow for next years’ candidates.

The two $500 scholarships were presented on June 23, 2009 at CSI's annual Awards Banquet in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Please visit CSI Raleigh Durham at www.csiraleighdurham.com.

Edward Gordon, Principal and COO of Smith Sinnett Architecture, recently received the distinction of Recognized Educational Facility Professional (REFP) as designated by the Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI).

This achievement comes on the heels of his completion of the Advanced Certificate Program in Educational Facility Planning offered jointly by CEFPI and San Diego State University. The year long program focuses on creating learner-centered facilities designed around the students’, staffs’, and communities’ needs.

Currently Mr. Gordon is one of only 17 individuals nationwide to have completed this course and the only designer in North Carolina to have this certification.

“Over the past decade,” states Mr. Gordon, “I have had the opportunity to learn a great deal about the unique needs of education facilities. This program was an excellent opportunity to share experiences and ideas with individuals from across the country and cultivate new understandings of the relationships between learning and the environment.”

Courtesy of the Jacksonville Daily News –

Saturday, June 13, 2009 – It took a lot for Ronald Hunter to drive from Hubert to downtown Jacksonville and see the dedication of the Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Hunter served three and a half tours in Vietnam while in the Navy. He knew "a few" of the more than 58,000 names listed alphabetically and etched in the memorial's glass walls.

He tried several years ago to make the trip to Washington to see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, but the moment was overwhelming.

"I couldn't drive to Washington ... I'm glad they have a memorial here I can come to," Hunter said. "It's beautiful."

More than 300 people gathered at the memorial Saturday for the dedication of the first phase, which took nearly a decade and $2 million to complete.

"It's something my heart has needed for a long time," Hunter said as tears rolled down his cheek.

Ray Pavik drove three hours from Chatham County to see the memorial. During his three tours in Vietnam, Pavik lost a few friends but they weren't the only ones.

"I think I lost more when I came back than seeing them die over there. Too many brothers came back and killed themselves," he said.

The memorial was "a long time coming," Pavik said.

"It feels good," Pavik said. "I'm glad they put this thing together."

Peggy Eckenrode, of Jacksonville, has two children serving in the military but it was a friend from high school's name she recognized on the wall.

John Roach, who was in the Army, graduated from high school with Eckenrode in 1965 in Newton Falls, Ohio.

"It's great wherever they get recognized," she said.

The memorial still has phases two and three to complete, which will include walkways, a covered area and a welcome center.

April 5, 2009 – Robert Carmac,AIA,CSI, is the most recent member of Smith Sinnett Architecture to become a LEED Accredited Professional.

Currently, Robert is working on Randolph County's first LEED certified project, Randolph Community College's Continuing Education and Industrial Center.

Robert joined Smith Sinnett Architecture in 2002 after graduating from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.

August 27, 2008 – Tuesday was the first day back for Onslow County public school students. It was also the first day of classes at Meadow View, which was dedicated in June.

At 92,267 square feet, the new school is the largest elementary school in the county. More than 700 students are enrolled.

Students at Meadow view toured their new surroundings and found lots to like about the new facility. Teachers said they were as excited as the students about the new building.

"I'm excited because I think it's a beautiful building" said fourth-grade teacher Lorraine Messer.

August 20, 2008 – An educational partnership was celebrated Wednesday at the dedication of the new Randolph Early College High School modular facility.

The ceremony featured the partners which joined together to provide the additional classroom space — Randolph Community College, Randolph County Schools and Randolph County — and the RECHS students.

County schools’ RECHS, which began its third school year of classes on Wednesday, Aug. 6 on RCC’s Asheboro Campus, now serves 290 students in grades 9-11. Eighth-grade students from throughout the county school system apply to be a member of each freshman class.

The early college features an accelerated learning schedule through which students can earn their high school diploma and enough community college credits for an associate degree, and two years of college credit, during a four- to five-year period.

“The first two years were incredible,” said RCC President Dr. Bob Shackleford. He praised the students and staff, on hand for the occasion, for the school’s high retention rate and “exceptional” end-of-year test results. “It’s one of six of the best performing high schools in the state of North Carolina.”

He praised RECHS Principal Cathy Waddell and her team of teachers for the high school’s accomplishments. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students.”

Shackleford also recognized all the partners who made the nearly $700,000 project possible and those responsible for the actual classroom facility: Smith Sinnett Architecture of Raleigh, project designer; Uwharrie Builders of Troy, general contractor, and Comark Building Systems of Lumberton which supplied the modular building, in addition to RCC staff.

“This is truly a team effort. Together we’ve taken a great step forward.”

Harold Holmes, chairman of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners which provided the funding, called RECHS a “unique experience for a truly unique group of young people.”

Architect John Sinnett of Smith Sinnett told the crowd of students and others standing on a paved parking lot, “Eight months ago this was a gravel parking lot. ... This has taken real teamwork.” The RECHS unit is located adjacent to the Design Center in the southeastern portion of the campus.

He also commented on the purpose of the school, noting that parents are saving $16,000 a year in state tuition, room and board by their child being able to receive two years of college credit, free of charge, with their enrollment at RECHS.

Randolph Schools Superintendent Donald Andrews recognized the partners as well the contributions of others, not present, who lended assistance to the school’s creation. He mentioned Dr. Richard Heckman, former RCC president; Dr. Bob McRae, former county schools superintendent; Phyllis Helms who recently retired as RCC vice president for instructional services; and Pat Foust, county schools’ assistant superintendent of instruction and curriculum, and Parks Allen, recently retired, in his past role as director of secondary education.

Andrews also had high praise for Waddell and her staff for their commitment to students. He also told the students, “You have set the standard, a high standard. You’re pioneers, pioneers for future generations.”

LaVerne Williams, chair of the county school board, praised the students for their commitment. “You are being afforded the opportunity to continue your education.”

Waddell also spoke, thanking RCC and county schools for their assistance. “Together Randolph Community College and Randolph County Schools have formed an amazing partnership to serve students ... to do high school a different way.”

She pledged that the school would “continue to work hard and persevere in our quest for excellence.”

The formal ribbon cutting took place at the entrance to the facility, Andrews, Williams, Waddell and Shackleford assisting.

Those in attendance were able to tour the modular facility which contains six classrooms.

In the computer lab, junior Patrick Farmer of Randleman said about the new facility, “This is a lot better.” He had high praise for his high school, “This place saved me, it’s my savior.”

He said he didn’t think he would have made it in a traditional high school setting. He expects to take five years to complete the early college program.

Another junior, Daleena Spainhour, said, “We’re very excited. It’s a wonderful place to have an educational opportunity and is much more than I expected.”

She’s on track to finish RECHS in four years. She’s taking three college and four high school courses for the fall semester which results in about five hours of homework. “It will all be worth it in the long run.”

Juniors attend high school classes in the modular unit which has college pendants hung up along the top of the hallway walls. Other students take their high school courses on the second floor of the Vocational/Technical Center — freshmen in the morning and sophomores in the afternoon. The remainder of the time they’re taking college courses on the campus.

Many RECHS freshmen and sophomores took part in Wednesday’s tour, having never seen the facility.

Another class of freshmen for the 2009-10 school year will bring RECHS to its maximum enrollment of not more than 400 students.

County schools received both planning and implementation funds from the N.C. New Schools Project, funded by grants through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, for the non-traditional high school.

RCC provides space for the school; without the new modular unit would have been unable to house the additional 100 students for this school year. The facility provides the space needed for the next 100 students next school year.

Future plans are for RECHS to occupy both stories of the Vocational/Technical Center; the modular facility would be used by RCC.

this article originally appeared in the Courier Tribune

August 19, 2008 – John L. Hitch has been selected for the 2008 Best of Raleigh Award in the Architects category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).

The USLBA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2008 USLBA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USLBA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA)

U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USLBA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USLBA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Local Business Association

June 18, 2008 – Today, Onslow County Schools held a dedication ceremony for its new Meadow View Elementary School. At 92,267 square feet is the largest elementary school Onslow County has built and will house 800 students. The school's media center and cafeteria are sized for 900 students. The school's construction cost was approximately $13,742,105, with a construction cost per square foot of $142/SF.

Meadow View Elementary School is designed to be competitive in the current construction market by being both efficient and cost conscious. To reduce site costs, the classrooms wings have been clustered around a central courtyard to create a compact overall building footprint. Exterior walls are solid brick masonry for long term life and low life cycle cost. Interior walls are concrete block for economy and low maintenance. The structure is load bearing masonry to reduce high steel cost.

The roofs have a moderate slope to provide adequate drainage. The roof heights are low to reduce masonry costs. Roof insulation is R-30. Windows are insulated, thermally broken, low E glass. The school is outfitted with a state of the art computerized energy management system to minimize operational and maintenance cost. The school is equipped with a full compliment of digital technology hardware for an unsurpassed educational environment.

April, 15, 2008 – Smith Sinnett Architecture is pleased to announce the promotion of Robert Carmac, AIA, as an associate with the firm. Robert, who has been with Smith Sinnett Architecture since 2002, is a graduate of UNC-Charlotte.

April 15, 2008 – Smith Sinnett Architecture is pleased to welcome Richard Andrews, AIA to the firm. He earned his master's degree in architecture from North Carolina State University, and he has traveled globally studying and practicing the trade.

With experience in architecture, commercial real estate, facilities management, historic preservation and finance, Richard brings a strong skill set and portfolio to the firm.

Smith Sinnett Architecture is pleased to begin work on the following projects:

Randolph Community College's Campus Master Plan
The Sigma Kappa Sorority House in Raleigh, NC
Kerr Lake State Park's Henderson Point Improvements
Morrow Mountain State Park's Boathouse Improvements
NC Justice Academy's Royal Classroom Building Renovation
NC Justice Academy's Gym Renovation

August 29, 2007 – Today Asheboro City Schools holds a ribbon cutting ceremony for Guy B. Teachey Elementary School to celebrate the school's new addition/renovation project.

The addition attaches to an existing corridor spine, creating a 4th classroom wing. As part of the classroom expansion, a new Multi-Purpose Room, Music Room, and Art Room anchor the corner of the addition and provide a new appearance and new destination point.

This 128,000 square foot high school is planned to accomodate the system’s growning student population and fiscial restraints. Instead of initially building the school to its capacity, the footprint is planned as a “starter” school, allowing for all areas to be expanded as their master plan and need allows.

On Saturday, March 31, 2007 several Smith Sinnett team members helped Wake County's Habitat for Humanity deconstruct a home in North Raleigh. This is the second time within the past year that Smith Sinnett has volunteered with the local non-profit agency.

In March 2007, Jamey Glueck, Principal at Smith Sinnett Architecture, received his license to practice Architecture in the State of Virginia, as well as in the State of South Carolina. Jamey joined Smith Sinnett Architecture in 1997 after graduating from North Carolina State University's School of Design. In addition to his VA and SC registrations, Jamey is registered in the State of North Carolina and is a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB).

In February 2007, Robert Carmac, Designer at Smith Sinnett Architecture, received his license to practice Architecture in the State of North Carolina. Robert joined Smith Sinnett Architecture in 2002 after graduating from the University of North Carolina- Charlotte.

Fall 2006 marks the beginning of the Smith Sinnett Architecture Scholarship at North Carolina State University\'s College of Design for Architecture students. The first receipient, Sonyia Turner, is show below with Jorge Abad, John Sinnett, Jamey Glueck, and John Hitch.

Smith Sinnett Architecture celebrated its thirtieth anniversary on Saturday, November 11, 2006. The firm, which was launched by John Sinnett, AIA and John Smith, AIA in November 1976, is best known for its work on Municipal, State and School projects throughout North Carolina.

Smith Sinnett’s most recent projects include Cary Town Hall Campus and Coastal Carolina Community College’s Allied Health Building, as well as various planning, architectural design, and construction administration projects with Onslow and Granville County School Systems.

Smith Sinnett Architecture is a full service architectural and planning firm specializing in School Bond Planning, School Facility Planning and State, Municipal & Educational projects throughout North Carolina.

Smith Sinnett Architecture introduces two new principals, Fred Jernigan, AIA and Jamey Glueck, AIA, to the firm. Fred, who joined Smith Sinnett in 1996, has been promoted to Principal and COO. Jamey, who joined the firm in 1997, was promoted to President and CEO. With this elevation, Jamey and Fred join Smith Sinnett’s three additional Prinicipals; John Sinnett, AIA, John Hitch, AIA, and William Lawrence, AIA.

“The elevation of Fred and Jamey to Principals was a logical progression for the company. Both have been integral to our success over the past decade and I am certain that, with their leadership, Smith Sinnett Architecure will continue its success well into the future,” states John Sinnett, AIA, founding Principal of the firm.