practice

PRACTICE

Our practice is built around a belief that well-designed environments can enhance the quality of life, productivity, and profitability of our clients, and benefit the surrounding community as well.

WDG is unique in that we are a small A/E firm. Our versatile design studio consists of architects, engineers, and designers who work collaboratively and independently in a broad range of markets for clients of all types.

Our approach to every project is tailored to the particular needs of the client, but always contains the right combination of ingredients for a successful project delivery. When planning and designing built environments for clients, we pay careful attention to budgets, schedules, code analysis, constructability, and functional needs of the users who will ultimately occupy the buildings and spaces. Most importantly, our approach is centered around proactive communication and ongoing dialogue with our clients and other members of the project team.

master planning

WDG regularly provides campus and master planning services to our clients. This is an especially useful planning tool, especially in industrial, manufacturing, educational, healthcare, transportation, and government sectors. Master planning often involves an in-depth study of the long-term programming, budgetary, and phasing needs in a campus, site or facility. Through an interactive dialogue with the ownership group, WDG can help identify priorities for future development and long term operation, maximizing the value of how the client’s budget can best be utilized when planning renovations, expansions, and other site and campus upgrades.

architecture

The architects at WDG have a broad range of project experience in New Orleans and beyond, and a depth of knowledge in programming, planning, all phases of design, construction documents and contract administration. They work in close proximity to the engineering staff, encouraging design integration at the onset of a project. WDG offers a cohesive design package, including carefully-selected materials appropriate for the space, user needs, and durability.

engineering

WDG | Engineering digital brochure (View /Download)

WDG’s Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Engineering department provides all design work necessary for an integrated facility. Our mechanical engineers specialize in:

HVAC
Temperature and humidity control
Steam systems
Hot water systems
Compressed air systems
Chilled water systems
Boilers
Laboratory gas and fume exhaust systems.

Our electrical engineering staff is experienced in all types of electrical systems including:

Lighting
Generation systems
Power flow analysis
Medium voltage
Low voltage
UPS systems
Data centers
Communication systems
Arc flash studies.

Our plumbing engineers are experts in many systems such as:

Domestic Water Systems
Water Heating Systems
Sanitary Waste and Vent Systems
Laboratory/Acid Waste and Vent Systems
Oil and Solid Separator Systems
Process Water Systems
Fire Protection Systems.

We make life safety a priority and design all facilities with energy efficiency in mind.
Our MEP engineering team provides building commissioning and retro-commissioning services to owners and clients of all types in and around New Orleans and the Gulf South. To learn more about maintaining an efficient, cost-effective and comfortable facility, please see our information on LEED Commissioning Services.

interiors

The architects at WDG are experienced designers and work to ensure the interior of any project is just as well designed as the exterior. From the careful selection of interior finishes and appropriate material choices to the placement and source of furnishings, WDG offers comprehensive design for interior spaces.

leed commissioning

WDG | Commissioning digital brochure (View /Download)

WDG provides LEED Commissioning (for new buildings) as well as Retro-Commissioning (for existing structures) services, resulting in benefits for both owners and users.

Commissioning and Retro-Commissioning include review of the following systems:

Heating, cooling, refrigeration, ventilation systems and controls
Lighting and daylighting controls
Domestic hot water systems
Renewable energy systems

Benefits of commissioning:

Reduction in operational costs (approximately 5-10%)
Ensuring facilities personnel know how to operate key building systems
Recognize and correct mistakes on missing or improperly installed equipment
Avoid occupant complaints and callbacks
Solve indoor air quality and thermal comfort problems
Avoid premature equipment failure
Avoid litigation

LEED certification not only includes building commissioning as a way to earn a credit, but requires it. WDG engineers regularly work with clients and owners to help them meet the prerequisites for either Fundamental (Basic) or Enhanced Commissioning to achieve a LEED designation.

WDG provided LEED fundamental and enhanced commissioning services for the 300,000 sf CenturyLink Technology Center in Monroe, LA. Led by Kent Poyser, PE, the scope included developing a commissioning plan and building envelope commissioning.

Kent A. Poyser, PE, LEED AP, firm principal and Engineering Director, has extensive commissioning experience across many industries:

CenturyLink Technology Center, Monroe, LA: LEED commissioning services for a new 300,000 sf facility.
First Line Charter Schools, New Orleans: Re-Commissioning of five New Orleans K-12 schools
BJH Institute of Health at Washington University: Commissioning for a new 750,000 sf, $230M medical research facility.
BJC West County Hospital Operating Room Unit Replacement: Commissioning for consolidation of existing units into a new air handling unit and upgrading Operating Suites. $400K mechanical.
Mercy Hospital Emergency Room Addition, Springfield, MO: Commissioning for a 220,000 sf addition and relocation of existing units. Building systems included 100% Outside Air with Total Heat Recovery, featuring a separate unit housing all of the heat recovery wheels. $9M mechanical.
Mercy Hospital Energy Center, Springfield, MO: Commissioning for a new 10,000 ton chilled water plant and 145,000 lb/hour steam plant. Consolidation of existing heating and cooling equipment to the new boiler and chiller plants. $21M construction, $14M mechanical.

WDG | Commissioning digital brochure (View/Download)