Planting Day! Marble Manor Update

There was a fantastic turnout for Marble Manor's planting day on November 15th. Over 100 community members worked with Norm Schilling and crew to install desert landscape that looks, and smells, beautiful! We can hardly wait to see it blossom.

This sensory-rich desert garden design provided by Schilling Horticulture was made possible by their leadership and contribution of both manpower and equipment. Many additional community partners contributed, such as SNAG, eagle scouts, Mountain State Nursery, Plant World Nursery, Ahern Rentals, Whiting Brothers - Rock City, Ewing Irrigation and the Nevada Shade Tree Council. Representatives from the multi-agency partnership all helped plant as well.

Next up are the finishing touches to the exterior, including a new Community Center entrance, and interior improvements. Stay tuned...

Feasibility Consultation - Architecture

Do you find yourself considering a home or office construction project, but aren't sure how to proceed in today's market? Invest two-three hours* of your time with a professional architect, and investigate the design possibilities.

We spend two hours at your property, prepare a brief report back at our office, and are available for an additional hour by phone to discuss the presented design options. Options may include renovations, additions or energy usage improvements. While at your property, we'll do a brief walkthrough, discuss your needs, and ask the key questions to assist with your planning.

Report includes plan diagrams, preliminary construction cost estimates, and our directory of related service providers and professionals. Sample available upon request.

*More extensive investigation and reports are quoted on an individual basis.

Getting the Word Out For Your Business: Black Mountain Chiropractic

Dr Olivia Lucero-Purdie approached us with her need for a quality brochure to promote her two business locations. We spent time discussing her needs, and came up with a tri-fold brochure-mailer. Now she has a professional and informative piece to share with existing clients, and to get the word out to new clients with a mail campaign.

More information on eco-friendly options for business marketing materials...

Eco-friendly attributes:
-Multi-purpose product (brochure, mailer, able to attach business card)
-No envelope required for mailings

Take it a step further:
-Use tree-free or 100% recycled paper stock
(we can help you select stocks and green printers)
-Use paperless e-mailing campaigns with services like Constant Contact or RatePoint
(we can create text and images for you!)

Visit Dr. Purdie’s practice at 127 Water Street in Downtown Henderson, or at the Las Vegas Injury Center 2820 W. Charleston, Suite 38.
Contact Dr. Lucero-Purdie at (702) 614-7800.

Professional Experience

About Us

Elevate your space with Sparkflight Studios! We are an award-winning, woman-owned, full-service architecture and design firm that will set your space apart from the ordinary. Since 2004, we have been providing collaborative, client-centered design that integrates sustainable practices into civic, commercial, multifamily residential, and public art projects.

See our latest firm news here...

GBCI LEED Professional Directory

Staff
Anne Johnson, Architect & Artist
Lucian Laculeanu, Project Manager
Melina Soto Clark, Designer / Job Coordinator
James Maurer, Designer
Cindy Pavon, Intern

Firm Certifications and Professional Credentials

Nevada UCP DBE Certification NV20235437NUCP (orig NV01238UCPN) (more)

Federal SAM, ORCA, WBE  [DUNS 831707265 (AJA), 081036880 (SFS)]
NAICS 541310: ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES
NAICS 541430: GRAPHIC DESIGN SERVICES

LEED AP

NCARB

AIA
ULI

Principal's Professional Experience Summary

2017-Present Sparkflight Studios, LLC - Architecture & Graphic Design
2003-Present Anne Johnson AIA - Architecture & Graphic Design

2004-Present PassionFly – Founder-Designer

2006-2008 JE Ecostudio – Founding Partner

2001-2003 NBBJ – Architecture

1998-2001 JBAD – Senior Associate

1997-1998 Ford-Beery Architects, Inc.

1996-1997 Wandel & Schnell Architects

1993-1994 Orcutt-Winslow Partnership

Principal's Education Background

LEED Accredited Professional since 2006

The Ohio State University, Master of Architecture 1996

London Architectural Association 1995

Arizona State University, Bachelor of Science in Design 1993

Intern with Corporacion Planen, Guadalajara, Mexico 1992

Professional & Service Affiliations

American Institute of Architects

U.S. Green Building Council - Nevada

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards

Artist, City of Henderson Redevelopment Agency window displays 2018-2021

Trustee, Congregation Ner Tamid Board 2015-2018
Green Chips

Henderson Chamber of Commerce
Member, MUDA Awards Committee 2013
Secretary, Repurpose America (Greener Vegas) Board of Directors 2010-2012

Editor, "Earth Friendly Living", PrimroseMagazine.com 2009-2010

Member, American Lung Association Clean Air Awards Committee 2009

Member, Art Institute's Program Advisory Committee 2008-2015

Green Drinks Las Vegas, Co-Founder 2007
Founder and Secretary, Sierra Club PAC 

Awards and Honors

2019 AIA Las Vegas President's Award
2016 ENR's 2016 Best Project in Government/Public Building Category
2015 Member Spotlight in April issue of AIA Las Vegas' Forum newsletter
2010 Recognition for Efforts to Promote the Green Economy, The Las Vegas Ward 5 Chamber of Commerce  & Green Talk Radio

2009 Recognition for Service, Housing Authority of the City of Las Vegas

2007 Award, Creating Communities: Innovative Designs for Desert Living, City of Henderson, Nevada

2005, 2006 New Directions Youth Arts, Artist/Architect-in-Residence, Las Vegas, Nevada

1997 AIA Medal, Student Award

Invited Speaking Engagements & Workshops

2020 Say It Out Loud: Beyond the Built, exhibit

2018 I Can Be, Basic Academy of International Studies, hosted by HCC Foundation

2011 Eco Home Fair (updates)

2010 NWCTA Engineering Program Lecture/Panel Discussion

2009 Green Talk Radio 1230 KLAV, hosted by Katherine Duncan & Maurice Showers, December 24 broadcast

2009 KLAS Channel 8, Anne Johnson and Tara Pierce interview with Sherry Swensk

2009 An Overview of LEED EB:O+M (Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance) Principles, NCMA Southern Nevada Continuing Education, Seminar

2008 Better Homes & Gardens Living Green Tour, Guest Speaker

2008 Green Mobile Workshop Tour #W012, American Planning Association, APA April Conference, Speaker and Tour Guide
2008 Overview of ‘Green’ Residential Architecture, Defining:Women, Presentation
2007 Green Architecture for Kids, Webelos, Interactive Presentation

2006 Affordable Housing: Presentations and Discussions About Community Needs and Implications, Henderson Democratic Club, Presentation and Panel Discussion
2006 Workforce Housing in Southern Nevada: A Springboard to Action, Home Means Nevada Conference, Table Discussion Facilitator
2001 Practical Activism: Architectural Practice as a Critique, The Ohio State University, Lecture
2001 Hartman Building Tour

Selected Accomplishments

Full project list available upon request

• Flamingo Mango Restaurant — 736 SF carryout smoothie restaurant. Tenant improvement within an existing strip mall. Read More... 

• Periscope — A user-operated video camera mounted inside a steel sculpture gives hotel guests 180-degree views of the waterfront and landmarks like Alcatraz. Developed in coordination with Blue Tree Enterprises, Wright Engineers and Blaque Metal Works.  Our studio oversaw the design and coordinated fabrication of the 30-foot periscope.

• RTC Mobility Training Center — Art and design for over 9,000 SF of 25-feet high interior murals within the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada’s (RTC) Mobility Training Center.  Art direction and design for photographed and reconfigured building murals.  Original art for desert and "Strip" landscape murals.  The murals recreate a city street effect by simulating views a transit rider would experience across the Las Vegas valley, emphasizing the cardinal directions of the urban grid and the surrounding desert landscapes.
  Award Winner: ENR's 2016 Best Project in Government/Public Building Category.

• Bambino's East Coast Pizzeria Restaurant — 1,120 SF family-style pizza eatery with kitchen, seating area, and restrooms. Tenant improvement within existing Durango Lakeside Plaza building.

• Development Services Photovoltaic System Parking Shade Structure — Design, design documentation, and construction administration for 3,000 SF of 30kW monofacial photovoltaic covered parking funded by The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).  Design includes 18 covered spaces in an existing parking lot, an interior lobby kiosk and coordination with web developers for public monitoring of power production, as well as coordination with existing traffic patterns and tram routes.  Existing paving, landscape, and site maintained with minimal disturbance.  Construction cost-estimates and regularly updated project schedules included.  Las Vegas, NV  Read More...

• Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority (SNRHA) — Project Architect for five houses remodeled to comply with UFAS/ADA and local codes.  Construction design drawings and specifications documentation, project schedules, and construction cost estimates for landscape re-grading and concrete work, full exterior repairs and painting, full interior finishes, replacement of bath fixtures, replacement of all kitchen and bath cabinetry, and provision of hard-wired smoke detectors and audio/visual doorbell alert systems are included in this project.  Henderson and Las Vegas, NV Read More...

• Winchester Cultural Center - Dance Studio Room Addition — Design for 1,400 SF dance studio/classroom addition and surrounding landscape at existing facility.  Site work includes grading and trench train, landscape and irrigation.  Mechanical HVAC system, electrical power and data design including panelboards, wall-mounted fans, and Wi-fi network are interfaced.  Communications include audio systems with tilt-out audio cabinet with mixer, wireless microphone receiver, and solid-state recorder, and speakers.  Interior finish carpentry includes drawers, hardware, storage cubbies, and decorative tree with shelving.  Acoustical folding partition, acoustic fabric panels, tubular skylights, glassless mirrors, resilient flooring and resilient sprung floor for dance surface, as well as interior painted gypsum board enhance space and place.  Specialties and equipment include room and equipment signage, adjustable ballet barres, wall protection, and fire protection.  Clark County (Las Vegas), NV  Read More...

• Government Center Photovoltaic System Parking Shade Structure — Design, design documentation, and construction administration for 4,000 SF of custom-designed 30kW monofacial photovoltaic covered parking funded by The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).  Design includes 20 covered spaces with six (6) pre-manufactured vehicle charging stations and an interior lobby kiosk for public monitoring of power production, as well as coordination with existing traffic patterns and tram routes.  Canopy design assimilates with the architecturally significant Clark County Government Center building and reflects the advanced technology of solar energy production, while the light footprint minimizes visual disruption of the existing building.  Signage invites the public to visit the monitoring kiosk in the lobby to learn more.  Nighttime LED column and under-canopy lighting enhance the design and safety.  Las Vegas, NV  Read More...

• Lewis Professional Building — Removal and replacement of 20 water source heat pumps, including replacement of three air-cooled split system units with water source heat pumps at the existing building.  Services include construction cost estimates, coordination of design, bid and permit submittal packages, floor and ceiling plan bases to engineers for electrical, mechanical plumbing and minor structural work, and architectural details for base scope.  Las Vegas, NV

• Marble Manor Enhancement Project — Improvements to existing playground and community center to facilitate use by residents, “Success by Six,” and Leisure Services programs. Multi-agency public housing partnership project, prepared in conjunction with Las Vegas Arts Commission mural project, design includes solar-powered exterior lighting, xeriscaping, 100% recycled plastic benches, natural linoleum tiles, low-VOC interior paint and salvaged concrete paving. Las Vegas, NV  Read more...

• Air Liquide Healthcare America Corporation — Analysis and application for Industrial Change of Occupancy/Construction Type.  Code analysis including verification of existing conditions, evaluation, and documentation in drawing and letter formats. Analysis addresses Occupancy reclassification from S-1 to H-3, Construction type reclassification from VB SP to IIIB SP, and required construction details. Henderson, NV

• Henderson Residence — Santa Fe style casita, courtyard and landscape improvements creating outdoor livable space incorporating xeriscaping and storm water retention on site. Henderson, NV (Project Architect-Anne Johnson, Designer-Eric Elizondo) Read More...

• Las Vegas Residence — Turnberry Towers East penthouse interiors including light fixtures, flooring, painting, balcony improvements and furnishings. Las Vegas, NV

• Dental Office TI — Stonecreek Dental interiors renovation including new entry, space planning, eco-friendly materials, re-engineering mechanical/electrical/daylighting systems, coordination with medical vendors and new office recycling program. LEED v2.2 registered. Pickerington, OH (Project Architect-Eric Elizondo, Designer- Anne Johnson) Read More...

• California Residence Addition/Renovation — micro footprint with master suite, child’s room, and exterior porches, operable clerestory window ventilation, high R-value insulation, tankless hot water heater, roof shape and angle optimized for photovoltaics, and recycled content porch construction. Marysville, CA (Project Architect-Anne Johnson, Designer-Eric Elizondo) Read More...

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus — indoor pool house renovation created a Teen Center themed around the idea of “stages” as a metaphor for teen growth. Project motif is carried throughout with vibrant color and lighting for dramatic space-use. Columbus, OH (Project Architect-Anne Johnson, Team NBBJ) Read More...

• PassionFly Founder-Designer — eco-friendly, fine art stationery company

• Business and Non-profit — illustration, logo, collateral materials and eco-friendly packaging design

• Artist-in-Residence — New Directions Youth Arts Las Vegas, NV

 

How to Make Your Business Marketing Eco-Friendly

There are many ways to ”green” your organization’s marketing and printed materials. Reducing waste and improving printing practices are a good start. When evaluating a new communications or promotional project, consider these five steps:
1. Planning
2. Paper
3. Bleaching
4. Ink
5. Press


Planning
Planning is key to greening your marketing materials. A first step to reducing paper waste is to use electronic or voice communications whenever possible. When printing is necessary, select materials and processes that minimize waste generation and impact on air and water quality. At the start of every project talk with your designer and printer about their eco-friendly practices.

Allow schedule and budget for cradle-to-grave planning—thinking about the full life cycle of the piece: e.g., Can we use recycled or other eco-friendly paper? How will this piece be recycled or disposed of? What chemicals will deinking put back into the waste stream?. Even better, plan for cradle-to-cradle processing by reusing products: e.g., a promotional calendar becomes a picture frame at the end of the year, and its materials can be 100% recycled at the end of its useful life.

Announce your eco-friendly practices on your printed materials, listing recycled content and ”green” processes—this practice helps raise awareness and encourages others to follow suit. Finally, reuse or recycle outdated or unwanted materials: e.g., turn old letterhead into scratch pads or add stickers to update old envelopes, brochures, or business cards.

Use online distribution, if possible. This is especially effective for newsletters and other rapidly changing, short-lived information.

Design for multiple uses. For example, a postcard can also be handed out as a brochure. A business card can double as a mini-brochure. Stickers can be added to update your materials with new information or to customize stock materials.

Use both sides of your printed materials to minimize paper waste.

Paper
Use paper with high recycled content (mill waste, preconsumer) and postconsumer waste content (ideally 50-100% postconsumer).

Even better, use paper made of tree-free fibers such as hemp, kenaf, cotton (integral color), wool, recycled denim, coffee grounds…and more. See www.livingtreepaper.com for some recycled and tree-free alternatives.

Polymer papers are also becoming available.
Metropolis article
Treehugger article

Bleaching
Avoid papers with high bleach content (used to convert dark pulp to bright white). Instead, ask for papers brightened using oxygenation (which involves ozone, hydrogen, oxygen).

The use of chlorine in paper-making introduces the carcinogen dioxin into our water and food streams. Dioxin also suppresses the immune system and causes birth defects.
Look for the following identifications:
PCF – processed chlorine-free (could have residual chlorine from recycled pulp)
ECF – elemental chlorine-free
TCF – totally chlorine-free

Ink
Ask for vegetable-based inks (canola or soy) that are low VOC and nonpetroleum-based.
Avoid inks with high heavy metal content (especially metallics, orange-yellow-green fluorescents, and cobalt blue).

Press
Print locally when you can, or use an eco-friendly online printer. Use non-inking or minimal-inking processes when possible, such as diecutting, embossing, or letterpress. Avoid coatings and lamination for short-lived pieces. Use alcohol-free printing (for 90% VOC reduction, less ink required) and waterless presses. Ask your printer what happens to the plates after printing your project. Are they recycled or landfilled?

You can make a difference and reduce the waste created by your business communications and promotional items. Start by investing some planning time, and asking your design and printing professionals the right questions.