South Bend Cubs Break Record…Again

South Bend Cubs Break Record…Again

south bend cubs ancon constructionThe South Bend Cubs broke another record, no not Joe DiMaggio’s 56 game hitting streak, rather they beat their 2014 attendance record.  In fact, they just did not just beat the record they shattered it.  In 2014 they sold 258,836 tickets.  This year….347,678.  Fifty eight percent of the home games were sellouts.  In the world of Single A baseball this is a high standard.  Ancon Construction is four winds field ancon constructiona proud partner with the South Bend Cubs and we look forward to enhancing the venue even more in the future….look out DiMaggio…Check out the story in the South Bend Tribune HERE to learn more!

BW3 Grape Road is HOT for a New Look!

BW3 Grape Road is HOT for a New Look!

Elevation Facing Grape Road

Elevation Facing Grape Road

BW3’s on Grape Road is getting a face lift….No that is not the name of one of their new sauces but rather a complete interior and exterior re-brand.  ANCON Construction has taken on the challenge to completely demo the interior of the building and make major changes to the exterior, rebuild and re-open within a two and a half week window.  Yes, that’s right in, in less than three weeks we will have completely remodeled the interior and exterior of a large national brand restaurant.  It was a big challenge but we were able to coordinate with the local franchisee and by using multiple crews and multiple shifts progress is underway.

New Main Entrance Concept

New Main Entrance Concept

The new concept brings more light to the interior, changes out the bar, opens up the space by removing walls, designer flooring and adds elements of rustic brick on the inside walls.  All new beer dispensing system and lines have been ran as well.  Virtually nothing was left untouched.  We have been recording the project with our GoPro…look for time lapse video coming shortly.  Still need to get your BW fix?  No worries, while the Grape Road location is closed for the remainder of the project the Elkhart, South Bend (Southside) and Goshen locations are all still open.

BW3

New Bar, Brick Accent Wall & Designer Flooring Installed Today!

Re-Branding a restaurant in two week is a big job….our team, experience and client focused coordination are what give us the confidence we can do this project and exceed expectations.

Ryan Kring

VP Of Business Development

 

ETHOS Science Center and Ancon Construction Honing in on Exciting Project

ETHOS Science Center and Ancon Construction Honing in on Exciting Project

Ethos Rendering Final-Regional Cities-ANCON ConstructionProject will include a massive 66,000 square foot renovation overhaul of the former Bayer Healthcare building and a new 35,000 square foot building addition.  Programmatic spaces will include: hands on learning science and technology museum, classroom and learning studios, administrative office suite, science kit warehouse, and Lego-robotics studios.  The programmatic spaces will be centered around a central hub/café/plaza and event room.

“The facility and site will serve as a 3D learning textbook for all!” commented Ancon Designer Matthew VanSoest.  “Architecture and the built environment should benefit, promote, and foster learning.  We are really thinking outside the box on this one!  For example, building users will have visual connections into the mechanical/electrical/data rooms which are normally hidden from view. These and other building systems will provide rich learning opportunities.”

More information about the building project will be announced very soon!

To learn more about ETHOS Science Center visit http://www.ethosinc.org/

To learn more about this project and other projects funded by Regional Cities of Northern Indiana visit http://www.regionalcitiesofnorthernindiana.org/

Thoughts While On Vacation…Visiting the Salk Institute in La Jolla!

Thoughts While On Vacation…Visiting the Salk Institute in La Jolla!

Salk Institute for Biological StudiesAncon Designer Matthew VanSoest and family recently “chased the sun to the West” and vacationed in San Diego, California for the 4th of July holiday.  VanSoest had the opportunity to take an architectural tour of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in nearby La Jolla, California.  The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an independent, non-profit, scientific research institute founded by Jonas Salk in 1960.

Jonas Salk partnered with world renowned architect Louis Kahn to design and build a beautiful research campus in order to provide the best working environment for the world’s best researchers.  The facility promotes collaboration and adaptability with its open plan.  “The layout of the labs and other support spaces can be easily reconfigurable over time”, explains VanSoest.  The use of concrete and weathering teak wood features

Fountain of Knowledge Water Feature

Fountain of Knowledge Water Feature

reflect Louis Kahn’s vision of buildings being “timeless” and “standing the test of time”.  A water feature in the central plaza metaphorically embraces the notion of “a fountain of knowledge” (the research taking place at the facility) and how it is “carried or processed” to the rest of the world through a narrow trough. The trough spills out into a pool basin that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.  “The architect’s use of materials, symmetry, the connections between the exterior and interior, a very adaptable plan, the importance of natural day light, and the visual and physical connection with the stunning site, a bluff above the Pacific, were all inspirational to see.”

VanSoest concludes by stating: “It was an enriching time to visit and experience the work of a famous architect of nearly 50 years ago and gather additional ideas and concepts for future projects with our clients.  Balance and harmony between form and function, aesthetics, and cost effective solutions, found in La Jolla, California are also important to the team at Ancon in Goshen, Indiana as we continue to define Michiana through our design and construction services.”  These experiences will only serve to strengthen our architectural team which, in turn, gives our clients more options when beginning the design concept.

Your Building As Your Brand…Thoughts While on Vacation

Your Building As Your Brand…Thoughts While on Vacation

This summer we packed up the van and set out towards the Smokey Mountains Griswald style.  Eighteen of us from all parts of the country met up near Pigeon Forge, TN and we rented a large house in the Smokey Mountains.  Our trip included a lot of outdoor activities such as zip lining, white water rafting and hiking in Smokey Mountains National Park.  Our outdoor adventures took us in and around the City of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN.  If you could sum up a tourist town in one or two words it would be Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge.  Per ca-pita I am convinced that Pigeon Forge has the most go cart tracks per square mile anywhere in the world.  Ice cream shops, mini golf and souvenir stands dot the landscape.  It is almost overwhelming how many options there are and how many things you can do.

The Upside Down House That Caused All The Rage!

The Upside Down House That Caused All The Rage!

When traveling with 18 people ranging from ages 4 -60 opinions on what to do each day can vary greatly and making decisions can be frustrating to say the least.  What was interesting to me was that despite the hundreds of choices of things to do the group overwhelming wanted to go to the “upside down” house.  None of us knew what the “upside down house” was and no one seemed to care…we just had to go there.  After consulting my trusty assistant Google it turns out that the upside down house was a kids museum/indoor amusement park called the WonderWorks.  After visiting the website and explaining to the group what the upside down house was the need to go there reached an all time height.  As we parked and started walking towards the building the kids had to get their picture taken and some pretended to be holding the building up Eiffel Tower style.  Our adventure at the “upside down house” had begun.

Hours later with laser tag,facts about spacecraft and the Titanic still ringing in my ears I reflected on how powerful the look of the building influenced our need to go there out of the hundreds of other choices available.  Granted this is an extreme example but the thought of having your building be your brand or represent a reflection of what you build, sell or do is powerful!  Out of the 100’s of choices of things to do and see all 18 of us agreed we had to go there just because of how cool the building looked.  Tying the look of your building into either your brand or product you sell is a creative way to reinforce what you do and

Deluxe Sheet Metal's New HQ

Deluxe Sheet Metal’s New HQ

influence people.  I recently met the owner Deluxe Sheet Metal who designed his building out of…wait for it…you guessed it…sheet metal.  What was unique was that there was no flat piece on the entire building….the entire building concept is based on designing with curves.  The owner said that people always assume that sheet metal is flat and boring…he designed the building specifically to break that stereotype and is a real life example of the limitless options and creative shapes sheet metal can provide.  He literally turned his entire building into a real world sample room!  Imagine being his customer and walking up to his building.  You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Our design build team of architects has the experience and creativity to include these minor or major accent pieces to bring your brand to life on your building.  Our licensed architects use 3D modeling software which allow us to show you on screen what your concept will look like in real color and with realistic textures.  You don’t always have to use your full inner Walt Disney like the WonderWorks did…but even a touch of magic can separate you from your competition.

Enhancing IN & MI

Ryan Kring|Vice President of Business Development|(574) 238-8767

ANCON Construction| kring@anconconstruction.com