Fisher | Koppenhafer - Press Releases

Fisher | Koppenhafer is proud to announce they have been awarded the 2010 Excellence in Construction " Green Project of the Year" for the Discovery Montessori School in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Discovery Montessori School is a non-profit school that teaches elementary students with an inclusive and highly personalized educational experience. The new 3,500 square foot multipurpose facility addition includes rainwater capture system and is slated to be a LEED Silver certified project.

Metro Diner, a fixture in the San Marco neighborhood, is planning to open a new location in the Julington Creek area.

Construction is scheduled to begin this summer on the diner. The 2,700-square-foot restaurant at the Shops at Julington Creek, a new shopping center anchored by a Fresh Market grocery store, will have a look and feel similar to the San Marco restaurant on Hendricks Avenue. The new Metro Diner will be designed with intimate booths, pendant lighting and comfortable patio seating.

Fisher Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design is designing the new restaurant.

Our goal is to recreate the cozy and historic feel of the popular restaurant’s original San Marco location in this new setting, said Mike Koppenhafer, president of Fisher Koppenhafer.

Located at the intersection of San Jose Boulevard and Julington Creek Road, the Shops at Julington Creek is a contemporary, one-story, 41,000-square-foot retail center with a 21,000-square-foot The Fresh Market grocery store. The shopping center was also designed by Fisher Koppenhafer.

April 28th, 2010 Shands Blood Donor Center Re-Opens with New Design by Fisher \| Koppenhafer
Fisher Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design has created a fresh setting for The Blood Alliance’s newest donor center. The facility, located on 10th Street in Jacksonville and now known as The Blood Alliance at the Shands Jacksonville Campus, previously served as the blood bank’s headquarters until last year when the non-profit organization moved to a larger location in the Deerwood area. "We are very proud to support The Blood Alliance’s important life-saving mission," said Mike Koppenhafer, AIA and president of Fisher \| Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design. "The newly refurbished center will fill a gap in blood donation services for the North Jacksonville area, which has been without the donor center since last year." Fisher \| Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design served as architect, interior designer and land planner for The Blood Alliance. The facility has been designed to enhance the organization’s efficiency as well as the experience for donors. The former 5,800-square-foot laboratory facility was completely renovated with a new façade, entry canopy and complete interior renovations, including a new lobby, eight donor stations, new offices and storage rooms. Fisher \| Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design has designed numerous projects for The Blood Alliance. The firm also completed The Blood Alliance at Deerwood Park (home to its new corporate headquarters), the Blood Alliance at Mandarin on San Jose Boulevard, The Blood Alliance at West Jacksonville on Blanding Boulevard, and The Blood Alliance at Orange Park on Kingsley Avenue.
Fisher \| Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design offers comprehensive architecture and interior design services for a broad range of clients. Established in 2004 and led by President Mike Koppenhafer, the firm's experienced team is proficient in all aspects of design and construction, including hospitality, hotels, resorts, spas, clubhouses, multi-family, liturgical, offices and marinas. Fisher Koppenhafer applies an integrated and collaborative team approach to deliver aesthetically pleasing and distinctive architecture and interior design. For more information, call (904) 367-0077 or visit www.fisherkoppenhafer.com.

Fisher Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design has been selected to design Ability Housing's Mayfair Village Apartments, located off Beach Boulevard in the St. Nicholas neighborhood. Fisher Koppenhafer is the architect and interior designer for the renovation of the 83-unit apartment community.

"Ability Housing is preparing for a substantial renovation of this property," said Mike Koppenhafer, AIA and president of Fisher Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design. "Our vision is to modernize the units and design a first-rate facility that offers supportive housing, improves the community's environment and ensures it remains a high quality asset for years to come."

Ability Housing is a Jacksonville non-profit organization providing quality housing for individuals and families at risk of homelessness and adults with disabilities. Built in the 1940s, the Mayfair Village Apartments complex is more than 60 years old and in need of updating and repair. Fisher Koppenhafer is redesigning the apartments to include wheelchair accessible kitchens and baths. Plans also include new roof and insulation for the apartment building, a new community clubhouse and laundry facility for the community.

"Ability Housing is the only agency in our community with a mission focused solely on the provision of high quality, affordable housing for our community's most vulnerable and at-risk citizens," said Shannon Nazworth, executive director of Ability Housing. "We are committed to serving these individuals and families, and look forward to welcoming new residents to Mayfair Village Apartments."

The project cost is estimated at $4.75 million. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer and completion of the Ability Housing Mayfair Village Apartments project is expected in 2011.

Fisher | Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design offers comprehensive architecture and interior design services for a broad range of clients. Established in 2004 and led by President Mike Koppenhafer, the firm's experienced team is proficient in all aspects of design and construction, including hospitality, hotels, resorts, spas, clubhouses, multi-family, liturgical, offices and marinas. Fisher Koppenhafer applies an integrated and collaborative team approach to deliver aesthetically pleasing and distinctive architecture and interior design. For more information, call (904) 367-0077 or visit www.fisherkoppenhafer.com.

January 27th, 2010 Fisher \| Koppenhafer Unveils Plans for Florida's First KIPP Charter Schools in Jacksonville
Fisher \| Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design has unveiled architectural renderings for Florida's first Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) school in Jacksonville. The firm is serving as the architect and interior designer for the new public charter school and donating a portion of its design services to the organization. "The KIPP Board of Directors has demonstrated great forward thinking to provide Northeast Florida with its outstanding educational program," said Mike Koppenhafer, AIA and president of Fisher Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design. "The KIPP School will offer remarkable leadership for Jacksonville's children while providing numerous benefits to the community at-large." Fisher Koppenhafer has been charged with transforming the former Jacksonville greyhound racing facility on McDuff Avenue into an educational campus that will eventually serve three KIPP Jacksonville schools. Renovations are underway on the four-story building that will be used for the KIPP School Jacksonville. Formerly a clubhouse at the racing facility, the building contains approximately 170,000 square feet of space which will include classrooms, administrative offices and a cafeteria. Outside, the property's track will be used for physical education programs as well as areas that can accommodate basketball courts and playing fields. The second phase of renovations will include the buildings second and third floors for a media center and academic classrooms. Fisher Koppenhafer's design is in keeping with The KIPP's Schools' mission, which is to prepare students for success. Students will see visual reminders to work hard and their accomplishments will be showcased in school hallways and public areas. The first of three planned KIPP Jacksonville schools at the campus will open in 2010. It will start with 5th grade and add other grades in subsequent years until the school serves 5th through 8th grades. Additional schools will open in subsequent years. When complete, it is expected that approximately 1,200 children will attend the Fisher Koppenhafer-designed KIPP Jacksonville campus. KIPP has a national track record of preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and in life with 82 KIPP schools in 19 states and the District of Columbia serving 20,000 students. By providing outstanding educators, more time in school learning and a strong culture of achievement, KIPP is helping all students climb the mountain to college.

Fisher \| Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design offers comprehensive architecture and interior design services for a broad range of clients. Established in 2004 and led by President Mike Koppenhafer, the firm's experienced team is proficient in all aspects of design and construction, including hospitality, hotels, resorts, spas, clubhouses, multi-family, liturgical, offices and marinas. Fisher Koppenhafer applies an integrated and collaborative team approach to deliver aesthetically pleasing and distinctive architecture and interior design. For more information, call (904) 367-0077 or visit www.fisherkoppenhafer.com.

December 17th, 2009 Fisher \| Koppenhafer Designs New Fresh Market and Shops at Julington Creek Marina
The work of Fisher \| Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design is featured in a popular new shopping center located in Mandarin. The company designed the Shops at Julington Creek Marina, a new shopping center that is anchored by The Fresh Market grocery store. The firm served as the master planner, architect and interior designer for the project. "It is very exciting to see the first phase of this development come to life," said Mike Koppenhafer, AIA and president of Fisher Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design. "The Shops at Julington Creek is a new, vibrant destination that has brought great excitement and activity to this area of our community." Located at the intersection of San Jose Boulevard and Julington Creek Road, the contemporary one-story 41,000-square-foot retail center includes a 21,000-square-foot The Fresh Market grocery store and 20,000-square feet of additional retail space. The building has a layered façade with a combination of metal roofs, fabric awnings and trellis materials to separate the elevation into unique and visually appealing storefronts. The new shopping center is being developed in conjunction with the renovation of an adjoining marina with 100 wet slips and dry dock storage. Plans for the second phase of construction include an additional 15,000 square feet of retail space, office space and a hotel.
	Fisher \| Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design offers comprehensive architecture and interior design services for a broad range of clients. Established in 2004 and led by President Mike Koppenhafer, the firm's experienced team is proficient in all aspects of design and construction, including hospitality, hotels, resorts, spas, clubhouses, multi-family, liturgical, offices and marinas. Fisher Koppenhafer applies an integrated and collaborative team approach to deliver aesthetically pleasing and distinctive architecture and interior design. For more information, call (904) 367-0077 or visit www.fisherkoppenhafer.com.

Fisher | Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design is designing Florida's first Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) schools in Jacksonville. The firm is serving as the architect and interior designer for the new public charter schools and donating a portion of its design services to the organization. KIPP has a national track record of preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and in life, with 82 KIPP schools in 19 states and the District of Columbia serving 20,000 students. By providing outstanding educators, more time in school learning and a strong culture of achievement, KIPP is helping all students climb the mountain to college. "It is outstanding news for the city of Jacksonville and its children to have KIPP schools located in our area," said Mike Koppenhafer, AIA and president of Fisher Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design. "Our goal is to create an innovative and inspiring campus where students will discover their talents and prepare for future success." Fisher Koppenhafer is charged with transforming a previous kennel club facility into an educational campus that will serve three KIPP Jacksonville schools. Jacksonville Greyhound Racing, the owner of the former Jacksonville Kennel Club on McDuff Avenue, donated the land and a four-story building to KIPP for its new schools.

Formerly a clubhouse at the racing facility, the building contains approximately 170,000 square feet of space which will be renovated to include classrooms, administrative offices and a cafeteria. The property also consists of an outdoor track that will be used for physical education programs as well as areas that can accommodate basketball courts and playing fields. "With renovations at our facility underway, we can focus on establishing our culture of excellence and recruiting excellent teachers for our program," said KIPP Jacksonville Executive Director Tom Majdanics. "KIPP has a strong track record in preparing its students with the academic and character skills necessary to succeed in college and contribute to a community's long-term well being. We are working hard to build on KIPP's successes for the benefit of our kids in Jacksonville." The first of three planned KIPP Jacksonville schools at the campus will open in 2010. It will start with 5th grade and add other grades in subsequent years until the school serves 5th through 8th grades. Additional schools will open in subsequent years. When complete, approximately 1,200 children will attend the Fisher Koppenhafer-designed KIPP Jacksonville campus.

Fisher Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design offers comprehensive architecture and interior design services for a broad range of clients. Established in 2004 and led by President Mike Koppenhafer, the firm's experienced team is proficient in all aspects of design and construction, including hospitality, hotels, resorts, spas, clubhouses, multi-family, liturgical, offices and marinas. Fisher Koppenhafer applies an integrated and collaborative team approach to deliver aesthetically pleasing and distinctive architecture and interior design. For more information, call (904) 367-0077 or visit www.fisherkoppenhafer.com.

Fisher | Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design is designing the renovation and expansion of Seymour's Bookstore, the volunteer bookstore located within the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library. The firm is serving as architect and interior designer for the Friends of the Library-Ponte Vedra Beach project, and donating a majority of its design services to the organization. "As an 18-year resident of Ponte Vedra Beach, it is an honor to be a part of this project," said Mike Koppenhafer, AIA and president of Fisher Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design. "The Friends of the Library are a dedicated group of volunteers who help the library maintain the kind of environment that keeps people wanting to use the library and its resources." The expansion will grow Seymour's Bookstore from one room with approximately 140 square feet into a multiple room space with more than 400 square feet. Jacksonville-based ShayCore Construction is the general contractor. Construction is slated to begin in October after the organization's biggest fundraiser, its annual book sale. "There will be no disruption of the library facilities or its patrons during the construction of our new bookstore," said Guy DiCarlo, vice president of book sale operations for Friends of the Library-Ponte Vedra Beach.

Seymour's Bookstore is operated by the Friends of the Library, a community support group for the Ponte Vedra Beach branch library working to enhance and enrich the library and its services. The bookstore sells used and donated books with all proceeds benefiting the library. DiCarlo estimates the organization generates about $50,000 a year and has donated more than $2 million to the library since the Friends group formed in 1985. Records show that from 2003 to 2008, Seymour's Bookstore welcomed more than 55,000 visitors who purchased more than 89,000 books. The Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library is located at 101 Library Blvd. in Ponte Vedra Beach. For more information, visit www.friendspvlibrary.org.

Fisher Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design offers comprehensive architecture and interior design services for a broad range of clients. Established in 2004 and led by President Mike Koppenhafer, the firm's experienced team is proficient in all aspects of design and construction, including hospitality, hotels, resorts, spas, clubhouses, multi-family, liturgical, offices and marinas. Fisher Koppenhafer applies an integrated and collaborative team approach to deliver aesthetically pleasing and distinctive architecture and interior design. For more information, call (904) 367-0077 or visit www.fisherkoppenhafer.com.

August 13th, 2009 Fisher \| Koppenhafer Designs New Donor Centers for the Blood Alliance
Fisher \| Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design has designed new donor centers in Jacksonville for The Blood Alliance, a non-profit community blood bank. "We are proud of our association with The Blood Alliance and being a part of its important life-saving mission," said Mike Koppenhafer, AIA and president of Fisher Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design. "The new facilities are designed to enhance the organization's efficiency as well as the experience for donors." The firm served as architect, interior designer and land planner for The Blood Alliance. The newest facility, the North Jacksonville Community Donor Center, is currently under construction on West 10th Street in Springfield next to Shands Jacksonville. The new donor center will fill a void for the North Jacksonville area, which has been without a Blood Alliance donor center since its corporate office relocated to the Deerwood area. A former laboratory facility, the North Jacksonville Community Donor Center's building exterior will be renovated with a new entry canopy and the design and placement of its windows. The 6,000-square-foot project's interior renovations will include a new entry lobby, eight donor stations and supporting spaces, new offices and storage rooms. The project is expected to be complete this fall. Fisher \| Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design also designed The Blood Alliance's Mandarin Community Donor Center, which recently completed an interior renovation. Located on San Jose Boulevard just north of Interstate 295, the newly designed 2,000-square-foot center contains six donor stations equipped with the latest in technology and upgraded finishes. The Jacksonville architecture and interior design firm has a long history working with The Blood Alliance. In 2008, Fisher Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design completed the design of the Regional Blood Center Jacksonville, the organization's 50,000-square-foot corporate office building that includes a donor center, central 24-hour labs and other support spaces. The site on Centurion Parkway was modified to accommodate the number of mobile donor units servicing the community. In 2007, Fisher Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design designed the West Jacksonville Community Donor Center, a state-of-the-art facility on Blanding Boulevard in Jacksonville. The 2,800-square-foot building contains a multi-station donation area, multiple screening areas and an inviting waiting and recovery area. Its design was inspired by the Clay County Community Donor Center on Kingsley Avenue in Orange Park, which Fisher Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design completed in 2006.
	Fisher \| Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design offers comprehensive architecture and interior design services for a broad range of clients. Established in 2004 and led by President Mike Koppenhafer, the firm's experienced team is proficient in all aspects of design and construction, including hospitality, hotels, resorts, spas, clubhouses, multi-family, liturgical, offices and marinas. Fisher Koppenhafer applies an integrated and collaborative team approach to deliver aesthetically pleasing and distinctive architecture and interior design. For more information, call (904) 367-0077 or visit www.fisherkoppenhafer.com.

The new sustainable administration building at Discovery Montessori School in Jacksonville Beach demonstrates the work of Fisher Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design. The new Discovery Montessori School administrative and multi-purpose building is striving for a LEED Gold rating and has the potential to be among the first LEED for Schools building certified in the state of Florida. LEED is the green-rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. Discovery Montessori School was recognized by the council's North Florida Chapter with an innovation award in May. "Our vision was to create a high performance green building that would provide a defining element and a sense of place on the Discovery Montessori School campus," said Mike Koppenhafer, AIA and president of Fisher Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design. The firm served as architect, interior designer and land planner for the project.

The building provides a new front door for Discovery Montessori School and will be a main anchoring element on the school's campus. It has been designed to complement existing buildings and provide connectivity to the school grounds. The new facility will house administrative staff, an after-school program and a large multi-purpose space. It will open in August 2009. Discovery Montessori School offers preschool through fifth grade education.

Fisher | Koppenhafer Architecture and Interior Design offers comprehensive architecture and interior design services for a broad range of clients. Established in 2004 and led by President Mike Koppenhafer, the firm's experienced team is proficient in all aspects of design and construction, including hospitality, hotels, resorts, spas, clubhouses, multi-family, liturgical, offices and marinas. Fisher Koppenhafer applies an integrated and collaborative team approach to deliver aesthetically pleasing and distinctive architecture and interior design. For more information, call (904) 367-0077 or visit www.fisherkoppenhafer.com.