Our Federal Service Offerings

Here at Facilities Connection, we don’t just provide workplace products, we offer an extensive list of service solutions. We have a long history working with Federal government clients, and because of this, we are able to tailor our services to best meet government needs.

Every Facilities Connection design provides an integrated, sustainable and adaptable workspace solution. But each one does much more, protecting and restoring the environment, creating economic value for the client and strengthening community.

Our customers experience excellent support through continued asset management and our commitment to the U.S. Green Building Council LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

We provide installation and support throughout the world; our Furniture Installation and Move Services Department (FIMS) offers logistical support and move management during renovation and relocation. Our highly trained work force and certified furniture installation team stand geared up to meet client needs. Our commitment to technology facilitates dispatching, electronic scheduling, project management, time management, detailed job costing and installation documents.

Should you have any questions, or are in need of services at your facility, please contact either myself:

Office: 915-834-7125

Email: hhill@facilitiesconnection.com

OR Patty Holland-Branch:

Office: 915-834-7107
Cell: 915-726-1522
Email: phbranch@facilitiesconnection.com

R.I.D. vs Interior Design

The practice of interior design is a vastly misunderstood, and unerappreciated, profession. We currently have registered interior designers on our team. In order to clear up some misconceptions, we've turned to the American Society for Interior Designers (ASID) to learn more.

Since Puerto Rico first passed legislation to license interior designers in the late 1970’s, many “myths” have developed about the purpose of interior design legislation. ASID believes that laws, regulation and legislation that allow designers who demonstrate advanced education and code knowledge to open new practice opportunities should be supported. Designers who become registered, certified or licensed do not limit others from practicing but open new areas to the entire profession. This legal process is no different from state regulations for architects, engineers, accountants or the hundreds of other professions that are subject to professional licensure regulation.

Myth:

Interior design is a purely aesthetic talent that deals with colors, fabrics, finishes, and furniture. There are no technical aspects of interior design.

Fact:

Interior design is an evolving profession includes many technical aspects. Individuals working in residential settings must comply with state and local building codes. While individuals working in more heavily regulated spaces such as office, hospitality, health, education and retail must comply with building and energy codes, indoor air quality and the American’s with Disabilities Act requirements, among other health and safety issues.

ASID supports the efforts of individuals to become recognized as certified, registered or licensed interior designers thorough the passage of state legislation. We urge chapters and coalitions to advocate for legislation that places no restriction on the use “interior designer” but does allow a pathway for creating expanded practice opportunities including full stamping, signing and permitting privileges.

The Science of Underfloor Air

So the topic keeps coming up: underfloor air. What's it all about? Why should we do it? What's it gonna cost? According to Haworth, here are some things you need to know about underfloor.

For a floor to truly support a workspace, it has to do more that just sit there. As technology and tenants change, underfloor air distribution keeps the building fresh. Popular in Europe and Japan for many years, underfloor air distribution is now making inroads in North America. As raised access floors become a preferred means of delivering voice, data and power, developers recognize the added value those floors can provide as a means of air distribution. Underfloor air technology can improve indoor environmental quality, reduce construction and operating costs, and boost productivity by giving occupants greater control over their environment and their comfort.

In a conventional system, conditioned air is introduced from or near the ceiling and mixed completely with room air to avoid drafts. Complete mixing of the supply and room air creates near-uniform temperatures throughout the space. With an underfloor system, the cavity created by the installation of the raised access floor is used as a supply air plenum. Conditioned air is introduced to the occupied space through floor outlets. The floor outlets, or "diffusers," are designed to rapidly mix the conditioned air with the room air. Rather than being forced, the new air rises naturally, carrying heat and pollutants upward and out the ceiling air return.

Conventional System

Underfloor Air System

At first glance, raised floors may appear to be slightly more expensive than conventional floors. But when you use the space below the floor for air distribution and power and data cabling, the apparent cost premium vanishes. In fact, overall cost per square foot for an access floor-based system may be as much as two dollars less than conventional construction.
- No steel beam penetrations for ductwork are required.
- Lower fan static pressures and reduced airflow requirements mean smaller supply and exhaust fans.
- Since conditioned air moves in the cavity between the raised floor and floor slab, nearly 90% of ductwork is eliminated.
- The little ductwork that is used doesn't need to be insulated. That's because conditioned air is isolated in the floor cavity, rather than sharing the ceiling cavity with warm return air.

The life cycle cost of savings associated with the reductions of churn costs can often pay back the initial investment in a raised flooring system within a few years.

Studies have shown that improved indoor air quality can mean lower absenteeism and higher productivity. Concentrations of carbon dioxide, airborne bacteria and off-gassing contaminants in spaces served by underfloor air systems are typically much lower than those served by overhead systems.
- Occupants have greater control over the temperature within their space, so complaints about comfort nearly disappear.
- A continual supply of clean, newly conditioned air is introduced directly into the occupied zone where people breathe.
- Conditioned air is not blown down from overhead as it is with conventional systems, so it doesn't pass through (and mix with) the stale air and contaminants that collect near the ceiling.

This information presented by Haworth is only the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. For more information, or to have a formal presentation provided to your company, please contact us here at Facilities Connection!

Hayley Hill
915.834.7125
hhill@facilitiesconnection.com

Cubicle Curtains!

So here's the deal: we have a bunch of cubicle curtains for sale. They have never been used and come in various sizes and colors. This is basically the Facilities Connection version of a liquidation sale!

Contact Bonni Harris for more information: 915-833-8303 or bharris@facilitiesconnection.com

First, a little about us...

Here at Facilities Connection, we strive to stay ahead of the curve. More and more, we are seeing the demand for lean construction. We believe in the process of lean construction which is the off-site assembly of various products. Lean construction is concerned with the holistic pursuit of continuous improvements in all dimensions of the built and natural environment. Part of the lean construction process is modular construction. This philosophy allows not only sustainable first-time construction but also flexibility for future moves, adds and changes.  Benefits include lower construction costs, lower cost per reconfiguration of whole facility, and lower energy costs.


We don't just sell office furniture, we integrate and collaborate. We work with manufacturers that  offer future assurance and non obsolescence guarantees. We understand your future needs, and can even draft future moves and reconfigurations for you. Here at Facilities Connection, we don't offer furniture, we offer solutions. It is our goal to be a trusted advisor to our clients.