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Groundbreaking marks start of Child Development Center for Navy families in virginia. Mass timber facility at Little Creek-Fort Story will be among largest in Hampton Roads. Virginia Beach, VA (January 6, 2026) - Layton Construction, in partnership with Gensler, the United States Navy, and the Defense Innovation Unit, officially broke ground on a new Child Development Center (CDC) at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story. Designed to support up to 300 children from infancy to the age of five, the facility will provide high quality and accessible childcare for military families while advancing the Navy's goals for family readiness and operational capability. The CDC is a demonstration project for a new approach to planning, funding, designing, and constructing Navy infrastructure. Through the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) partnership model, the project team can streamline procurement, incorporate emerging construction technologies, and deliver high-performance facilities faster and more efficiently. * Mass timber construction, providing warmth, durability, and sustainability. * Flexible classrooms supporting early learning and development. * Secure outdoor play areas. * Modern mechanical and life-safety systems. * High-performance energy and building envelope strategies. "Mass timber will bring warmth, energy, and functionality to the space, and we're approaching this project with the same level of care we would want for our own children." Said Eric Nay, Executive Vice President at Layton Construction. "When people think of construction on military bases, they often think of large shipbuilding efforts, operational facilities, training facilities - things of that nature. Those are very important, but our servicemen and women cannot operate with military readiness and focus if they have major distractions at home with their families. Similarly, as a father of three young boys, I can only perform my duties when I know my children are safe, cared for, and progressing. As was said earlier by Base Commander Gray, 'These development facilities are an operational necessity for the Navy.' This will be a proud and much needed addition to the Little Creek Navy Base. We're honored to partner with you on it." Supporting Navy families and readiness During the groundbreaking ceremony, Capt. David Gray, Commanding Officer, JEB Little Creek-Fort Story, emphasized the impact the project will have on service members and their families. He noted that reliable, accessible childcare is not a luxury but an operational necessity for the Navy. The new CDC will reduce commute times, limit the need for families to split care across multiple facilities, and provide parents confidence their children are receiving safe, high-quality care while they focus on their mission. * Serve up to 300 children. * Create more than 120 new government jobs, many filled by military spouses. * Become one of the largest child development centers in the Hampton Roads region. Layton Construction is a privately held national general contractor, delivering predictable outcomes in commercial construction since 1953. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Layton operates from 16 strategic offices across the United States, employing more than 1,700 construction professionals who serve diverse markets including healthcare, education, commercial office, industrial, hospitality, and multi-unit residential. Founded on the core values of honesty, unity, safety, and quality, Layton has built a reputation for excellence in complex project delivery while maintaining strong partnerships with clients, architects, and trade partners nationwide.

DKN acquires Residence Inn in San Diego. * DKN acquired the 150-room Residence Inn in San Diego, California. * The hotel is 20 minutes from downtown and 16 miles from the airport. * DKN Ventures partnered with PK Architects, Gensler and MJS Landscaping for a renovation. DKN HOTELS ACQUIRED the 150-key Residence Inn by Marriott San Diego Sorrento Mesa/Sorrento Valley in San Diego, California. DKN Ventures, the company's hotel development and investment arm, partnered with PK Architects, Gensler and MJS Landscaping for a renovation, set to begin in the second quarter of 2026. The hotel is 20 minutes from downtown San Diego and 16 miles from San Diego International Airport, DKN said in a statement. It provides access to major companies in Sorrento Valley, including Qualcomm, Dexcom, Samsung, Google and Hologic. Nearby attractions include Torrey Pines State Beach, La Jolla Cove and the University of San Diego. Irvine, California-based DKN is led by founder Kiran Dahya. "The acquisition of the Residence Inn San Diego Sorrento Mesa/Sorrento Valley marks a milestone for DKN Hotels and DKN Ventures," said Dahya. "This property is a strong addition to our growing portfolio and we look forward to enhancing the guest experience while creating value for our partners and the local community. San Diego remains an important market for us and this investment reinforces our long-term commitment to delivering best-in-class hospitality in the area." The hotel offers studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites with separate living and sleeping areas for work and rest, the statement said. The pet-friendly hotel features an outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, 698 square feet of meeting space and a 24-hour market with snacks and beverages. DKN, founded in 1984 by the Dahya family, operates a portfolio of owned and third-party managed Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, InterContinental Hotels Group and independent properties in Southern California. Columbus-based RAM Hotels, led by President Rinkesh Patel, acquired the 91-room Homewood Suites by Hilton Columbus in Georgia from Satori Collective.

Mitrex partners with Gensler on eFacade PRO+: customizable solar facades with Honeycomb Backing. News provided by. TORONTO, Dec. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Mitrex, North America's largest manufacturer of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), has partnered with Gensler, the global architecture and design firm, to develop its latest innovation: eFacade PRO+ with Honeycomb Backing. This collaboration sets a new standard for solar facades that combine design freedom, high performance, and sustainability. At the core of the partnership is Mitrex's drive to expand what building envelopes can deliver. With Gensler as product design consultant, eFacade PRO+ with Honeycomb Backing was developed to support landmark architecture where creative expression, performance, and strict safety requirements are necessary. Custom aesthetics allow complete design freedom with limitless colour options, shapes, graphic overlays, and finishes such as satin, matte, glossy, and wood grain. The system can be fully customized to match any architectural vision or branding requirement, all while generating clean energy through solar technology integrated directly into the facade. From angled surfaces and curves to oversized formats and integrated corners, eFacade PRO+ gives architects the tools to transform building exteriors into cultural and design statements, combining aesthetic versatility, fire safety, and renewable energy generation. With honeycomb backing, the system provides lightweight strength, durability, and flatness across large panels, enabling complex architectural expressions while ensuring long-term performance. eFacade PRO+ is designed to meet the world's most rigorous safety and performance standards. * Fire Safety: Built with non-combustible glass and a tested backing system, compliant with EN 13501 A2-s1,d0 and NFPA 285. * Certifications: Verified to UL 61730, UL 61215, ASTM E1996 for impact resistance, and ASTM E330 for wind load performance. This level of compliance makes eFacade PRO+ ideal for high-rise and landmark projects where both creativity and reliability are essential. "Collaborating with Gensler ensures that eFacade PRO+ delivers not only technical excellence but also design sophistication," said Danial Hadizadeh, CEO of Mitrex. "This partnership reflects our shared vision of transforming buildings into energy-generating landmarks without compromising safety or aesthetics." As a product design consultant, Gensler helped align eFacade PRO+ with Honeycomb Backing to match the creative and practical needs of the global architecture community. "At Gensler, our mission is to design for a better world, and sustainability is at the heart of that vision. Teaming with Mitrex allows us to push the boundaries of innovation by integrating solar technology directly into building facades, creating solutions that are not only beautiful and high-performing but also generate clean energy. This collaboration exemplifies how design and technology can work together to deliver meaningful environmental impact while elevating the built environment where we live, work and play," said Brandon Larcom, Gensler Global Director of Product Development. Mitrex's Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) confirms the lifecycle performance of its solar facade system, with 40.79 kg CO[2]e/m[2] of embodied carbon and the ability to offset emissions in as little as one year in high-emission grids like Houston and Miami. Over a 60-year service life, eFacade PRO+ can generate clean electricity that far exceeds its carbon footprint, delivering measurable contributions toward green building certifications and long-term climate goals, while also delivering long-term economic value through reduced energy costs and accelerated payback timelines. eFacade PRO+ is more than a facade system: it is a platform for sustainable creativity. By merging customization with proven safety and performance, Mitrex and Gensler are enabling architects to redefine what is possible with Building-Integrated Photovoltaics. Schedule a consultation and learn how BIPV can support sustainability and enhance architectural vision. For more information, visit www.mitrex.com/efacade-proplus-bipv About Mitrex Mitrex is a leading manufacturer of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), dedicated to transforming buildings into energy-generating structures. By combining advanced solar technology with modern architectural design, Mitrex develops solar building materials that are efficient, durable, and visually striking. With a focus on innovation and sustainable practices, Mitrex empowers communities and businesses to reduce carbon emissions, lower energy costs, and embrace a greener future. About Gensler Gensler is a global architecture, design, and planning firm with 56 offices across Asia, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Founded in 1965, its 6,000+ professionals work with clients in more than 100 countries to create a better world through the power of design. SOURCE Mitrex - Integrated Solar Technology more press release views with