Climate-Conscious and High Performance Architectural Services

EPICx Studio is a full-service architecture and building enclosure consulting firm providing sustainable and energy efficient building solutions. Through an integrated, holistic approach, we strive to improve building performance, energy efficiency, and promote sustainable communities.

About Us

Our company name is derived from the philosophy and methodology in which we approach design and construction.

[E]fficiency.
[P]erformance.
[I]ntegrated design.
Commissioning [Cx] of building enclosures.

Energy Efficiency

Benefits of energy efficient buildings include the increase in revenue and asset value, and reduction of operating costs.  Carbon output and pollution are also reduced, increasing the quality of life for occupants and communities.  Buildings often don’t perform the way they were designed to, so we implement proven methods to verify that buildings are designed to maximize energy efficiency once they’re operational.

Integrated Design

Through utilizing whole building design principles and an integrated design process, our projects can better meet the needs of owners and occupants, and save money, too.  The integrated design process is a holistic approach to high performance building design, and relies on every team member of the project to work collaboratively to implement sustainability goals.

Performance

High performance and sustainable buildings deliver superior energy efficiency, health, comfort, and durability.  The key to high performance is using an integrated design approach, which consists of developing a set of goals, performance expectations, and desired outcomes.  High performance buildings also optimize safety, security, accessibility, costs, productivity, fuctionality, and operations.

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Commissioning (Cx)

The Commissioning (Cx) Process is an end-to-end process that follows a plan.  The intent is to satisfy the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR), verify that individual systems operate properly, integrate these systems efficiently, and provide operations and maintenance staff with the training and tools necessary to operate the facility as designed.  We provide a variety of different BECx options based on the project type and client needs.

 Our Services

Architecture

Whether designing a single component of a construction project or leading the design team, we bring a wide range of experience in architectural design from pre-design through occupancy.

Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx)

Our BECx services help clients achieve a high-performance, fully integrated, and constructible building enclosure by working collaboratively with the owner, design team, and construction team.

Code Consulting

Code reviews are tailored to your individual project requirements; from whole building compliance reviews, to risk reduction and mitigation techniques for hazards such as floods and hurricanes.

Facade Design and Assessment

EPICx Studio offers a complete range of facade consulting services through all phases of design and construction for new projects. For existing buildings, we perform condition assessments and forensic investigation, to evaluate the building enclosure performance, investigate failures, and develop repair recommendations.

Infrared Thermography

Quality and performance issues arising from design and construction can impact a building’s enclosure.  Infrared thermography is a nondestructive way to locate problems, verify building performance, and validate solutions.  Our team includes a Level 1 Certified Thermographer and can assist with visualizing and diagnosing building enclosure problems that are otherwise invisible to the human eye. 

Passive House

Energy efficiency is one of our highest priorities, and we recognize a need in Iowa for reducing emissions and creating buildings that improve the health and well-being of those who inhabit them.  Passive House principles allow for extremely high levels of comfort as well as enormous energy savings for all building typologies – from residential projects to offices, hotels, factories and warehouses, administrative buildings, schools, and skyscrapers. 

Peer Review

Our peer review process supports the full project team—from the contractors to the client—and provides real value by contributing the experienced and unbiased perspective of a licensed architect.  The peer review process is used to validate that the building design is responding to the owner’s desired outcome.

Specifications

We provide consulting services to prepare comprehensive architectural specifications for building projects.  As an integral part of the design team, we will develop a written description of the materials, products, and workmanship needed to construct your building.

3rd Party Energy Code Compliance

Verification and Documentation for the Building Enclosure

EPICx Studio provides 3rd party energy code compliance verification for the building enclosure.  This often includes an energy code review of the bid documents, followed by site observations throughout construction to review visible enclosure assemblies, materials, and components.  Reports are submitted to the AHJ showing compliance with the local or State adopted energy code.  If your project requires energy code design compliance, get in touch with us to learn more about our full range of building enclosure verification services.

BECx Makes Buildings Better

 

What is Building Enclosure Commissioning? 

It is simply a process that...

Sets goals, Checks goals, Meets goals

 

Passive House

Energy efficiency is one of our highest priorities, and we recognize a need in Iowa for reducing emissions and creating buildings that improve the health and well-being of those who inhabit them.  

Passive House Principles allow for extremely high levels of comfort as well as enormous energy savings for all building typologies – from residential projects to offices, hotels, factories and warehouses, administrative buildings, schools, and skyscrapers.

EPICx Studio can assist you with the certification of your Passive House project and provide design services on high performance buildings.

Meet the Owner

Janna Alampi is the Principal Architect and Owner of EPICx Studio, and is recognized as an expert in building enclosure commissioning (BECx), energy codes, sustainable design practices, and code compliance.  With over 15 years of experience in the architectural field, Janna has an extensive portfolio ranging from higher education to private residences, having lived and practiced nationally and internationally in diverse climate zones.

Meet the Owner

Janna Alampi is the Principal Architect and Owner of EPICx Studio, and is recognized as an expert in building enclosure commissioning (BECx), energy codes, sustainable design practices, and code compliance.  With over 15 years of experience in the architectural field, Janna has an extensive portfolio ranging from higher education to private residences, having lived and practiced nationally and internationally in diverse climate zones.

Have a Project in Mind?

Let’s Talk!

Contact Us

Ankeny, Iowa

info [at] epicxstudio.com

515.800.7000

Interested in partnering with EPICx Studio? Have a question about how we can collaborate? Curious about how our services can help your project? Send us a message or give us a call. We look forward to working with you!