Overall Experience and Project Types:
William H. (Bill) Cress, Jr. has over 30 years into the practice of Architecture and is Owner/Partner of Cress & Lopresto Architects with experience in all phases of the architectural profession. Particular experience
includes over 2.5mil sf of commercial space planning projects for an array of different project types. This includes successful design of many commercial facilities requiring functional, utilitarian design combined with an architectural image subscribed to fixed budgets.
Project experience includes Fire and EMS stations, law enforcement facilities, health care facilities, assisted living centers, credit unions/banks, schools, churches, general office buildings, shopping centers, restaurants, retail, office/warehouse, residential, etc. These projects include new from the ground up as well as minor to extreme renovation.
A recently completed City of Baton Rouge project by Bill was the old Baton Rouge Junior High School built in 1923 and listed on the National Historic Register. It is located at 1100 Laurel Street. The project undertook a 7 million dollar renovation and transitioned into the COBR-EBR Public Works & Planning Center. It was a decrepit building restored to a vibrant useful facility and houses several Baton Rouge City Parish Departments (Planning Commission, Engineering, Architectural Services and others). It is over 50,000 square feet of building utilized as office space and supported by a state of the art energy management system. A photovoltaic platform (solar power) fully energizes the LED lighting throughout, mechanical light sensitive shades and other select systems. Original cypress wood flooring was discovered under layers of carpet and vinyl. It was repurposed / refinished into the project. The building model achieved a Gold LEED certification. In spite of the renovation challenges it is an honor to revitalize past architectural icons. It was a renovation which encompassed many aspects including abatement of hazardous materials, replacement of all M&E systems, re-use / revitalization of old finishes, introduction of new finishes, implementation-interpretation of codes applicable to new & existing / historical buildings, site design, LEED certification, energy management, a photovoltaic system, 2 Mills of Federal Grants, Davis-Bacon requirements, Buy America and more. The project was honored a Rose Award July 2017.
Experience includes buildings of varied structural systems including structural steel, pre-engineered metal buildings, precast concrete, concrete block, wood, etc. Architectural styles for projects have varied according to the client’s preference.
Bill maintains a strong repertoire with past and present clients. Most of his client base is repeated clients and referrals. Bill is hands on with each of his projects and manages closely those individuals involved. As project professional of record he always handles construction administration directly with each general contractor in the owner’s best interest.
