Brian Murray

Excited to share the 3151 Market Street design journey between Gensler Boston (Erik Karl Lustgarten, AIA, LEED, Todd A. Dundon, AIA) and Gensler Philadelphia (Alexander Chan, AIA, LEED AP, Sean Carlin, LEED GA) and in collaboration with INTECH Construction LERA Consulting Structural Engineers, Buro Happold, Pennoni, SWA, The Lighting Practice, and New Hudson Facades. Challenge: Design a 495,000-SF life science building at a pivotal crossroads in West Philadelphia, a key corner of Brandywine Realty Trust Schuylkill Yards Development along Market Street. Approach: For the interview, we harnessed Gensler’s next-gen design talent to create three visionary concepts. One idea stood out to the clients and was further developed through the design and a community engagement process. Opportunity: Our big idea features rational floor plates and a series of eco-porches on the south façade, facing Drexel University campus, that offer tenants fresh air, daylight, and views of downtown Philadelphia. These stacked modern porches tie back to West Philly’s tradition of front porches. Design Elements: To navigate the diverse urban context and mitigate the tower’s scale, we incorporated a robust retail and amenity podium with an entry portico and a corner plaza. For optimal comfort and energy efficiency, the building features a unitized façade system with SageGlass UI electrochromic glass to minimize glare and improve internal comfort. Impact: 3151 Market Street is set to become a gateway to Philadelphia’s flourishing life science ecosystem and model for the next generation of sciences buildings. The project seeks LEED Silver V.4 and WELL Certification.

141

8 Comments

🎉 Incredible news from #AutodeskConstructionCloud! We've secured 28 #1 rankings in the G2 Summer 2024 Report, including the top spot in #ConstructionProjectManagement. Get the demo and learn more at the link!

1

Art Of Form ARCHITECTS's - American Heart Association Offices - Connecticut #artofform #planning #workplacedesign #architecture #interiordesign #realestate #conciergedesign  #NOUPFRONTCOSTTENANTFITOUTSTUDIES #lifesciencesrealestate #esg #permitexpediting #amenitizedoffice #architects #technology #art #commercialrealestate #facilities #artofformarchitects #notforprofit

5

Alexander Loyer Hughes, AIA believes in holistic energy-saving solutions. Experiments in Brooklyn have shown that turning townhouses into passive houses can maintain a perfect indoor temperature of 72-73 degrees for five days without electricity, even in February. Fresh air circulates constantly, proving the effectiveness of this approach. 🔷 Holistic Approach: Energy savings should not be viewed myopically. Combining strategies, like upgrading HVAC systems and improving insulation, is crucial. 🔷 Cost Efficiency: Many spend millions on new HVAC systems only to lose efficiency due to poor insulation. A balanced approach can reduce system size and stress, saving money and energy. 🔷 Collaboration: Engineers and architects must work together to size systems correctly, ensuring the project's goals are met without oversizing. By looking at the big picture you get the most out of your investments. Ready to make your building more efficient?

31

How long is too long to wait for an appeal to the DOB? How about 23 weeks?!? At least it was approved 😀 We recently appealed a zoning decision on an application in the Bronx to use existing 'overbuilt' floor area to calculate the maximum number of dwelling units permitted on a zoning lot. Even though we had an approved AI-1 from a deputy commissioner and the BSA had already ruled in favor of this interpretation, the borough zoning specialist refused to budge on this one, and we had to appeal the decision to Downtown. All together, it took us close to 8 months to clear this one objection. In fairness, this appeal went to the highest level of the DOB, and they have to run it past their general counsel, but our client has pulled out most of his hair by now. A few important lessons we learned on this one: 1️⃣ Never give up when you are dealing with the DOB. Persistence pays off. We had to appeal this twice and then follow-up with weekly emails to the Commissioner. This was valuable enough to the owner that we could not give up! 2️⃣ Always add several months of padding to your schedule to deal with DOB. We run into difficult plan examinations frequently, and we cannot predict how far we may have to elevate our case to get the decision that we would like. On to the next battle ⚔️ #zoninghacks Meltzer/Mandl Architects., P.C.

15

2 Comments

ICYMI, HOK's Kay Sargent recently shared takeaways from 20 roundtables we've held with clients to examine what is working for them in the workplace--and what is not. Here are 20 insights from those meetings. #officedesign #workplacestrategy #interiordesign

84

2 Comments

In this digital world, how do architects ensure their creations are more than just structures, but lasting impressions? Our guide to content writing for architects explores how to turn your architectural vision into compelling digital stories that captivate and endure. Discover how strategic content can make your masterpieces not only seen but remembered. #architecturallegacy #digitalstorytelling #contentcreation #seo #brandrecognition #architectsonline #designinnovation #digitalpresence #contentstrategy #architecturalexcellence https://lnkd.in/dcv_KM5A

9

9 Comments

Design was a tool used to create racial disparities, but it can also be the tool used to dismantle those inequities and bring about a more just and equitable future. Gensler's Lisa Cholmondeley, Jason Pugh, NOMAC, AIA, AICP, LEED AP, and Roger S. Smith share more about designing for racial equity with a people-first approach: https://lnkd.in/euvcvQp3

298

7 Comments

Improve the Quality of Life by High-Quality and Thoughtful Lighting Design This three-bedroom apartment in Manhattan, while newly constructed, lacked character, a common issue in modern apartment buildings that prioritize communal areas over individual units, often resulting in minimal architectural features and poor lighting. Lighting is crucial for enhancing the character and mood of a space, making it cozy, welcoming, and functional at any time of day, across different seasons and weather conditions. In many New York City apartments, a single ceiling-mounted light serves as the sole source of illumination, which provides the lowest quality of light. To maximize lighting quality, it’s essential to use a variety of sources—such as recessed downlights, pendants, chandeliers, wall sconces, table lamps, and floor lamps—strategically placed according to the room's function and usage. It’s crucial to avoid the notion of a one-size-fits-all lighting solution. New York City apartments often present challenges for good lighting due to their concrete ceilings, which cannot be easily modified. Therefore, we must be innovative in our design to incorporate recessed downlights. For this project, we focused heavily on high-quality lighting design, creating a layered lighting scheme that includes recessed downlights, pendants, wall sconces, and more. We constructed soffits above the windows in all rooms, each no more than six inches in height, to house recessed downlights. By strategically highlighting certain walls, we achieved a sophisticated lighting effect that enhances the overall ambiance.

13

2 Comments

The original official name for the (geographically) smallest state in the union is the largest and longest: "Rhode Island and Providence Plantations." Although it is small in size, it is big in aspiration and self-image. The state is really comprised of dozens of small towns and villages, many founded long before it became a state, and these communities all have their own pride, history and architectural character. A4 Architecture is fortunate to work in many of these communities, particularly the ones near the coastline (which is many of them since this is the Ocean State after all). One town that is right in the middle of the state but isolated and protected by being on its own island in the middle of the Narragansett Bay, is Jamestown. Here is a short article on this community that, like Rhode Island itself, is small in size but big in aspirations and pride of place: https://lnkd.in/evKWkAcb Thank you for reading, liking, commenting and sharing this post, if you find it interesting or informative! #JamestownRI #ArchitecturalHistory #PrideOfPlace #RhodeIsland #ShingleStyle #BeavertailLighthouse

34

22 Comments

As Gensler notes, successful cities have a key characteristic in common: They’re able to reenergize the connection between live and work through a combination of mixed-use neighborhood design, affordability, accessibility, and convenience. As cities get smarter post pandemic, urban design must become smarter as well. Discover more insights in Gensler’s City Pulse study: https://lnkd.in/gfpWhP_s

14

1 Comment

It’s exciting to share that Dextall is playing a crucial part in the ArtSide development, a $336 million project led by NJPAC and NJEDA. This initiative is set to bring 350 apartments, retail spaces, a new community center, and the new home for WBGO to downtown Newark. 🎉🏙️ Our prefabricated panels are key to the project’s success, speeding up construction while ensuring energy efficiency and sustainability. And with 20% affordable housing, it’s a model for equitable growth. 🔗 Learn more about this transformative project here: https://ow.ly/gT4350TrjEb ❓ How can combining culture, housing, and retail spaces drive urban revitalization? Let’s discuss below! 👇 #UrbanRevitalization #SustainableConstruction #PrefabInnovation #AffordableHousing #CommunityDevelopment #NewarkNJ #Dextall #SmartBuilding #GreenBuilding #ArtsAndCulture #InnovativeDesign #EnergyEfficiency #EquitableGrowth

4

It's time to have a no-holds-barred discussion about FEES. What is the value of the architect? How has the changing role of the profession affected fees? What must architects do to get a bigger piece of the pie? CLOG : FEES will address these questions (& more) and we encourage anyone with a critical take on this topic to contribute. See full details at the link below (and please spread the word 🙏) https://lnkd.in/g-6S7ZxQ

79

14 Comments

Striv Designs is excited to share insights from Gensler's groundbreaking report, "The Return of the City: A 2024 Retrospective of the City Pulse." In a dynamic world where urban landscapes constantly evolve, this retrospective sheds light on the intricate shifts in urban life across 15 global cities between 2021 and 2023. Despite the challenges highlighted, the report underscores a resilient truth: the allure of cities remains strong. From fostering innovation to cultivating diverse communities, cities continue to be hubs of opportunity and growth. As we navigate post-pandemic realities, it's inspiring to see how urban life has adapted and improved. From enhanced connectivity to innovative solutions addressing pain points, cities are embracing change and thriving. Ready to delve into the findings shaping the future of urban development? #UrbanInsights #CityPulse #FutureCities #GenslerResearch

5

Bradly Hirdes, AIA hit me with a big question on Ep. 15: How can architects leverage their network to build pipeline? 👇 And I think this is an awesome question. Because architects RARELY squeeze any or all of the juice out of their network. But what we uncovered together was really interesting: A strategy for Bradly to leverage his relational skills at events to build a consistent and recurring pipeline of potential opportunities. So if you've ever wondered how to actually use events to find clients, then this episode is for you! Along the way, we chat about: → How often architects should show up at networking events → Why relationships should be formally managed → The power of hosting regular social events Listen on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts by searching for "Growthitect" :) --- A big thank you to Gelt for supporting Seasons 1 & 2! They’ve been a game-changer for managing both my personal and business taxes, making tax strategy, compliance, and filing stress-free. If you're looking to optimize your taxes and simplify your financial life, I highly recommend checking them out. Mention Growthitect when you schedule a free consultation and get 10% off your first year with Gelt!

22

8 Comments

Some great advice here

1

I never thought I would be that guy, the conspiracy theorist. You know, the one saying: “Hey, wake up! All is not as it seems, and the status quo must fall!” Nevertheless, here I am. Once I was all for getting in line, following the prescribed path forward. You want to create incredible spaces that inspire and lift people to greater heights? Easy! Go to school to become an architect! Sounded good to me. I sat obediently for years in dark classrooms as the so-called “experts” clicked through slides of past creations while, absurdly, putting more emphasis on memorizing dates and names than the thought or technique behind the forms. I took the studios that taught me to draw and put models together. Out came a student who could regurgitate facts and draw near perfect lines on paper but learned nothing about the applications that would come close to resembling the physical structures I started out inspired to create. I had become a woefully inept product of the system. Now, 25 years later—I am still striving to hit the goal I started with, and I am much closer. I’ve gotten this far by striking a new path. Or maybe it’s better to say uncovering the path that was there from the beginning, covered up with decades of carefully placed lies and laws, all spanning from a misguided separation: The separation of the architect and builder as one... (Read the full article here--this is the first of a series) #Boston #Architect #Home #Design #Designbuild #Natural #Beauty https://lnkd.in/e-fyggd5

7

7 Comments

Curious about how to drive multifamily development success in MBTA Communities? As a planning board member, I’ve been on the front lines of the MBTA Communities law, helping craft the overlay districts in my hometown. As the multifamily studio lead, developers have provided me with the opportunity to explore how various communities are shaping their bylaws. Each municipality takes a unique approach, and our goal is to align developers' visions with community needs. By providing quick and thorough zoning analysis and guiding developers through permitting processes, we help make projects viable. Check out my recent interview with Boston Real Estate Times, where I discuss the challenges and solutions shaping the future of multifamily housing in Massachusetts. 🎥👇 Key takeaways from the interview: - Crafting Impactful Bylaws: Balance the needs of both developers and the community. - Supporting Developers: We guide developers through complex site planning, engaging town leadership and the community for a smoother permitting process. - Masterplanning Sites: We collaborate with developers to maximize site potential through detailed zoning reviews, ensuring project success. Don’t miss the full interview with insights on how to navigate these new opportunities! #MBTACommunities #multifamily #housingcrisis #supplyanddemand Maugel DeStefano Architects https://lnkd.in/ev5mv_TR

4