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May 14th 2008
AIA Salutes Contributions to the Profession through Advancement of Architectural Education, Training and PracticeNEW YORK — Diane Hoskins, AIA, LEED AP, and Rives Taylor, AIA, LEED AP, have been appointed 2008 Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. Out of a total AIA membership of nearly 83,000, there are fewer than 2,650 distinguished with the honor of fellowship. The elevation to fellowship is conferred on architects with at least 10 years of membership in the AIA who have made significant contributions to the field. The AIA Jury of Fellows specifically noted Taylor’s and Hoskins’ outstanding commitment to architectural education, training and practice as a determining factor in their appointments.
As executive director of Gensler, Hoskins is part of the unique three-person team entrusted with stewardship of the global Gensler organization, guiding the firm’s approach to design and strategic consultation. She exemplifies a new generation of global architectural firm leaders, focused on expanding the profession through development of new practice models, learning programs, end-user research, strategic analysis, and sharing of outcomes through professional and public outreach.
Hoskins has made a significant impact in the area of evidence-based design and has led Gensler to the forefront of applied research. She is the founding leader of Gensler’s global Workplace Task Force, a group of leaders within the firm focused on the development and advancement of innovative workplace design strategies.
Hoskins holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a masters of business administration from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management.
In addition to serving as firm-wide sustainability design director in Gensler’s Houston office, Rives Taylor is an active proponent of sustainable design and a passionate educator on the subject. He lectures and teaches sustainable design methodology seminars at Rice University, as well as serving as coordinator for the undergraduate and graduate technology curriculum and teaching numerous foundational architecture courses at the Gerald D. Hines School of Architecture at the University of Houston. In addition, Taylor helped found and was a long-time board member and director of communications for the Houston USGBC chapter.
Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Rice and a master’s degree in architectural studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Contact: Jan Lakin
(212) 468-4476
jan_lakin@gensler.comApril 14th 2008
Growth in Central Texas Client Base Fuels ExpansionAUSTIN, Texas – Gensler announced today that it has opened an office in Austin to service the growing demand for architectural and design services in Central Texas. The Austin office expands Gensler’s ability to offer local services to its fast growing base of clients and prospects in the region. This is Gensler’s third office in Texas, joining Houston and Dallas.
“Gensler has been providing planning, architecture and interior design services to Central Texas clients from both our Houston and Dallas offices for the last 35 years,” said James E. Furr, FAIA, regional managing principal. He adds: “The opening of the Austin office epitomizes our client-driven business model and 'one-firm firm' culture, which is based on delivering strong local service with access to the talent and resources of Gensler worldwide.”
Gensler’s presence in Austin will be led by office director Todd Runkle, who worked in the company’s Washington D.C., Detroit and Houston offices from 1986 to 1999 prior to returning to Gensler last year. He is joined by project manager John Mapes, AIA, who worked in Gensler’s San Ramon, California office from 2000 to 2004.
Gensler’s Austin office is providing design services for such clients as RGM Advisors; Waterstone Development; Baker Botts L.L.P.; and AT&T, in addition to its work on The Domain, Phase 2, that includes more than 500,000 square feet of retail and is anchored by Nordstrom.
Gensler’s office is located at 221 West 6th Street, Suite 1150, Austin, Texas 78701.
Contact: Lisa Beazley
(212) 492-2602
lisa_beazley@gensler.comApril 11th 2008
Store Designed for Discovery and Learning Features 40-foot-tall Sea Serpent with Interactive Play Zones, Is Recognized for Originality and Commercial SuccessBARCELONA — Gensler’s design for Baroue – Kuwait and the Arab region’s first one-stop children’s and maternity store – was named ‘Innovative Format of the Year’ at the prestigious World Retail Awards 08, which took place last night at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), during the annual World Retail Congress in Barcelona.
Voted for by a jury of some of the world’s most respected retailers and senior industry experts, the Innovative Format of the Year category is designed to celebrate original formats from retailers, both new and established, that are groundbreaking in terms of their development and subsequent commercial success.
Baroue triumphed over fierce competition and was awarded the prize for its rare appeal to both children and adults. Judges commented that the store was not only entertaining, but also educational and that there was significant potential for its further roll out throughout the Gulf region.
Baroue – meaning ‘role play’ in Kuwaiti – was conceived by Kuwaiti retailer MS Retail KSC to address a gap in the children’s and toy retail market in the Middle East. Realizing the potential for creating a landmark brand in the region, MS Retail commissioned Gensler’s retail, graphics, and branding team to provide a full-service design package, incorporating concept design, design development, implementation, and roll out of the 69,000-square-foot store in The Avenues Mall, Kuwait. Baroue’s objectives were to offer a large selection of quality products at a competitive price and in an innovative environment that incorporated entertainment and education as part of the customer experience.
“Baroue is a complete departure from the usual retail outlets found in shopping malls throughout the world,” said Jon Tollit, Gensler principal and Retail Practice Area leader. “The store creates an emotional connection with its audience, setting it apart from its competitors. It is more than just a shop; it’s a series of experiences.”
The store’s central feature is a giant Sea Serpent. Over forty feet tall and the length of four London buses, the Serpent houses interactive zones such as the jungle gym, sandpit, string-less magical harp, and connections to private party rooms. It also provides a supervised environment for children to play and bond, while their parents relax in the adjacent café or continue to shop. The store features a Radio Frequency Identification System (RFID) with viewing console units to allow parents to locate their children anywhere in the store.
The store is designed to be safe, well organized, and clearly segmented. The central theme of ‘role play’ permeates throughout the space, and a core brand identity links the individual offerings, while subtly differentiating the different stages of a child’s development.
“Baroue’s innovative format has created an overwhelming response,” says MS Retail CEO and Chairman Fahad A Al-Mutawa. “Children are always on the lookout for something new and interactive that will engage their imagination. Gensler has enabled Baroue to translate this insight into reality, and its success is clearly reflected by the high footfalls and sales conversion since our launch last year. We’ve together proven that retailing in the children’s segment is much more than just having a wide range of products; it’s the overall experience that enlivens the products and sets a backdrop within which children can explore toys, clothes and more.”
Contact: Anna Robinson
020 7073 9685
anna_robinson@gensler.comFebruary 12th 2008
LONDON — Gensler London has relocated to new offices in 33 Aldgate House. The new work place, which brings all of the firm’s 220 employees onto one floor for the first time, showcases the strategic consulting, planning, architecture, interior design, and graphic skills that have made the firm a leader in the design profession globally. Established in 1988, Gensler’s London office is responsible for the firm’s work in the UK, mainland Europe, and the Middle East.
The result of an extensive consultation process with staff, the flexible open plan space is designed to foster communication among the firm’s multidisciplinary teams. Informal meeting spaces, teaming areas and quiet rooms support the 26,000-square-foot office. Vertical space is maximized to display project work. Clients benefit from modern meeting facilities and more interaction with the studios.
“A typical Gensler team is made up of professionals from our four core disciplines (Workplace, Architecture, Planning and Retail & Brand Design) working together on integrated solutions —and we needed a space that facilitated that kind of interaction,” says Chris Johnson, managing principal of Gensler for Europe and the Middle East. “Increasing communication and knowledge-sharing while maximising efficiency is something we do for all clients all the time. The relocation was an opportunity to employ the same standards applied to clients such as the London Stock Exchange to our own office space.”
Gensler also applied sustainable strategies throughout the space, including energy and water-saving technologies, environmentally sensitive furnishings, low emissions paints adhesives, sealants, and laminates and upgraded air distribution systems. The sustainable features of the physical environment are backed up by office-wide recycling policies and an ongoing learning programme on sustainability related topics aimed at staff.
The office move follows a staggering 45% increase in profit and a 30% increase in staff numbers in the European and Gulf regions.
Contact: Alessandra Almeida Jones
020 7073 9928
alessandra_almeidajones@gensler.comJanuary 29th 2008
NEW YORK — Gensler announces the appointment of 11 new principals. The promotions are made on an annual basis in recognition of outstanding client service, innovation, contribution to the Gensler organization, and community participation. This year Gensler also appointed 100 senior associates and 201 associates across 30 offices worldwide.
The new Gensler principals (with home office) are:
Brian Berry, AIA, CSI, LEED AP, New YorkBrian Berry has more than 19 years of experience working on new building and interiors projects. As a design director in Gensler’s Workplace Practice, Berry has developed new workplace standards with financial, accounting, and computer and software companies using hoteling and virtual office concepts. His recent projects include interiors work for global advertising firms Bartle Bogle & Hegarty and Ogilvy & Mather, the consolidation of buildings for Limited Brands, Inc., and the renovation of Asphalt Green, a 5.5 acre sports, fitness, and aquatic center in Manhattan. Berry is registered architect and member of both the American Institute of Architects and the US Green Building Council. He holds a bachelor of architecture from the University of Kansas.
Richard Fencl, AIA, LEED AP, ChicagoRichard Fencl is the technical director for Gensler’s North Central Region, responsible for the technical merit and quality assurance of the firm’s work. Fencl brings nearly four decades of experience to this role, focusing on the technical development and constructability of building systems. A registered architect, Fencl is a guest lecturer for institutions and organizations nationwide. He serves on various trade association editing boards and was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Structural Engineers Certification Board. Fencl holds a bachelor of architecture in architectural-engineering from the University of Illinois. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, International Code Council, Construction Specifications Institute, and is past president of the Chicago Committee on High Rise Buildings.
Philip Gillard, RIBA, LondonA registered architect with almost 20 years of experience, Philip Gillard is responsible for establishing Gensler’s Learning Practice Area in London with the goal of improving the design of learning environments worldwide. His commitment to planning educational facilities has led to a number of high-profile speaking engagements and articles on the topic. An active business developer and advocate of the firm’s marketing efforts, Gillard also leads one of two architectural studios in London. He joined Gensler in 2000 and is well respected for delivering meticulously detailed architectural solutions that respond to their context. Gillard holds a bachelor of arts in architecture (with honors) from De Montfort University (Leicester, UK) and a diploma in architecture from University of Central England in Birmingham.
E.J. Lee, New York Since joining Gensler’s New York office in 1999, E.J. Lee has focused her design talent and planning expertise on large-scale, highly visible headquarters interiors for such prestigious clients as The New York Times, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, and Deutsche Bank. With a focus on working primarily with financial sector clients, Lee has developed comparative analyses of space occupancy for financial firms that help expedite the decision-making process. In addition, Lee has served as design director on several retail interiors, including stores for Marc Fisher, Sigerson Morrison, and Guess. Between 1997 and 2006, Lee was also an associate professor at Pratt Institute, where she taught undergraduate and graduate design studios. She holds a master of science in interior design from Pratt Institute and a bachelor of interior design from Korea’s Ewha University. She pursued architecture and design studies in Copenhagen, Denmark, as well as graduate study in textile design at Ewha University.
Nancy Nodler, HoustonWith over 28 years of experience in the design industry, Nancy Nodler is a firmwide resource for the design and planning of hospitality interiors. Prior to joining Gensler’s Houston office, Nodler was a partner at Bordelon Nodler Design Associates, where she focused on hospitality-oriented projects from programming through construction administration. She has been a guest speaker at the University of Houston, Houston Community College, the Art Institute of Houston, and the Decorative Center Houston. She is a Houston founding member and former national Board Member of the Network of Executive Women in the Hospitality Industry. Nodler earned her bachelor of science from the University of Cincinnati.
Raffael Scasserra, LEED AP, Assoc. AIA, Washington, DCRaffael Scasserra’s 16 years of experience includes design leadership on a wide range of hospitality, corporate, institutional, and residential projects. As Gensler Washington DC’s design director and leader of the Buildings & Campuses Practice Area, his diversified design acumen has led to his engagement on a broad range of planning and design projects. In addition to serving as master architect of the Potomac Yard Town Center in Alexandria, Virginia, he is the design director for the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and the ISC/NASCAR headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida. Scasserra holds a bachelor of architecture from Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, where he also pursued a direct studies abroad program in Rome, Italy.
Sidney L. Scarboro AIA, LEED AP, SeattleSidney Scarboro, a registered architect with 24 years of experience, has assumed a leadership role in directing Gensler’s Seattle office. She has led numerous complex projects with large teams, bringing not only relevant project experience, but also deep technical knowledge and commitment to design delivery. She is presently championing four LEED-certified projects in Seattle. Scarboro earned a bachelor of architecture and a bachelor of science in architectural studies from Washington State University, Pullman. She is a member of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) and the American Institute of Architects.
Duncan Swinhoe, RIBA, LondonSince joining Gensler London in 2004 in the role of senior designer and studio head, Duncan Swinhoe has assumed responsibility for the architectural concept and direction of projects. Leveraging his extensive experience in working on a diverse range of complex and high-profile projects, Swinhoe has been involved in Gensler projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as the UK, and has developed high-level expertise on all aspects of large-scale mixed-use developments. Swinhoe holds a diploma in architecture and a bachelor of arts (with honors) from the University of Liverpool. He is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
James Wallace, AIA, LEED AP, BaltimoreAs co-director of Gensler’s Baltimore office, James Wallace has been responsible for the successful management and direction of a variety of project types including base building and interior renovations, educational facilities, corporate offices, hospitality, law firms, secured facilities, and retail stores. A registered architect with more than 32 years of architectural experience, Wallace holds a masters of business administration from the University of St. Thomas and a bachelor of architecture from Louisiana State University. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and a LEED accredited professional.
Warwick Ian Wicksman, AIA, Los AngelesWarwick Wicksman is a studio director in the Entertainment and Hospitality Practice in Gensler’s Los Angeles office. As a senior project architect and project manager, he is currently overseeing multiple projects at LA Live! in Los Angeles, including a 54-story high-rise tower featuring a Marriott Hotel and a Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Residences, a Conference Center building, a Multiplex Cinema, and a 2,600 stall parking garage. Wicksman also leads motion picture theatre and screening room projects across the United States and Asia, working integrally with other Gensler offices domestically and internationally. As a technical director, he is a leader of the firm’s Southwest Region Technical Steering Committee. A registered architect, Wicksman is an associate member of the National Association of Theatre Owners and a member of the American Institute of Architects. Wicksman holds a bachelor of architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, and studied design at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London.
Chad Yoshinobu, LEED AP, Seattle A founding member of Gensler Seattle, Chad Yoshinobu serves as the office’s design director, specializing in architecture, interiors, and masterplanning. Yoshinobu has worked on a wide range of projects including corporate headquarters, office, retail, hotel, museum, transportation, and academic facilities. His work has been published in Architectural Record, Interior Design, and Corporate Interiors Book No. 3; and has been recognized with the Aichi Urban Design and Architecture Award, the International Council of Shopping Centers International Design Development Award, and the Cityscape Beautification Award from the Mayor of Nagoya, Japan. Yoshinobu received a bachelor of architecture from the University of Oregon, Eugene.
Contact: Lisa Beazley
(212) 492-2602
lisa_beazley@gensler.com pr_071015_abuDhabiFlagship
October 15th 2007
Striking Design of Mixed-Use Complex Features World's Largest AtriumLONDON — Gensler, the global design firm, has unveiled images of the new flagship development designed for leading Middle Eastern real estate investment company, Tameer Holding Investments. Expected to be complete in 2011, the five-building complex features a stunning diamond-shaped design that will be the focal point of the new Shams master plan in Abu Dhabi.
The complex will include a 73-storey commercial tower, four residential towers, a seven-star luxury hotel, retail, dining, parking and a private marina over an area of nine million square feet.
"This commercial development embodies Tameer Holding Investments vision for Abu Dhabi's future. Growth in the Middle East is accelerating at an unprecedented rate and we believe Gensler's innovative design will attract and support international business for many years to come" said Abdallah Shaaban, chief executive officer of Tameer Abu Dhabi.
The commercial tower, the centrepiece of the development, encompassing 1,722,000 square feet and reaching over 980 feet high, will be a striking addition to the existing skyline. Diamond shaped in plan, the tower splits from level 20 down to sit on two legs, straddling the canal and pedestrian area that connect the Central Park and the sea. A cable-net supported glass wall will enclose this space to create a spacious and light-filled 175-foot high prismatic atrium.
"The fast pace of development in Abu Dhabi means differentiation and quality are key. We worked closely with Tameer Holding to develop a concept that uses the latest building technologies to address the climatic constraints and the business goals for such a high profile site," said Duncan Swinhoe, a senior associate at Gensler and design director for the project.
Four residential towers support the business development. Ranging in height from 41 to 61 storeys, the towers step in elevation from the lowest level at the Central Park to the highest at the commercial tower. The four towers share the same floor plate shape and are rotated relative to each other to create a dynamic plan that allows maximum views to and from the site.
Contact: Alessandra Almeida
020 7330 9528
alessandra_almeida@gensler.compr_071004_REI
October 4th 2007
Store Serves as Laboratory to Test Green Building Design and TechnologyBOULDER, Colo. — The new Gensler-designed prototype store for Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a national retail cooperative providing quality outdoor gear and clothing, opens on Friday, October 5. Designed to serve as a working laboratory to analyze the performance of green building features and new retail concepts, the store's design also incorporates an elevated community center that is the focal point of the store. The 42,000-square-foot store, a renovation and expansion of the co-op's existing Boulder location, is designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver standards for commercial interiors. Additionally, the store is part of REI's involvement in the LEED for Retail pilot program. Gensler is the architect and interior designer for the prototype store.
"REI challenged us to raise the bar in terms of how their store and brand experience could better serve the community and the environment. The new store design creates a sense of community for both REI members and non-members, and reflects REI's leadership in environmental design," said Ted Jacobs, Gensler's design director for the project.
"REI and Gensler worked together to create a store that embodies the values that make REI unique—community involvement, environmental stewardship, and a commitment to serve as a gateway to the outdoors," said Dean Iwata, REI's director of store development. "REI's Boulder store builds on our more than 10 years of green building experience, and helps us test concepts that will pave the way for how our stores are built in the future, including design, material selections and use of technology."
The overall design scheme is meant to be reminiscent of nature, and is reflected in the exterior architecture and interior design elements. The store's façade incorporates visual cues of earthen strata, thick forest canopies, and a towering pinnacle.
REI's commitment to reduce its environmental footprint is translated through the store design in the use of green materials and building techniques including aggressive daylight harvesting systems that will reduce the store's energy consumption and allow for more natural daylight over in-store lighting. By utilizing Solatubes, highly reflective funnel-shaped tubes that channel daylight from the roof throughout the store, the building will save approximately 20% in its energy costs, the annual equivalent of powering up to three houses. Additionally, a centrally located glass atrium skylight lets in sunlight while monitoring and capturing the sun's energy to power the store through technology called building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). This solar roof monitor is the first installation of building-integrated photovoltaics of its kind in a retail environment.
In addition to saving energy and creating a light-filled space, daylight has been shown in studies by big-box retailers to have a positive effect on sales. Furthermore, Gensler drew on industry research and its own experience designing workplaces to create an enhanced environment for employees through access to daylight, improved air quality, and resilient flooring, which all contribute to healthy and more productive workers.
Other sustainable highlights include floors, perimeter walls, fixtures, displays, benches, and tabletops made of green materials such as bamboo, recycled rubber, and cork. A comprehensive summary of the store's green building features is available on REI's website at http://www.rei.com/greenbuilding/boulder.
With REI's company purpose to inspire, educate, and outfit others for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship, the prototype includes a large elevated community center located in at the center of the store. Free of merchandise, the nearly 2,000-square-foot space is solely dedicated to be a resource for the community to learn more about the outdoors and opportunities to protect shared natural spaces, as well as provide a venue for events, presentations, and demonstrations by REI or one of its many community partners. The glass-enclosed area remains visually tied to the rest of the store, but allows acoustic privacy for talks and other events. It also serves as an organizational core around which the surrounding zones are positioned. When no events are scheduled, the community space will be open for small gatherings. In addition, knowledgeable REI employees will staff the center to answer questions ranging from where to recreate to what outdoor clubs to join to which environmental stewardship projects need volunteers.
Emphasizing an enhanced shopping experience, Gensler researched REI customers and strived to create a welcoming experience for the range of store customers, from REI co-op members to first-time visitors. New fixtures custom-designed by Gensler efficiently display and store the vast array of merchandise that REI carries, from tents and kayaks to fishing tackle and granola. In addition, new signage and way-finding systems ease navigation throughout the store.
In addition to Gensler, the design team includes Westwood Contracting (General Contractor), Glumac (MEP Engineer), KPFF (Structural Engineer), Architecture & Light (Lighting Consultants), and TEBO Development Company (Building Owners).
Contact: Lisa Beazley
(212) 492-2602
lisa_beazley@gensler.compr_070917_GenslerNY
September 17th 2007
New Space Provides an Eco-Tour for ClientsNEW YORK — Gensler, the global design and planning firm (www.gensler.com), has received a LEED
® Silver certification for the firm's office at 1230 Avenue of the Americas. Awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System(tm) (LEED
®) is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings and interiors. Gensler is the first office to become LEED-certified in Rockefeller Center.
"Sustainable design at Gensler means applying a certain level of sustainable standards to every project we do" says Robin Klehr Avia, managing principal in Gensler's New York office. "It is relatively simple to create a green workplace, even in an older building, through thoughtful planning and careful product selection. The reaction from our team has been extremely positive, and we are all enjoying the experience of working in a sustainably designed, healthy environment." To this end, Gensler has created an "eco-tour" of the office with a goal of educating clients on how to apply sustainable strategies to a leased space.
The 66,000 square-foot office at 1230 Avenue of the Americas is only the third project to receive LEED certification in the category of Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) in the state of New York. Gensler's LEED-CI certification recognizes the sustainable strategies implemented in the workplace and reflects the firm's commitment to green design and the creation of a healthy environment for staff.
One of the key design objectives for the space, located on floors 15 & 16 and which features four exposures, was connectivity to natural light and views. This was achieved through the use of low workstations, minimal shading devices, no perimeter architectural elements, and open meeting spaces. The high level of natural light reduces the need for artificial lighting during the day and also cuts energy consumption. Other energy-saving elements include water-saving fixtures, which have realized better than 30% savings on water usage, and the use of Energy STAR-rated appliances and equipment wherever possible. Environmentally sensitive furnishings, including multiple pieces custom-designed by Gensler, were made from recycled content or by means of green production practices. Low-emitting VOC paints, adhesives, sealants and laminates were used throughout the office. To ensure best air quality, all air distribution systems were protected from dust and debris during construction and were flushed for two weeks prior to occupancy.
Gensler also employs sustainable strategies for the general operations of the new workplace. Environmentally safe cleaning products are used in housekeeping and maintenance, and much of the paper waste commonly produced by architects is reduced through creative recycling efforts; for example, old construction drawings are recycled into sketchpads for internal use. An office-wide recycling plan for daily waste is an extension of the progressive recycling system of the building management.
"Everyone knows that sustainable design is the socially responsible thing to do, but our clients are also beginning to understand that sustainable practices are financially responsible, resulting in significant money savings in the long run," says Gensler managing principal Joseph Brancato. "Client tours are proving to be a great way to show them how easy it is to go green."
pr_070605_CenterHalsted
June 5th 2007
Building Employs Innovative Green StrategiesCHICAGO — A ribbon cutting ceremony today marked the opening of the Center on Halsted, the Midwest's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community center. Designed by Gensler as a highly visible symbol of LGBT pride, the building is located at 3656 North Halsted Street in Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood. The environmentally sustainable three-story, 185,000-square-foot facility provides a dynamic venue for the city's entire LGBT community and invigorates the surrounding neighborhood. Power Construction Company was the contractor.
"This building has impacted and changed lives before a door's gone up or a bolt's in place; I can't wait to see what we can do now that we have a home," said Robbin Burr, the Center's executive director. "Not only are we creating the Midwest's premier community center for LGBT persons and their allies, we're introducing a retail experience that benefits a much broader community. As a result of this partnership, the Center will function as a bridge between communities and individuals."
The new facility includes an entertainment venue, a Whole Foods grocery store, a café, offices for more than a dozen community service partners, a technology center, a gymnasium, a theater, a public roof garden, an underground parking structure, and a number of other unique gathering spaces.
"Chicago has long been the center of the LGBT community for the greater Midwest, and this bold new project allows various organizations to come together to collaborate, extend their reach, and share resources, said Grant Uhlir, Gensler's Principal-in-Charge of the project. "Literally tens of thousands of people will be directly served by the Center, and the energy it's already bringing to the entire neighborhood is palpable."
"The diverse identities of all of the people who will be using this building is what inspired our design," said Jason Longo, one of Gensler's architectural design directors. "Expressions of transparency, color, pattern, and historic elements reflect diversity while presenting a unified composition."
The unadorned clear glass exterior, which comprises 75 percent of the total façade, exposes the vibrant inner workings of the Center, enlivening the surrounding street and fully integrating the Center with the community at large. In a spirit of openness and celebration, programs typically buried within LGBT community centers line the building's perimeter. At the same time, the design accommodates private entrances for counseling and other private functions, while a set of doors between the grocery store and the Center's soaring lobby allow a shared entrance, furthering the Center's connection to the neighborhood.
For the main meeting room and office floor, Gensler employed a central corridor that acts as a main street, fostering interactions among the formerly disparate organizations. The top floor of the three-story building includes a double-height space devoted to theater and other performances, while a similarly scaled volume contains a gymnasium with a basketball court that opens to the public roof garden.
Setting a new standard for environmentally responsible community centers, the Center is expected to obtain a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. The efficient coordination of the building's complex mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems for the office, sports, performance, and retail spaces represents a major achievement in green building. The Center boasts Chicago's first rainwater harvesting system, which is estimated to save over 500,000 gallons of water per year. Brick salvaged from the existing building is a prominent feature of the building's lobby atrium, a space shared by both the Center and the Whole Foods Café. And the green roof is planted with drought resistant local plants.
Composed of the restored terra cotta and brick façade of a 1924 building wrapped by a new glass structure, Gensler's design creates a visible neighborhood presence for both the Center and the grocery store: The historic facade serves as the visual indication of the grocery store, while the modern glass structure provides a clear identity for the Center, which is housed on the building's second and third floors.
In addition to the ribbon cutting ceremony on June 5, the Center celebrates its grand opening the entire month of June-Pride Month-with a gala on June 8, a Pride Dance on June 22, and performances and concerts throughout the month.
Contact: Lisa Beazley
(212) 492-2602
lisa_beazley@gensler.com pr_070501_MiracleMile
May 1st 2007
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The Shops in Desert Passage at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino has officially been renamed Miracle Mile Shops as it undergoes a transition from a Moroccan-themed retail environment aligned with the former Aladdin Hotel and Casino, to a colorful, streamlined new design connected to the new Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Gensler of Nevada led the strategic rebranding as part of a collaborative team that includes The Friedmutter Group of Las Vegas, Studio B Design, Signwave, Clear Channel Spectacolor, Kelley Technologies, and Base 2 Technologies. The retail/entertainment complex, which covers 1.2 miles and features 170 specialty stores, 15 restaurants and live entertainment space, is owned by David Edelstein and Aby Rosen, in conjunction with leasing and marketing consultant Robert K. Futterman & Associates LLC. Miracle Mile Shops is managed by the Related Companies. The contractor is Flagship Construction Company LLC.
Gensler of Nevada is providing interior design, branding development, environmental graphics, an extensive signage and wayfinding system, and the architectural design of key exterior elements, including a new tower structure and the fa_ade redesign of the north and south entrances. This complex and large-scale endeavor is being implemented while the mall remains in operation.
"Gensler's unique understanding of the Las Vegas market and the impact of design on retailers has allowed us to develop a creative and achievable strategy that meets the demands of this complex project within as well as budget and schedule constraints," said Thomas Bittner, Gensler's project director for the Miracle Mile Shops. "The result is a vibrant new environment that welcomes shoppers more readily and allows retailers to merchandise more effectively."
Working in collaboration with Friedmutter Group and Studio B, Gensler has created a fresh, urban, and contemporary style that will appeal to a broad range of shoppers while a continuity between the exterior and interior design. Previously underutilized common spaces have been redesigned to host multi-media events.
Gensler of Nevada created a new brand identity for the mall, including a logo and system of brand elements, including custom patterns and color palettes. The brand elements were extended throughout the interiors and exterior-bold tonal colors, textures, striking geometric patterns and shapes have been applied to storefronts, furniture, carpeting, kiosks, even on the stainless steel trash receptacles, creating a multi-faceted and cohesive brand experience. New benches sport rounded, streamlined shapes, adding to the modern, sleek aesthetic.
Details of the ongoing interior makeover include such design enhancements as new interior lighting, streamlined and modernized storefronts and kiosks, and a de-themed interior. Gensler of Nevada also designed a three-story sculptural fa_ade element, which identifies the entry to the mall.
Other design highlights include contemporary large-scale chandeliers of glass and crystal that add visual focus and a sculptural touch to the new Miracle Mile Shops; silver leaf wallcovering on ceilings that replace painted clouds, and custom-designed carpet by Gensler creative director John Bricker in partnership with Milliken.
pr_070427_AbuDhabi
April 27th 2007
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Gensler has recently completed the new headquarters for Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) in Abu Dhabi. The culmination of a large scale branding exercise, the new facility introduces new workplace standards in the region and firmly positions ADCB as a leading institution on the global financial arena.
To help the organization embrace new ways of working, 600 staff were moved from a highly cellular environment to mostly open plan spaces supported by flexible meeting spaces/breakout areas and the latest IT and AV technology. The non-hierarchical structure coupled with the new technology means that the bank can reach out to other markets timely and efficiently, a key competitive advantage in a region that is rapidly growing into a prominent financial center in the tradition of those in New York, London, and Hong Kong.
Gensler also designed the bank's main branch on the ground floor of the building. Although independent from the main office floors, the branch embraces the workplace concept as well as its detailing and finishes to create a powerful and consistent brand image.
"The new facility reflects ADCB'S desire to be the number one bank of choice in the UAE and reinforces the progressive culture of the organization. The client set out to incorporate the latest working practices and our close collaboration resulted in an environment that will allow the organization evolve and change in line with the fast-moving needs of their marketplace," says Enrico Caruso, principal of Gensler London and the design director of the project.
The project was implemented with the help of Norr Interiors based in Abu Dhabi who were the architects of record providing construction administration and project management services.
Contact: Alessandra Almeida
020 7330 9528
alessandra_almeida@gensler.compr_070426_KentSchools
April 26th 2007
Over 140 Schools to be Rebuilt or Redesigned to Help Failing Students Meet Academic StandardsLONDON — Kent County Council under the Building Schools for the Future initiative (BSF) has appointed Gensler as client design advisors in the biggest single investment in improving school buildings on record in British history. After over 30 years of lack of investment, this £1.8 billion program will see the rebuilding or refurbishment of the entire secondary school estate (140+ schools) in Kent between 2007 and 2015. The first phase of activity is focused on North Kent, currently one of the areas of highest social deprivation in South East England. Gensler is part of a framework team of consultants led by leading management and construction company Gleeds.
The initiative comes as a result of a thorough review of secondary education provision in the county. With almost 50% of 16 year olds in Kent not reaching the recognized standard of attainment, the curriculum was deemed unsuitable and it was agreed by the education community that failure on any scale would no longer be tolerated. Kent County Council set out to create environments that would support students' needs through a range of academic and vocational pathways, which offer a greater variety of learning strategies to the individual learner.
Armed with information gathered through a series of visioning sessions and inspired by best practice examples from the US, Asia, Australia and Scandinavia, the Gensler team is drawing upon knowledge of a variety of industries to deliver truly modern environments which will help the client transform the way learning currently takes place.
The new model, backed by a large and diverse number of stakeholder groups, is set to increase the ratio of dedicated learning areas by up to 50% and support the implementation of a transformational agenda expected to rise attainment levels from 50% to over 80%.
Gensler's project director, Philip Gillard explains, "We are using design tools to encourage a holistic view of learning, as opposed to a purely curriculum-based approach. This means fresh thinking to meet requirements for 14-19 vocational programs and design that accommodate project-based learning and personalization. We are looking at the way spaces are used, by whom, and designing in the flexibility and technological capability to ensure Kent's schools are fit for 21st century learning scenarios."
Karl Limbert, Project Manager for BSF at Kent County Council, said, "Supported by Gensler, we are engaged in pushing the boundaries of learning in the UK and many elements of our work have already been adopted by central government as a national template of 'how to do it'."
Contact: Alessandra Almeida
020 7330 9528
alessandra_almeida@gensler.compr_070420_ToyotaDealer
April 20th 2007
Pat Lobb Toyota of McKinney, Texas, Rates Silver with US Green Building Council
NEW YORK — Pat Lobb Toyota of McKinney, Texas, designed by Gensler, is the first ever car dealership to achieve LEED™ recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council. The dealership, which opened in August 2006, was recently awarded a 'Silver' rating for its high level of environmentally sustainable design and construction features. Turner Construction built the facility.
"Everyone assumed that it would be impossible to design a LEED-certified car dealership, given the multiple functions that comprise a dealership-from the retail shopping component, to the often toxic environment of the auto shop and repair center," said Gensler's project director, Rick Ferrara. "But by challenging the status quo every step of the way, we built the dealership within the standard time frame and budget, proving that virtually any type of building has the potential to be sustainable and it doesn't have to cost more." At five percent of the budget, the dealership's LEED premium has a return on investment period of three to five years, and will save the owner a considerable amount of money over the life of the facility.
"We were able to draw on our experience in designing other LEED firsts, and integrated best practices from other projects." said Ferrara. Gensler designed the first ever LEED certified data center for Fannie Mae in 2005, and the firm's groundbreaking work on PNC Bank branches for the LEED Portfolio Pilot Program has opened the door for retail chains to certify fleets of stores by designing according to a sustainable prototype.
"This process has been successful in so many ways," said Pat Lobb. "Our employees and customers are healthier and safer, we're doing the right thing by the environment, our utility bills are already dropping, and the cost savings are only going to get better over time."
Given the dealership's accessibility to the public, part of the design strategy was to let the building serve as an educational tool for customers, employees, and the general public. Signs posted throughout the dealership demonstrate energy saving strategies and point out sustainable features. Organized tours for other car dealers, architects and contractors, community members, and school groups have been extremely well attended, indicating a widespread interest in sustainable design.
Sustainable design highlights include:• Building exterior is made of 85% recycled aluminum
• The dealership's security barrier is made of elevator cable salvaged from a local high rise office building
• The entry portal, the dealership's signature design element, features special non-lead glass and energy efficient induction lighting
• A 'green wall' along the rear and sides of the building made of climbing trumpet vine absorbs the sun's heat, keeping the building cooler and reducing energy costs
• Condensation from air conditioners as well as roof rainwater is captured in an 8,660 gallon cistern, which generates over 24,000 gallons (peak) per month for landscape irrigation
• A white modified bituminous roof system over insulation, foam, and concrete reduces the Heat Island Effect caused by typical darker roofs
• The car wash features a recycling system that saves more than 66% of the water wasted in a traditional car wash and uses ionized water to eliminate the need for electric blow-dryers
• Waste oil from the quick lube is used as fuel to heat the shop
• Interior carpet tiles use agricultural waste and recycled automotive glass backing
• vegetable oil is used in place of caustic hydraulic fluid on lifts in the service department
The dealership is in keeping with the Image USA II program launched in 2004 on which Gensler worked with Toyota to create a holistic brand experience across all U.S. dealerships, and to incorporate sustainable design into each new or renovated dealership. The sustainable design achievements of Pat Lobb Toyota are being incorporated into the program to benefit future dealerships.
"People's misperception about green architecture is that we have to compromise on design," said Ferrara. "This project illustrates that good contemporary design can go hand in hand with sustainable design."
See www.patlobbtoyota.com for a video on the dealership's design and construction.
*About LEEDThe US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED is a voluntary rating system that provides a uniform way to measure a building's environmental sustainability, providing evaluation in categories such as site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. The number of total points awarded in each category determines a building's level of LEED certification: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum.
Contact: Lisa Beazley
(212) 492-2602
lisa_beazley@gensler.compr_070405_HBO
April 5th 2007
Immersive and Sensory Branded Retail Environment Showcases Unique Show Footage and MemorabiliaNEW YORK — Designed by Gensler in collaboration with Imaginary Forces, the first HBO SHOP has opened on 42nd Street near Times Square. In the spirit of HBO's tag line, "It's not TV, it's HBO," the new HBO SHOP is more than a store, it's an immersive and sensory retail experience. The 750-square-foot SHOP offers visitors a unique glimpse into the HBO brand and programming through a carefully choreographed interplay of changing color, light, program footage, and architecture. JT Magen and Company, Inc. was the contractor.
The HBO retail experience features specially formatted and edited content from such HBO series as "The Sopranos" and mini-series like "Rome," along with related show merchandise. The content was custom created by Hollywood- and New York-based design and branding studio Imaginary Forces together with HBO exclusively for the store.
A life-size, physical metaphor for a television, The HBO SHOP offers a grand-scale three-dimensional experience in a relatively small space-a multi-faceted, multi-media gem that stands out among the giant flat screens of Times Square.
Fully transparent from the street, passersby visually enter the HBO retail space before ever physically entering the store, beckoned by one of the largest street-level flat-panel displays in New York. Inside, a sequential series of plasma screens form a spatial canvas for orchestrated cinematic performances of a seasonally featured show.
"HBO and the design team set out to raise the bar for a retail space in the same way HBO sets the bar for unconventional programming," explained Gensler project design director Lance Boge. "The emphasis is on the visit and the brand as much as the purchase."
pr_070402_Furniture
April 2nd 2007
CHICAGO — Center on Halsted, a new community center serving Chicago's Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community, opening this summer, has launched a furniture shower e-registry (www.furnitureshower.com) that will remain open to donors through the summer. Conceived by Gensler, the Center's architect, the furniture e-registry and shower provides a unique fundraising channel for the new building and engages donors, giving them a personal way to invest in their new community center. On April 10, a Shower celebration will fete donors and highlight remaining furniture needs.
The first of its kind in the Midwest, the building is designed to be a neighborhood icon and a case study in design's potential to transform a community. A new model for non-profit-private sector partnerships, the building's ground floor tenant, a Whole Foods grocery store, will help fund the Center's programs and attract a mix of local residents to the building, further connecting the Center with the community at large.
"With all of the Center's pressing needs, from building construction to staffing, furniture can seem insignificant. At the same time, our goal was to break the mold for what a community center could look like-and furniture is an important part of that," said Gensler's Carlos Martinez, interior design director for the Center. "The furniture shower lets people make a tangible contribution, involving them in the design process-not to mention the buzz it's building around what the Center's going to look like."
Gensler chose the furnishings befitting the modern building it designed-sleek sofas, iconic Eames Rockers, and funky light fixtures-then solicited donations from manufacturers committed to the idea of the Center, including Knoll, Herman Miller, Interface FLOR and Allsteel, and opened the e-registry.
A truly engaging approach to fundraising, the shower lets every donor have a direct, personal connection with the Center and its mission-whether their gift is a fleet of office chairs or a single coat hook.
"The furniture shower has been embraced as a fun way for community members to decorate their Center on Halsted living room," said Center on Halsted executive director Robbin Burr. "The grassroots approach is in line with our values of community ownership and collaboration. By giving folks the opportunity to help us beautifully furnish the building, even more people have a stake in the success of the Center."
About the Center on HalstedThe Center on Halsted is the Chicago area's community center for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons. The new Center building is the first of its kind in the Midwest. The Center offers support networks and programming that meet the cultural, emotional, social, educational and recreational needs of all LGBT persons. With a Whole Foods grocery store on the ground floor, the Center also includes meeting rooms, a caf_, a resource center, gym, theater, offices and a roof garden. The facility is designed to be a neighborhood icon, a model for energy efficient buildings, and a case study in design's potential to transform a community.
More informationOn the building: Center on Halsted Construction Begins, June 14, 2006
On the center: www.centeronhalsted.org
View the e-registry: www.furnitureshower.com
Contact: Lisa Beazley
(212) 492-2602
lisa_beazley@gensler.com pr_070226_Principals
February 26th 2007
NEW YORK — Gensler announces the promotion of 21 new Principals of the firm. The promotions are made on an annual basis in recognition of outstanding client service, innovation, contribution to the Gensler organization, and community participation. This year the Gensler firm also appointed 62 Senior Associates and 152 Associates across 30 offices. Profiles and photos for all the new appointees are available at www.gensler.com/appointments2007.
The new Gensler Principals (with home office) are:
John Adams, Los Angeles
As technical director in Gensler's Los Angeles office, John Adams recently served as project manager on 2000 Avenue of the Stars, a commercial mixed-use office building in Century City. Adams' combination of talent includes design, planning, management, and real estate strategy, which he has used on a variety of projects. A registered architect, Adams is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Urban Land Institute. He holds a bachelor of architecture from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and a master of architecture / urban design from Harvard University.
Todd Baisch, Chicago
For the past 19 years, Todd Baisch, a design director in Gensler's Chicago office, has built a design portfolio of more than 1.8 million square feet comprising strategic analysis, planning, and design of professional service firms. Currently, Baisch provides design leadership for Gensler's national and global accounts. Baisch served on the American Institute of Architects Chicago's Interiors PIA committee and has been actively involved with the Chicago Architecture Foundation for the past 15 years. He received his bachelor of architecture and bachelor of science in environmental design degrees from North Dakota State University.
Lance Boge, New York
As design director for Gensler's retail studio in New York, Lance Boge creates branded environments, specializing in retail and prototype design for leading international retailers, financial companies, and banking organizations. Boge joined Gensler in 2000 with 16 years of previous professional experience. Throughout his career, Boge has worked with creative leaders in fields such as fashion, art, and advertising, creating spatial solutions appropriate to their varied demands. Boge has been a design critic at Yale University, Parsons School of Design, Harvard University, and Columbia University; he has taught at both Yale and Parsons. He earned a bachelor of arts from Boston University and a masters in architecture from Yale University.
Lisa Bottom, San Francisco
Lisa Bottom has over 29 years of experience in interior design and has developed a specialization in commercial office design. Prior to joining Gensler, Bottom formed the Bottom Duvivier partnership, a collaborative organization of architects, interior designers, industrial designers, and workplace consultants. She is also a practicing product designer with several furniture lines currently being produced by national furniture manufacturers. Bottom holds a bachelor of science, environmental and industrial design, awarded with distinction from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.
Barry Bourbon, San Francisco
Since joining Gensler in 1994, Barry Bourbon has utilized his architectural talent and organizational management skills to become a Gensler firmwide leader in retail design. He currently serves as director of the San Francisco retail studio, specializing in retail roll-out. Bourbon organizes Gensler's yearly community efforts with Rebuilding Together San Francisco. He holds a bachelor of architecture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and pursued additional studies at the University of Copenhagen and Harvard Graduate School of Design. A registered architect, Bourbon is a member of the American Institute of Architects.
Barbara Bouza, Los Angeles
A specialist in health science and entertainment planning and design, Barbara Bouza is currently a leader of the workplace practice at Gensler LA. A registered architect, Bouza has served on the healthcare committee for the LA chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the board of directors for the International Interior Design Association. She is a member of the National Organization of minority Architects and a past director of the Los Angeles City Center. Bouza earned a bachelor of architecture from the California State Polytechnic University and participated in the Graduate Diploma Program of the Architectural Association, London, England.
Stephanie Burritt, Houston
After 6 years in Gensler's London office, Stephanie Burritt relocated to the Gensler Houston office in 1995. Her experience as a project manager/interior designer encompasses design solutions for banking and financial institutions, law and professional service firms, and corporations. Burritt has designed over 1 million square feet of space specifically for financial institutions. She holds a bachelor of science in interior design from the University of Cincinnati and is a registered interior designer.
Hunter Clayton, Las Vegas
Hunter Clayton joined Gensler in 2001 as a senior project manager for the San Jose International Airport project and currently serves as technical director in Gensler's aviation & transportation studio. Clayton's architectural experience consists of project coordination and management from conceptual design through completion of construction. A registered architect, Clayton holds a bachelor of architecture from the University of Houston and an associates degree in Construction management from Texas A&m University.
John Duvivier, San Francisco
As a design director in the San Francisco office, John Duvivier participates in design and planning projects involving Gensler's buildings & campuses, product design, and workplace practice areas. Duvivier joined Gensler in 2005, bringing over 30 years of experience for commercial, industrial, and municipal clients as well as the managerial experience involved in running his own firm, Bottom Duvivier. His work is consistently recognized with awards from professional, civic, and industry organizations, including a National AIA Honor Award. A registered architect, Duvivier is noted for his technical knowledge and ability to keep abreast of the impact of technology on architecture, products, and the work environment. Duvivier holds a bachelor of architecture from the University of Arizona.
Kenneth Fisher, Boston
Since joining Gensler in 1996, Kenneth Fisher has served as the senior project architect and project manager on a wide range of projects. In addition to his project involvement, Fisher serves as the architecture studio leader for the Boston office. Fisher is a member of the Boston Society of Architects and has served as the co-chairperson for the BSA's Committee on the Environment (COTE) for the past five years and the northeast representative for the AIA COTE Regional Team from 2004-2006. He has also served as a member of the steering committee for the Commonwealth of massachusetts Roundtable on Sustainable Design. He received his masters of architecture from the University of Oregon, his masters of science in physics from the University of California in Los Angeles, and his bachelor of arts in physics from the University of California at Berkeley.
Rocco Giannetti, New York
Rocco Giannetti joined Gensler in 1994 with experience as a project architect, and he quickly became a project manager on some of the New York office's most complex projects. In addition to his responsibilities as a studio director, Giannetti has been a leader of the project management community at the office, regional, and firmwide level. Currently Giannetti is project leader for workplace interiors on both The New York Times headquarters and the Bank of America Tower. An active member of the AIA, he chairs the New York Chapter Interiors Committee. Giannetti earned a masters in architecture from Princeton University and a bachelors degree in architecture from Pratt Institute. He is a registered architect in the state of New York.
Ala Hason, Denver
During his 26-year career, Ala Hason has developed an extensive portfolio in the U.S., China, and Middle East, which includes master planning, mixed-use development, transit-oriented development, hospitality and gaming facilities, and office buildings. Hason currently serves as studio director and senior project director with the architectural design studio in Gensler's Denver office. He earned a bachelor of architecture from Ainshams University, Cairo, Egypt and went on to pursue his architectural graduate degree from North Carolina State University. Hason then returned to Kuwait, where he held design positions with the Ministry of Public Works, as well as with consulting architectural engineering firms. He returned to the United States in 1990 and joined Gensler in 1995.
Kevin Heinly, Los Angeles
Kevin Heinly is a leader of the Gensler Los Angeles architecture studio and a technical director for the firm's Southwest region. In eight years with Gensler, his leadership has extended beyond technical direction to collaboration with project managers and design directors on a range of projects. Heinly's project involvement ranges from conceptual design through production, culminating in an active role in construction administration. A member of the American Institute of Architects, Heinly holds a master of architecture from the University of maryland and a bachelor of arts in architecture from Lehigh University.
Steve Hudson, Houston
As regional operating officer for Gensler's South Central region, Steve Hudson is involved in all aspects of the region's operations. Hudson helps staff understand the financial implications of their actions and coaches them on ways to improve our financial performance. His contribution to regional and firmwide initiatives goes way beyond mere numbers. Hudson earned both a master of business administration and a bachelor of science in finance (Cum Laude) from the University of Houston. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Houston CPA Society.
Ted Kollaja, Dallas
As a studio director in Gensler's Dallas office, Ted Kollaja manages large-scale, technically complex projects, with a focus on workplace environments. He joined Gensler in 2003 with over 20 years of experience. A registered architect and interior designer, Kollaja is past president of both the Dallas Chapter of the AIA and the Dallas Architectural Foundation. Kollaja currently serves on the Board of the Greater Dallas Planning Council. He participated in the Downtown Parks master Plan Steering Committee for Dallas and served on the editorial advisory board for Interior Graphic Standards published in 2001. Kollaja earned a master of architecture and bachelor of environmental design from Texas A&m University.
Thomas Lanzelotti, New York
As a technical director with Gensler New York, Thomas Lanzelotti is responsible for overseeing construction document preparation and construction administration for code compliance and technical detailing. He joined Gensler in 1994 as a senior project architect and currently serves as co-chair of the Gensler international technical steering committee and a member of the New York technical directors committee. Lanzelotti's technical expertise, combined with his ability to resolve unexpected field issues enhances his performance on construction administration and on-site field management/inspection on multi-phase, complex projects. A registered architect, he holds a masters in architecture and bachelor of science in architecture from The Ohio State University.
Trevor Oldridge, London
As finance director in London, Trevor Oldridge handles issues related to Gensler's architectural practice in not only the UK, but also across Europe and the middle East. A gifted problem-solver, Trevor meets challenges head-on and leverages his numerous contacts across the Gensler firm to ensure solid financial performance. A Chartered Accountant who trained with KPmG, Oldridge joined Gensler in 2001.
Keith Rosen, New York
Keith Rosen joined Gensler New York in 1998 as a recognized leader in the design profession, with extensive experience in corporate interior design. As a design director in Gensler's workplace and professional services practice areas, Rosen leads teams on projects for law firms, financial services and banking institutions, and corporate headquarters. He is a frequent conference lecturer and recently served as co-chair of both the AIA NY interiors committee and the IIDA New York commercial forum. A registered architect, Rosen is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the International Interior Design Association. He earned a bachelors of architecture from Pratt Institute.
Robert Stefko, Las Vegas
Since joining Gensler in 2000, Robert Stefko has used his project management skills on projects including the MGMMirage CityCenter, LA International Airport Terminal 3, the Las Vegas monorail. Prior to Gensler, Stefko served as manager of airport design for the Calgary Airport Authority at the Calgary International Airport. Recognized as one of the foremost building science specialists in the industry, Stefko previously owned ARCAD Design Architecture & CADD Consultants, Ltd., a computerized specialty architectural firm. A member of the American Institute of Architects, he holds architectural degrees from mcGill University in Montreal and is a registered professional architect with the Alberta Association of Architects and a licensed architect in the U.S.
Gary Wheeler, London
A renowned professional with over 30 years of experience, Gary Wheeler joined Gensler's London office in 2004 as director of workplace for Europe. Distinguished for his strategic approach to workplace design, Wheeler began his career as co-founder of the Wheeler Group in 1978. When Perkins & Will acquired the company in 1996, he became national director of interiors and later managing partner. Wheeler was inducted into the Interior Design magazine Hall of Fame in 2000. He is recipient of the Senior Fellow Award from the Design Future Council, the Leadership Award of Excellence from the International Interior Design, and the Designer of Distinction Award from the American Society of Interior Designers. The minnesota Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) recognized him in 1996 with a Special Award. From 1994 to 1995, Wheeler served as national president of the American Society of Interior Designers.
Nachiko Yamamoto, Tokyo
Nachiko Yamamoto came to her position as managing director of Gensler's Tokyo office from INARCH in New York, where she led project management, business development, and financial strategy. She enhanced INARCH's presence in China by not only leading international design competition initiatives for the firm, but also by leveraging her experience with joint venture projects in Japan. Yamamoto attended the Graduate School of Architecture at Pratt Institute and majored in Display & Exhibition design at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. With an architectural license in both the United States and Japan, combined with a bachelor of engineering in architecture from Tokyo metropolitan University, Yamamoto has a unique understanding of cross-cultural architectural practice.
Contact: Jan Lakin
(212) 468-4476
jan_lakin@gensler.com
pr_070221_Newark
February 21st 2007
Academy for Underserved Urban Youth is First LEED-designed Building in Newark, NJNEWARK, N.J. — St. Philip's Academy will celebrate the completion of their new school campus—the first LEED-designed building in Newark—with a grand opening and guided tour on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. Designed by Gensler from a 1920's factory building at 342 Central Avenue, St. Philip's Academy is an independent K-8 school founded in 1988 to serve underserved city youth. The school welcomes all children regardless of their family's ability to pay tuition. StructureTone was contractor for the project.
The new school has been designed as a tool to teach paths of healthy living and learning, a hallmark of the institution's philosophy, and involved a complete redesign of the existing 55,000 square feet as well as design of a new 14,000-square-foot addition. The existing structure houses flexible classrooms, science rooms, a library/media center, music and art rooms, and administrative offices. The new wing will house a gymnasium with garage style doors that when open will create an indoor/outdoor stage.
Formerly located in an historic bank building in downtown Newark, also designed by Gensler, the academy chose the 1920 brick and masonry building north of the Central Ward neighborhood, near the site of the 1967 race riots, as part of its goal to create an environmentally-sensitive building and learning environment, but also to play a role in revitalizing the neighborhood.
"It was Gensler who helped us find this building," said David C. Farrand, president of the St. Philip's Academy Board of Trustees. And it was Gensler who helped the skeptical envision the finished structure. "It took a real leap of faith to imagine what it could look like, and Gensler helped us visualize it," he noted.
A green roof will allow the school's 320 students to grow and harvest vegetables and herbs for their cafeteria, where meals are served on platters family-style. Food waste will be converted into compost to nourish the soil of the rooftop garden—demonstrating sustainability and underscoring the school's new Health and Wellness campaign.
The design decision to expose columns, ductwork, standpipes and brickwork, is part of a strategy to use the building itself as a teaching tool about sustainable design and how buildings work. Exposed beams, trusses and columns provide tangible demonstrations of the principles of geometry, physics, and design. A unique signage and wayfinding system teaches students about sustainability, architecture, and history, using colors and motifs inspired by nature.
"As a 21st century school, we must take on broader responsibilities and acknowledge the concept that strong schools can be a primary agent in improving the quality of life and safety of a neighborhood," said Miguel Brito, head of St. Philip's. "Lower income and minority children disproportionately suffer from poor indoor air-quality and related problems in conventional schools. A LEED school building creates an opportunity to improve the health and educational settings for all students, regardless of income or background."
Designed to meet a LEED Silver 2.1 rating, St. Philip's will be Newark's first LEED-certified structure and one of only two certified independent schools in New Jersey. Developed by the US Green Building Council, LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.
"Architecture is one of the few arts that offers the opportunity to have a long-term impact on a community." said Ralph Walker, Gensler's project architect. "The design of St. Philips will have an impact on generations to come, not least because the school offers a superb learning environment to many who wouldn't normally have access to one."
The St. Philip's Academy design team included Architect, Gensler; Client Representative, Richard L. McElhiney, AIA; Structural Engineer, DiStasio & Van Buren, Inc; MEP Engineer, Van Pret & Weisgerber; Civil Engineer Keller & Kirkpatrick; and Landscape Architect: MKW+Associates
Major donors include PSE&G, The Victoria Foundation, The Turrell Fund, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, individuals, companies and others.
pr_061208_Stewart
December 8th 2006
Will Focus on Reducing Buildings' Energy Consumption 50% by 2010NEW YORK — RK Stewart, FAIA, a principal at Gensler, was inaugurated as the 2007 President of the National American Institute of Architects on December 8th, 2006, at a ceremony in Washington, DC. Stewart, who succeeds Katherine Lee Schwennsen, FAIA, served this past year as first vice president/president elect.
"I consider it a great privilege to serve as leader of the AIA community, particularly during this exciting 150th anniversary year, and to have an opportunity to highlight what architects can do to create vibrant and sustainable communities that improve people's lives," Stewart said. He will lead some 80,000 members of the AIA during his tenure.
As 83rd AIA president, Stewart plans to move the organization's ongoing focus on sustainability, diversity, and the development of emerging design professionals from a strategic to tactical plane, emphasizing action and measurable results on grassroots to government levels.
"Over the past few years, the AIA has developed a robust strategic planning process to allow main initiatives to be defined and tracked," Stewart explained, speaking from his office in San Francisco. "Building on that foundation, we have added for the coming year a more meaningful set of metrics to track our progress in our key strategic areas."
Key initiatives and metrics that Stewart will focus the AIA membership on this year include:
• Partnering with the US Council of Mayors to help them collaborate with constituents and a broad cross section of industry leaders to effect a 50% reduction in buildings' fossil fuel energy consumption by 2010 through the AIA's 50-50 Tool Kit, which offers 50 strategies to reduce energy consumption;
• Increasing diversity within the profession so that buildings and communities reflect the needs of underserved populations;
• Mentoring emerging professionals and insure that education, licensure, and internship opportunities are meaningful for the future of the built and natural environment, with an associated 10% increase in AIA membership and a 50% increase in the distribution of eKnowledge content issued online by the AIA's Knowledge Communities;
• Increasing advocacy of government legislation, with a goal of introducing 2 new legislative measures to Congress this year.
Addressing the AIA's sustainability initiatives, Stewart said, "If we really want to be serious about how to turn things around environmentally, we must acknowledge that buildings are responsible for 76% of electrical energy consumption and 48% of energy consumption overall, and are therefore at the frontier of what must change." He added, "That's where the AIA can have a major impact."
RK Stewart will play a key role in this year's landmark 150th anniversary AIA convention, themed "Going Beyond Green", to underscore the AIA's focus on broad sustainability issues. Former Vice President Al Gore, the author of Earth in the Balance and the force behind the documentary An Inconvenient Truth, will be the keynote speaker.
Reflecting on his coming year as AIA president, Stewart noted, "I have the rare chance to help our profession change the way we inhabit the planet, respond to the critical need to reduce energy consumption and gas emissions, and literally define our future through the built environment."
RK Stewart, FAIA: BiographyRK Stewart was inducted into the American Institute of Architects' College of Fellows in 2001. Recognition for his contributions to the profession include the Octavius Morgan Distinguished Service Award, the Preservation Design Award, the U.S. Institute of Theater Technology Award, and First Place in the 18th Annual Interiors Magazine Awards for Public Spaces & Entertainment.
Since joining Gensler in 1988, Stewart has managed large-scale, complex projects for which he has applied his expertise in the architectural design, development and documentation process along with a keen understanding of engineering disciplines. His experience in complex regulatory approval processing makes him a firmwide resource for planning code, building code, historic preservation and similar issues. As a rotating member of the firm's Management Committee in 2000 - 2001, RK led development of improvements in Gensler's Design and Delivery Systems, including technical, specifications, CAD, project management and learning committees. To improve the communities in which we practice, he has been involved in advocacy efforts across the state and nation.
He received his Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Kansas.
pr_061027_LaSandia
October 27th 2006
DENVER — Richard Sandoval's La Sandia Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Bar at the new Northfield Stapleton open-air lifestyle center in Denver, CO, opened this week. Designed by Gensler, the new restaurant introduces traditional Mexican cuisine in a modern and casual setting with a moderately priced menu. The 7,200 square-foot restaurant seats 259 guests within a bar and lounge, outdoor terrace, main dining room, and semi-private dining area.
To achieve a holistic and consistent guest experience, Gensler worked with Sandoval's company, Modern Mexican, on every aspect-from naming and identity through construction. Tailored to fit within the context of a lifestyle center, La Sandia is an unfussy, casual environment that is equally comfortable to shoppers stopping in for a quick bite, or neighborhood friends celebrating a special occasion.
"In designing La Sandia, we blended authentic elements with magical details and a modern sensibility," said Gensler design director Lance Boge. "The result is like the perfect meal-warm, balanced, and enchanting!"
Every aspect of the experience has been designed to reflect a uniquely Mexican point of view, but in a way that avoids the typical clich_s and is instead modern and sophisticated. Throughout the space, stone flooring, handcrafted wood, weathered steel, and saturated colors contribute to a warm, authentic atmosphere. Mexican icons and symbols of celebration inspired the design. The entryway, for instance, is designed to feel like walking through a punched-tin Mexican lantern. The theme continues in the main dining room, where a series of lantern-inspired colorful rolling partitions, which can be reconfigured to accommodate intimate dinners or large parties, filter light to envelop guests in a rich, magical setting. Sections of the loft-like unfinished wood ceiling are pressed tin, creating intimate spaces. The name La Sandia, Spanish for watermelon, is a reference to Mexican food and art and is easy and fun to pronounce in English.
A tequila bar features prominently in the center of the space, with a lower wood ceiling to create a feeling of intimacy. A double-height wall of custom-printed tile frames the view of the display kitchen, where customers can watch fresh tortillas being made.
Witty interpretations of the popular Mexican Loteria game occur throughout the space in places such as restroom signs labeled La Sirena for women and El Diablo for men. Other graphics such as stylized birds, butterflies, and dragonflies add a sense of whimsy, while a series of dichos, or Mexican proverbs, promote conversation and reflect the festive environment.
"Gensler has created a space that perfectly complements the spirit and flavors of La Sandia's cuisine," said Richard Sandoval. "Dining here feels comfortable and familiar yet memorable and magical."
In keeping with the high sustainable standards of the entire Northfield Stapleton development, La Sandia incorporates 'green' features such as high performance glazing, "touchless" faucets, salvaged wood flooring, dimmable lighting, low-VOC paints, and recycled concrete countertops. La Sandia also participates in a trash sorting and recycling program.
The La Sandia Design Team includes Gensler; Architecture, Branding, and Graphics; Bliss Fasman, Lighting Design; Larson Binkley, MEP Engineer; GMS, Structural Engineer; Hospitality Kitchen Design, Food Service Equipment Consultant; Provident Construction, General Contractor; Brand ID, Environmental Graphics.
Richard Sandoval's Modern Mexican is a leading international restaurant group with outlets in New York City, San Francisco, Washington DC, Denver, Las Vegas, Mexico City and Dubai. Owned by legendary Chef Richard Sandoval, the group includes Maya in New City, San Francisco and Dubai; Pampano in New City; Zengo in Washington DC and in Denver; Tamayo in Denver; Isla in Las Vegas and Hip Kitchen in Mexico City. For more information on Modern Mexican, visit www.modernmexican.com.
Contact: Lisa Beazley
(212) 492-2602
lisa_beazley@gensler.com
pr_061016_GenslerNY
October 16th 2006
NEW YORK — Gensler (www.gensler.com) has applied its expertise in workplace design to its own new office in Rockefeller Center. The firm has relocated its Midtown operations from One Rockefeller Plaza to 1230 Avenue of the Americas.
The new office is designed to encourage and support the creativity and innovation of Gensler's staff. "As the leading workplace design firm in the world, we work with our clients to create environments that foster innovation," said Robin Klehr Avia, FIIDA, managing principal. "Now we've applied the latest thinking to the design of our own office." The office layout places a significant emphasis on collaborative spaces-including large open team areas and soft-seating areas around a circulating stair-creating a double-height central collaborative zone where designers can interact, share ideas, and discuss their work. "Many of our clients see innovation as the main driver of business growth today," said Joseph Brancato, AIA, managing principal. "They're looking to us and our design process as a model for innovation in their companies. This collaborative zone will help us open our process and our culture up to our clients."
The resource library is a central focus of the new office. The library is designed as an area of the office that the staff passes through and interacts with-rather than a room that designers only go to when they need to find a product or a finish. "Designers need to know about the latest products," said Mark Morton, IIDA, Gensler principal and design director for the new office. "With an open resource library as a central hub of the office, we plan to keep our staff constantly up-to-date about the latest products."
In keeping with its objective to foster and celebrate creativity, Gensler has carefully selected artwork that will rotate throughout the year. In addition, in the center of the circulating stair, which will be the collaborative heart of the office, Gensler has commissioned graffiti artist Jose Soto to create a two-story wraparound mural. "The art reminds us to look beyond our own work for inspiration," said Morton. "The graffiti mural links our office to the urban fabric of New York-while at the same time celebrating the creativity in our work."
The new office is also a model for sustainable design. Gensler has selected many green products and materials for the new office, and was careful to follow sustainable procedures during construction. Gensler is currently preparing its submission to the U.S. Green Building Council for the new LEED certification for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI).
Gensler's Rockefeller Center office is located in 55,650 square feet on the 15th and 16th Floors of 1230 Avenue of the Americas. The office has 280 design professionals and support staff. Gensler also has an office downtown at 48 Wall Street, with 120 professionals and staff, for a total of 400 in New York City.
Contact: Jan Lakin
(212) 468-4476
jan_lakin@gensler.com pr_061012_Hunt
October 12th 2006
His Efforts Broadened Appeal of Center for Architecture to Design Community, PublicNEW YORK — Walter A. Hunt, Jr., FAIA, vice chairman of Gensler, received the 2006 President's Award from the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Center for Architecture Foundation. The award is presented tonight at the Heritage Ball held at Chelsea Piers in New York City.
Mr. Hunt was president of the Center for Architecture Foundation in 2004 and 2005, and president of AIA NY in 1999. His fundraising and leadership efforts on behalf of the chapter's Center for Architecture resulted in "a uniquely collaborative space that broadens the practice of architecture and reaches out to the professional community, the City of New York, and the general public," said Rick Bell, FAIA, Executive Director of AIA New York.
Mr. Hunt and A. Eugene Kohn, FAIA, chairman of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, were co-chairs of the Center for Architecture Capital Campaign, a seven-year effort that raised $6 million. Contributors included engineering, construction, and architectural firms, as well as vendors, consultants, manufacturers, and the City of New York.
"Walter Hunt was the obvious choice for this year's award," said Mark Strauss, FAIA, president of the AIA NY Chapter. "He set the stage for our contributions to public policy. The center would have been a different place without him."
Opened in 2003, the Center for Architecture provides professional and public education about design and its allied fields. On a given day, visitors might find an exhibit on design's potential to address the obesity epidemic, a group of children learning what lighting designers do, an educational course on the benefits of underfloor air distribution, or an auction to benefit a group of politically oriented interior designers.
The Center for Architecture is a neutral platform to explore professional and political topics surrounding the built environment. It also promotes an appreciation of New York City. "If you're a New York City architect, you're lucky," Mr. Hunt said. "There's an incredible wealth of talent and resources and much more. The city gives us a lot. The Center for Architecture is a way for us to give back, to become an organization focused on the public, on buildings, on our extraordinary urban fabric."
The center appeals to the entire architectural "food chain," from developers to vendors to the city itself. Such broad-based appeal is unusual for an AIA chapter office. "The success of this space is setting a trend among other chapters and creating a model for energy, transparency, and collaboration," Mr. Hunt added. "Establishing the physical premises was just the first step."
The San Francisco AIA, for example, opened its own Center for Architecture this month with the mission of enhancing public appreciation for architecture through exhibitions, lectures, tours, film series, and other programs. The Boston Society of Architects has a similar mandate and other chapters, including Seattle and Philadelphia, are following suit.
The New York Center for Architecture is located on two sub floors of a former industrial space at 538 LaGuardia Place. It is home to the AIA New York Chapter, the Center for Architecture Foundation, a charity organization focused on youth education, as well as the New York Chapter of the American Society of
Landscape Architects, and the Structural Engineering Association of New York. While many AIA members were involved in the campaign, Mr. Hunt was eager to share his honor with Mr. Kohn, as well as Margaret Helfand, FAIA, of Helfand Architecture, and Rolf Olhausen, FAIA, of Ohlhausen Dubois Architects, all of whom were instrumental in establishing the Center for Architecture.
Biography: Walter A. Hunt Jr., FAIAWalter A. Hunt Jr., FAIA, is vice chairman of Gensler and directs the firm's Global Client Program from the New York office. He served as co-managing principal of the New York office for 18 years, having relocated in 1985 from the Denver office, where he was the managing principal for seven years. He also directs selected projects in the New York office, in addition to serving on the Board of Directors.
Mr. Hunt specializes in project development for significant and unique projects. He is one of the two key principals serving as Executive Architect for the MGM Mirage CityCenter project in Las vegas, the largest privately funded project in the united States. Mr. Hunt is on the Board of Directors of the Yale Alumni Fund and the Dean's Council at the Yale School of Architecture. He lives with his wife Judy in New York City.
Contact: Jan Lakin
(212) 468-4476
jan_lakin@gensler.compr_061009_Hearst
October 9th 2006
Gensler Celebrates Wide-Ranging Role in Tower Development Including Collaboration on Progressive Workplace Design
NEW YORK — The Hearst Tower, New York City's first occupied "green" office building, officially opens today. The new headquarters building consolidates 2,000 of Hearst's employees in one location-the culmination of a strategic master plan by Gensler begun in 2000. Gensler also served as Associate Architect for interiors in close collaboration with Foster and Partners, the building's designer, and as the Interior Designer of the Fitness Center among other roles.
"From the beginning, Hearst set out to create a superior workplace for its employees," said Joseph Brancato, Managing Director in Gensler's New York office. "Not only is the Hearst Tower a beautiful addition to the City's skyline, but as an office space, it is one of the healthiest, most enviable environments for workers in New York City. It has been very gratifying to participate in its development."
The Hearst Tower's progressive interior design reflects convergent sustainable and workplace strategy goals. Floor to ceiling windows flood the office areas with natural light, with deep penetration into the open plan office areas maximized by transparent office and meeting room fronts, low workstation partitions, and limited use of interior walls. Recent studies have demonstrated the important positive effects of natural light on worker health, quality of life, and productivity.
To help fulfill its sustainable mandate and to further ensure a healthy workplace environment, Gensler defined the "green" strategies for the interiors and selected and specified furniture, finishes, and carpeting that are made from recycled content, sustainably harvested materials, or are low in toxicity. The Tower, the first occupied commercial building in New York City to be recognized by the USGBC for high environmental performance both on its exterior and interior fit-out and systems, received a "Gold" Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating on September 22, 2006. Steve Winter and Associates provided consultation for the LEED application process.
Designed to encourage communication throughout the workforce, the workplace layout co-locates editorial and publishing groups. Collaboration within groups is enhanced by abundant meeting spaces of various sizes and types on each floor. To further team work and a sense of community, prime space such as the building's corners and its eastern perimeter are dedicated as 'public' areas.
"Employees have been unbelievably enthusiastic about their new office space," said Brian Schwagerl, Director of Corporate Real Estate and Facilities Planning at Hearst. "They're effusive about the natural light and the quality of the air, and there's greater contact, interaction, and idea-sharing within the company. It's no exaggeration to say that staff at all levels feel energized working in the new Tower." To identify correlations between the workplace design and its impact on employee and company performance, Hearst will conduct a post-occupancy study by the end of the year in conjunction with Gensler.
The interior workplace design included collaboration among Gensler, Foster and Partners, and the furniture manufacturer, Steelcase to design furniture systems customized for its largely female workforce. The workstations and office systems have special features such roll-away visitor seating and as mirrored lockers and cubby spaces for personal items.
Gensler was also responsible for the design of the light and view-filled Fitness Center, located on the 14th floor and recreated the Good Housekeeping Research Institute's Dining Room, a Federalist-style formal room in exacting detail-the only element of the old building besides the façade of the Joseph Urban-designed landmark to endure in its original form. Gensler's consulting practice assisted Hearst with the employee transition process from its twelve different locations to the Tower with an internal communications program as well.
Contact: Jan Lakin
(212) 468-4476
jan_lakin@gensler.com
pr_060929_Barneys
September 29th 2006
NEW YORK — Barneys New York has opened its new 88,000-square-foot Dallas flagship store at NorthPark Center, the premier mall known for its emphasis on art. Designed by Gensler in tandem with the Barneys in-house design team, the luxe retailer's third largest flagship location (after New York City and Beverly Hills) announces its presence to high-end shoppers with a sculptural glowing steel and glass 'light box' embedded in the store's expansive 35-foot white brick façade. Gensler collaborated with fine artists, including sculptor John Paul Phillipe and decorative artist Jonathan Adler, in developing both the exterior and interior designs. StructureTone was the contractor.
"The design of Barneys New York in Dallas is architecture at the service of retail," explains Lance Boge, Gensler's design director for the new store. "In drawing on the recognizable sculptural forms created by artist John-Paul Phillipe for Barneys internationally, we've designed a façade as a piece of sculpture and even established an architectural branded doorway into Barneys-a façade that is art, architecture, and brand."
In a departure from its usual presence in upscale urban settings, the new Barneys is located in the high-end NorthPark Center mall. A strategically devised, dramatic façade insures that the store will stand out among the numerous mall options in a way that befits Barneys' upscale urban cache. The retailer commissioned artist and long-time Barneys' collaborator John-Paul Philippe, who created the signature steel sculpture at Barneys' Ginza, Japan, location, among others, to collaborate with Gensler in making the Dallas store equally memorable.
The creative synthesis of artist and architect resulted in a visually striking glass and steel curtainwall vestibule structure that transparently encases a multi-dimensional steel sculpture. The structure functions as the major external entrance to the store, transforming the building itself into a work of sculpture. A bold red cantilevered steel slab emerges from the entrance structure to create an elegant red porte cochere awning balancing above and defining a waiting area for valet parking.
Inside, Gensler's task was to capture the taste, luxury and humor of the Barneys brand while creating an environment with its own personality. ''The iconic style of Barneys New York is a perfect fit for Dallas' fashion-conscious consumer," says Jeff Henry, Gensler's interior design director for the store. "Designed to flow effortlessly, the major interior elements-floors, walls, ceilings-work together to create a sculptural stage that supports the unique merchandise and witty presentations. Wrapped around all of this are sumptuous materials that assert the Barneys New York unmistakable point of view."
Spiraling between the two floors, the wood, limestone, and steel staircase forms a directional focal point for shoppers. The stair's steel structure is built with the same cut shapes as the exterior sculpture; the railing features glass etched with a pattern that also references the exterior. Supported by a single steal beam, the stairway is light and transparent, cascading down and culminating midway with a platform to be used as an ad hoc runway for fashion events.
The interior features such luxury materials and finishes as Italian plaster, end-grain oak flooring, hammered steel, Lucite, ombred-limestone mosaics, and black-stained oak with gold cerusing. To emphasize the fine art theme throughout the store and mall, four artists (Carter Kustera, Terrence Gower, designer Jonathan Adler, and Phillipe) contributed original artwork including mixed- media and painted murals and silhouettes, sculpture, ceramic artwork, and even custom furnishings and interior design for the new Personal Shopping area.
NorthPark Center is a fitting home for the new Barneys. Raymond Nasher, who developed the mall, is widely known as the world's leading collector of 20th Century sculpture and modern art. Since the 1960s he has introduced NorthPark shoppers to works by Borofsky, Warhol, Lichtenstein, and Stella, among others.
Gensler's New York and San Francisco offices completed the store in just 14 months, some 4-8 months faster than the industry standard.
Contact: Jan Lakin
(212) 468-4476
jan_lakin@gensler.com
pr_060912_ToyotaDealer
September 12th 2006
Gensler's Design for Toyota is Registered with National Green Building AssociationMCKINNEY, Texas — Gensler has designed the first "green" car dealership in the country that has been registered for a rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. The sustainable dealership, Pat Lobb Toyota of McKinney, is located at 3350 S. Central Expressway at El Dorado Parkway. The 53,000-square-foot, two-story facility recently celebrated its grand opening.
"Initially, the general assumption was that it would be impossible for a car dealership to go green and meet the stringent requirements to do so," said Gensler Dallas' Rick Ferrara, project director for the new dealership. "We believe this project will serve as an example that sustainability can be made a natural part of any building type."
LEED is a voluntary rating system that provides a uniform way to measure a building's environmental sustainability, providing evaluation in categories such as site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. The number of total points awarded in each category determines a building's level of LEED certification: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum. The dealership is on track to receive a LEED Silver rating.
"Opening this new dealership in McKinney is exciting in itself," Pat Lobb said. "We are also pleased to lead the way with a super energy-efficient and environmental facility."
Sustainable design elements such as water-efficient bathroom faucets and high-efficiency lighting permeate the building. Its aluminum exterior is made up of 80 percent recycled materials, and the carpet incorporates recycled automotive windshield glass. Additionally, a car wash uses recycled water, and waste oil from oil changes will be used to generate heat in portions of the building during winter.
The sustainable elements go beyond the building itself. Gensler incorporated bicycle racks for employees and preferred parking for vans to encourage ride sharing. The surroundings are landscaped with native Texas plants and grasses that require little water and are disease resistant. Roof and condensate water is harnessed for irrigation.
The dealership is designed to meet Toyota's Image USA II specifications, a nationwide program to unify Toyota dealerships' public image and encourages dealers to incorporate sustainable design strategies and materials. It will be serviced by Gulf States Toyota, the independent distributor serving dealers in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi. Turner Construction built the facility.
Contact: Jan Lakin
(212) 468-4476
jan_lakin@gensler.compr_060824_DubaiChamber
August 24th 2006
LONDON — The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry selected a 1.5 million square-foot design by Gensler for an additional building campus within their existing headquarters. Work on site is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2007, with a projected opening of March 2009.
Consisting primarily of two towers of 27 and 21 stories each, the campus also includes a multi purpose hall, parking, and a bridge link to the main chamber. The campus will act as a destination hub for DCCI's 79,000 members, providing office space for new companies and supporting the organization with new business facilities.
In a bold move away from the traditional center-core building approach prevalent in Dubai, the geometric arrangement of the towers creates an efficient and harmonious composition of old and new, fully integrating existing facilities while representing a striking new addition to the Dubai Creek skyline.
"This building, combined with an efficient site-planning strategy, creates a cohesive DCCI identity and address, reflecting the organization's stature and adding value to its core services," said Philip Gillard, Gensler's project director. "It represents a long-term solution and will set the regional benchmark for new buildings to come."
The new scheme aims to give the DCCI a marketable property that will help reinforce their brand in an increasingly competitive market. To maximize leasing potential, services and support functions are located outside the primary floor-plate allowing easy subdivision into smaller 1,000-square-foot tenancies or highly desirable 20,000-square-foot floors.
To be constructed with indigenous materials and readily available technology, the building responds intelligently to climate and site orientation, minimizing life-cycle and maintenance costs.
pr_060814_Raceline
August 14th 2006
New Retail Model for Designing, Building, and Racing Remote-Controlled Cars
CHICAGO — Raceline Motorworks, a new 5,000-square-foot retail and entertainment destination designed by Gensler opened in August 2006 at Westfield Hawthorn mall in Vernon Hills, IL. From a store entrance that resembles an open race car semi-trailer truck, to a pit row assembly area and on/off road racetrack, every store design detail immerses visitors in the experience of a day at the speedway. Targeted to kids aged 4-12, the new concept store is intended to be the boys' answer to the widely popular American Girl Place shopping experience, and akin to the interactivity of Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. In addition to interior design and retail architecture services, Gensler provided brand strategy and graphic design services for the one-of-a-kind retail environment. Clune Construction is the project's construction manager.
"Our objective," said Luigi Franceschina, Gensler's design director for the project, "was to create a store environment infused with the excitement of a 'Race Day' experience, a place where boys can be boys." He added, "It's more than just shopping, it's an interactive journey that encourages imagination and lets kids engage in a new and different experience each time they return."
"We are thrilled to introduce Raceline Motorworks to the retail market," said Rocky Jones, one of the founders of Experience Enterprises, the Chicago-based firm behind the concept. "Gensler's design realizes the entertainment mission of our emerging brand through experiences that celebrate boyhood, affirm self-esteem, and enhance parent-child relationships."
Experience Enterprises approached Gensler because of the design firm's ability to create signature-shopping experiences for such clients as American Girl, Apple, Gap, and Toys 'R' Us.
Collaborating with Experience Enterprises, Gensler established both the brand platform and the comprehensive graphic "look" for Raceline Motorworks, including development of the store name, logo, environmental graphics, signage, uniforms, packaging, and print collateral. Additionally, Gensler branded all the car-lines, providing Raceline Motorworks with a means to market and differentiate their products.
The store design evokes the carnival-like atmosphere of the "Race Day" experience, from the iconic garage door exterior to interior elements such as a grandstand, a track, pit row, and a racing team's truck and garage. Racing stripes, reminiscent of tire skid marks, enliven the store's walls and products. Large animal and nature-themed symbols establish the car model identities, and a graphic system of icons efficiently communicates the various product offerings.
Kids and parents engage in the retail experience from the perspective of a race fan approaching the racetrack, and as they move deeper into the store the experience progressively transitions to that of a racecar driver. The simple layout and primary color scheme eases circulation and store navigation. Kid-friendly graphics are easy to read and understand, and railing heights are set low to provide optimal viewing for children. Showroom panels represent race flags, and wood and metal surfaces evoke the industrial feel of a racetrack environment.
The store experience allows visitors to select and customize their car model, register their car and obtain a license and title from a mock department of motor vehicles, then move to the assembly area where a pit crew helps them build their cars before proceeding to the racetrack. Flat-screen monitors list current and upcoming races and post results.
Raceline Motorworks plans to rollout multiple stores throughout Chicago, the Midwest, and other regions of the US in the coming years. Future stores will have different racetracks to encourage club members to visit other stores and race the Raceline Motorworks circuit.
Contact: Lisa Beazley
(212) 492-2602
lisa_beazley@gensler.com
pr_060731_FaultyTowers
July 31st 2006
New Research Reveals Impact of Environmentally Unfriendly BuildingsLONDON — New legislation will expose the poor state of Britain's commercial property - causing a dramatic fall in the capital value of the UK's investment portfolios, according to new research released today by Gensler.
In a stark warning to commercial property investors, the report, 'Faulty Towers: Is the British Office Sustainable', reveals that 75% of property developers believe that impending legislation to grade the energy efficiency of buildings (in response to the EU's Energy Performance of Buildings Directive) will have a negative impact on the value and transferability of inefficient buildings when certification is imposed from 2007.
Chris Johnson, managing principal, Gensler London said: "Property fund managers are effectively sitting on an investment timebomb. The introduction of energy performance certificates will shorten the lifespan of commercial buildings constructed before the new regulations, and we expect the capital value of inefficient buildings to fall as a result.
"We expect to see a shake up in the market, with investors disposing of inefficient stock, upgrading those buildings which can be adapted and demanding much higher energy efficiency from new buildings."
According to the research, more than a quarter (27%) of companies' property-related energy consumption could be saved by making offices more sustainable, the equivalent of £155 million wasted every year.
The report also reveals that nearly three quarters (72%) of company property directors believe that business is picking up the bill for badly designed, inefficient buildings and more than a quarter (26%) state that bad office stock is actually damaging UK productivity.
With spiraling energy costs pushing energy efficiency up the agenda, business is shown to welcome the grading of buildings and is aiming to reduce property related energy consumption by 12% over the next 5 years.
While property directors confirm that business is willing to pay 10% more in rent for efficiently designed and constructed buildings, the majority of property developers (67%) state that they will only go as far as legislation demands when it comes to energy efficiency.
"With around 40% of energy consumption in the EU coming from the building sector, more sustainable and efficient design offers an enormous opportunity for reducing energy wastage, reducing carbon emissions and cutting costs," Johnson said. "However, there is a perception amongst developers that there is no demand for sustainable buildings. As a result, they lack the incentive to commission greener buildings. Our research shows that this pessimism is misplaced - business recognizes the benefits of energy efficient buildings and is willing to pay 10% more in rent for more efficiently designed and constructed buildings."
Sir Digby Jones, former director general, CBI, said: "Sustainability has increasingly become part of the language of commercial property. Yet despite individual examples of good practice, energy use in the commercial sector has risen rapidly and too often the development industry perceives a lack of demand for energy efficient buildings.
This needs to change. For the market to develop it is vital that investors, developers, business users and the government work together to make a compelling business case for sustainable buildings. Only then will they be built. As the Gensler report shows, such foresight could save UK businesses millions of pounds every year in reduced energy costs".
Notes To Editors
About Faulty Towers: Research Methodology Gensler's Faulty Towers report is based on an independent opinion study of 100 UK property professionals conducted by commercial property magazine Estates Gazette on behalf of Gensler in spring 2006.
New Research Reveals Impact Of Environmentally Unfriendly Buildings
The sample included the UK's top 50 property developers with responsibility for decision-making, and 50 property directors with responsibility for property portfolios in large multi-site organisations from financial services, legal and general corporate office sectors.
For further information, copies of the report and interview requests please contact:
Alessandra Almeida or Kirsten Rothey at Gensler
020 7330 9528 / 020 7330 9775
alessandra_almeida@gensler.com /
kirsten_rothey@gensler.compr_060720_Casino
July 20th 2006
LONDON — Gensler has been appointed as both master planner and architect for Blackpool's proposed Conference and Casino Quarter. Seen as a key part of the £1.4bn master plan to transform Blackpool into a resort of international appeal, the development will contain 1.7 million square feet of entertainment, hotel, conferencing, and casino development on a 20-acre site.
The UK