Just uploaded some beautiful images by Devon Banks Photography to the the Warehouse Loft portfolio page. The project combined two apartments to create a unified, luminous three bedroom apartment that carefully reveals hints of the muscular, cast iron life of the old warehouse while creating a bright, modern living space for our client. New millwork is carefully constructed from the old 3" thick boards of white cedar water towers.
Studio Modh selected as Finalist in Center for Architecture, Design, and Education Competition
The Center for Architecture, Design, and Education Design Competition was sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Foundation as part of the 2015 Chicago Architecture Biennial. Studio Modh's project, titled "Windows on the Creative Education" , created two distinct buildings - one brick and one glass to reflect the strong legacy of these construction types in Chicago - that used the concept of the "window" to frame educational exchanges between the city and the building. Large openings in the masonry tower, a design high school, highlight studio-based educational strategy, large scale instruction in an auditorium with stunning views of Lake Michigan, and a grand rooftop for exercise and social activity.
In the transparent, glass base, paradoxically supporting the heavy masonry building above, the windows are a vertical exhibition gallery capturing exhibit content displayed within and reflecting an open-ness and sustainability that should guide every building inhabitants ambitions for their own built environment.
Our project was selected as a Finalist.
New photos of Active Learning Space
We just updated our Work Section to include new images of the final completion of the Penn Engineering Forman Active Learning Classroom in Philadelphia. The new images demonstrate the flexible technological capabilities of space as well as the careful attention to detail that enabled us to create a dignified, modern collaborative space. The design demonstrates to the young engineering students, who use the space everyday, that it is possible to achieve a balance of functionality, responsive design, and aesthetics. We feel this will make them better engineers and creators in their future careers. The photos are by Devon Banks, a New York based architectural photographer and artist.
Active Learning Classroom Gets Active!
Summer Course work is underway at the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Studio Modh was sent recent photos of the Active Learning Classroom in action. These photos were taken by the instructor, Jeffrey Babin, who is the School of Engineering's Assistant Professor of Practice and Associate Director Engineering Entrepreneurship. Always satisfying to see a project really getting used successfully. Now we are receiving feedback from the instructors and students that we will use to hone and improve upon facets of the design that may not be working exactly the way the client wants. This kind of feedback is critical to a successful project.
Completion of University of Pennsylvania Active Learning Space
We're ecstatic with how the new Active Learning Classroom turned out at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania. Previously the Engineering Library, the new space offers Engineering students and faculty a high-tech, collaborative learning space that has been designed to enable the space to be transformed into group work and reading space when not being used as a classroom.
Walls are designed as flush, over-size white boards enabling the students to, literally, write all over the walls without consequences. The room is equipped with a brilliantly designed integrated technology learning suite (by Philadelphia A/V firm Cenero) that facilitates dynamic sharing of lessons via wi-fi video to large scale screens and projectors.
The photos here are by the very talented Don Pearse Photographers, who shot for the contractor. Stay tuned for more photos soon.
Scaffold finally reveals the true glory of 19th Century Sandstone building in Tribeca
After two long years of careful scrubbing, sanding, and mortar pointing, the facade scaffold has come off the facade of two residential buildings on Reade Street. The building, built in the late 19th century, had suffered under layers of paint that trapped moisture and re-directed water toward the massive, original wood framed window units - resulting in rotting and corrosion. Studio Modh relied on the depth and wisdom of Jablonski Building Conservation, as well as the careful, diligent work of ABR Molding Inc.
The scaffold removal has revealed the buttery, warmth of the original sandstone trimmed off with Landmark Preservation Commission approved historic black paint and re-built ornamental metalwork details. Next up the lobby and water-table ornament along the storefront!
PENN Active Learning Classroom Nearing Completion
The final punch-list is progressing and a beautiful collection of Knoll tables, chairs, whiteboards, and other accessories have been arriving at the job site. Full photography to follow in preparation for the first Engineering classes in the late summer.
Putting the Studio into Studio Modh.
Studio Modh is moving into new offices! Beginning June 1st, Studio Modh will be housed in the newly renovated 1000 Dean Creative Work spaces in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The move will enable Studio Modh to continue to grow and connect with some of the great makers and other designers in Brooklyn. More images of the new space to come as we move in. Above are some images of the great new desks and millwork being fabricated by Glenn Paul Smith, local millworker and artist.