The rain here in Providence has been a steady issue for the last couple of months and finding sunny days to run outside and photograph the city are limited. A few weeks ago on a cloudy but dry day I found myself taking pictures on Benefit Street. I was excited to use a friend’s camera to take these pictures since I have contemplated a real camera instead of a point and shoot for a long time.

I enjoy Benefit Street for it’s true historical charm of residential buildings, it’s elevated stance overlooking the “downcity”, and it’s academic proximity. I find walking around with a camera is more interesting for finding unique details and views that are consistently abundant throughout this area of Providence. I hope you enjoy these photos and leave your comments.

Please take note that because of my new-found interest in photography all my images shown here will also be available for viewing on Flickr.

When it comes to lighting design few companies come close to quality and design like Luceplan. And recently I noticed a few new fixtures that caught my eye, mainly the Titania fixture stands out as an example of modern times and manufacturing.

“The aluminium lamellar shell is made up of an ordered sequence of aluminium ribs, which reflect and dematerialise the source of light. The lamp assumes different shapes depending on its angle: transparent seen head on, solid seen from the side. The use of a pair of filters to the sides of the source of light allows the body of the lamp to change colour without interfering with the emission of white light.”

I recently found Waldilla, by a wood flooring manufacturer from Germany that can produce a  floor consisting of curved wood planks, custom made to fit your room. It’s obvious why wood boards are always straight due to the milling process, but it never occurred to me that curved can also be achieved. We have the computer gods to thank for this product and the installers looking at the shop drawings.

Let me know if you have this in your home and about the process.

 “Waldilla^® is a made-to-order wood floor so that the customer can enjoy a unique high-quality product, exactly fitting to his rooms. Thanks to modern computer technology we can achieve unprecedented accuracy thus fulfilling the highest possible standards.”

Today I was downtown (downcity) to run a few errands and took my camera along to snap some pictures on what turned out to be a picturesque spring day in New England. I have always admired these older buildings within a limited concentration of the downtown area. One aspect of the architecture reminds me of travels through Europe and the classical styles seen throughout.

Although I describe myself as a modernist with a deconstructive background, the beauty of these buildings are apparent and extremely inspiring to just about anyone. The buildings speak of skilled laborers and artists that collaborated for endless hours on every detailed inch of facade. The richness of detail is best viewed at the top of these buildings and accounts for the creation of a city as each building attempts to be more important than the previous. I can image a time when only the first building was in place and the glamour of viewing such an art piece from afar.

I have been connected with Providence since my childhood and then later interested in the city as a student of architecture. In my time I have seen the city transform with the additions of hotels, a mall, office and luxury apartment buildings. My first architectural reaction happened during the construction of the first Westin Tower One over a decade ago. As I recall my architectural criticism along the lines of “why not design a building to make a statement, why something that merely copies it’s context”. Since that time I have seen various other building styles come to fruition in the area and contrast the classic buildings I photographed today. The Westin Tower Two was just completed last year and is more of a traditional building style in contrast to the newer all glass office buildings near the shopping mall. I feel it’s design is more closely related to the evolution of the buildings in the pictures and truly fits into the Providence context.

As my years in the architectural profession mature so does my sensitivity toward environments, style and the continuity of history. And although I strongly proclaim a modernist design style, the process of learning from history is always and eye opening experience that can reclaim old ideas and generate entirely new concepts. I hope you enjoy the pictures and find your personal way to Providence to enjoy the views.

… after a few weeks of intense study and preparation, I just recently passed the LEED 2.2 exam. I was equally enthusiastic and contemplative about taking a professional exam since my last exam occurred back in college (pre-1993). One resource that had a tremendous impact on the result of the exam is my career exposure to the LEED process, particularly during my years with ADD Inc in Cambridge, MA. It takes genuine understanding of the LEED process from both the client and architect perspective to incorporate the LEED process into any project. Furthermore the learning curve and level of acceptance by contractors often times lessens the opportunity from occurring based on irrational cost data associated with LEED.

My education and experience in architecture is also a credit to new challenges. As a designer I view the world through a critical eye and assess various needs and discrepancies and make attempts to provide design where there is none or limited opportunity to explore architectural principles. Design is also a process of learning, experimentation, evaluation, implementation and review, as much as the design process is seen as a linear action the reality is of a much more chaotic non-linear progression with varied results.

Study for the exam took on a design like approach based on review of the big picture and then the smaller nuisances. Just like the design of a building where the broad strokes outline building form and the details provide dimensional reference at a larger scale or more accurate stroke (I think I learned this from Tom Kinslow, architect of the famous T-House). I found the LEED 2.2 Reference Guide as the form generator, a series of handwritten notes to define and a shortlist of information to detail the relationships.

I encourage everyone to learn about the LEED process. Information is on the US Green Building Council website, including an abbreviated version of the Reference Guide.

Location| Woonsocket, RI
Type| addition
Area| 15,000 sf
Association| SPM Design

Status| complete (winter 2008)

Hanna Instruments is a global company with headquarters in Woonsocket and they are an industry leader in the advancement of high-tech measuring devices. Hanna Instruments acquired the services of a general contractor for the project and together we developed the design of the project to meet the owner’s specifications.

The project is an addition to an existing building and is situated on the western side of the property. The plan of the building conforms to the limit of the property lines and also is situated to engage a severe slope on the construction site.

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Location| Providence, RI
Type| new construction proposal (RFP)
Area| 6,650 sf
Association| SPM Design

Status| unbuilt

The Narragansett Bay Commission recently allocated land and funds for the construction of a new animal shelter during a land acquisition transaction with the City Of Providence. The proposal animal shelter is designed to meet a stringent budget and accommodations of program, and is situated on small parcel on the city’s south side.

Working with a local contractor, the design of the building evolved to maintain a “New England style on a shoe-string budget”. The exterior shell and roof of the facility are detailed with energy efficiency and minimal construction materials. The interiors feature washable surfaces and custom kennel designs. Attention is focused mainly on the front entrance where the public is welcome by a trellis and a double height reception space.

design models and renderings|

Location| Seekonk, MA
Type| addition, renovations
Area| 3,650 sf
Association| SPM Design

Status| completed summer 2009

The owner of this property, located on Rt. 6 near a highly active commercial zone, wanted to transform a current auto parts retail store into a showroom for European sports and luxury automobile sales.

The project scope involves removing the front part of the existing structure to rebuild a new showroom. Alterations to the remaining building include adding garage doors to the exterior and re-design of the interior layout to accommodate a tenant space.

design models and renderings|

Location| Warren, RI
Type| addition, alteration
Area| 550 sf addition + existing renovations
Association| SPM Design
Builder| Kenwood Construction
Kitchen Consultant| Classic Kitchens

Status| complete (winter 2009)

The owners of this residence desired a spacious kitchen and dinning room transformation to accommodate their lifestyle in their 50’s beach house.

The house, located on the eastern shoreline of the Kickemuit River, has seen transformation over the years. Initially constructed as a 2 story with garage below, the previous owner had already added a family room. However the original galley kitchen was better suited for making sandwiches rather than family meals. 

Also included in the addition/renovation is a new 1/2 bath, remodel of the main bathroom, and radiant floor heating throughout the new stone flooring. The house exterior was also completely repainted, new gutters and downspouts, and the addition/replacement of several energy efficient windows. Plans to enhance landscape are set for the near future. 

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Location| Rumford, RI
Type| addition, renovation
Area| 700 sf addition + existing renovations
Association| SPM Design
Builder| Kenwood Construction

Status| complete (winter 2008)

The owners of the house are newcomers to the RI area and have settled here for career opportunities. They were able to acquire the home at an affordable price and were looking to renovate the house to suit their lifestyle.

Essentially the house is a typical “four-square”, 2-story plus walk-up attic and full basement. The owners’ request was to add more area to the kitchen and master bedroom quadrant of the house. The kitchen is expanded by 130SF, while the upstairs bedroom gains 210 SF with a new master bedroom and walk in closet. A front wrap around porch is also added to reflect the owners’ southern influences and provide “curb appeal” to the property.

“We are EXTREMELY PLEASED with your help in our project. And strongly believe without your participation the project would not have come out as fantastic as it did. If we buy land and build in this area we’ll be giving you a call!” - the client

Also included in the addition/renovation is a complete rebuild of all interior walls and millwork, exterior insulation, new windows, new siding, new electrical and energy efficient heating and ventilation systems. A new backyard deck is also part of the design and plans to rebuild a new garage are set for the neat future.

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