When it came time to replace the aging roof on the 22 year old Federal Reserve Building in Charlotte, they made the choice to install a green roof. That decision was based upon a careful analysis of the cost of the retrofit and additional life cycle cost of then maintaining it. The resulting project, is an encouraging foray into practical green design right here in Charlotte. Continue Reading »
Cooper Union Academic Building
Modern architecture meets the the Lower East Side of Manhattan with the new academic building at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. Advertised as “an innovative learning environment for the exceptional students enrolled today and for those to come,” its undulating, perforated metal skin seems to support at least the idea of those assertions. Just experiencing the building from the street however, leaves much to be desired. Continue Reading »
The High Line
Sitting dormant on the west side of Manhattan for the last 20+ years, the High Line is a former elevated freight rail line that carried goods in and out of the west side of New York City. Several groups of activists lobbied for and eventually gained support of the city to preserve the infrastructure and turn it into public space. The first phase opened this past June and has been an immense draw for the area. Continue Reading »
Urban Design Failure
In the burgeoning Southend district of Charlotte, development is transforming the once industrial area into a neighborhood of high density residential, local retail and office uses. The boom of the last 5 years resulted specifically in two pioneering projects – the Ashton Southend and the Spectrum Southend. Both replaced single story industrial complexes located adjacent to the light rail line and both are large scale, single use buildings. Both also contain serious design flaws that hurt the very urban environment they strive to create. Continue Reading »
Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Park
Memorial Waterfront Park is the new flagship park in the Charleston suburb of Mt. Pleasant. Located in the shadows of the newly completed Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, the 22 acre park is home to the Mt. Pleasant Visitors Center and features public pavilions, open green space, a playground, war memorial and a 1250 foot long fishing pier. The park was designed by ADC Engineering and cost $14 million to build. Continue Reading »