Sketch Lunch

April 25, 2016

The popular choices from a sketch lunch earlier this spring.

Left (1st place): Stephanie Beirne, RA, LEED GA

Top: Ryan Sison, LEED GA; Milton Lau, AIA

Bottom: Niko Nasis, LEED GA; Nate Sunderhaus, RA

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3D Printers: A visualization Aid for Stakeholders

Using 3D printers to study the design for renovations helps show the configuration, space and detail of a project in progress. Our team developed the concepts for improved circulation within a station by connecting the platforms and mezzanines. We made a digital CAD model for a small portion of the key interface and were able to adjust the CAD model for our 3D printer. The size and scale were printed to show actual steps and railings, and the final product gave stakeholders an idea of what the project would look like in the end before construction even started.

The Stephen Girard Building Gets a Makeover

The Stephen Girard Building was built in 1896 and designed in the Beaux-Arts style. Despite being called the Stephen Girard Building, the property was never occupied by the famous banker, as it was built 65 years after his death. It is a symbol for the powerful legacy of Stephen Girard’s charitable mission in Philadelphia, complete with Ionic columns and caryatids flanking the grand portico. The building will continue to honor his legacy as it is converted from an outdated office building to an upbeat boutique hotel at the heart of the East Market neighborhood – a transformation exemplified in this remarkable photo! Cleaning and repair of the exterior façade are currently underway.

Office-Inspired Campuses

Office Tech That “Works” for Campuses A core function of universities is to prepare students for the workforce. And yet, higher ed and office design have traditionally existed on opposite ends of the spectrum. The modern campus seeks to bridge the gap with learning commons that simulate the working world. Tech-enabled conference rooms, for instance, are on the rise, featuring camera-enabled TVs and screens that allow you to transfer your work simply from a screen to a wall projection.

Next Gen Learning Spaces

Out with Lecture Halls, In With Collaborative Learning Spaces Project-based learning, also known as next-generation learning, is all about breaking down barriers so students can solve problems collaboratively. This is not just true of the learning process, but the space where it takes place. Physically, it’s all about having a flexible space that inspires interaction - often marked by communal furniture, careful soundproofing, and open floor plans in place of tiered lecture halls.