KSS ARCHITECTSFIRM LOOKBOOK 2017
CONTENTS 1 IDEAS AND WORK 6 URBANIZATION20 TRANSFORMATION32 INNOVATION40 ENGAGEMENT50 COMPLEXITY60 WELLNESS74 STEWARDSHIP86 WHO WE ARE
IDEAS AND WORK
THE IDEAS THAT INSPIRE DESIGN ARETHE SAME IDEAS THAT DESIGN IMPACTS.
IDEASThe ideas that INSPIREDESIGN are the same ideasthat DESIGN IMPACTS.At KSS, we believe that there are big ideasin the world. Ideas that we strive toward,ideas that we internalize and explore. Webelieve that the ideas that inspire designare the same ideas that design impacts. Forthe world today, we see the following as theideas that drive our process, and drive us.With each project, we navigate a processthat unearths, expounds upon, and embedsa sense of purpose—bringing a project to lifethrough the expression of meaningful ideas.TRANSFORMATION URBANIZATION INNOVATIONTransformation is a Urbanization is gravity, Innovation is thefundamental shift in humanized—people modern responseknowledge, identity, or moving towards a to entrepreneurialperspective. center. spirit—exploration that recognizes needs and constructively exceeds them.
ENGAGEMENT COMPLEXITY WELLNESS STEWARDSHIPEngagement is the Complexity offers Wellness is the Stewardship is theessential story of richness of experience— fulfillment of the expression of ourpositive change—people many diverse parts vast span of our needs, collective capacity tointeract, people take adding up to a whole from shelter replenish and care foraction, people enrich that transcends them all. to self-actualization. resources of all kinds—the world. with purpose, tenacity, and optimism. 3|
EXPERIENTIALCOMMUNITIESFrom home to work to school, our world is transforming into an innovative environmentwhere it is ever more vital to build what we value most. It’s beyond houses, beyond evenhomes—it’s experiential communities—places for life, work, learning, and more.LIFEPlaces for Feeling at home is about striking a balance between the individual and community—home is where the ritualThe power of the dynamic world we live in is of life happens, where a sense of placethe amount of engagement we experience on adaily basis. Experiences are memorable, personal, becomes a sense of belonging.sensational. The experience economy realizes thepower of engagement—people moving across &beyond communities. Building places to live thatharness the power of experience involves more thanproviding amenities—it’s crafting spaces and placeswhere people bring their dreams to collide—like a Design Element:co-working space for all aspects of life. COMMUNITYGreat places for life and living are environments SPACESwhere many diverse parts add up to a whole thattranscends them all. In designing places thatconnect, we offer families, entrepreneurs, students,and dreamers the magic of opportunity—placeswhere people self-organize into cohesivenetworks and craft emergent constellations Design Element:of growth and transformation. LIFESTYLE| 4 BRAND
Places for WORK How we work becomes the ultimate expression of how we live—To answer the question of WHERE and HOW we will interconnected and responsive to thework in the future, we must answer the question of wide spectrum of human needs.WHY we will work. As work aligns more and morewith purpose and workers become thinkers, doers, Design Element:and makers, the workplace is transformed into anexperience that brings ideas to life. In the past, we DAYLIGHTdesigned workplaces around processes—now, weare moving toward workplaces designed to fulfill thewide spectrum of human needs, providing us withchoice so we can embrace changes we experienceon timescales spanning minute-to-minute andyear-to-year.The future of work will hold a mirror up to ourindividual and collective identities, as we map ourexperiences on the world and blend life, work, andplay into an integrated lifestyle.How we work becomes the Design Element: Design Element:ultimate expression of howwe live—interconnected and BALANCING FOCUS CHOICEresponsive to the wide spectrum & COLLABORATIONof humanity—an extraordinaryenterprise where people cometogether to paint the world anew.Places for LEARNING Learners become leaders who are constantly reimagining society asThe future of education is embedded in student inclusive, cohesive networks of people,success—how students and life-long learners alike together navigating the wind, thenavigate discovery and transformation. We believe calm, and everything in between.that schools and learning centers are vital touchpoints in a learner’s experience—it is througheducation that we celebrate every entity’s inherentdignity and purpose and reshape our world andourselves to become that which we never beforethought possible.That the best way to nurture student success is to Design Element: Design Element:build a purpose-driven community. Communitiesare the connective tissue that enrich our collective NATURE IDENTITYlives, fuel the soul, and propel us forward. Designingspaces that enact purpose involves embracingsynergy, innovation, and opportunity to buildcommunity. 5|
URBANIZATION
URBANIZATION IS GRAVITY,HUMANIZED—PEOPLE MOVING TOWARDS A CENTER.
TEACHERS VILLAGETEACHERS AS AGENTS OF CHANGECan a community of education act as a catalyst forurban revitalization? Can where teachers live affectthe relevance and vibrancy of a neighborhood?Without capes, masks or super-powers, theteachers of Newark, New Jersey are transformingboth the broad horizon of education and the moreintimate future of their community. As residentsof the newly constructed Teachers Village, theseeducators proudly teach in the City’s public,private, and charter schools, patronize local shopsand eateries, and live in purpose-built, teacheroriented residential towers. These buildings serveas a foundation of support for the teachers—fostering an exchange of experiences and ideas,and affording the opportunity to put down rootsand rise to the occasion of Newark’s urban renewal.THE PARTNERSHIPWhile the concept of charter schools has becomereality, the new idea of teachers and education-based communities as purveyors of urbanrenaissance requires a new incarnation of a public-private partnership—such as the one developedby Ron Beit, CEO of the RBH Group, Newark. Tofulfill its vision and mission, RBH—as leaders in realestate financing, development, and managementservices—acquired 77 different parcels of land along11 blighted blocks of Halsey and William Streets.In a complex, virtually one of a kind public-privatepartnership, development assistance and financialbacking came from a wide variety of financialand lending institutions, individual investors, andcity, state, and federal governments. The projectalso received one of the largest residential UrbanTransit Hub Tax Credit allocations in the State ofNew Jersey. The amalgamation of these financialarrangements resulted in the $150 million neededfor the eight-building project. 9|
$150M THE COMMUNITY The Great Oaks Charter School has been specifically designed to support a curriculum of general classRAISED THROUGH The Halsey Street corridor and neighborhood, time in the morning followed by robust tutoringPUBLIC-PRIVATE also known as an enclave for galleries and artists, sessions in the afternoons. A multi-purpose roomPARTNERSHIP FOR is surrounded by five universities and is in close transforms into a Tutoring Hall, complimented by aTEACHERS VILLAGE proximity to public transportation. To be ideally Commons Area, which is better suited for lower ratio situated in an area conducive to creativity and tutor/student break-out sessions. The Chen School,214 higher education, RBH proposed a built solution to providing daycare for infants, toddlers and Pre-K add re-vamped primary education to the mix—with students has also been specifically designed to meetUNITS OF AFFORDABLE the addition of one big, previously overlooked the needs of an urban daycare center. Common AreasRENTAL HOUSING component—the community of teachers needed to support group play and assemblies, considerationWITHIN TEACHERS not just sustain the schools, but to both anchor and has been given to safety concerns, and a rooftop playVILLAGE drive the surrounding community forward. area has been created for outdoor play in a limited footprint building. KSS has also completed design Research conducted by The RBH Group showed that work on another residential building, which will begin just 19 percent of Newark teachers live in the city construction in the near future. proper; 29 percent live in the New Jersey suburbs; 19 percent live in New York City; and 10 percent live THE RESULT in Jersey City. But when surveyed, Newark teachers were enthusiastic about housing options with shorter Public-private partnerships, by nature of shared- commute times and proximity to restaurants, movie goal, are also well-suited to professional-creative theaters, bars, museums and shopping. partnerships: a collection of individually talented people coming together to design and build not just THE PROPOSAL: Teachers Village—a mixed use a complex of buildings, but a community of learning, educational, residential and retail environment to imagining and achievement. We can conglomerate include three charter schools, a private daycare the finances and create the buildings, but it is not center, 214 units of affordable rental housing until the students, and their teachers, enter and marketed to teachers, and 65,000 sf of high quality use the buildings—bringing them to life, fostering retail in over 20 different businesses. community and bringing forth change—that we can call the project a success. Success can be found in65K sf THE STRATEGY: by investing in the needs and wants Newark’s Teachers Village. of the teachers, the teachers become invested inOF HIGH QUALITY not just their students, but in their surroundingRETAIL WITHIN community as well.TEACHERS VILLAGE THE ELEMENTS Richard Meier, Newark-born and world-renowned architect, designed the community’s master plan. KSS Architects was invited to the project to lend their expertise in charter school understanding and design, utilize their experience with mixed-use properties, and share their passionate commitment to urban renewal through meaningful architecture. KSS began work on the interior of the TEAM charter school, serving students K-4, and the Discovery Charter School, serving middle school students 5th through 8th grades. Making the most of their building’s assets, these two schools, who share the building, also share a common gymnasium and exercise room which is also opened to the residential community by membership after school hours.| 10
AEROFARMS TURNING A CITY GREEN WITH URBAN AGRICULTURE At 212 Rome Street in the Ironbound neighborhood KSS is designing the flagship headquarters for of Newark, New Jersey, growth is taking place. Aerofarms, and the aeroponic urban farm. The AeroFarms is the reason for that growth. As a leader farm will be completed in phases, culminating in urban agriculture, the company utilizes state-of- in three independent buildings. Building 1 will the-art technology to grow leafy greens, herbs and be processing, shipping and receiving, and farm micro greens in a process called “aeroponics”. In this related support areas; Building 2 will be comprised process the seeds are placed on a cloth material of growing and cooling space and a laboratory; and placed onto 5’-0” growing trays where they are Building 3 will contain additional growing space, misted with nutrient rich water. The trays are placed germination, event space and corporate offices. on growing racks under integrated LED lighting. Once the seeds have germinated and reached maturity, the The facility will operate on a 24 hours a day, 7 days trays are removed from the racks and taken by carts a week schedule. Local delivery of the produce will to the harvester. The harvesting machine removes occur 4 times a week to local food markets and the greens from the cloth and packages the product restaurants throughout Newark. into plastic containers. From here, the greens are packaged for shipment. Location: Newark, New Jersey Size: 77,000 sf of renovation and addition Features: Processing area, Shipping and receiving, Farm related support and growing areas, Cooling space, Laboratory, Shop, Event space, Corporate office space Awards: PlanSmart NJ Economic Development Achievement Award| 12
RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY 15 WASHINGTON ARTS SPACE “15 Washington” stands 16 stories tall on displays, coffee breaks, and lunchtime food for Washington Park in Newark, New Jersey. For almost thought. Organically shaped tables and stackable 85 years the former American Insurance Building chairs enable a variety of communal and singular has been a symbol of pride and progress in the city settings. An abundance of daylight easily converts of “New Work.” Rutgers University, in keeping with to pinpoint theatrical lighting via the ceiling-hung its role as a world-class, urban, public research light grid designed to mesh with the historic university that is not just in Newark but of Newark, architecture while providing structure for lighting, is poised to carry forward the mantle of New Work, rigging, and even sculpture. by giving to the City a place for New Art—the historic yet re-defined space of the Great Hall within Rutgers University partners with the scholars, the renovated environs of “15 Washington.” artists, citizens, and students of Newark to offer a forum for artistic expression, fostering new dialogue An innovative, highly flexible arts events space, and understanding. “15 Washington” is where the Great Hall rises 30 feet to the ceiling and heritage meets innovation; where history is rich— uses expansive vision and creative modularity to and forward thinking, priceless. showcase performances and cross-curricular events from concert, dance, and theater to sculptural Location: Newark, New Jersey Size: Approx. 25,000 sf Features: Amphitheater, Flexible arts events space, Faculty lounge, Art library, Rehearsal rooms, Control booth and recording studio.| 14
RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY HAHNE & CO. BUILDING ADAPTIVE REUSE The adaptive reuse of portions of the vacated partnerships are numerous, including charter schools, Hahne & Co. department store provides Rutgers county and city colleges, boys and girls clubs, the city University with a unique, mission-driven opportunity museum, and local professional artists. Ultimately, to strengthen its relationship with the community the center will become a beacon of diversity, of Newark and the State of New Jersey. The drawing together people of all ages, ethnicities, and development of this historic landmark as a center for occupations—utilizing the Arts as a common bond. the creation, exhibition, and conversation of Arts and Communications enhances the city’s “Arts Triangle”— For Rutgers University, as an anchor institution the downtown area under development to reignite in Newark, it is through the thoughtfully crafted the vibrancy of Newark’s city core. relationship between architecture and community that the fabric of its urban neighborhood will be Rutgers is developing approximately 38,594 sf of the strengthened and revitalized. A great place, such as 441,000 sf building as a distinctive, community-based the renovated and re-purposed Hahne & Co. Building, educational program that includes an art incubator, will not only bring a community of students and community media center, portrait studio, design neighbors together, but inspire it to do great things. consortium, and letterpress studio. Community Location: Newark, New Jersey Size: Approx. 38,594 sf Features: Art incubator, Community media center, Portrait studio, Design consortium, and Letterpress studio.| 16
NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY STUDENT HOUSING DESIGN NJCU’s campus lies within pedestrian-friendly The proposed building, a brick masonry structure residential neighborhoods on the west side of Jersey with a front garden courtyard, emulates the City. Tidy row homes and ground-level retail line the gorgeous urban landscaping of the campus. The streets along with larger pre-war housing buildings public areas of the building utilize storefront glass and schools. The area is ideal for student housing to create interest, vitality, and transparency, which because of its proximity to campus and relation allows this building to become a safe haven of to scale of the surrounding residential context. activity at all hours of the day. The transparency However the university’s current housing building reinforces a visual connection with university’s on Kennedy Boulevard is in a state of disrepair future plans for front yard presence on Kennedy and cannot accommodate the desired quantity Boulevard. In keeping with the context and scale of students. The University wants to build a new, of the neighborhood, the building includes durable state-of-the-art building that will accommodate materials, which will provide ease of maintenance more students and offer amenities that will make and longevity for the University. NJCU competitive for student population growth. Location: Jersey City, New Jersey Program: Student housing development with various unit types Size: 5 story, 47,000 sf building accommodating 263 beds; 5 story, 215 beds in a suite-style format (alternate scheme) Features: Reception area, Residence life and building management offices, Security, Multipurpose room, On-site laundry, Garden courtyard, Group lounge on each floor, Private bathrooms in each unit| 18
TRANSFORMATION
TRANSFORMATION IS A FUNDAMENTAL SHIFT IN KNOWLEDGE, IDENTITY, ORPERSPECTIVE—MAPPING OUR CHANGE-VISIONS ON THE WORLD WHILE HOLDING DEAR OUR VALUES.
SETON HALL UNIVERSITY AQUINAS HALL EXPANSION In advance of the creation of a new University Center, Disabilities Act (ADA) access to all levels of the Seton Hall University engaged KSS Architects to building. In addition, 16 of the new beds provided will address a critical shortage of on-campus housing be in ADA accessible suites. Other improvements to and to reposition this existing residence hall to be the existing portion of the building will include new more supportive of its residential life program. A energy-efficient windows, redesigned bathrooms new fourth floor, new entry lobby, and northwest in all suites, and renovations to the public spaces, corridor addition to Aquinas Hall will add 164 beds corridors, and lounges. The new finishes within the and redefine this residence hall. The new lobby will public spaces will serve to enhance student life, contain two elevators providing Americans with community, and way finding. Location: South Orange, New Jersey Size: 1o8,000 sf (44,000 sf addition/64,000 sf renovation); 400 beds Features: New entry lobby, Traditional and ADA accessible suites, Updated bathrooms, Improved way finding| 22
THE RICHARD STOCKTON COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY STUDENT HOUSING IV Working closely with Stockton College’s Student Pitched roofs, low garden walls, and residential- Residential Housing Committee and Office of Facilities scaled windows provide a residential character and Planning and Construction, KSS developed three scale to each apartment. Each apartment features options for student housing that met the campus’s an efficient layout and a distinct separation of needs and budget: residence halls, apartment/suite- public space, common space, and private spaces. style housing, and townhouse-style housing. Knowing The eight residential buildings form a dense the demands on food service that a residence hall perimeter on the site to create a green space for would create, the inherent economies in apartment- outside recreation. type construction, and the popularity of apartment- style living with students, the team identified apartment/suite-style housing as the most suitable.| 24 Location: Pomona, New Jersey Size: Eight residential buildings, 250 beds, and a Commons building for shared resources Features: Housing complex (Community green space, commons building, laundry, office, computer facility, multipurpose room) Apartment unit (Two double bedrooms, combined kitchen/living area, full bathroom, secondary sink area, ample closet space) Finance Consultant: Education Real Estate Services, Inc. Contact: Donald Moore, 856.256.4199
WHYY PUBLIC MEDIA DORRANCE H. HAMILTON PUBLIC MEDIA COMMONS The Hamilton Public Media Commons at WHYY programmable LED lighting that create colorful, presents exciting opportunities to educate dynamic displays reflective of ongoing activity communities about digital media while enlivening a inside—the first installation of this kind in the major streetscape in Center City Philadelphia. The U.S. Cast stone finishes lead visitors inside to the 7th Street corridor, utilitarian in form, previously “Portal,” an open reception space and video gallery comprised parking lots and the backs of buildings. showcasing student work. A window on 7th Street A solid and enclosed space, though fitting for the allows the public to view the programming inside studio program, would have been counterproductive The Lincoln Financial Digital Education Studio for to the project’s mission of outreach. large-scale student productions. Through innovation and technology, KSS Architects The Public Media Commons has become a popular designed a learning lab that addresses the project’s destination on the existing Technology Center’s multifaceted goals. Outside, the building skin is “Main Street,” an open public space that leads to composed of translucent white panels featuring major functions. Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Size: 7,500 sf new construction; 4,000 sf renovation Features: Digital production studio, Community center, Multipurpose space, Classrooms, Mural in partnership with the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program Recognition: American Institute of Architects New Jersey, Design Merit Award, 2010. First Place, 3form Best Installation Contest, 2010.| 26
SPARKS SOHO OFFICE IMPROVEMENTS When Sparks, an innovative brand agency, wanted for events. A bar area doubles as an activity hub to renovate their SoHo offices to express their and primes the space for everything from launch cutting-edge, funky vibe, KSS delivered. Designed parties to think tank roundtables. to promote Sparks’s youthful work environment while also serving as a flexible event space, The atmosphere embodies SoHo’s craftsman, the new offices feature elegant standing desk boutique culture. Modern furnishings complement configurations and an open floor plan. In modest the original brick and milled woodwork, playing square footage, the new offices provide an array to the space’s 5th floor loft feel. Skylights and of programming, from brainstorming areas to glazing at each end of the slender workspace fill it entertaining space. KSS lifted the floor to create an with natural light. Overall, the space’s stylish yet elevated conference area that doubles as a stage authentic ambiance fully expresses Sparks’s brand. Location: New York, NY Program: Corporate office Size: 3,700 sf Features: Offices, Standing desk configuration, Bar/kitchen area, Conference room/stage| 28
NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY WEST CAMPUS MASTER PLAN The site was anything but the obvious choice for campus and become lined with landscapes and NJCU’s new West Campus. Located on blighted land multilevel, mixed-use buildings that will draw new once occupied by a steel manufacturing plant, the site demographics into the community. New retail shops was an eyesore. Inspired by NJCU’s mission to create visible from Route 440 will stimulate interest and a new campus and revitalize the urban fabric of the growth in the neighboring areas. Westside community, a team of design, planning and development experts collaborated to turn the site The West Campus master plan will directly into a thriving academic, retail, and social center. transform and improve a community on a vast urban scale. As environmental remediation moves KSS Architects is overseeing efforts to transform forward, positive changes are already evident after the site into a safe and vibrant hub of community completion of the University Charter School, one of and economic activity. Roads that once dead the first phases of the master plan. ended at the site will flow through the new Location: Jersey City, New Jersey Size: 22 acres of brownfield redevelopment, 1.5 million sf of program Features: Retail (Five buildings will provide more than 218,000 sf of retail); Education (Four buildings will provide 260,000 sf of space devoted primarily to educational use, academic facilities and offices, and performing arts); Housing (Four buildings will contain 250 units in approximately 300,000 sf); Parking (On-street parking, surface lots and four parking structures will provide 2,000 spaces) Sustainability: Pursuing LEED for Neighborhood Development| 30
NMallory East Street Audubon Avenue West Side Avenue Audubon Avenue West Side Avenue Mallory East Street Stegman Boulevard The main entrance for those members of the New Jersey City Stegman Boulevard University community arriving from the eastern campus. South Road RETAIL Carbon Place Stegman Boulevard HOURSEITNAGIL HOUSING TERRACE Stegman Boulevard TOWER Carbon Place HOUSING HOUSING TERRACE TOWER Stegman BoulevardMallory East Street Stegman Boulevard West Side Avenue Stegman Boulevard West Side Avenue Mallory East Street South Road Housing, retail and parking on this block have been placed to Carbon Place match like uses on the opposite side of the street, creating synergistic pairings. Stegman Boulevard Stegman Boulevard South Road HOUSING PARKING RETAIL HOUSING PARKING PARKING RETAIL HOUSING Carbon Place PARKING COMMERCIAL RETAIL COMMERCIAL RETAIL HOUSINGMallory West Street Mallory East Street The main public spaces of the redevelopment. A T-shaped civicMallory East Street Mallory West Street plaza connects the buildings on the blocks to each other and the other buildings in the redevelopment area. Stegman Boulevard COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL RETTAHIELATER PERFORMINGRAERTTASIL THEATER PERFORMING ARTS Carbon Place PERFORMING PERFORMING CENTER CENTER ARTS CENTER ARTS CENTREERTAIL RETAILMallory West Street Mallory East Street Two academic buildings with first floor retail on both sidesMallory East Street Mallory West Street of Stegman Boulevard will encourage pedestrian traffic and foster street life. Stegman Boulevard FUTURE FUTURE FUTURE AEBDCFUAUUIDCLTDEAUAMTIRCNIIEOAGCND/EMBFUICUILT/DUEIRDNEUGCATAIOCANDEMBFUICUILT/DUEIRDNEUGCATION FUTURE ACADEMIC / ACADEMIC / ACADEMIC /FUTURE ACADEMIC / EDUCATION EDUCATION EDUCATION EDUACCAATDIOENMIC / EDUCATION BUILDING BUILDING BUILDING BUILDINGBUILDING RETAIL RETAILMallory West Street Mallory East Street Housing, retailStegman and pBoulevard arking occur on this block. Retail andMallory East Street Mallory West Street commercial components are located on the first floor along all four frontages. South Road HOUSING PARKING HOUSING Carbon Place PARKINCGOMMERCCOIAML MERCIAL COMMERCIAL RETAIL HOUSING COMMERCIAL RETAIL HOUSING PEDESTRIAN PEDESTRIAN PASS THRU PASS THRU Route 440 Mallory Avenue West Route 440A small tower at the northwest corner of the block marks theMallory Avenue West West Campus site for those traveling on Route 440. The major commercial component forms a retail courtyard. ACADEMIC FINISH FINISH FLOORS GRADE GRADE ACADEMIC GFIRNAISDHECOMMEPRACRIKARILNEGTAILAFCLAODOERMSFIECIEDLOUDFCHFAIOTCIUEOSNPEA//RKING Stegman Boulevard FLOORS RETAIL RETAIL PARKING RETAIL PARKING FIELDHOUSE/ COMMERCIAL ACADEMIC EDUCATION/ FLOORS FINISH GRADE OFFICE Stegman Boulevard Route 440 Mallory West Street Route 440 Encloses the southern edge of the retail courtyard. The retailMallory West Street component is located on the first floor level of the building with offices, schools, or housing above. RETAIL RETAIL COMMERCIAL RETAIL COMMERCIAL RETAIL OFFICE / ACADEMIC / EDUCATION / HOUSING OFFICE / ACADEMIC / EDUCATION / HOUSING OFFICE / ACADEMIC / EDUCATION / HOUSING OFFICE / ACADEMIC / EDUCATION / HOUSING 31 |
INNOVATION
INNOVATION IS THE MODERN RESPONSE TO THE ENTREPRENEURIALSPIRIT—EXPLORATION THAT RECOGNIZES NEEDS & CONSTRUCTIVELY FULFILLS THEM.
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA PENNOVATION CENTER Pennovation Works—the 23 acre former DuPont and a “bleacher” to facilitate the many pitches that industrial site along the Schuylkill River, in the start-up companies typically present. This central up-and-coming neighborhood of Grays Ferry, is the space, above all else, is an area of intersections— next generation of Philadelphia and global innovation. where disciplines, theories, and brilliant ideas overlap Pennovation Center, a brick and mortar factory and collide in a spectacular array of what-if, outside- relic, is the site’s anchor building and will become an the-box, next-big-thing thinking, doing, and “we’re iconic landmark for Penn. The Pennovation Center’s going to need more space” happening. program will enable entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry partners to translate inventiveness into KSS, as the executive architect, has facilitated viable ventures in a dynamic environment. a thoughtful process through creativity, careful management, and thorough oversight in all aspects Co-working space has been amalgamated and of the team’s work. The Pennovation Center is centralized to connect offices, labs, and shared the cutting edge home for the next generation of resources—allowing engineers to break out from their entrepreneurship in the region and its design is both laboratory space and work cross-curricular with other an inspiration and a testament to the University’s lessees. In addition to co-working desk space, the mission of fostering innovation by creating vital, common area includes meeting rooms, social space, vibrant, and prolific intersections. Location: Philadelphia, PA Size: 65,000 sf addition and renovation Features: Business Incubator, Offices, Wet and dry labs, Co-working desk spaces, Studio spaces, Meeting rooms, Central presentation “bleacher,” Social spaces Design Architect: HWKN Recognition: CREW Philadelphia Community Impact Award, 2016| 34
CONFIDENTIAL CLIENT CENTER FOR R&D, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION At the center of a well-executed project is a well- client to reexamine the client’s organizational articulated goal. Through a leading-edge visioning structure, designing a project and an organizational process, KSS worked with our client to delineate model that would be high-performing, functional, the overarching goal of the project—to drive the and flexible to future needs. By arranging open speed of delivery by facilitating collaboration and offices and co-working spaces adjacent to a innovation. For the Center for Food Process R&D, resource-rich “collaboration spline”, KSS crafted Technology & Innovation, that meant intentionally opportunities for innovation through interaction. balancing laboratory space for complex food A clear glass wall illuminates lab spaces across processes with workplaces and customer from the collaboration spline, cultivating a sense of interaction spaces. transparency and accessibility across departments, encouraging R&D, engineering, and special project By internalizing the driving project ideas of teams to engage in moments of exploration and innovation, engagement, and transformation, the discovery throughout the day. project team led interactive sessions with the Features: Food laboratories, Office spaces, Customer interaction spaces| 36
JONATHAN ROSE COMPANIES P.S. 55 GREEN BRONX MACHINE Innovator, educator, and entrepreneur Stephen More than just farming equipment, the Green Ritz is growing a Green Bronx Machine in an old Bronx Machine is a sophisticated engine of learning. library at PS 55 in the Bronx. He fully expects the Students come to understand the science of underutilized library to become the National Health growing food, as well as its nutritional benefits and and Wellness Center at PS 55. Stephen’s machine methods for preparation and cooking. The Green utilizes the new concept in urban farming known as Bronx Machine offers tools for the measurement of “aeroponics”; a plant-cultivation technique whereby electricity, lighting, and water, a computer station plants are grown vertically (to maximize growing to conduct research and analyze data, and a mobile space), and their roots receive nutrients via a rich kitchen to practice food preparation techniques. mist instead of soil. This method of urban farming Fresh salads and vegetables from the Green is still heavily hands-on, and brains-on, for skillful Bronx Machine appear in PS 55’s school cafeteria, cultivation and exponential growth. student’s home kitchens, and ultimately across the neighborhood - all while generating outstanding academic performance in school. THE FARM ‘COMMUNAL’ MODEL 4 1 231. GROWING TOWERS ‘FARM’ 9 62. FLEXIBLE STATION 5 73. SEED STATION4. TEACHERS’WORKSTATION 85. LEARNING AREA6. TEACHING TOWERS Location: Bronx, New York7. RESEARCH STATION8. COOKING KITCHEN Size: 1,500 sf renovations9. COMMUNAL TABLE Features: Meeting spaces, Dining facilities, Bookstore, Retail destinations, Theater, Informal hang out spaces, Admissions, Dean of | 38 Students, Student services
ENGAGEMENT
ENGAGEMENT ISTHE ESSENTIAL STORYOF POSITIVE CHANGE— PEOPLE INTERACT,PEOPLE TAKE ACTION, PEOPLE ENRICH THE WORLD.
FIRST ROUND CAPITALGROWING YOUR OWNENTREPRENEURS:FIRST ROUND CAPITAL CREATES ACOMMUNITY OF INNOVATIONCafés, courtyards, corridors, coffee houses. Weknow that 70% of learning takes place outsidethe classroom. From impromptu discussions topassionate debates, opportunities to learn springfrom within and surround a campus. In a morestructured approach, an institute of higher learningcan leverage corporate partnerships to extend itscampus and strengthen its degree programs byfostering entrepreneurial learning opportunitiesfor its students. 43 |
70% First Round Capital, a national startup venture In addition to providing experience on the capital fund, and Drexel University, Philadelphia, financial side of entrepreneurial ventures, FirstLEARNING TAKES forged just such a partnership which resulted in Round Capital also offers mentorship and officePLACE OUTSIDE the creation of a thriving technology hotbed—and space to the students whose companies receiveTHE CLASSROOM a model to follow to produce successful startup funding and are progressing to form their start- companies, accomplished graduates, and a up companies. Each coveted startup space$500K sustainable ecology system for the technology and comes with advice and counsel as to the use of business sectors in the region. the young company’s initial investment and theAMOUNT FRC BACKED company’s early-stage progression.DORM ROOM FUND For an institute of higher learning, the opportunity to partner with a company to offer student-centric, (ENGAGED STUDENTS + INSPIRATIONAL174 hands-on entrepreneurial experience is a means to PLACE) X VISION = A COMMUNITY OF expand a campus beyond its formal borders, and CONVERGENCECURRENT STARTUPS to elevate students’ minds beyond the standardFINANCIALLY curriculum. In a win-win scenario for the business, To inspire these students and to create a vibrantBACKED BY FRC the university, and the students, classroom theory off-campus home, it became pivotal for First Round is augmented by real-life experience, raising the Capital to find just the right location—and create bar of value for the university’s degree program— just the right office environment. Strategically and creating a competitive advantage in its set in close proximity to the campuses of Drexel recruitment strategy. University and the University of Pennsylvania, the FRC office is situated in the perfect spot in West In an effort to attract and eventually retain talent, Philadelphia—this specific geography enables First First Round Capital focuses on college students— Round Capital to benefit from the fertile ground tapping into their endless supply of big ideas and of students and ideas, and the location empowers boundless energies. FRC, in conjunction with The the students to easily access entrepreneurial and University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, experiential thinking and doing. purposefully engages these students by offering invaluable entrepreneurial experience on both sides Additionally, the specific design of First Round of the startup equation—the generation of ideas Capital’s office space—safe, flexible and and the procurement of their funding. collaborative—directly enables FRC to bring together the big ideas and the funding to The Dorm Room Fund is a student-run make them come alive. Most importantly, the organization, financially backed by FRC, with connection between First Round Capital and Drexel initial working capital of $500,000 to invest in University, and the location of the entrepreneurial ventures founded by current students or recent space and its collaborative design, creates a graduates of a Philadelphia-based university. community—a literal hotbed of technologically- The Fund’s members are comprised of a wide minded individuals, student start-up companies range if degree students, spanning the fields of and venture capitalists. This Community of engineering, marketing, finance, literary arts, Convergence pays dividends to the university, medicine, research, and the law. While First Round its students, and the regional business sector provides mentoring and advice, it is the students as a whole by creating a sustainable local eco who review the funding proposals to determine the system of technological knowledge, experience allocation of funds. and invention—a community of innovation right in Philadelphia’s own backyard.| 44
BIOVID BIOVID OFFICES BioVid is the endurance racer of the pharmaceutical Engagement. The break room is the center of the marking industry—a consulting company that action, with a handmade 1940s shuffleboard table broke through the wall of the 2008 recession by (used daily for lunchtime tournaments) and team- re-investing itself to serve its customers. Their building spaces for activities like cooking classes. existing offices were isolated and empty. Looking to relocate, the team found what they needed—a Wellness. The Quiet Car is an alternative, \"heads- historic, abandoned warehouse in the Canal Works down\" workspace that eases the transition to the district of Bristol, PA, with great potential. KSS’s open plan. The Quiet Car is a no-phone zone, and is design capitalizes on the depth of heritage of the also home to the company-wide yoga program. space, articulating street art as contemporary focal points. To give voice to BioVid’s cutting-edge Transformation. A reclaimed set of bleachers serves approach to adding value for their clients, KSS as a gathering space for town halls and trainings, applied a series of design ideas to the renovation: emphasizing BioVid’s commitment to employee development. Innovation. Open plan seating punctuated with private meeting rooms maximizes opportunities Overall, the new BioVid space is an expression for spontaneous collaboration while providing of the company’s capacity to be both analytical areas for more quiet, formal conversation. and creative—an exceptionally crafted space that empowers employees to perform. Location: Bristol, PA Program: Corporate office Size: 9,000 sf Features: Offices, Meeting/conference rooms, Break room/Event space, Employee training area| 46
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