Buell Kratzer Powell

Architecture with purpose

Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center Opens

Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation CenterOn Tuesday, 07 October 2014, BKP staff attended the grand opening of the Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center, a 10-year collaboration with the City of Philadelphia Department of Parks & Recreation, Philadelphia Water Department, and Manayunk community. BKP provided architectural design for the new 10,000-sf performing arts and recreation center. The community center is one component of the $46 million project that includes a sophisticated storm water management program and a four-million-gallon underground storage tank.

“It will be a destination spot for a lot of people who have been wanting something new and different for the community.” – Mayor Michael Nutter

“This is certainly going to help with our creative economy. It is a smart project; a good, quality project.” – Councilman At-Large David Oh

“The theater component of the project . . . will provide the community with a stunning space for events and performances.” – James Jennings, Editor, Curbed Philadelphia

Click to read more about the Performing Arts Center:

Curbed Philadelphia: Maple-Clad Venice Island Performing Arts Center Is Gorgeous

Click to watch video of the sustainable, community-focused project:

6ABC Philadelphia: Manayunk Gets $46-Million Makeover

Montgomery News Roxborough Review: Venice Island Officially Opens

Click to read more about the opening celebrations:

Philly.com: $46M Venice Island Makeover Debuts in Manyunk

Curbed Philadelphia: Venice Island Merges Utility, Creativity, and Entertainment

The Daily Pennsylvanian: A Recap in Photos: Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center Opening

The Philadelphia Tribune: Officials Cut Ribbon for New Watershed Rec Center

Philadelphia Magazine Property: Venice Island is Reborn

Philadelphia Magazine Ticket: Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center Grand Opening

Visit Philadelphia: Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center

Joseph Powell and Cape May County Library Administrators Present at Conference

2014-bigstock-Library-53226526BKP Principal Joseph Powell, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, and Cape May County Library administrators co-presented “Renovation Realities: Best Practices to Achieve a Successful Library Renovation without Sacrificing Peace of Mind” at the Library Management Institute Summer Conference June 16 in Philadelphia. Powell was joined by AnnMarie McMahon, LEED AP BD+C, Facilities Director for Cape May County, N.J., and Deborah Poillon, MLS, Director of the Cape May County Library System.

The three shared their experiences and recommendations for completing a renovation with high quality design and satisfaction from both the community and library administration. During the highly participatory session, attendees and the presenters discussed how to overcome perceived hurdles with renovation projects, reviewed best practices in the art and science of library design, dispelled myths and fears about the construction process, and shared first-hand feedback from the Wildwood Crest Public Library project, including how specific challenges were overcome.

The Library Management Institute offers workshops and conferences for the library community with a special focus on the issues in library management and leadership.

Bryn Mawr College Dean’s Office Recognized by American School & University Magazine

121013.409American School & University magazine has selected Buell Kratzer Powell’s design for the Bryn Mawr College Dean’s Office to appear in the 2014 Educational Interiors Showcase. The project was recognized as an Outstanding Design for Administrative Areas/Offices. It was one of 86 award winners in the annual program that recognizes college and university planning and design projects across the U.S. Award winners will be recognized in the August 2014 issue of American School & University magazine.

The project transformed Eugenia Chase Guild Hall from a dark and underutilized data center into a light-filled hub of student and administrative activity. Click here to learn more about the project.

Click here to view the digital issue of the 2014 Educational Interiors Showcase.

This marks the third time in as many years that a BKP project has been recognized. In 2013, the University of Pennsylvania Class of 1920 Commons Dining renovation was featured, and in 2012, the Bryn Mawr College Bern Schwartz Gymnasium renovation was honored.

Charles Street Market Featured as Cover Story in College Planning & Management Magazine

College Planning & Management May 2014The May 2014 issue of College Planning & Management magazine features Johns Hopkins University’s Charles Street Market as the cover story. The project is highlighted in a Dining and Food Service Facility Focus article. Jeffrey Totaro’s photo of the project’s gourmet produce market graces the cover. BKP collaborated on Charles Street Market with Bon Appétit Management Company.

For the same issue, BKP Principal Darrell Kratzer, AIA, LEED AP, and Senior Designer Caitlin Daley were interviewed for “Five-Second Rule” about trends in dining facility flooring. They describe durable and dynamic options for high-traffic surfaces.

Click here to read Johns Hopkins University: Charles Street Market.

Click here to read Five-Second Rule.

BKP collaborates with Bon Appétit Management Company to redesign Georgetown pub

Following successful projects for Johns Hopkins University and the University of Pennsylvania, BKP and Bon Appétit Management Company are collaborating to redesign Georgetown University’s Healy pub.

Georgetown Healy Pub redesign concept

Redesign concept rendering

Click here to read more about the project and how Georgetown students are participating in the design dialogue:

25 April 2014: The Hoya: Bon Appétit Takes Over Healy Pub

24 April 2014: The Georgetown Voice: Healy Pub Vendor Seeks Student Input

23 April 2014: Vox Populi: Nationally renowned food vendor selected for Healy Family Student Center pub