Buell Kratzer Powell

Architecture with purpose

Venice Island Named 2015 Best of Philly Best Urban Space Transformation

Best of Philly logoIn its annual Best of Philly edition, Philadelphia Magazine named the Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center Best Urban Space Transformation. According to Philadelphia Magazine, “What began as a vital water management project on Manayunk’s canal is now also a new performing arts center, amphitheater, green space and play area, with ongoing programming.” Click to see all of the 2015 winners.

BKP designed the Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center, which opened in October 2014. To read more about the project and view a photo gallery, visit http://bkp-ltd.com/places/city-of-philadelphia/venice-island-performing-arts-center/

Joseph Powell again joins Cape May Library team at conference

2015-06-08-library

BKP Principal Joseph Powell, AIA, LEED AP, joined the Cape May County, New Jersey, library administration team to present at the Summer Library Management Conference 08 June 2015. Following the success of last year’s presentation at the same conference, Joe joined Ann Marie McMahon, LEED AP BD+C, Facilities Director for Cape May County, and Deborah Poillon, MLS, Director of the Cape May County Library System, to present “Renovation Realities Part II: How Best Practices Achieved a Successful Library Renovation for Wildwood Crest Public Library.”

Renovation Realities Part I demystified the process of library renovation, offering perspectives from the architect and library administrators about design of the new Wildwood Crest Public Library, opening later this summer. With the project nearing completion, the Cape May library team returned to share their perspectives on navigating construction and achieving positive results, including how an owner’s expectations shape the construction process, how a proactive approach differentiates a design team, the importance of good drawings, and how specific challenges were overcome.

Pictured left to right: Deb Poillon, Joe Powell, and Ann Marie McMahon.

BKP remembers founding principal Duncan Wray Buell

With Duncan Buell, AIA Emeritusgreat sadness, BKP announces the passing of founding partner and principal emeritus Duncan Wray Buell, AIA Emeritus, on April 24, 2015 at Bryn Mawr Extended Care Center in Bryn Mawr, Pa. Duncan left his mark on Philadelphia’s architecture community as a talented designer, a gifted artist, and a patient mentor. Duncan’s influence will forever permeate BKP’s design detailing, while his hand sketches and renderings hang as inspiration on the office walls. He leaves a legacy of innovative craftsmanship and timeless elegance.

Duncan was born in Rochester, N.Y., in 1928. He earned a Master of Architecture with honors from Yale University in 1953, where he studied under and established a long-term relationship with Louis I. Kahn. In 1960, Duncan moved to Philadelphia to work for Kahn as a trusted project architect, contributing to designs for the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California, and the National Assembly Buildings in Dhaka, Bangladesh. While working with Kahn, Duncan developed an appreciation for materials used in new or unexpected ways. He was later interviewed and appeared in the film, “My Architect,” Nathaniel Kahn’s 2003 movie exploring his father’s life and work.

After Kahn’s death in 1974, Duncan became a partner in Cope Linder Architects, where he met Darrell Kratzer, AIA, and worked on large-scale office, retail, and civic projects. With Cope Linder, Duncan designed the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing and, as a consultant, Philadelphia’s Criminal Justice Center. During his long career, Duncan also worked for Vincent Kling, EwingCole, VITETTA, and Delle Donne.

In 1995, Duncan and Darrell established Buell-Kratzer Architects; one year later, they joined Joseph Powell, AIA, to form Buell Kratzer Powell Architects, Ltd.

Duncan leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Sally Lou Buell (nee Smith); four grandchildren: Mark, John, Jack, and Sarah; and two great-grandsons: Jaiden and Jase. He was preceded in death by his sons Ely and Gordon. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

[Read more…]

Kratzer and Daley author article in American School & University magazine

 

American School & University November 2014BKP Principal Darrell Kratzer, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, and senior designer/project manager Caitlin Daley co-authored a feature article for the November 2014 issue of American School & University magazine. “Fresh Fare” describes trends in higher education dining facilities, including choice-inspired floor plans, furnishings that put fresh food on display, natural materials, and an emphasis on healthy living. The article is illustrated with images of Johns Hopkins University’s Charles Street Market and the University of Pennsylvania’s Class of 1920 Dining Commons, two projects for which BKP incorporated ideas described in the text.

Click to read the article online at American School & University.

 

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