August 28, 2008

In early August, construction kicked off for the Fly Tower Renovation at Cornell University's Statler Hall, which houses internationally-celebrated School of Hotel Administration. Workers are selectively demolishing the building interior and upgrading utilities and operations to accommodate the additional loads the 14,000 sf renovation will put on the existing system. Heading into the winter, workers will pour new foundations and install additional structural columns for the building, install temporary shoring for the new curtain wall facade, and prepare for structural steel delivery and installation during the school winter break.

The project will expand and convert the school's existing fly tower into a multilevel space for research institutions and public gathering spaces, and physically and visually connect the space to the recent Beck Center Addition. On the building's south facade, a glass curtain wall will create an engaging entrance for the school, which hopes the fly tower renovation will highlight its world-renowned research institutions.


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August 18, 2008

On Aug. 6, Boston Properties held the groundbreaking ceremony of 701 Carnegie Center in West Windsor Township, N.J., before a crowd of officials and representatives including Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh, representatives from the governor's office, Princeton University, Aegis Property Group and KSS team members Ed Klimek, AIA, and Sheila Spriggs Nall, ASID. About 300 staff members from the university's offices of Information Technology and the Treasurer will move into 120,000 sf of offices on the second, third and part of the fourth floors when the project is completed in the fall of 2009.

As the first off-campus administrative building for Princeton University, the project has generated excitement and some apprehension for the staff members. KSS Architects, which is providing architectural and interior design services for the fit-out, began planning and programming the space in early 2007. To help the staff transition from the main campus setting to an off-campus location, KSS worked with Princeton to learn what elements of the campus they found most important and their ideas of a good work environment. As a result, amenities at 701 Carnegie will include a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating, fitness facilities, training rooms, reading room, and an open office environment filled with natural light. The space will also feature state-of-the-art technology and equipment and, to retain the Princeton character and identity, color palettes, materials and artwork reflective of the university and its occupants. A shuttle service to the main campus, bicycle racks and pedestrian walkways are incorporated into the plan. KlingStubbins is the architect of the Boston Properties building, which will strive for LEED Silver certification.

Klimek said KSS worked closely with Robert Rittenhouse, the project manager for Aegis Property Group, "to create work space in a modern office building that will benefit Princeton University and to create a new model for administrative spaces well suited for an academic setting."

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August 7, 2008

In August, KSS is commemorating their 25th anniversary by rolling up their sleeves, lacing up steel-toed boots, and volunteering for the Trenton Area chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

The firm is volunteering at Habitat's project sites on N. Clinton Avenue in Trenton on two Saturdays this month, Aug. 2 and 16. On the first work date, the first group of KSS volunteers hung gypsum wallboard on walls and ceilings in two neighboring houses. On the Monday after, many KSS volunteers happily reported their arms were still sore from the weekend. On the Aug. 16 work day, Habitat for Humanity has tentatively planned for more drywall hanging and finish work, such as interior painting, for the next group of KSS volunteers.

Volunteering was an appropriate event for the firm's anniversary. Many of the KSS' staff members are active with national, local and professional organizations, including town planning boards and historic preservation committees. KSS also has a long history with Habitat for Humanity. Not only have many staff members previously worked with various chapters nationwide, including the local Millstone Basin Area and Newark affiliates, but in 2000 KSS also designed two Habitat homes for the Trenton chapter. Read the press release.

Images updated 21 Aug. 2008 courtesy of Stephen Doyle and Danielle Matuch
KSS Aug. 2 crewIrene at workConnie cuts gypsum wallboard
Sheila fastens drywallKyle and John team up Joe walks by his work
David looks over the spaceKSS Aug. 16 crewAllan and his team
Katie and AndrewKSS heaves up drywallDanielle and Jess


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August 4, 2008

The Brick Industry Association named Denville Township Municipal Building a Gold Award Winner in this year's Brick in Architecture Awards. Judges selected the 28,000 sf masonry building from 21 entries submitted by firms nationwide in the Government-Municipal product category. Designed to convey a sense of permanence, public service and accessibility, the design clads the municipal building with large expanses of red clay brick masonry in exterior walls, projecting bays, roof gables, and vertical planes cantilevered into space. Created from a collection of geometric shapes, the building achieves great depth and complexity in the multidimensional layers of brick masonry. The use of clay brick and other durable, traditional materials such as cast stone give the building a timeless appearance, and also create a civic place that is warm and inviting to the greater community.

APS Contracting, Inc., was the builder for the project. Watsontown Brick Company and Glen-Gery Corporation were the brick manufacturers.

In their congratulatory letter to KSS, the BIA wrote, "[O]ur judges were notably impressed with the architectural design and use of clay brick found on the Denville Township Municipal Building." A complete list of winners is available from the Brick Industry Association's website.

Read the press release.

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