KSS Architects: News

January 19, 2009

Conan O'Brien has "meltdown" over KSS projects

A Jan. 7 New York Times article featuring two KSS projects became the source of late-night hilarity when Conan O'Brien caught sight of its correction posted shortly after its original publication. On the Jan. 13 episode of Late Night with Conan O'Brien, the Emmy Award-winning host and comedian of one of the most popular late night shows had a "Late Night On-Air Meltdown" when he read NYT had erroneously captioned an aerial photograph of iPort 12 as AMB Portview. He expressed disbelief that the newspaper could confuse two projects that "are nothing alike!" and showed the two project aerials side-by-side. KSS, AMB, Panattoni and PA Associates took the unexpected exposure with great humor. Perhaps the greatest twist: Conan himself mixes up the two projects in the skit.

Watch the video below.

January 13, 2009

KSS Architects in The New York Times

In the current economy, a bright spot in real estate news is always welcomed. KSS Architects is thrilled that several of our industrial architecture projects were featured in The New York Times' Jan. 7 article "North Jersey Warehouses Not Doing Too Shabbily," on the enduring desirability of logistics users for Northern New Jersey's industrial buildings. In NYT's Square Feet section, reporter Antoinette Martin discusses the distinct ability of the Eastern ports, and thus distribution centers, to remain active due to steady volume of goods arriving at the ports throughout the shaky economy. KSS Architects has been a leader of designing a new era of industrial buildings, which feature multimodal capabilities, state-of-the-art technology, and high end--and often sustainable--design. Also noteworthy is the ability of these large-scale projects to redevelop and revitalize underutilized industrial sites and remediate environmentally contaminated land.

KSS projects included in the article are iPort 12, AMB Portview, AMB Liberty Logistics, and AMB Pulaski.

January 9, 2009

Two team members promoted to Associates

KSS team members Mayva Marshall-Moreno, AIA, and Benjamin James "J" Shermeta, AIA, LEED-AP, have been promoted to associates. Since joining KSS in 2005, Marshall-Moreno has worked on many significant projects, including a new campus center at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis., and a master plan study for Drew University in Madison, N.J. She also leads the firm's efforts to implement Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology.

Shermeta began working at KSS in 2004 as a Project Architect. He oversees the in-house continuing education program and sustainable design for the firm's Philadelphia office, and has worked on numerous projects, including the renovation of Lafayette College's Ramer History House and the design of the meta Metasequoia viewing structure, a site specific installation for the Morris Arboretum. Currently he is working on the renovation at Cornell University School of Hotel Administration that will convert the existing fly tower into new research centers.

KSS partner David Zaiser, AIA, who manages the firm's Philadelphia office, said, "KSS is fortunate to have a very talented and outgoing staff. We are pleased to recognize Mayva and J's contributions to the firm with their promotions."

Read the press release

January 8, 2009

KSS Philly Office Reflects on 7 Years

KSS Architects opened the doors to their new office in the Public Ledger Building in Philadelphia's Old City District seven years ago this past December. Situated on the ninth floor of the historic building next to Independence National Historical Park and the Liberty Bell, this second office for KSS represented an exciting opportunity for the small architectural design firm that was outgrowing its home office in Princeton, N.J.

Six ambitious people of the then 35-person firm made the move to Philadelphia. The firm's decision to expand resulted from a careful strategic initiative to develop a collaborative office that could grow into their space while remaining a part of the KSS whole. Yet, like any firm expansion, it still took courage and ambition to move into a new market, particularly at a time when the events of Sept. 11 had occurred just two months prior.

Seven years later, the Philadelphia staff has more than doubled in size, with 15 team members now working in the light-filled space. The office has led many of the firm's projects, including those at Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania. Unlike some firms, KSS' Philadelphia and Princeton offices continue to collaborate together, with many of its now 52 team members frequently commuting between both.

"The collaborative atmosphere was at the heart of the original vision, and both offices work closely together every day," said David Zaiser, AIA, the managing partner of the Philadelphia office. "We are thankful to everyone who has made the office a success."

Photo by Brian Rebuck.

January 6, 2009

Barnegat school projects steadily progress

Three KSS projects for Barnegat Township School District are steadily heading toward completion this spring. At Dunfee and Horbelt elementary schools, KSS is renovating and adding on to the existing buildings to support their growing student populations. At Collins Elementary School, KSS is renovating the school in addition to providing new pre-kindergarten classrooms and a new entry for the school. The entry uses glazed blue brick and a striking metal frame canopy that will harmonize with the existing building exterior while giving students a special entry of their own. For all three projects, KSS has been working closely with the school district to ensure the projects will meet its future needs and provide a beautiful and inspiring place for students to learn.

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