| December 31, 2009 Everyone enjoyed the open, 14-ft high room that arguably has one of the best views of Cornell's famously breathtaking campus. Partying aside, the multipurpose space will ultimately be used by the Hotel School and the university for board meetings, institutional events, lectures and conferences. The room can also be used as a classroom with two projector screens for a variety of presentation setups, and has warm maple and Cornell red finishes. The Tower Renovation project, which began construction in August 2008, is expected to wrap up in January 2010, if not sooner. Photos courtesy of Art Fives, Construction Manager, LeChase Construction |
| December 24, 2009 We recently held our annual holiday party at the Nassau Inn in Princeton, less than a mile away from our flagship Princeton office. It was a more modest affair than previous years and the group was slightly smaller, but the atmosphere was still alive with laughter, clinking glasses and holiday spirit. Looking around, we were reminded of our firm's humble beginnings and the camaraderie that makes KSS excel. Here's to a joyous and exciting new year! |
| December 16, 2009 On Dec. 15, Newark Collegiate Academy opened the doors to its new school before an excited crowd comprising students, teachers, school officials, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and renowned author and Princeton University professor Cornel West. Previously NCA, one of Newark's four TEAM charter schools, a network of the national Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP), was borrowing shared space in another school. KSS Architects worked with developer RBH Group to convert three upper floors in an existing commercial building at 909 Broad St. into a five-story swing space school that can accommodate up to 500 high school students. The new school includes a music and visual arts room, classrooms, three laboratories, computer room, cafeteria, weight room and a temporary athletic center. The school also has an auditorium, which presented an interesting design challenge to insert into what was formerly office space. West was one of many speakers at the event. According to a Dec. 15 article in The Star-Ledger, he emphasized the importance of self worth and service. "When you walk out of here you're not going to be a copy," West said. "You're going to be an original." |
| December 8, 2009 With the state of the economy sending admissions and acceptance models in turmoil, higher education institutions are looking for ways to stand out and make their campuses memorable. Research has shown that firsthand campus experiences are critical to students' decision processes. How then can universities and colleges prepare their campuses and their invaluable student tour guides to represent themselves in the best possible light? KSS partner Pamela Rew, AIA, an expert in campus master planning, and her daughter Margaret, a college tour guide herself, teamed up to generate a list of campus tour tips. The article, "10 Tips for a Meaning Campus Tour," is a Web exclusive on University Business magazine's Web site. The article evolved as part of their presentation at the 2009 Society for College and University Planning-Mid-Atlantic region conference, where they presented with Drew University's Michael Kopas. |
| December 8, 2009 The distribution center, located adjacent to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), occupies a nine-acre brownfield, which was remediated as part of the project. The project also won a New Good Neighbor Award from NJ Business & Industry Association in 2009, which honors commercial and industrial projects that significantly contribute to the local economy, community and architectural landscape. |
