Thursday 4/4: Don Powers presents "What Makes Great Buildings" hosted by the Providence Preservation Society

This Thursday at Lippitt House, PPS will continue the "What Makes a Great Building" series with architect Donald Powers.The series, which began in 2012, gives local architects get the chance to discuss notable Providence buildings they admire alongside examples of their own design. Registration at 5:30pm, event starts at 6:00. Tickets are $10 - register here.

Friday 4/5: Douglas Kallfelz presents "Curating The City: Temporary Installations, Permanent Impressions" hosted by the Providence Athenaeum

Union Studio Principal Doug Kallfelz in conversation with Diana Johnson, independent art consultant and 195 Commission member, and Buff Chace, Managing General Partner of Cornish Associates, partner in the Greater Kennedy Plaza partnership.

Two areas of our city are currently the focus of planners and prognosticators. Both Kennedy Plaza and the Jewelry District seem full of promise, but are stuck in a holding pattern. While we wait for the longed-for influx of "cranes and cash," is there a more temporary or seasonal approach to enriching these districts? Looking back at Providence's rich history of ephemeral architecture, Kallfelz discusses the near future with Johnson of the 195 Commission, and Chace of the Greater Kennedy Plaza/Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy. The event starts at 5pm and is free to the public. Click here for details.

Union Studio endeavors to successfully balance public space and commercial development

After months of heated discussion, public input, and careful consideration, Union Studio is delighted that the proposed Newburyport Waterfront Master Plan was received with public applause on Wednesday evening. The plan was completed for the Newburyport Redevelopment Authority (NRA), who owns 4.2 acres of waterfront land surrounding a public park in the town's downtown commercial district. The NRA hired Union Studio to help develop a vision for the property, which would be the basis for a "Request for Proposals" for development of the vacant land. Ultimately, the solution needs to balance viable economic development opportunity with the public's enjoyment of this special waterfront open space. This blog post summarizes the public presentation of Union Studio's master plan concept as presented on 9/11/12 with over 200 people in attendance, and the thinking behind our proposed design solution.

Joe has received international recognition for his innovative approach to sustainable building science and the integrated design process.  As the founding principal of distill studio, Joe was the architect for Providence's award-winning Box Office, a commercial office building constructed from recycled shipping containers.

This strategic addition represents Union Studio's growth in the area of advanced sustainable design. The technical expertise that Joe brings from distill studio will not only support our existing design projects, it elevates our long history of sustainable community design and is an excellent complement to our core mission.

Joe has over 16 years of architectural experience which includes the adaptive re-use of historic buildings, market-rate and affordable multi-family housing, pre-fabricated building design, commercial buildings and private residences. He is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Interior Architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design and an active member of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA), US Green Building Council (USGBC) and the National Passive House Alliance (PHAUS). 

This "Net Zero possible" community is almost complete and looking great. Here's a preview from our recent photo shoot with Nat Rea...

(To see more photos click below)