Donald Barany awarded the Dean Arcangelo Cascieri Scholarship

We are thrilled to announce that our own Donald Barany was awarded the Dean Arcangelo Cascieri Scholarship at the Boston Architectural College (BAC).

Each year the BAC asks the top 12 students, in their Segment II, to submit their portfolios.  Out of the twelve portfolios, they invite the top three students to interview with the  Cascieri Scholarship Jury.  Out of those three, the jury picks a winner.









The Boston Architectural College
Core 2 Design Studio: Reconsidering Rudolph
Retail, Parking Garage, Residential Condominiums, BAC Dormitories

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301 Binney Renovation is Featured for its Adaptability and Collaboration

Building Operating Management magazine featured the Broad Institute at 301 Binney Street this month on its website, in an article titled “The Broad Institute: Mission-Driven Design in the Nick of Time”.  The article describes how Signer Harris Architects was able to create a design that responds to the Broad Institute’s evolving research needs and collaborative approach to discovery, all within an extremely tight construction schedule.
For the full article, read here >>>

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gNOC earns LEED-CI Gold!

The Green Building Certificate Institute (GBCI) just announced that Genzyme’s 270,000sf Global Operations Center has earned LEED-CI Gold certification, making it the only distribution center in New England to receive a LEED Gold rating.  Lighting and HVAC design strategies, the use of locally-sourced materials, a high rate of construction waste recycling, and a selection of low-VOC emitting materials all contributed to meeting the project’s sustainability goals.

About the project:
Originally envisioned as a traditional distribution center, a program and value stream analysis by Signer Harris Architects helped identify opportunities to save the company time and money by redefining the program into a multi-channel operations center supporting basic distribution functions as well as 8 other groups, including Quality Control, Packaging and Labeling, and Clinical Research.  The resulting streamlined supply chain and enhanced efficiency will support Genzyme in its mission to make a major positive impact on the lives of those with serious diseases.

 

Project Team
Architect:  Signer Harris Architects
Contractor:  A/Z Corporation
MEP/FP:  Vanderweil Engineers

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Introducing Jane Kepros

Our newest Life Sciences team member is an experienced scientific researcher who is applying her degree in Biomedical Engineering along with her first-hand knowledge of engineering, biology, and clinical laboratories to our scientific programming and planning team. Jane joins forces with Jeannie Pierce Thacker, M.Arch, our in-house biologist and Associate, to provide in-depth insight into the needs of our clients. This perspective allows us to create environments that support the science, to communicate effectively with scientists, to understand the technical requirements of cutting-edge research, and to design spaces that help attract and retain talent.

With Jane on board, we will continue to meet the evolving needs of our clients by approaching each project as a business partner. We understand their needs and furthermore, speak their language.

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Holiday Cheer

SHA showed its holiday spirit this year by participating in the Toys for Tots drive sponsored by Union Office and Allsteel.  In addition to donating lots of unwrapped toys, we entered the Architecture and Design toy box contest and transformed our plain cardboard box into a large wooden block.  Thanks to the creative efforts of Kate Hriczo, Kerrie Julian, Jane Kepros, and Jeannie Pierce for their excellent design!

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The Physical Impact of Collaboration

High-Profile Monthly recently asked Signer Harris Architects to draw on our experience working in the Life Science Industry to write an article explaining the drivers of laboratory design. The article, “Collaboration in the R&D Workplace”, focuses on the physical impact that collaborative business models have had on research environments based on our experience delivering spaces for the world’s leading Life Science companies.

For the full article, read here >>>

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Signer Harris Architects joins MassBio

We recently joined the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council and are thrilled to be a part of this association, more commonly known as “MassBio”.  Comprised of more than 600 biotechnology companies, universities, academic institutions, and others, MassBio advocates for the life science industry in Massachusetts, educates the public, and influences public policy to drive innovation.  We look forward to supporting MassBio’s efforts and the interests of our valued clients.

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IIDA New England Fashion Show

Last week, Signer Harris Architects sent its first fashion collection down the runway – at the IIDA New England Fashion Show and Gala. With our partners Steelcase, Office Environments of New England, and DesignTex, our collection responded to this year’s theme, “ICON.ography”, by creating interpretations of Virgin iconography: Virgin Mary, Queen Elizabeth, and Madonna.

The creative and hardworking efforts of Lesley Hayes, Kimberly Christine, and Philip Tomlinson resulted in a beautiful and well-executed entry. The runway spectacular, held October 13th at the Westin Copley Place Hotel, was attended by more than 1,000 design fashionistas. Proceeds benefited the organization Dress for Success.

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Congratulations to our new Associate – Jeannie Pierce Thacker

Having recently obtained her Masters of Architecture degree, Jeannie has combined her scientific knowledge with her design skills to create innovative and successful research environments for the world’s leading biotech institutions.  After nearly a decade working as a research associate in the biotech industry, she joined Signer Harris Architects in 2006, bringing an insider’s understanding to lab, R&D, and technical planning – along with a unique ability to communicate with end-users.

Jeannie leads the firm’s programming, planning, and equipment management services for our life sciences, manufacturing, and high-tech clients. Jeannie’s programming efforts for the Broad Institute at 301 Binney Street played a critical role in the success of that project, which was recognized with CoreNet’s 2010 Best Workplace Award.  The 80,000 square-foot lab and office build-out was also featured as a cover story in Laboratory Design Newsletter. 

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Ellis Marsalis Center for Music opens at Musician’s Village in NOLA

Photo © Richard Talaske, FASA

Sometimes we are fortunate to have the opportunity to help on a project which offers rewards not only architecturally – but also socially. In rare cases, the benefits extend even further. Through our involvement in the creation of the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music (EMCM) at Musician’s Village in New Orleans, we have been part of a project that adds “advancement of the arts” to the roster of public benefits.

Signer Harris Architects has represented New Orleans Habitat Musician’s Village, a Foundation led by Harry Connick, Jr., Branford Marsalis and Ann Marie Wilkins, on the realization of this unique community center in the Upper Ninth Ward – a home for support, education, and the preservation of the musical traditions that are so vital to the neighborhood, indeed to us all. We have worked with Mathes Brierre of New Orleans, the building architects; Talaske acoustic consultants of Chicago, Broadmoor Construction, the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, and with the EMCM staff and many others to create a facility that includes a state-of-the-art Performance Hall, suitable for recording as well as performances.

The grand opening for the EMCM was held on August 25th, with a combination of performances, dedications, and speeches (mayor and governor). The City’s main paper described the Hall as meticulously designed and the sound as pristine. The Center is part of Musician’s Village, a community of 72 homes in the Upper Ninth Ward conceived by Harry Connick, Jr. and Branford Marsalis, and recipient of the 2010 Civic Innovators Award presented by the National Building Museum in Washington, DC.

 


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