Aspire magazine Vol 10

H I G H E R E D U C A T I O N

VOLUME TEN 2015

A COOPER CARRY MAGAZINE

University of GeorgiaDelta Hall, Washington, D.C.

We aspire to wake up every morning energized by the belief that we can

change the world by designing a better environmental experience for its people.

ASPIRE IS A PUBLICATION OF COOPER CARRY. ITS INTENT IS TO CELEBRATE THE PROJECTS AND

THE PEOPLE WHO COLLABORATE TO MAKE THEM BECOME A REALITY.

EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PRATT FARMERASSISTANT EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . TANNE STEPHENSDESIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BOBBI SWEENEYCONTRIBUTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JANINE ABDALAH

JOHN BERESLESLEY BRAXTON

POPE BULLOCKANGELO CARUSIAMANDA D’LUHY

TIM FISHDANIELA RIVERA LARA

TORREY LAWBOB NEAL

MARCO PIERITAYLOR SPUNG STUART THIEL

AUBREY TREVATHAN

2 aspire volume ten

F R O M T H E E D I T O R

When we launched Aspire magazine three years ago, our goal was to “cel-ebrate the talents, gifts and passion” displayed every day by our staff and clients. This publication has grown greatly since 2012 and it has show-cased some pretty fabulous people and many awesome projects.

You will see that the publication has been refreshed and looks a bit different than the first nine volumes. Magazines, like buildings, need to be renovated from time-to-time. Our marketing team met back in the fall of last year to review Aspire; its stories and photographs had been shared with many since its inaugural launch. Every member of the market-ing team has played a role in getting every issue out the door. Often, they do it between other pressing projects. It has evolved into a labor of love for the department. I especially want to recognize Rick Snider, a senior graphic designer, Christina Bailey, marketing services manager, Aman-da D’Luhy, marketing manager and Tanne Stephens, marketing coor-dinator and Bobbi Sweeney, senior graphic designer, who has taken over the design reigns. Their past

contributions to Aspire have made the magazine a huge success.

In this issue, our feature story is about the new Delta Hall in Washing-ton, D.C., an adaptive reuse project. There’s also an interesting story about a recent portfolio show in our Atlanta office. Stuart Thiel organized the event to allow all of our incredibly talented employees show some of their past work, and he shares some thoughts about the event. There has been growing interest in converting office buildings to schools and we are pleased to share a recent SlideShare that speaks to this intriguing concept.

Lesley Braxton, AIA, IIDA, one of our associates, writes a personal ob-servation of her experiences working on two recent projects that included another design firm on the team. Her insight and passion are apparent in the story.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Aspire and look forward to sharing many more with you.

All the best,

Pratt FarmerDirector of Marketing

Welcome to this edition of Aspire

a Cooper Carry magazine | © 2015 3

3 Welcome to this edition of Aspire

7 New Residence Hall Provides More Than Just A Place To Sleep

12 A Different Point of View

15 Catering to College Students’ Needs How Cooper Carry Designed the Ultimate Dining

Commons

18 New Dining Halls A Student’s Perspective

19 Eat It Up The Dining Commons at Georgia Southern Univer-

sity (Video)

20 Advantages of Design-Build Teaming

24 Do You Know Bethesda Row? A look back at the legacy of one of the coun-

try’s most successful walkable mixed-use developments.

28 What Do Millennials Want?

30 Dual Brand Hotel is an Encore Presentation

In this issue of Aspire…

207

15

24

4 aspire volume ten

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

32 The Art of Drawing

34 Mix it Up

42 Just the Way I See It

45 The Intern* Architect A Misunderstood Title *and the path towards licensure

48 Why Design?

50 From Cubicles to Classrooms Yesterday’s Office Buildings are the Schools of

Tomorrow

51 COOPER CARRY 2015 Portfolio Showcase

54 WHAT’S NEW?

56 Recent Wins

58 Anniversaries

63 First Round Draft Picks

34

42

28


6 aspire volume ten


College life has drastically changed over the past 25 years. Today, more and more students augment their college program with one or more in-ternships, before and/or after gradu-ation. Designed to further enhance a student’s education, internships pro-vide a real-life learning experience, which typically lasts an entire se-mester. If a student decides to seek an internship before graduation, there is always the added burden of locating housing, since most intern-ship programs are not on or near the student’s campus. Until recently, the University of Georgia (UGA) had to work to find available short-term housing options for students intern-ing in the nation’s capitol.

UGA launched its first Washing-ton, D.C., internship program in 1997 with the start of the Congressional Agricultural Fellowship program. The university’s footprint expanded in 2002 with the introduction of the “Honors in Washington” program. Several other schools and colleges followed with their own academic and internship programs; and in 2008, UGA made internship opportunities in and around Washington available to all undergraduate students through the Washington Semester Program.

New Residence Hall Provides More Than Just A Place To Sleep

C O V E R S T O R Y - H I G H E R E D U C A T I O N

Delta Hall, Common area, UGA, Washington, D.C.


http://dcsemester.uga.edu/

As the years have rolled by, these programs have become more popular; yet the issue of dedicated housing wasn’t resolved (at least for 32 students) until 2015 when UGA opened Delta Hall, an adaptive reuse building that was once a commercial office building and before that, from 1932—1974, The Christ Child Settle-ment House. The 20,000 square-foot building can now accommodate up to 32 students and faculty. Named in honor of Delta Air Lines Foundation, which provided a $5 million grant in support of UGA in Washington,

the building includes classroom and study space, common living areas, conference rooms, kitchens and suite-style rooms. Students are steps away from Stanton Park, minutes from the U.S. Capitol and six blocks from Union Station. The total invest-ment, financed entirely with private funds through the UGA Foundation, was $12 million.

COOPER CARRY was selected to provide architectural and design services for the three-story build-ing after a rigorous search by UGA. “Having a Washington presence

Adaptive ReuseMaking the old new again…

Delta Hall, Washington, D.C. Above: Meeting space Right: Exterior

8 aspire volume ten


allowed us to give the University a local perspective,” said Tim Fish, AIA, Principal-in-Charge on the project. Fish and Lauren Perry Ford, AIA, both in our Higher Education Practice Group, worked with school officials to identify the right building that could be acquired and converted, if neces-sary. “We weren’t necessarily focused on a commercial office building in the beginning, but as time passed it be-came evident to the entire team that this building was the most appropri-ate opportunity given the budget and the timetable that had been estab-lished,” Ford intimated.

Converting any building from one use type to another creates unique scenarios for the design-ers. Experienced in adaptive reuse projects, the COOPER CARRY team

approached this project with eyes wide open, ready for just about any challenge to crop up. One of the first challenges was the building was actually two buildings joined together resulting in differing heights between the front and back portions.

With a goal of housing 32 students and a need for multiple food preparation areas and conference/

classroom space, the design team set out to transform the building into a very functional space that would ultimately meet, and even surpass, expectations. “I really give Joe Powell at UGA a lot of credit because he not only saw the potential in the building, he provided incredible guidance from the school’s perspective,” Fish said.

“We weren’t necessarily focused on a commercial office

building in the beginning, but as time passed it became

evident to the entire team that this building was the most

appropriate opportunity given the budget and the timetable

that had been established.”

Lauren Perry Ford, AIASenior Associate, Cooper Carry


As an example, one of the larg-er challenges was designing rooms with sufficient closet space. While closet space is not normally an issue with on-campus housing, residents in the program would all be working in professional environments, so there was a need to have enough large closets for ample professional attire. By orienting bathrooms, common areas and closets toward the interior of the space, the designers took ad-vantage of the huge windows, which afforded great amounts of natural light and did not have to eliminate any closet space.

As the project progressed, the large open rotunda at the front entry provided a unique opportunity to solve, through simple geometry, many of the interior challenges of joining spaces that were in conflict with each other.

“Our goal was to create a space that was much more residential—like being at home—but on a larger scale. The opening of Delta Hall marks the first time UGA students have been able to live, study and take classes under the same roof while interning in the nation’s capital,” said Fish.

10 aspire volume ten


Delta Hall, Washington, D.C. Top: Kitchen / lounge Middle: Meeting space overlooking lounge Bottom: Dorm room

“As I walk through this incred-ible facility, I am grateful that I live and study here,” said Torie Ness of Gastonia, North Carolina, a senior political science major and Washing-ton Semester Program participant. “I have a 10-minute walk to the greatest deliberative body in the world.”

Ness is one of five students interning in the office of Sen. Johnny Isakson who spoke at the building dedication ceremony. A UGA alumnus who graduated in 1966 and served 17 years in the Georgia Legislature before being elected to three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, Isakson is now in his second term in the Senate. “As I have gone along through my career in the Senate, time and again I find myself going back to Athens or going to the phone to call Athens or dealing with interns in my office who are from Athens,” Isakson said. “The University of Georgia has made a meaningful difference in my life and my career, and I owe it a debt that I can never repay.”

“As you look around the build-ing, one point will become immedi-ately clear: Delta Hall is a premier facility, providing students with all of the amenities they need to live and learn in Washington, D.C.,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “The true value of this facility, however, lies not in its design, but in the life-chang-ing learning experiences it will facili-tate for UGA students.” The students, representing 17 majors in five UGA colleges, are interning at various sites throughout D.C., including Congress, museums, law enforcement, think tanks, public relations firms and media groups. They are also taking courses in the facility’s two class-rooms. And, at the end of every day, they now have a beautiful UGA-owned residential hall to which to come home—one that not only affords, but promotes, the interaction and collab-oration amongst students.

COOPER CARRY’s entire design team is proud to have been part of such a meaningful design project.

“As I walk through this

incredible facility, I am

grateful that I live and

study here.”

Torie NessPolitical Science Major, UGA


As designers, we immerse ourselves in a project and it takes a front row seat in all that we do. Yes, there are ups and downs and many surprises as we move through concept to completion.

I have always enjoyed

going back to revisit a

project months or years

later. I find this most

helpful on a personal and

professional level.

Last fall, we decided to do something a little different. Our marketing department asked students in the Department of Com-munications at Georgia Southern University to submit draft stories that would focus on the two dining halls that COOPER CARRY designed. Both the Dining Commons and Lakeside opened up to students in 2014 and have received great reviews. From eight submissions, we selected three students to tell us about the dining halls.

The following pages are the students’ stories. There is a feature story written by junior public relations major, Aubrey Trevathan. Treated as a feature, the story is a student’s perspective and I think it captures the essence of what the design team sought to achieve. Taylor Spung, senior PR major, writes a sidebar story from a very different point of view. Spung is visually impaired and she shares the challenges she faces in trying to maneuver through buildings. Her story is inspiring. Lastly, we have also included a short video produced by two foreign exchange students from Honduras. Janine Abdalah-Funez and Daniela Rivera-Lara are senior multimedia students. The video is a nice reflection on the project, and after viewing it I was even more pleased that our firm was selected to design these two buildings.

We appreciate the opportunity to share this unique peek into a project, which we now will certainly want to visit time and time again.

Tim Fish, AIAPrincipal

A Different Point of View






College students in today’s world want few things more than good food, technology and constant social interaction. COOPER CARRY managed to incorporate all of those elements into the design of Georgia Southern University’s (GSU) newly renovated eating establishments, the Dining Commons and Lakeside Dining Commons.

Both dining halls are easily the best spots for students on campus to enjoy great food selections and a buzzing social scene. It is nearly impossible to walk into the Dining Commons (formerly known as Landrum Center) and not see a group of people eagerly interacting with others while enjoying their meals. The open seating and multiple walkways allow for social meet-ups along the way to every eatery station. It is reminiscent of a mall food court and the seating

isn’t typical “cafeteria-esque” style. Visitors can experience everything from comfortable couch-es overlooking the world beyond the building through expansive windows, to restaurant-style booths lining the perimeter of the walkways. Every part of the Dining Commons offers an invit-ing atmosphere that suits virtually any visitor’s individual style.

For a more peaceful and solitary environ-ment, one might choose to eat at Lakeside, the venue overlooking GSU’s beautiful Lake Ruby. In this two-story building, guests can choose similar seating styles to those offered in the Dining Commons or they can move away from the hus-tle and bustle of the eatery lines to the upstairs dining area to enjoy the view.

Catering to College Students’ Needs:

How COOPER CARRY Designed the Ultimate Dining Commons

BY AUBREY TREVATHAN


“As an intern for Auxiliary

Services Marketing, I get

to experience the various

elements that go into

managing a large facility

like the Dining Commons

and Lakeside Dining

Commons. From my

experience the two facilities

were built to withstand

decades of new students

and visiting alumni.”

Briana DaughertySenior Public Relations MajorGeorgia Southern University


About the Author


Regardless of which venue students choose, there are ways for students to socialize with each other, edit a class paper, or connect using the internet and social media. Both establishments offer outlets and charging stations for laptops and cell phones, both items being common-place for any modern college dining experience. The retinal scanners make the process of buying lunch even quicker for the fast-paced mil-lennial, as it eliminates having to take out cards to purchase a meal—you simply blink!

Both Lakeside and the Dining Commons can easily handle the masses of students who travel in and out of the venues throughout the busy day. Once finishing a meal and before heading off to another class, the conveyor belt dishwashing system makes it easy for both students and staff to quickly drop their food trays for cleaning. In fact, on any given day, this automated system handles more than 3,500 trays of plates, glasses and eating utensils for just one meal alone. The flow of efficiency in the two establishments is obviously tailored

to today’s typical college student. Briana Daugherty, senior public relations major at GSU says, “As an intern for Auxiliary Services Market-ing, I get to experience the various elements that go into managing a large facility like the Dining Commons and Lakeside Dining Commons. From my experience the two facilities were built to withstand decades of new students and visiting alumni.”

The overall look and feel of both establishments puts the cherry on top of a perfect eating establishment for college students. There is modern furniture capable of enduring even the most rambunctious college stu-dent. Designers incorporated bright colors and large signs indicating which epicurean delight is avail-able where. The space is accented with arches, curved walls, textured backsplashes and large windows that invite the sunlight in to bathe the space. To boil it down, both buildings are very appealing to the eye of a college student who loves looking at detail and variety.

Aubrey Trevathan is a junior

public relations major at

Georgia Southern Universi-

ty. The Kingsland, Georgia

native is an aspiring writer

and PR professional. She

hopes to someday work for

a public relations firm or

own her own business.


Innovation is a term used to describe any type of change or alteration. How-ever, when looking at the transfor-mative designs done to the Georgia Southern University dining halls, the term takes on a bigger meaning.

Internationally known design firm COOPER CARRY was hired by Georgia Southern University (GSU) to redesign the former Landrum Center and Lakeside dining halls. Manny Dominguez, AIA and Tim Fish, AIA, one of the firm’s Principals who leads its Higher Education Specialty Prac-tice Group, saw our previous dining halls as more than just an on-campus eatery, rather a blank slate waiting for an artist’s touch.

When creating a dining space, many perspectives need to be considered. As a GSU student, and more specifically a visually impaired student, I can appreciate that the COOPER CARRY team considered our dining halls in a much different way. Alternative design techniques need to be considered when thinking about

students with disabilities. Ramps, wide entry walkways, railings, bright colors, big fonts and braille all fac-tored into the design.

I would like to think that COO-PER CARRY’s designers were focused on the needs of students with disabil-ities; the accessibility of the new din-ing halls caters to our every need. I am one of few handicapped students who were able to use the previous dining halls; therefore, it is easy for me to compare the accessibility of the two. Before the renovations, the signage labeling the different types of food offered was not clear or large enough. When I ate at the previous dining halls, I would usually have to have someone accompany me to assist me in reading the menu—not to mention maneuvering through the food line because of all the angular and straight edges. I was not comfort-able going by myself. However, the design of the new dining halls has removed those obstacles.

As you walk in, you are greet-ed by a breath-taking entrance and immediately immersed in all the cultures represented. Gigantic letters reading “The Brick Oven” and “Mongos” guide you to a destination that offers copious amounts of food and drink options. The way the food counters are placed makes it easily accessible for students with disabili-ties and able-bodied students to ma-neuver through the space with ease. Bright colors and spacious walkways provide an even flow of traffic, so students don’t feel over-crowded. COOPER CARRY’s design team has paved the way in modern university food service and has catered to the needs of not only Georgia Southern, but of all visitors who drop in for a meal. “It was our hope that the learn-ing process imitated in the classroom would find its way into the new Dining Commons by the way of conversation and engagement,” said Fish.

New Dining Halls: A Student’s Perspective

BY TAYLOR SPUNGSENIOR PUBLIC RELATIONS MAJORGEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITYFROM ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA


JANINE M. ABDALAH SENIOR PUBLIC RELATIONS MAJORGEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITYFROM TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS

DANIELA RIVERA LARASENIOR MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATIONS MAJOR

GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITYFROM TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS



EAT IT UP The Dining Commons at Georgia Southern University

https://vimeo.com/125145354

Advantages of Design-Build Teaming

Design-build is a project delivery method which unites the design firm and the construction firm under a single contract with the client. Not only can this method speed up a project’s schedule, but it increases collaboration between the design-ers and the contractor, often-times resulting in a more efficient delivery. Having both the design firm and the construction firm under one contract transforms the relationship into an

alliance, fostering true collaboration and teamwork.

Thanks to the single contract, the owner’s administrative burden is significantly decreased. No longer does the owner need to work to man-age separate contracts and project obligations; nor must the owner work to be the “middleman,” communicat-ing essential project information to and from the contractor and architect. The owner can focus entirely on the

NASA Integrated Engineering Services Building, Hampton, Virginia



project itself and the desired goals.United from the outset of the

project, the design team and the construction team sit together at the same table to collaborate on the first designs for the proposed facility. This collaborative approach with input from all participants is the key to successfully completing the project faster, more cost effectively and with fewer change orders than is typical with other delivery methods. The

contract structure reinforces the ideal collaborative nature of a true team. The more communication between the builders and the designers in the very beginning of the project, the more project obstacles can be anticipated and avoided—in the end resulting in major cost savings. Similarly, the sooner obstacles can be smoothed out through commu-nication, the faster the project can move along. The contract itself is an

over-arching mechanism that posi-tively affects the entire process along the way to completion.

With collaboration and sus-tainability as key components of our culture and mission, we are always excited about the prospect of new de-sign-build teaming opportunities. The structure of the design-build method allows contractors and designers to work together to implement sustain-able ideas that can result in LEED


certification and building efficiencies. Our goal is to surpass our clients’ expectations. Using the design-build process, we have discovered collab-oration is the ultimate tool in doing just that.

COOPER CARRY was the Archi-tect of Record on the design-build team for the recently completed NASA Integrated Engineering Ser-vices Building (IESB) in Hampton, Virginia. The project is a 134,000 square-foot mixed-use building, which includes engineering collaboration space, offices, a multi-media produc-tion suite, a full-service cafeteria, a training center, a theater, and con-ference facilities. The new building received LEED-NC Gold certification. In addition to COOPER CARRY, the team included Whiting-Turner as the contractor and AECOM as the Design Excellence Architect.

The design-build teaming arrangement not only promotes collaboration, but it also creates a

checks-and-balances scenario. Each individual firm, including engineering consultants and construction subcon-tractors, is joined under one contract which means each firm has an equal stake in the team’s responsibilities and work output. This may result in the firms more rigorously “checking” the progress and each other’s work. Each firm may have increased atten-tiveness because they directly share in both the glory and the failures of the project.

Another project on which COOPER CARRY was glad to be a design-build team member, was the Scott Building on the Armed Forces Retirement Home Campus in Wash-ington, D.C. Hensel Phelps was the contractor and DiMella Shaffer was the Design Excellence Architect. The new 160,000 square-foot building consolidated and modernized the residential facilities on campus and included 60 residential rooms and multiple amenity and healthcare

spaces to accommodate the nearly 500 veterans on the campus. Given the location and historic nature of the site, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) had to obtain approvals from the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and Commission of Fine Arts (CFA). The design-build teaming structure made getting and maintaining these ap-provals much smoother than it could have otherwise been. Obtaining the necessary approvals was a nuanced process that was best to get right on the first try. Each team member worked hard to “check” each other on adherence to the approved designs and guidelines, which helped to avoid multiple rounds of submissions.

In addition, since the bridging documents for the Scott Building were minimal with respect to engi-neering, it was important for us to work closely with the contractor to resolve issues that would affect the building’s appearance. The team


G O V E R N M E N T

was largely successful and the new building achieved LEED-NC Plati-num certification.

With a design-build teaming structure, you can avoid designing in a vacuum like many do when using the design-bid-build method. Each team member and phase of the project is integrated, fine-tuning all of the smaller parts that influence the whole. Dialogue among team members and ownership continues throughout the entire project as options are proposed and reviewed. The collaborative setup allows the owner to develop trust in the team. In the professional services arena, everyone wants to participate and find the best solutions.

Left Page: NASA Integrated Engineering Services Building, Hampton, Virginia Right Page: Scott Building, Armed Forces Retirement Home, Washington, D.C.


More than 20 years ago, Federal Realty Invest-ment Trust, which was headquartered in Bethes-da, Maryland at the time, was looking for a site on which to create a new multi-block mixed-use development. They did not look further than their own backyard. An industrial site occupied by a concrete plant, lumber yard and other small individual buildings was located just blocks from their office. Federal Realty negotiated a joint de-velopment/acquisition agreement for the land and endeavored to create a community-oriented shopping district.

In 1992, Federal Realty engaged COOPER CAR-RY to plan and design what would eventually be-come known as Bethesda Row. Over the course of a decade, COOPER CARRY master planned and designed the entire development and then transitioned into construction. COOPER CARRY designed five buildings on six urban blocks, including entertainment retail (one of the first

below-grade arts cinemas), street retail, office space, and residential space. The project has since become a textbook example of successful infill redevelopment and has helped to shape COOPER CARRY’s connective design philosophy.

Often cited as a key example of urban place making, Bethesda Row attracts visitors not just from the surrounding Bethesda/Chevy Chase neighborhoods, but also from the greater Washington, D.C., region. Described as “retail icon,” an “exemplary smart growth proposal” and “the country’s best suburban retrofit,” the project continues to serve as a model for mixed-use development. The design of Bethes-da Row was centered on three key principles, which have since been applied to other suc-cessful developments.

Do You Know

Bethesda Row?

A look back at the legacy of one of the country’s most

successful walkable mixed-use developments.


http://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiab094890.pdf

http://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiab094890.pdf

http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/tag/suburbs/

http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/kbenfield/the_best_suburban_retrofit_i_h.html

R E T A I L & M I X E D - U S E


The Street as Entertainment

The plan and design of Bethesda

Row is centered on the activity of

the street itself. The sidewalk is the

social gathering place for sponta-

neous, formal and informal meet-

ings. Storefronts, sidewalks and the

street grid are designed to activate

the street, promote spontaneous

interaction and people-watching.

Street activity is further stimulated

by office and residential “popu-

lator” uses, which are positioned

above the street level. This mix of

uses creates a bustling environ-

ment where residents, workers and

visitors alike are encouraged to

linger and shop.

Variety in Design and Materials

The architecture of Bethesda Row

creates a “main street” environ-

ment, which reflects and celebrates

the scale of the surrounding fine-

grained community. The variety in

landscape, storefronts and build-

ings allow for a stimulating envi-

ronment that encourages people

to explore. Bethesda Row’s public

realm integrates fountains, plazas

and outdoor seating, which offer

venues for meeting and interaction,

extending a visitor’s stay in this ur-

ban district. The structures making

up the development itself are each

unique, creating visual and sensory

variety, much in the same way that

an authentic neighborhood district

might be built.

Storefront-to-Sidewalk Format

The relationship between store-

fronts, sidewalks, outdoor seat-

ing, and landscaping promotes

walkability and enables a more

human sense-of-scale. The street

was designed to encourage retail

activity by forcing shoppers to walk

along the storefronts. Unlike many

other similar developments, side-

walk café seating is located next to

the curb as opposed to next to the

storefront, encouraging greater

interaction and visibility. Parallel

parking is placed along both sides

of the street, which creates a buffer

between restaurant patrons and

street traffic.

1 2 3



Bethesda Row Today

An Overview

• Six blocks• Four connecting streets• Urban open space connected

to The Capital Crescent Trail• Multiple modes of transit

and walkable connections• Mid-block and below grade

public parking garages• Urban residential• Street level retail and dining• Entertainment retail• Grocery retail• Urban office space

Awards

• ULI, Excellence in Urban Design Award

• ULI Award for Excellence• Congress for the New Urban-

ism, Best Block in America Award

• Citizen’s Neighborhood Coalition Award for the Most Beautiful Place in Bethesda

David Kitchens, AIA, the develop-ment’s lead designer said, “For me, through the design of this devel-opment we created a philosophy and principles that can capture the essence of any community.”

Bethedsa Row’s plan and design create an exciting and unique urban place. The development’s lasting legacy can be seen in the fact that Bethesda Row remains a thriving pe-destrian environment and the heart of the Bethesda downtown.

“For me, through the design of this

development we created a philosophy and

principles that can capture the essence of

any community.”

David Kitchens, AIAPrincipal, Cooper Carry



There are some who say the term “millennial” is over-used, but the impact of the generation, born between 1980 and 2000, on the design of the physical environ-ment is undeniable.

The millennial generation is an indisputable market force whose preferences are shaping how we live, work, learn and play. From hotels to offices, millennials are key target customers and building users. It turns out that no matter what type of facility we are designing, millennial preferences shape the built environment in similar ways. Compiled here are some of the trends we’ve noticed over the past decade, along with links to more information to inspire your next project.

Millennialswhat do

want?

http://uli.org/research/centers-initiatives/terwilliger-center-for-housing/research/community-survey/

http://press.pwc.com/global/nextgen-global-generational-study/s/376ce2a9-1769-46f2-a228-8b97d252f660

http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/stakeholder_trends_insights/aarthi_rayapura/millennials_most_sustainability_conscious

http://urbanland.uli.org/industry-sectors/retailentertainment/tech-savvy-gen-y-wants-a-shopping-experience/


http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2014/millennials-prefer-cities-to-suburbs-subways-to-driveways.html

http://www.forbes.com/sites/neilhowe/2015/03/31/open-offices-back-in-vogue-thanks-to-millennials/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/karlmoore/2014/08/14/authenticity-the-way-to-the-millennials-heart/

http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/stakeholder_trends_insights/aarthi_rayapura/millennials_most_sustainability_conscious

http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2013/05/15/is-generation-y-a-game-changer-for-housing/

http://www.oracle.com/us/industries/financial-services/banking/technology-engaging-gen-y-cust-429096.pdf

http://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/new-apartment-buildings-are-geared-for-millennials/2014/04/17/4b6ef750-929f-11e3-b46a-5a3d0d2130da_story.html

http://www.fastcompany.com/3007916/if-your-company-targets-millenials-read-now

http://www.apta.com/mediacenter/pressreleases/2013/Pages/131001_Millennials.aspx


Dual Brand Hotel is an Encore Presentation

By C. Robert Neal, AIAPrincipal

Columbia Place Hotel

When the Walter E. Washington

Convention Center opened in

2003, the Washington Convention

and Sports Authority understood

that some things needed to be in

order. For the facility to compete

with similar facilities around the

country, new hotel rooms would

be needed in order to meet the

demands of the convention center

meeting planners. Feasibility stud-

ies showed that 1,700 new rooms

would be needed immediately ad-

jacent to the convention center in

order to take full advantage of the

2.3 million square-foot facility.

On May 1, 2014, The Washing-

ton D.C. Marriott Marquis opened

its doors for business directly

across Ninth Street from the con-

vention center, providing 1,175 of

the much-needed new hotel rooms.

The Marquis, which was developed

by Quadrangle Development Corpo-

ration and Capstone Development,

and designed by Cooper Carry and

tvsdesign, is the largest hotel in our

nation’s capital. With the opening

of the Marquis, attention was then

turned to Columbia Place, a pro-

posed development, which would

provide an additional 500 hotel

rooms and 200 apartments across L

Street from the Marquis.

Quadrangle and Capstone

again led the development of the

proposed project and tapped Coo-

per Carry and tvsdesign to design

the facility. The project would be

located on land assembled along

L and Ninth Streets within Square

369. The zoning allows the pro-

posed uses, but in order to build

on the combined sites, the project

would be required to seek approval

from the DC Zoning Commission

as a Planned Urban Development

(PUD). The $230 million project

includes 357 Courtyard by Marriott

rooms, 147 Residence Inn rooms

and 203 apartments. In addition,

H O S P I T A L I T Y


portions of six historic homes and

businesses along Ninth Street will

be incorporated into the design.

The Lurgen, a historic apartment

building on L Street will be com-

pleted, renovated and repositioned

and finally, a civil war era home

will be moved approximately 30 feet

along L Street in order to maximize

its potential within the design. The

project will be supported with two

levels of underground parking.

Along Ninth Street, the build-

ing massing is designed to provide

a contextual response to the scale

of the historic transitional street.

The site area today lies within the

Shaw District, sometimes referred

to as the Mount Vernon West His-

torical District, and was originally

known as the Northern Liberties.

The dominant feature of the neigh-

borhood is Mount Vernon Square,

which was laid out on the L’Enfant

Plan for the city of Washington in

1791. The building height of 110 feet

is allowed by an Act of Congress in

what is referred to as the Height of

Buildings Act of 1910. The building

massing along L Street is taller, re-

lating to the larger scale apartment

homes overlooking Massachusetts

Avenue. The architectural character

of the project is transitional in its

approach, incorporating into the

facades brick masonry, terra-cotta,

glass and metal panels.

In order to receive the approval

for a PUD from the Zoning Commis-

sion, the development and design

teams were able to successfully nav-

igate the entitlement process, which

included approvals or support from

multiple neighborhood groups: the

Historic Preservation Review Board,

The D.C. Preservation League, The

Mayor’s Agent, and the National

Capital Planning Commission.

In late March of 2015, the project

received approval by the Zoning

Commission.

Construction documents will

be completed over the summer.

Hensel Phelps Construction Compa-

ny will commence construction on

the facility this fall and anticipates

a 24-month construction period,

allowing the hotel opening in 2017.

By Pope Bullock, AIAPrincipal


The Art of Drawing

Midway through my architectural

education I was living in London

and had the opportunity to travel.

Rome was on the itinerary, and

having studied the architecture of

Borromini and Bernini, I looked

forward to seeing their buildings.

Bernini’s Sant’Andrea al Quirina-

le and Borromini’s San Carlo alle

Quattro Fontane are just a hundred

yards from each other. The church-

es were constructed within decades

and both are oval in plan. The

architects were competitors and I

was curious to compare their work.

I keep sketchbooks and find that by

drawing I am able to understand

the complexities of architecture.

The concave and convex wall

surfaces, fragmented architectural

elements, and layers of Baroque

architecture require particularly

intensive study. For me, drawing is

a way of entering the architecture. I

returned to Rome this past sum-

mer, as I do most summers, and

spent a week walking and sketching

the Baroque churches of Rome.

Borromini wins every time.

S P E C I A L I N T E R E S T


Capitol ViewNashville, Tennessee


Mix it UpEditor’s Note

In May of every year, thousands of retail developers, merchants, and designers gather in Las Vegas for ReCon, the annual meeting of the International Council of Shopping Centers. We sat down to have a conversation with Angelo Carusi, AIA, a Principal and leader in our Retail Specialty Practice Group.

Angelo A. Carusi, AIA, PrincipalAngelo joined Cooper Carry in 1993 and has been a key contributor to

the Retail Specialty Practice Group, serving as Principal since 2000.

Q. Is there a region of the country where you are seeing the

most activity?

A. We are seeing a lot of activity in the Nashville area and various

parts of Florida, especially the Palm Beach/Broward/Dade

County portion of the state. Currently, we are also working

on projects in Montgomery, Alabama; Daytona, Florida, and

internationally in the United Arab Emirates. We are also very

busy with projects throughout the metro D.C. area, especially

in northern Virginia.

Q. Is repositioning of existing centers still the dominant work?

A. Some of our projects are new, out-of-the-ground work and

some are repositioning. Our projects include large-scale

mixed-use centers, small-scale mixed-use centers, mall renova-

tions and high-end grocery developments.



Q. What is your prediction for the suburban shop-

ping mall?

A. That’s an excellent question and a complicated

one. Part of the answer comes from answering

the question, “what is the future of the depart-

ment store?” There are some very strong depart-

ment store players in the market, with Macy’s be-

ing the most prominent. The regional mall was

built on the concept of retail anchors connected

by small shops, and the anchors have tradition-

ally been department stores. But over the past

few years, as the department store industry has

consolidated, other non-traditional anchors have

found a place at the mall. Former department

store locations have been redeveloped into very

successful restaurant groupings, specialty retail

and “new department stores” (like Forever 21),

grocery anchors, etc. In recent history, lifestyle

centers were created without anchors. We have

many clients who have expressed concerns

about unanchored centers being susceptible to

the consequences of better competition. So, the

need for anchors in the regional mall remains,

as well as the need to provide innovative and

new types of anchors.

Another issue facing some suburban malls is

overbuilding; although, I believe it has been

overstated. The U.S. is littered with obsolete

office, industrial and hotel (motel) product, but

regional malls have become the lightening rod

of the popular press. In reality, some one-mall

towns have two malls and one will limp along or

likely be redeveloped as a different retail format

or as mixed-use projects, especially when located

in areas of strong consumer demographics.

Plantation Fashion Mall in Plantation, Florida,

for example, closed eight years ago. Located less

than a half-mile from a powerhouse regional

mall, Plantation Fashion Mall succumbed to

market forces. The vacant property has recently

changed hands and will be redeveloped into a

format far different than the nearby regional

mall. It will likely contain a substantial amount

of retail, as well as residential and office uses.

But on the bright side, if population growth

estimates are to be believed, the U.S. will gain a

tremendous number of new inhabitants, a good

portion of which will come from immigration.

Immigrants have traditionally resided first in the

suburbs; so, regional malls in these locations

will likely be the center of life. The regional mall

has remained a very flexible framework for the

delivery of a shopping experience. It is adaptable

to many cultures and a variety of development

patterns. It could be argued that the family tree

of the regional mall dates back to the Roman

Forum (not the one in Las Vegas). In many towns,

it is the de facto town center. So, in these markets

the regional mall will continue to evolve into the

community center. One would expect the mall to

incorporate additional community uses, such as:

restaurants, health clubs, library locations and

educational facilities. In order to remain relevant

to these communities, integrating community

programming, ranging from religious services to

educational events, will gain in importance.



Q. Is Cooper Carry working on any urban malls? New

or a reposition of existing assets?

A. We have been working on the redevelopment of an

urban mall on the western end of Alexandria, Vir-

ginia. The mall has strong department stores and a

very valuable asset in an existing parking structure.

We have planned the demolition of all the small

shop space between and added redevelopment,

which includes one and two-level retail, a theater

and restaurants. But the most innovative aspect

to the plan is the addition of residential above the

retail, collocated with the parking deck to provide

convenient parking for the residents. The project

is currently in the design development phase.

We have also been assisting in the repositioning

of The Gallery at Market East, a major urban mall

in downtown Philadelphia. Our role in the proj-

ect is to study an over-build of high-rise residen-

tial in the air rights over the mall. It’s an incredi-

bly complex project because the property sits on

three full city blocks in the Center City portion of

Philadelphia and is connected across all three of

the blocks, both underground and on the upper

levels. To make matters even more complicated,

the three blocks were built at different times and

until recently, were under different ownerships.

Capitol View Master Plan Nashville, Tennessee


Q. What are the two or three of the most prominent

projects that Cooper Carry is working on this year?

A. Capitol View is a five-block master plan of a for-

mer industrial space located two blocks from the

state capitol in Nashville. We are master planning

three of the blocks to include a mix of uses, com-

bined vertically, including corporate office, cre-

ative office, residential apartments, restaurants,

entertainment, hotel over retail and parking.

One of the remaining blocks is currently under

construction with two of Hospital Corporation

of America’s (HCA) subsidiary company’s new

headquarters. It is an exciting project because of

the densities and uses involved and its location

in the North Gulch area of downtown adjacent to

a public greenway. Additionally, HCA is bringing

many new jobs to the development. This is the

kind of project that plays into our strengths. Be-

cause of our extensive mixed-use experience, we

have different advocates in the office for each of

the uses. But retail runs the roost at the ground

plane. Street retail has to be done right or the rest

of the project suffers.

In an entirely different climate, we have just

begun planning for The Esplanade, an open-air

lifestyle center in Dubai. Located near the highly

successful Mall of the Emirates, the project

includes one- and two-level buildings containing

retail and restaurants. One of the interesting fea-

tures being studied is the inclusion of an open-

air market similar to Le Marche Des Enfants

Rouges in Paris.



A third project of great interest is located in

Brentwood, Tennessee. Historically seen as a

southern suburb to Nashville, like many inner

suburbs, it is coming into its own. And like many

inner suburbs, there really is no recognizable

“town center.” The new portion of Hill Center

Brentwood is located at a prominent corner and

is adjacent to a highly successful retail center.

The owner’s vision for the property is a vertical

mixed-use project. The owner originally wished

to rezone the property to include residential uses.

The citizens expressed concern with the impact

of additional residential, so the project includes

office uses over retail. There are not many of-

fice-dominant mixed-use centers being developed

in this town center format; but a combination of

the owner’s strong reputation in the community,

the low rates of office vacancy, and the need for

better retail and restaurant options are combin-

ing to make the project very successful.

Q. Do you have any predictions for retail in

2015-2016?

A. Looking into my not-so-crystal ball, I expect

a continuation of redevelopment of existing

properties. Unemployment rates are dropping

and wage increases may be around the corner.

But until wages improve significantly, household

creation will remain below historic patterns.

Increases in household formation suggest more

population movement, which creates new mar-

kets, which in turn, would need to be served by

new green-field development. There has been

very little new development occurring in the

world of retail in the U.S. Smaller regional malls,

which have been hit hard by competition, are

ripe for a variety of redevelopment opportunities.

Images on this spread: Landmark Mall Repositioning, Alexandria, Virginia



Regional malls, just like grocery stores, are

almost always located in great real estate loca-

tions. If they are surrounded by demographically

strong neighborhoods, they can be re-envisioned

as new projects, have portions reconfigured or

have new uses added.

Some new markets continue to grow. We are

planning a mixed-use development for Howard

Hughes Corp. in Kendall, Florida, in central

Dade County west of Miami. The area is growing

rapidly out of the recession driven by Latino

population growth through migration. While it

is a green-field development, it is important to

our client that the master plan consider phased

development that allows substantial density to

increase as the project is built out.

Q. What do you see as the top two or three challeng-

es for today’s retail tenant?

A. I believe the number one issue facing retailers

today is the challenge of creating and delivering

a cogent brand message to their target audience

in a world that has so many opportunities for that

audience to be distracted. Retailers who fail to

create a brand that is understandable and rele-

vant are at risk. Those who have not even created

a brand message are even more at risk.

Q. Why has Cooper Carry been so successful with its

retail group?

A. I’d like to believe our success comes from at-

tempting to understand retail forces and trends,

as opposed to a dogmatic view of building types

or architectural movements. We’ve also been

fortunate to attract some great clients. In terms

of understanding trends, I wish I had a dime for

every time someone told me “malls are dying.” To

us, malls aren’t dying or living; retail is in a con-

stant state of change. It is completely Darwinian.

Formats change on a regular basis and consumer

tastes are often fickle. But in the end, shopping is

a social experience—at least in the types of proj-

ects that we are involved. That social experience

can occur in open-air environments, as well as

Images on this spread: Ballston Mall Repositioning, Arlington, Virginia



enclosed. People love to be around other people

when they shop. It’s where they can see the latest

fashions on other people; it’s where boys and girls

meet; it’s where relationships are formed and

strengthened. It is pure entertainment. So, we

spend a lot of time synthesizing the fundamental

needs of retail development with creating spaces

that are exciting and comfortable to be in. The

spaces are formed by architecture, landscape

architecture, environmental graphics and light-

ing design; but it’s not created in a vacuum. It

involves an integrated approach with leasing and

operations, the involvement of clients and user

groups. And when it all comes together, it’s magic.

Q. Do you integrate other services with your design

approach or do you outsource to consultants?

A. We do both. Cooper Carry is a design firm, so we

provide architecture, interior design, landscape

architecture, environmental graphic design and

planning services. But we often collaborate with

other design consultants. We enjoy the relation-

ships and different points-of-view. The Brentwood

project is a perfect example. Although Cooper

Carry is charged with overall design responsibility,

our associated architect, TM Partners, has been a

valuable contributor to design discussions, as has

the local and very talented landscape architect.

Q. Approximately how many square feet in retail

and/or mixed-use is Cooper Carry involved

with currently?

A. In 2014, Cooper Carry completed 14 retail projects,

which netted nearly 1.5 million square feet of re-

tail space. Additionally, last year we were awarded

more than four million square feet of retail and

mixed-use projects.

I never grew up think-

ing I would be an

architect. In fact, if you

had asked my dad circa

high school in 1999, he

would have told you

that I would be work-

ing in some fast food

restaurant because my

ambitions didn’t extend

beyond fast pitch softball or a potting wheel. Softball

brought out my competitive nature. Pottery fed my

inner creative spirit. But more than anything, I liked to

win. I was intense about two vastly different things, yet

both required patience, practice, skill and fortitude. In

other words, I was an “architect in training” long before

I knew I wanted to be an architect. I’ve always wanted

to be the best, work with the best and learn from the

best. Obviously, that’s why I came to Cooper Carry.

When I joined the firm in 2011, I was placed on

a project team for NC State Talley Student Center; we

teamed with another design firm to win the project.

There was a local architect of record serving as the

exterior skin designer, and Cooper Carry was responsi-

ble for interior architecture, interior design and FF&E.

Both firms today readily recognize that the job was

“won” because it was a team effort. As the project has

progressed, we can happily point to the fact that our cli-

ent’s satisfaction is the result of our two firms working

well together on a very complicated project. The team

was challenged to make bold, sophisticated architectur-

al moves and to strive for design refinement, taking the

art of detailing to the next level. Together, the two firms

balanced one another, creating a building that, quite

possibly would have been much different if designed by

one firm.

While working on Talley, we all knew we were cre-

ating something intense, awesome and we all wanted to

“win.” We all wanted to have the better idea, the better

design and the better client response. To use a fast

pitch softball term, we were all swinging for the fence

every time and with every space. If this project had

morphed into an “us vs. them” mentality, it would have

turned out much differently. From an interior design

perspective, we flexed our design muscles to create a

sophisticated and complicated building interior, which

surpassed the goals and expectations of our client.

Looking back, our skill, creativity and ability to reflect

and learn from people outside our own firm has been a

wonderful experience. This is demonstrated in the final

project outcome. Today, pictures of our interior design

work at Talley are being splashed across social media

and NC State Talley Student Center is on the precipice

of being complete.

Just the Way

By Lesley Braxton, AIA, IIDAAssociate



Editor’s NoteOver the past several years, COOPER CARRY has teamed with other design firms to “win” a project. It’s unusual and there is always a concern that there may be challenges associated with having two design firms with different philosophies, cultures and personalities work together on

a single design. We have teamed with some great design firms and our staff has always grown from those relation-ships. This year, we will be completing two projects while teamed with other design firms. We asked one of our designers, Lesley Braxton, AIA, IIDA, to reflect on the two projects she worked on with co-design firms.


NCSU, Talley Student Union Addition & Renovation, Raleigh, North Carolina

Fast forward two years and I’m

part of the Georgia Institute of

Technology Engineered Biosciences

Building (EBB) team as the project

interior architect.

Once again, I am part of a design team with Cooper

Carry and Lake|Flato. This time it is a much different

experience. Instead of swinging for the fence, I have

been taught to hone my ideas, much like sitting at the

pottery wheel for hours while studying how simple fin-

ger movements can shape the spinning clay in drastic

ways. I learned to exercise patience and restraint—two

things that many who know me would say are not my

stronger personality traits. I had two leaders on the

EBB project, Mark Jensen, AIA and Principal in our

Science + Technology studio and David Lake, AIA and

a Principal at Lake|Flato, both of whom challenged

my ideas and required me to have well thought-out

concepts. Jensen expected strong diagrams with close

attention to relationships and programming. Lake

required a continual study of relevance, always ask-

ing if the materials being suggested had meaning and

function. Together they guided not just me, but the

entire team, challenging us to create a building that

showcases functional beauty. As an example, we used

steel outriggers to support solar shades—not a typical

implementation. I learned from this simple application

of materials that nothing is more beautiful than func-

tional beauty.

Both Jensen and Lake demonstrated to me the art

of collaboration and the need to challenge designers to

reach beyond their comfort zone. They also taught me

that with all collaborations, a symbiotic relationship

forms. The formation of that relationship recognizes

that members are equally dependent on one another

for the success of the design.

Just like Talley, the entire EBB team felt as though

we could create something intense and amazing at

the Georgia Institute of Technology. The entire team

learned one another’s strengths and weaknesses. As this

project comes to a close and the doors open later in the

summer to its first students, I am certain that many of

them will have a professor or two that really stands out.

They might even see them as some sort of superhero! I

can honestly say that as I reflect back on both Talley and

EBB, I have a couple of superheroes, and I shall always

be grateful to them for teaching me to no longer swing

for the fence, but to look far beyond the fence.


Georgia Institute of Technology, Engineered Biosystems Building, Atlanta, Georgia



The Intern* Architect

Introducing yourself as an architect is often accom-panied with positive reactions such as: “That’s what I originally wanted to do” or “That must be great getting to see something you created actually be built.” Then there is “Seinfeld’s” George Costanza’s infamous quote, “You know I always wanted to pretend I was an architect.”

Job titles, in any profession, are important because they reflect a level of experience and demand a certain level of respect. The title “intern architect” can be misun-derstood as a temporary or student position rather than an architecture school graduate working towards profes-sional licensure. Many people, both within and outside of the building industry, do not realize an “intern architect” is comparable to someone completing a medical residency or a legal apprenticeship. The path to becoming an archi-tect can be broken down into a three-step process: edu-cation, experience, and examination. The intern architect position plays a major component in one’s development during the lengthy and tedious path toward licensure.

A Misunderstood Title *and the path towards licensure

By Marco Pieri, RAStaff Architect


Education

Education is one of the lengthier steps in the path toward licensure. The required degree is either a five-year professional Bachelor of Architecture or a two to three year post-graduate Master of Architecture. The two different paths of education have many common characteris-tics. Both have an intense weed-out process; often demand all-nighters in the studio for design projects; require knowledge of architectural history and theory; and both programs incor-porate structural, environmental, and technical construction courses into the curriculum. Introductory archi-tecture courses are often designed to weed out students early on, but

the major remains time-intensive throughout college. In 2012, The Washington Post surveyed college se-niors by major, revealing architecture majors study 23.7 hours per week, the highest of all majors surveyed. Ar-chitecture is a well-rounded, labor-in-tensive major, fulfilling the first step in the process to licensure.

Experience

While the architecture profession is often led by older generations, employees of varied ages carry the title of “intern architect” in modern day offices. There are various levels of intern architects, from graduates fresh out of school to those with years of experience, taking their

Architectural Registration Exams (AREs). While some interns may be limited in their amount of exposure to the different aspects of architecture, most work on and experience multiple projects and various scopes of work in the profession. The intern role is critical because it allows a person to convert their theoretical knowledge from school to the business aspect of architecture. More senior intern architects, typically very competent and familiar with the practice, often assume the role of assistant project manager. The Internship Development Program (IDP) guidelines require in-terns to acquire a minimum of 5,600 work hours in various categories of work experience in the practice of architecture. This process often takes



interns three to five years to complete, substantiating the fact that many intern architects are actually highly experienced and knowledgeable professionals.

Examination

Intern architects may technically take the AREs at any time after graduation, but many wait until after they have acquired a certain level of professional exposure before test-ing (typically two to four years). The ARE 4.0, broken into seven different categories/tests, is comprised of 545 multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions and 10 graphic vignettes. Interns are able to schedule AREs individually or all at once, however most spread their testing over course

of nine months to two years. Many interns complain about the difficulty, added stress, extra time, and the ambiguity of the testing experience—which are all valid complaints. Test results often do not arrive for weeks, they are pass or fail, and they have no in-depth scoring summary or breakdown. Many interns get frus-trated, because after studying for 40 -100 hours for each division, they of-ten still leave the exams not knowing whether they will pass or fail. While the exams may be frustrating and are often unpredictable in their content, they are appropriate and necessary for licensure. They test an intern’s ability to think critically about the best solution or judgment call rather than a simple right or wrong answer. Architecture is never black or white,

but instead it is a delicate balance of being both a generalist and a spe-cialist. One is expected to know a lot about many things, but cannot ever know the entirety of everything. When an intern finally completes their education, experience, and examina-tion, their title will change and they will become a registered architect. Done, right? No, of course not. It is referred to as the “practice of archi-tecture,” and it is just that: practice. Whether you are a recent graduate, newly licensed, or a gray-haired 30-year veteran, you are going to be constantly learning new things and adapting to the profession. Being an intern architect is just one important step in the process.


We created this section to get to the heart of our designers,

to find out why they chose design as a career and to discover

what fuels their passion. They were each asked one (seemingly)

simple question: What has most influenced you as a designer?

We hope you enjoy reading what each of them had to say.

Why Design?

AbundanceBy John Beres, RAStaff Architect

What inspires me in design? I am inspired by geometric form, as it relates to human perception, and how that perception can be manipulated to solve a problem. This interest isn’t limited to architecture but rather it spans from 2-D graphic elements, to interior design and urban planning. Although, most people don’t think about it, I find the human impulse to work with form in opposition to gravity, in relation to light and color, and with a purpose, satisfies a basic human need. There is limitless freedom in the possibility of form that I always return to when I want to quell the harsh realities of economy or time. In fact, while working with geometry, time disappears altogether! I am also interested and inspired by how design is a constant becoming, a process. It’s the place where the subjective realm of ideas drops into concrete form, where that form creates relation and where that relation connects people. This is true abundance.



When I was in college studying architecture, I also minored in architectural history and served as a teaching assis-tant for the required two-semester undergraduate history sequence. Like most architects, I greatly admire “old” buildings, from antiquity through the twentieth century, for their craftsmanship, construction techniques, material innovation and that je ne sais quoi term many describe as “character.” While it might seem that my approach to de-sign would be rooted in historicism, it actually is quite the opposite. I find the study of historic architecture intrigu-ing because buildings are, and should be, a reflection of their time and the culture that created them. The intricate decoration of Gothic cathedrals was only made possible by the formation of medieval trade guilds, the importance of religion and the fierce competition between city-states.

In a more contemporary context, after the Industrial Rev-olution delivered new materials and methods of steel and reinforced concrete, Le Corbusier was able to formulate his “Five Points of Architecture.” These were exhibited per-fectly in the design of the Villa Savoye, which had an open floor plan and long ribbon windows, while also incorporat-ing a garage for automobiles, as people had increasingly become more dependent on them for transportation.

Looking at the lessons of the past,

I have realized that the present and

the possibilities for the future of our

world influence me most when I

approach a design problem.

In the past, before Hollywood or the Internet etc., architec-ture was the epitome of the highest art; it was the deliber-ate expression of the zeitgeist and possessed true cultural agency. Today, we live in a complex, globalizing world with rapid technological advancements and commendable achievements of humanity, but also with climate change and vacillating economies. I constantly consider how architecture and design can capture this very moment, and what particular forms, relationships and nuances will result from this type of approach. While architecture often strives for timelessness, in the future, I will be ok with remarks that a building I contributed to was “so 2015” if it means it captured the spirit of the day.

Architecture Captures the SpiritBy Torrey Law, RAStaff Architect

Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye Credit: Flickr: “Villa Savoye, Le Corbusier, Poissy” by Timothy Brown

From Cubicles to ClassroomsYesterday’s Office Buildings are the Schools of Tomorrow

As people increasingly populate metro regions, schools are facing overcrowding with little affordable real

estate available for expansion. This overcrowding, coupled with the jarring fact that more than 16 percent of office space in the U.S. is vacant, has led schools to get creative. Some schools have begun looking to vacant office buildings to house classrooms.

COOPER CARRY has launched the first SlideShare in a series, intended to spark conversations about the top design trends that are impacting our communities. With the availability of real estate in urban areas so sparse, the first installment, “Yesterday’s Office Buildings are the Schools of Tomorrow,” examines the growing trend of reusing empty office space for schools, and starting a dialogue about what the future holds for learning environments.

Millennials are growing up.Average age = 18 to 33 years old

Source: Pew Research Center

10.8 Million

The number of U.S. households with adults between the ages of 25 and

34 who have children.

Source: Millennial Marketing

Urban schools are unprepared for the population influx.

Nearly half of Bailey’s Elementary School students

were housed in trailers. …Meanwhile office space is more

available than ever.

Owners of office buildings can wait for traditional tenants to

return...

...or look to new uses for their buildings.

Check it out!


http://www.slideshare.net/CooperCarry/yesterdays-office-schooltomorrow

P O R T F O L I O S H O W C A S E

COOPER CARRY 2015

Portfolio ShowcaseBy Stuart ThielIntern Architect

As designers, we are constantly evolving our processes and capabilities. On a daily basis, we add to our skill set through design explo-ration and construction experience. We ana-lyze and dissect our projects to validate our concepts and to assure quality for our clients. However, to move forward as a firm, we must answer some challenging questions: Who are the people that make up COOPER CARRY and what are we really capable of? Where did we come from? What are our individual passions for design and how do we encourage their de-velopment both individually and collectively?

Our 2015 Portfolio Showcase helped answer these questions by introspectively looking at our diverse design upbringings. Over a two-week period, we viewed more than 30 staff entries from their time in college or “pre-COOPER CARRY” days. The submissions ranged from bound portfolios to thesis proj-ects, furniture studies to watercolor land-scape drawings. We received entries from all practice groups, illustrating our passions and our diverse perspectives on design. It was a tangible validation of our efforts as students and our growth as professionals. The chal-lenge now is to understand how best to utilize these talents by the firm at-large.

This event has sparked a renewed ener-gy and excitement for producing progressive and meaningful designs.

It is clear that the future is

bright for Cooper Carry.

Stuart Thiel, The University of Florida


S t u d i o 5 - B - F o n d r e n H o u s e o f M u s i c

STUDIO 5-B, FONDREN HOUSE OF MUSIC Zach Carnegie, Mississippi State University

CHURCH PERSPECTIVE & PLAN Krista Dumkrieger University of Notre Dame


P O R T F O L I O S H O W C A S E

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH & CATHOLIC SCHOOL Meg Robie, University of Georgia

LINK HOTEL+HUB, START UP CAMPUS, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA Adrianna Acosta Savannah College of Art and Design


Panel Events

Project Stuff

Preparing to photograph our new

office in lower Manhattan!

COOPER CARRY Principals Ben Wauford, AIA, and David Kitchens, AIA, discussed real estate trends at New York and Virginia Bisnow events.

Some of our designers descended three stories below ground to tour the 900 16th Street NW construction site.


Exciting things are

always happening at

Cooper Carry! Here is a

quick snapshot of what’s

been going on at the firm

over the last few months.

WHAT’S NEW?

http://www.coopercarry.com/project/900-16th-street-nw/

EMPLOYEE & VOLUNTEER EVENTS

We participated in a “jeans for charity” fundraiser in support of the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb. Our own Carol Alexander sported three pieces of denim for the cause!

We celebrated the Academy Awards

with a movie-themed happy hour.

The COOPER CARRY-designed Hyatt Place Baltimore

/ Inner Harbor celebrated its grand opening.

The COOPER CARRY-designed Edward

Andrews Homes Digital Design Center

made its debut.

An atrium screen depicts the North Carolina State University Tamaskan Dog mascot. Construction of the NC State Talley Student Union Phase II, designed by COOPER CARRY in collaboration with Duda Paine, is nearing completion.

COOPER CARRY was

named one of Interior

Design Magazine’s

“Top 100 Giants.”


http://www.coopercarry.com///project/hyatt-place-baltimoreinner-harbor/

http://action.lung.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=11058&team_id=100163

http://www.interiordesign.net/articles/detail/35858-2014-top-100-giants-rankings/

1200 NORTH HENRY STREET YIELD STUDY, ALEXANDRIA, VA Mixed-Use, Foulger-Pratt Development, Inc.

1861 WIEHLE AVE DEVELOPMENT YIELD STUDY, RESTON, VA Mixed-Use, Foulger-Pratt Development, Inc.

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, NEW PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH BUILDING, AUBURN, AL Science + Technology, Infinity Architecture and Auburn University

AUBURN UNIVERSITY AT MONTGOMERY, RESIDENCE HALL, MONTGOMERY, AL Higher Education, Infinity Architecture and Auburn University at Montgomery

BULL STREET FIRST BASE BUILDING, COLUMBIA, SC Office, Hughes Development Corporation

CAPITOL POINT SOUTH MIXED USE, WASHINGTON, DC Mixed-Use, The JBG Companies

CHOKE CHERRY AT SHADY GROVE, ROCKVILLE, MD Mixed-Use, Bernstein Management Corporation

CHURCH TO RESIDENTIAL CONVERSION, WASHINGTON, DC Residential, MCN Build LLC

CITY OF EAST POINT, UPDATE OF THE 2012 LCI-TOD STUDY, EAST POINT, GA Planning, City of East Point

FERRY WHARF MASTER PLAN AND OFFICE BUILDING, MOUNT PLEASANT, SC Office, Holder Properties

GADSDENBORO PARK, CHARLESTON, SC Mixed-Use, East West Partners

Recent Wins


R E C E N T W I N S

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE PAVILION AT 25 PARK PLACE - THE CUBE, ATLANTA, GA Higher Education, Georgia State University

KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY, AL SHUROOQ COMMUNITY MASTER PLAN, JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA, Planning, Emaar, The Economic City

KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY, AL WAHA COMMUNITY MASTER PLAN, JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA, Planning, Emaar, The Economic City

MONTGOMERY LANE BETHESDA, BETHESDA, MD Mixed-Use, The Walker Group

OAKVILLE HOMEWOOD SUITES YIELD STUDY AND BRAND PACKAGE, ALEXANDRIA, VA Hospitality, StonebridgeCarras, LLC

SOLIS DOWNWOOD (BUCKHEAD) CIRCLE RESIDENTIAL, ATLANTA, GA Mixed-Use, Terwilliger Pappas

SOLIS PARKVIEW ON PEACHTREE, CHAMBLEE, GA Mixed-Use, Terwilliger Pappas

THE ESPLANADE MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT, DUBAI, UAE Mixed-Use, Muzoon Holdings, LLC

THE PINNACLE ABOVE LAKE LANIER, GAINESVILLE, GA Residential, GBS LTD, LLC

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, CLASSROOM GUIDELINES, ATHENS, GA Higher Education, University of Georgia

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, SANFORD STADIUM SKY CLUB RENOVATION, ATHENS, GA Higher Education, University of Georgia


Congrats!

Kevin Cantley President, Principal

34 Years

Pope Bullock Principal33 Years

Angelo Carusi Principal31 Years

Betsy Kill Librarian27 Years

Lee AyersSenior Associate

21 Years

A heartfelt “Thank You” to those celebrating an employment anniversary in the 4th Quarter of 2014.

Jason AlbersProject Architect

9 Years

Richard LeeArchitectural Staff III

8 Years

Manny DominguezDirector of Design

7 Years

Brandon LenkStaff Architect

7 Years

Mikki CashMarketing

Coordinator4 Years

Abbey OklakPlanner3 Years

Lynnette McKissicStudio Administrator

2 Years

Tyrone ShinaberryProject Manager

2 Years

Emilia DelsolReceptionist

2 Years

T Jack BagbyProject Architect

2 Years

Don’t forget to

congratulate them

on LinkedIn

41 to

3years

0

to49years

to13years

tweeners

newbies

lifers


https://www.linkedin.com/company/cooper-carry

A N N I V E R S A R I E S

Allen Dedels Associate Director

21 Years

Lauren FordSenior Associate

15 Years

Jun LiArchitectural Staff III

15 Years

Brandon DankeProject Architect

10 Years

Khrysti UhrinAssociate10 Years

Alysha BuckArchitectural Staff I

4 Years

Lesley BraxtonAssociate4 Years

Ben GholsonArchitectural Staff II

4 Years

Gweneth KovarStaff Interior

Designer4 Years

Joseph AlmeidaArchitectural Staff I

1 Year

Samantha Yeh Intern Architect

1 Year

Heba Bella ElaminIntern Architect

1 Year

Robert EdsallIntern Architect

1 Year

Ansu ZazaSystems Engineer I

1 Year


Jerry Cooper Founder, Principal

55 Years

Sherry Wilson VP of Finance

33 Years

Greg Miller Principal30 Years

Keith SimmelPrincipal23 Years

Christopher BivinsSenior Associate

19 Years

Nathan Williamson Senior Associate

12 Years

Steve JacksonSenior Associate

11 Years

Cherie CainesArchitectural Staff III

10 Years

Younghui HanProject Interior

Designer9 Years

Steve CarlinAssociate9 Years

Gary ElderInterior Designer III

4 Years

Brandi HaughtonMarketing

Coordinator4 Years

Zachary WilsonIntern Architect

4 Years

Sheen Xu Staff Architect

4 Years

Oscar PerezDirector of Design

3 Years

tweeners

newbies

51to

5years

0

to13years

lifers

Congrats!A heartfelt “Thank You” to those celebrating an employment anniversary in the 1st Quarter of 2015.

to49years


A N N I V E R S A R I E S

John Beres Staff Architect

19 Years

Layton Golding Senior Associate

18 Years

Nancy GomezProject Accountant

15 Years

Andres RubioSenior Associate

14 Years

Rod JohnsonOffice Assistant

14 Years

Chris Culver Associate12 Years

Matthew CarrAssociate7 Years

Brent AmosAssociate7 Years

Bobbi SweeneySr. Graphic Designer

6 Years

Amanda D’LuhyMarketing Manager

5 Years

Rick CaseyAssociate4 Years

Krista DumkriegerProject Architect

4 Years

Rick SniderSr. Graphic Designer

3 Years

Lydia CasemanExecutive

Administrator2Years

Jason King Project Architect

2 Years

Andrew Telker Intern Architect

2 Years

Robert AydlettProject Architect

1 Year

Alexis JonesInterior Designer I

1 Year


Vinnie YeeIntern Architect

1 Year

Kelly ZimmerInterior Designer I

1 Year

Jessica BurgardProject Architect

1 Year

Whitney CarterIntern Architect

1 Year

Kim RousseauDirector of Interior

Design1 Year

Mushtaque AbbanStaff Architect

1 Year

Donnie BassArchitectural Staff I

1 Year

Richard BerriosIntern Architect

1 Year

Conrad BobachArchitectural Staff II

1 Year

Vincent BrownbillProject Architect

1 Year

Andrew DaCostaArchitectural Staff I

1 Year

Robin LackeyProject Architect

1 Year

Joseph MartinIntern Architect

1 Year

Stuart ThielIntern Architect

1 Year

Andrew-Marc Thomas

Intern Architect1 Year

newbies

to13years

continued


Mourad KichaArchitectural Staff III

Stephanie AllenInterior Designer II

Bill GarciaProject Manager

Adriana AcostaArchitectural Staff II

William CollarIntern Architect

Edwina MorganStudio Administrator

Levy NguyenIntern Architect

Elias VenerisArchitectural Staff III

Aylin NazliIntern Architect

Daniel SweeneyProject Architect

Sarah WrightIntern Architect

Jorge Mendez-Schiaffino

Architectural Staff II

Uranus Shojachaghervand

Intern Architect

Scott FlemingProject Architect

Leslie TyroneProject Architect

Dannah Yu Intern Architect

N E W H I R E S

Welcome to employees beginning their careers at Cooper Carry.


Aspire - Volume Ten Mentions

David Kitchens, AIACarol AlexanderBen Wauford, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP

Lauren Perry Ford, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+CTorie Ness (UGA student)Sen. Johnny Isakson (U.S. Senator)Jere Morehead (UGA president)Briana Daugherty (GSU student)Mark Jensen, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP

Aspire - Volume Ten Contributors

John Beres, RAStaff Architect

Lesley Braxton, AIA, IIDA, LEED APAssociate

Pope Bullock, AIAPrincipal

Angelo Carusi, AIA, LEED AP, CDP, CRXPrincipal

Tim Fish, AIA, LEED APPrincipal

Torrey Law, RA, LEED AP BD+CStaff Architect

Bob Neal, AIAPrincipal

Marco Pieri, RAStaff Architect

Stuart ThielIntern Architect


C O N T R I B U T O R S

Sneak Peek

We are very excited about Emory University Chemistry Center finishing up! We can’t wait to share more with you!

atlanta new york washington

http://www.coopercarry.com/

https://twitter.com/coopercarry

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cooper-Carry-The-Center-for-Connective-Architecture/154157761405542

https://plus.google.com/102678266602725761207/posts

https://www.linkedin.com/company/cooper-carry?trk=hb_tab_compy_id_28351

https://www.youtube.com/user/CooperCarry

https://vimeo.com/user25415768/videos

https://www.pinterest.com/coopercarryinc/

http://reasonsforoptimism.com/default.aspx

Documents

Aspire magazine Vol 10