Concrete Trials

As part of the previously blogged team-building exercises in our office, my group was inspired by some impressive images of concrete furniture, sinks, and building panels.  We decided to try our hand at learning new casting techniques, with the eventual goal of building an indoor/outdoor concrete bench for the office.

The first test – the mix we were using had a very thick consistency, which required careful packing in the mold and lots of agitation to clear bubbles.

Concrete mix test results – we needed to ensure that the finish and strength would be suitable for sitting.

Trying some small scale topography, which unfortunately provided surface for bubbles to cling to.

Introducing large scale topography – a more uniform finish and fewer bubbles due to a new releasing agent, but some loss in detail due to concrete seepage between the layers. Gives it a more “rustic” look.

While we’re some surface prep and sealing away from having a finished and perfectly functional bench surface, we’re a bit tempted to try once more to make the pattern a little more precise, the corners sharper, and the color more uniform.

Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation Award

NewStudio Architecture recently received the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation Award for Outstanding Rehabilitation at a ceremony in Athens, Georgia, recognizing our firm’s work in repurposing a forgotten S. H. Kress store into a new Urban Outfitters store in Athens. 

Sean Wagner, CEO/President, and Marcy Conrad Nutt, Project Architect and Senior Associate, represented NewStudio Architecture for the project, gladly accepting the award alongside Ken Nemeth, Senior Development Manager at Urban Outfitters, and Michael Iovino, President of August Construction Solutions. 

““This project was an example of great collaboration between our client and store designers at URBN, Inc., the crew at August Construction Solutions, the members of the Heritage Preservation Commission, and the architects at NewStudio Architecture. We are honored to have been nominated, and we are thrilled to receive the award for Outstanding Rehabilitation.” ”

— Marcy Conrad Nutt

Unlike many award programs, this one does not accept applications. Instead, the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation nominates potential recipients and considers how well each project has returned a neglected structure to a new state of usefulness, “while preserving those portions or features that are significant to its historical, architectural and cultural integrity,” according to its website. 

The historic Kress retail chain was renowned for adding remarkable architectural details to each of its buildings. “Discovering early on that the building once was an old five-and-dime Kress store was a prized find,” Conrad Nutt added. “All partners involved embraced the opportunity to strip back the façade to reveal the old storefront opening size and wall panels of this small piece of Athens downtown history.”  

Photo by Marcy Conrad Nutt

Original S. H. Kress storefront

Storefront before the Urban repurposing project. Photo by August Construction

Photo by August Construction

Photo by August Construction

Photo by August Construction

Architects or Potters?

Yesterday (after filling up on some yummy Carbone's pizza) the NewStudio staff headed over to the White Bear Center for the Arts to take a clay class! Sean and Melissa are strong supporters of the White Bear Center for the Arts, and their organization is brought up often in the office. That being said, it was great to finally make it over to their facility and interact directly with the workers and volunteers. 

Throughout the afternoon, the staff got their creative on! Starting with a slab of clay, we explored different shapes and a variety of techniques for applying texture, pattern, and printing. The end products were impressive, and it was interesting to see how different everybody's turned out.

Overall, it was a much needed fun filled afternoon (almost therapeutic), along with a great bonding experience for all of the staff.

NewStudio & Strengths Finders

The NewStudio Architecture staff has been actively engaged in the StrengthsFinder 2.0 exercises. 

To date, all employees have completed their online profile and identified their top 5 strengths. Based on these results, four teams were formed from the staff balancing out strengths of each team member. 

The Challenge: Team Project to continue strengths based leadership self-awareness, valuing differences, and team building techniques through hands on application of project ideation, planning and execution. 

Project ideas: 

• Framed Pice of art
• Foot Stool
• Bookends
• Outdoor Bench
• Wind Chimes
• Storage unite for toner
• Flower box

Team Tchotchke in Action

Lake Life

Last summer, Sean and I took his C boat to a regatta on Lake Minnetonka and docked the boat at our friend Ben’s house. The location is right on Carson’s Bay, with a beautiful view of the lake and easy access to the water.

While sitting on shore after a day of racing, Ben and Sean began talking about the house Sean and Melissa are building on Manitou Island and the beautiful boathouse they have on their lakefront.  Through this interaction, it became clear that Ben and Sean shared a similar appreciation for the Lake Life. They both enjoy living near water with the ability to walk out the door and onto the dock. They also enjoy coming home every day to the solitude of their full time “lake cabin” (or as Sean calls it… “his Nirvana”).

Ben's dock at sunset.

From the deck, looking out at the mouth of Carson's Bay and Lighthouse Island (a.k.a. - The Minnetonka Yacht Club).

NewStudio is excited to now be working with Ben on remodeling his house. Taking some ideas from Sean’s house, our design team is building around his family’s active lifestyle, their love for entertaining guests, and of course, the accessibility of the lake.

Like minded people tend to stick together. We’re happy that our style matches what Ben is looking for, and excited to help create an environment in his home that suits his on-the-water lifestyle.