Tag: hanrahan meyers architects

Mathematics, Waves, and Birdsongsnatural architecture; green architecture; sustainable architecture

April 4th, 2008

hanrahan Meyers architects (hMa) is a unique architectural practice with partners, Victoria Meyers and Thomas Hanrahan, collaborating with artists from the New York area to create uniquely conceptual buildings. ‘We believe that architecture is an art, and that buildings should be three- dimensional renditions of ideas.’ (Victoria Meyers).

hMa’s conceptual approach to design involves the study of forms from Nature that the firm subjects to a critical analysis. hMa analyzes each project that comes into the office and works with the clients to discover an element that gives each project a unique direction. These interpretations are always tied to phenomenal interpretations of the natural world.

Infinity Chapel, in construction in downtown Manhattan, was originally inspired by the clients. The clients requested a chapel that was formed out of complex curve forms. hMa responded by constructing 3-dimensional klein bottles and moebius strips. The final form is based on a moebius strip. Infinity Chapel is scheduled for completion in September 2008.

INFINITY CHAPEL; KLEIN BOTTLE, INSET

WaveLine, a new multi-purpose pavilion in Queens, was designed based on natural wave forms. hMa collaborated with acoustic engineer Yasuhisa Toyota of Nagata Acoustics. hMa used physical models of wave forms, as well as computer simulations to determine the final building shape. The wave-form shaped roof is clad in Galv-alum.

WAVELINE AND SOUND MODELS

For Battery Park City Authority’s North Neighborhood site adjacent to the ballfields, hMa designed a new Platinum LEED certified Community Center. The building’s east facing facade is a 550-foot long arc of glass orienting visitors who walk along the façade toward Ground Zero, which is across the street from the site. New York Composer Michael Schumacher collaborated with hMa writing a ‘Birdsong Composition’ that will be etched on the glass facade, as a bar code. The visual image gives the visiting public access to the Birdsong both visually as well as aurally. The Birdsong will also be present aurally, through speakers mounted in exterior courtyards along the façade, and became the primary organizing feature for the building.

BATTERY PARK CITY COMMUNITY CENTER

view of arcade glass wall; composer Michael Schumacher's 'Birdsong' score, inset

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Television Studio Design : Hollywood EastTV Studio Design by hanrahanMeyers architects – tv studio design; michael schrom studio; silvercup studios; creative office design

March 20th, 2008

Schrom Studios is a television production and film studio designed by hanrahan Meyers architects in 2001. The project is located in the Silvercup Building in Queens, New York, which is owned and operated by the Suna family, with Alan Suna as the CEO of Silvercup Studios.

Silvercup Studios is a major player in the New York City area of Astoria that has become known as ‘Hollywood east’. Alan Suna, the Silvercup CEO, is planning a $1 Billion expansion of Silvercup Studios. Above we are showing the view of hanrahan Meyers architects' (hMa's) design for Schrom Studios, featuring a new, glass enclosed conference room in the foreground. hMa opened new skylights as part of their design for Schrom Studios, including a new skylight centered above the conference room. hMa then shaped the ceiling structure of the conference room to have a cone shaped form which opens to the skylight above, bringing natural light into the studio below.

Silvercup Studios was made famous as the production site of the award-winning television series, “The Sopranos” and “Sex and the City”. Shown above is the public 'test kitchen' for Schrom Studios, where the Owners make food dishes that are featured in commercials and other films made by Schrom Studios.

The Silvercup expansion comes amidst a boom in movie and television production in New York City triggered by city and state credits enacted for film producers since 1976. Shown above is hMa's 'light wall', a 5' deep wall with an egress corridor in the lower level, but which was simply open, wasted space above. hMa took advantage of the depth of the wall to create a new 'light wall' to add an interesting feature to Schrom Studios' gallery area, in the foreground. Michael Schrom uses this area to host gallery openings and other public events.

Shown above is hMa's design for a free-standing maple stair which leads to Schrom's newly designed second story work mezzanine. The stair, designed and built as a solid wood object, leads to a an open steel grid walkway, which leads to the second story mezzanine, to the west. In the background is the Schrom television studio space, separated from the gallery by a 17' tall glass and steel wall. The entire wall is movable and was fabricated custom for the project. The curtain which closes to give the studio the ability to darken and be removed from the open gallery space, is green leather, and was made custom for the space.

For more on this story, read the articles “Silvercup unveils $1 Billion Expansion Plan" (Queens Gazette) and "Silvercup Studios Sets $1 Billion Complex" (New York Times). To read more about Schrom Studios, visit hMa's website, www.hanrahanMeyers.com.
Green Office Designsustainable design; green workplace design; commercial office design; professional office design; conference table design

March 4th, 2008

hanrahan Meyers architects (hMa) are pleased to announce the completion of their Pre-Fabricated and Green office renovation. Last year, hMa began designing and constructing their new work space incorporating the following Pre-Fabrication and Green features:

- all wall panels and built-in desks to be Pre-Fabricated for speed of installation, to allow the architects to take the new space with them when / if they move
- energy star rated appliances
- non + low VOC rated surfaces and finishes
- new recycle center / Green cleaning supplies storage area
- new energy efficient florescent lights

CONFERENCE ROOM WITH 'TOPO TABLE' DESIGNED BY VICTORIA MEYERS, HANRAHAN MEYERS ARCHITECTS (hMa)

Photos of hMa’s renovation feature their ‘Topo Table’ (designed by partner Victoria Meyers) in the new conference room. ‘Topo Table’, one of the firm’s Nature-based furniture designs, is made using recycled materials and is available for purchase. The renovation also features woodwork by Natural woodworker Hisao Hanafusa of Miya Shoji, as well as steel and metal work by David Teeple. Both are frequent hMa collaborators.

VIEW OF WORKSTATION, HANRAHAN MEYERS ARCHITECTS (hMa) OFFICES

hMa are known for designing minimalist, award-winning Nature-based Green buildings. Hanrahan Meyers’ award-winning designs include Pratt Pavilion, a new Design Center in Brooklyn, New York; Schrom Studios' television studio in Queens, New York; Infinity Chapel church for the Tenth Church of Christ Scientist; a new Platinum LEED certified Community Center adjacent to Ground Zero in New York for Battery Park City Authority; and a new platinum LEED certified house in Amagansett, New York.

HANRAHAN MEYERS ARCHITECTS OFFICES: GLASS-ENCLOSED ENTRY; BENCH BY MIYA SHOJI

hMa Clients and collaborators will be able to see the office and meet photographer Michael Moran at our next hMa Client Event to be held in the Spring. Michael will be discussing a collaborative book of photographs and poetry, which was recently exhibited in Barcelona. Also planned for the event are presentations by Joe Amrhein and Susan Swenson, owners of Pierogi Gallery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn; and a wine tasting and discussion held by Union Square Wines. Check back soon for updates!

HANRAHAN MEYERS ARCHITECTS OFFICES: VIEW TOWARD CONFERENCE ROOM: DOOR BY MIYA SHOJI; CUSTOM DISPLAY SHELF BY DAVID TEEPLE

General Contractor : J. Lauda and Company, Inc.
All Photographs by Michael Moran
Natural Architecture: Green House Design; certified LEED building design; nature and design; sustainable house design

January 4th, 2008

Aesthetics:

hanrahan Meyers architects (hMa) put clients in direct contact with Nature through unique proprietary systems incorporating Natural woods, metals, and stones. hMa’s aesthetic approach brings the Natural realm to the client both through the literal use of Natural materials, as well as through formal manipulation.

HOLLEY HOUSE PHOTO BY PAUL WARCHOL

Philosophy:

We live in a world where pure ‘Nature’ is disappearing. hMa is devoted to giving clients access to Nature.

We believe in supporting global efforts to renew and protect the environment. hMa’s unique language of space-making creates buildings that function as Natural Organisms in their environments.

hMa projects are self-sufficient organisms that provide heat, warmth, cooling and other forms of Advanced shelter without draining Natural Resources.

DUNE HOUSE: ZERO SITE FOOTPRINT AND PLATINUM LEED RATING

Practicality:

Going Green does not cost more than not being Green. We specify the latest cutting edge technologies so that hMa clients have access to sustainable environments with affordable budgets.

Over time, Green projects actually repay clients’ original investments by requiring less energy to run, and by offering more sustainable methods for dealing with waste products including trash recycling, toilets, showers, and other waste-water systems. In the future, sustainable Green buildings will be worth more when owners resell. Green projects will not require costly abatement to correct inefficiencies in the future as communities across the United States upgrade their codes and create more stringent rules for energy and water use.

BATTERY PARK CITY COMMUNITY CENTER: PLATINUM LEED BUILDING

Who are hMa’s clients?

hMa’s client base are enlightened consumers who want to live in buildings that incorporate a 21st century vision including sustainable design.

hMa’s clients include: private residential clients who want state-of-the-art green living spaces; institutional clients including private colleges and universities looking for Public Buildings for their students and faculty that function simultaneously as educational Interpretive Centers about the Environment, in addition to serving as great classrooms, lecture halls, and public gathering spaces; arts clients, including not-for-profit Galleries, Performing Arts Groups, and Libraries who seek beautiful public spaces that inspire both the Artists as well as the General Public to come and enjoy the Arts supported by a sustainable environment; and religious institutions, including Churches, Monasteries, and Buddhist Meditation Centers. Many of these organizations have a mission of supporting Environmental efforts.

At hMa we have a team of skilled artisans who understand how to build hMa details to give clients access to Nature within their living environments.

SEE-THRU HOUSE AT URBAN RESERVE: SUSTAINABLE PLANNED COMMUNITY

At hMa we have a team of skilled artisans who understand how to build hMa details to give clients access to Nature within their living environments.

WHITE SPACE PHOTOGRAPHED BY PAUL WARCHOL
Going Green at the Office

January 3rd, 2008

In order to produce less waste around the office, hanrahan Meyers architects have switched from drinking bottled water to keeping a Brita water filter in the refrigerator and using biodegradable/compostable cups made from corn. We got the cups from EcoProducts; they have a wide selection of sizes and cups for hot and cold beverages as well as other green products.
hMa Spring Event

December 19th, 2007

hanrahan Meyers architects (hMa) are pleased to announce plans for the next 'Client Only' event, which will take place in Spring 2008.

The event will feature the visual art of talented New York Painter Joe Amrhein and reading by writer and editor Susan Swenson; as well as a presentation by both Joe and Susan about their ground-breaking Gallery, Pierogi 2000, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Joe Amrhein – Winking Anachromisms, 2002, enamel and gold leaf on mylar

hMa will also have a representative from Union Square Wines who will talk about local New York wines, going hand in hand with hMa’s vision of Sustainable architecture, based in Nature.

Check back for updates!
hMa Winter Event

December 19th, 2007

hMa is pleased to post images from our Winter Event ‘for hMa Clients Only’.

STILL FROM BRUCE PEARSON'S VIDEO STUDIO VISIT

On December 10th hanrahan Meyers architects (hMa) hosted an event for twenty clients, featuring the outstanding work of artist Bruce Pearson; seamstress and artisan Betsy Davis, who fabricates hMa’s unusual and luxurious window treatments from Natural fibers; and Sound Artist Michael Schumacher, who presented his newly developed Sound Installations, which will be available on DVD through Michael’s website. Michael is currently collaborating with hMa on the future Battery Park City Community Center facade where Michael’s Bird Song, which can also be heard on hMa’s home page, will be featured as a visual interpolation of sound.

BETSY DAVIS HOLDS UP A SAMPLE OF HER 'LOOP CURTAIN' CUSTOM-DESIGNED FOR HMA

hMa hosts Events ‘for hMa Clients Only’ four times a year: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. The seasonal timing of the events underlines the firm’s commitment to Design aligned with Nature.

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER, INTRODUCING HIS LIVING ROOM PIECE, ALSO PICTURED ARE LINDA O'KEEFFE AND YVES DURIF

Look for hMa’s next event, in the Spring 2008, when we will feature the visual art of talented New York Painter Joe Amrhein, readings by writer and editor Susan Swenson; as well as a presentation by both Joe and Susan about their ground-breaking Gallery, Pierogi 2000, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. hMa will also have a representative from Union Square Wines who will talk about local New York wines, going hand in hand with hMa’s vision of Sustainable architecture, based in Nature.

Who knows, perhaps hMa has a new Winery in their future?
Won Buddhist Training Centercampus master plan

November 30th, 2007

Campus Master Plan: A Rural Layout

hanrahan Meyers architects (hMa) have a designed a new Won-Buddhist Retreat that will be approximately 2 hours north of New York City on a rural site. The site is mostly wooded, with a swath of Meadow on the western edge where buildings can be built.

- The site features relatively unspoiled Natural features with native vegetation. All site development will occur in the western edge where the trees have been removed. The rest of the site will be untouched.

- The site plan shows buildings in a rural arrangement, creating a primary impression of the forest’s uninterrupted expanse reinforced by buildings oriented to the path of the sun. The site is large enough to accommodate the program without crowding, maintaining sufficient space so that the Nature of the site permeates the buildings. The Program that we are showing includes a Meditation Hall, a Dining Hall, and Housing.

- The Visitor experience hMa has designed for the master plan and buildings: One with Nature.

Nature Gate

Carefully planted trees and Grasses form a Natural Gate to the site. Gateways that are almost invisible, but present. Using the sound of Nature as the entrance to the site. Initial Entrance Experience: Stone crunching underfoot; leaves rustling in wind; tall grass blowing in breeze.

Stone Gate at the Ridge

A stone base marks a datum across the site. Structures with stone walls create a datum in the Landscape. Architecture becomes a means of measuring site.

From the Stone Gate at the ridge, visitors will be able to glimpse the various structures in the landscape. All structures to be constructed with the same sensibility as the Stone Gate using natural materials. Treating buildings as part of Nature.

View of the buildings

Buildings on the site all share common sense of Natural Materials with the Stone Gate; stone base with wood construction above. The buildings become like the site; like trees sitting in the earth.

View from Meditation Hall:

A sense of being outside when you are inside. A space lit by natural light, so the Meditation Hall is tied to the natural rhythms of Nature and sunlight. Beams overhead that modulate the light, like leaves on the trees. A place that allows the users to feel the awe of Nature.

Building the site into the building, as well as building into the site.
Upcoming : hMa Client Event

November 14th, 2007

hanrahan Meyers architects (hMa) are hosting their second in a series of events inviting clients to come to hMa’s office to meet artists, artisans, and specialty consultants who collaborate on hMa projects.

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER 'ARCHITECTS DESIGN MUSIC'

hMa invites clients to join us our newly renovated office to enjoy snacks prepared by Cara Fitzpatrick, hMa's in-house Kitchen and Catering Consultant. Cara is a professional chef with specialties in whole and gourmet foods from regional sources.

For this event hMa event, we have invited composer and sound artist Michael Schumacher and painter and fine artist Bruce Pearson.

BRUCE PEARSON 'UNCOVERING FACTS THEY WOULD PREFER YOU NEVER HEAR ABOUT' 2005
hanrahan Meyers architects (hMa) Design New York Lofts : Holley Loft New York Apartment Design; New York Architects; Victoria Meyers; WhiteSpace

November 5th, 2007

HOLLEY LOFT PHOTO: PETER AARON/ESTO

hanrahan Meyers architects (hMa) have an international reputation for designing award-winning loft apartments. Holley Loft, a 4,000 square foot residence, was featured at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. WhiteSpace, Ash 4Ways, a 2,000 square foot loft has been featured in several books, including the cover of hMa's Victoria Meyers' book, 'Designing with Light'.

hMa has its own roster of talented artisans available to provide design input into all hMa projects. hMa hosts events ‘for hMa Clients Only’ at their offices in Manhattan, with presentations by selected hMa artisans. For hMa’s most recent event, reference the hMa blog posting dated 10/19/07. hMa’s next ‘for hMa Clients Only’ event will take place on Monday, December 10th and will include presentations by Betsy Davis, custom window treatments, and specialty wood-worker Hisao Hanafusa.

WHITE SPACE, ASH 4 WAYS PHOTO : MICHAEL MORAN

In addition to specialty artisans and finishes, hMa also brings a unique focus on Green and Sustainable design to their residential work. As the Master Plan Architects for Battery Park City’s North Neighborhood, hMa wrote design guidelines for the first Green high-rise residential towers in the United States. hMa is in the process of constructing a Platinum LEED certified house in Amagansett. hMa is also constructing a LEED certified Community Center for Battery Park City Authority adjacent to Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan.

hanrahanMeyers has a track record of producing unusual and distinctive loft projects. Visit hMa's website, www.hanrahanMeyers.com, for a more complete overview of the firm’s residential work.