Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

In 2018, celebrated Danish architect Bjarke Ingels completed the Dortheavej Residence in Copenhagen, a residential development featuring his characteristically innovative touch. The building consists of prefabricated units stacked together to create a subtle checkerboard effect, all at angles that make the curved structure appear to undulate. Its a striking example of Ingelss workmade all the more interesting by the fact that its not a luxury complex aimed at architecture aficionados willing to shell out top dollar. No, the project, designed by one of the countrys most famous living architects, is low-income housing.

The Dortheavej Residence in Copenhagen, designed by Bjarke IngelsRasmus Hjortshoj

In America, meanwhile, low-income housing is largely designed to be ignored. Government-subsidized residences are created to be functional and durable, but almost never beautiful. Its hard to imagine a government housing project in an American city being included on an architectural tour, like the Dortheavej Residence could well be. The idea of prioritizing function over form in this sector is something that interior designer Kia Weatherspoon, who spoke yesterday at Business of Homes Future of Home conference, is trying to chip away at.

The biggest hurdle, as I see it, is getting developers to understand that good design is not a luxury, its a necessity, says Weatherspoon, whose Washington, D.C.based firm Determined by Design was founded with the mission of bringing beautiful design to marginalized communities. Nine times out of 10, she says, developers contracted for affordable housing dont use an interior design firmnot even as a consultant. It usually takes one or two initial meetings with a developer on an affordable housing project to make the case for our work, to show them that I can do good design within their budget, she says.

For the most part, many developers are too far removed from the end user to bring a lens of empathy to the project. Our industry is very whitewashed, and its my belief that people dont advocate for these communities because they dont have a loved one who might live there, says Weatherspoon. I think thats what it takes for someone to say, This isnt good enough. If your team isnt diverse enough for you to take an empathetic view on this [type of work], thats a problem. And thats not to say that every designer of color has a connection to low-income communities, but they can understand it because it is primarily Black and brown people who are the end users of these developments.

Kia WeatherspoonCourtesy of Kia Weatherspoon

For example, Weatherspoon has been on projects where the developer was fighting for only uncomfortable hard surfaces or vinyl to be installed as seating in community areas. And I say to them, If your mother lived here, would you want there to be no soft seating for her to sit on? Thats also when we have a chance to explain how far performance fabric has come and how the technology on those textiles has evolved. It doesnt have to be all vinyl to last.

Convincing a developer of her value as an expert is just the first challenge. Once Weatherspoon lands the project, she has to not only design to an inflexible budget, but also comply with guidelines and requirements from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which include a federal set of policies in addition to regulations that vary from state to state. At Future of Home, Weatherspoon gave the example of a requirement for high-use, industrial cabinetry in affordable housing apartments, a policy she says dates back nearly 40 years. Outdated requirements often wind up costing the developer more, as the materials can be harder to find and more expensive to source than modern ones.

Manufacturing has changed and theres a premium on these high-use cabinets, she says. If you have a building that has 125 units, thats a lot of cabinetry; thats a big-ticket item. In addition to being pricey, heavy, box-style cabinets come with serious aesthetic constraints, as they usually only come in a certain door style or a few colors. But theres also an implication in that requirement that because these people are poor, theyre going to tear things up, she adds.

The Archer Park apartments, an affordable housing development that Weatherspoon designed in Washington D.C.Jennifer Hughes Photography

Decades-old materials requirements such as these are, sadly, the norm in HUD housing. The quality standards for carpeting, for instance, havent been updated since 1993, which is actually fairly recent compared with the standard for wooden doors, which dates to 1975. For HUD-funded units, Weatherspoon is required to use plastic laminate countertopsanother outdated material that isnt just unattractive, it may also be less healthy than other options, as they can contain formaldehyde, which may cause cancer. Indoor air quality is [negatively] impacted by materials like carpet and plastic laminate countertops as they age, she explains.

The outright lack of care for inhabitants health is a disturbing trend across affordable American housing, one thats been institutionalized by outdated, uninformed policies. A number of reports show that rates of chronic asthma are higher in low-income communities, a condition that a 2014 National Institutes of Health study directly attributes to low-quality housing. These policies dont consider the health and wellness of the residents, says Weatherspoon. Think about the year that weve all had and that there are people quarantined in low-income housing that was built 50 years ago that still has lead paint, that lacks energy efficiency or natural light. There are people living like that.

Weatherspoon is passionate about bringing long-overdue change to HUD policies, but feels that the first step is for the wider A&D community to acknowledge the fundamental problem in how we approach affordable housing. We need architects and designers to speak up and do their jobs, she says. Even if its not a sexy luxury project, you have to approach low-income or community-focused projects with the same zeal and integrity as you would a market-rate job. Were just one firm with this mission, but this is something we all should be rallying around so that we can do better.

Watch Kia Weatherspoon at the Future of Home conference here.

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The low-income housing system is broken. Designer Kia Weatherspoon wants to fix it - Business of Home

If, after being stuck at home for months on end, you are taking stock of your surroundings and looking for ways to spruce up the appearance or improve the functionality of your home, you are not alone. According to a report from Review Home Warranties, online searches related to home remodeling are up 84% this year.

Small but achievable updates in bathrooms, such as tile, hardware or paint, are among the more popular projects, according to the report. If youre going to update a bathroom and you want your design choices to stand up over time, the first step is determining what styles will be timeless for you specifically.

People tend to fall into one or two camps, interior designer Michael Winn of Winn Design and Build in Virginia said. They want a very classic-looking bathroom, or they want something contemporary and spa-like, like the Four Seasons. Translation: For many people, the bathroom might not be the place to get splashy with trends.

But what if you adore bold colors and patterns? Sometimes, the most timeless things are the things that you love, said Katy Harbin, a designer based in North Carolina. There are people that redo their bathroom every 10 years, and for them, choosing a paint color of the year and of-the-moment hardware might work.

For those who want to do it right and be done, though, Winn, Harbin and Boston-based interior designer Erin Gates, author of Elements of Family Style, agreed on five bathroom updates that are truly timeless.

Whether you prefer a classic-looking bathroom or a spa-like retreat, Winn said, white doesnt go out of style. Think white paint, tile, countertops, vanities and textiles.

If you find yourself craving color, you can add it with window treatments and towels, Gates suggests, or wallpaper and art. Just be wary of installing wallpaper in an often-used bathroom with a shower, as the steam can sometimes cause the paper to peel.

Harbin likes white towels with a contrast trim in a perky color.

Choosing the right paint color can be tricky, Harbin said, so its important to order larger color samples from paint stores rather than relying on paint cards. You can have an earthy bathroom, like a really pretty travertine and if you put a stark white with it, it falls flat, but rich creams will work, she said.

If you cant find larger samples, get a sample pot and paint a poster board to see how everything looks under your bathrooms lighting. Put the paint next to tile and countertop samples to be certain they all work together.

Blending two types of metals in the space can stand up better than going with one trendy finish throughout the room. In terms of particular metals, polished nickel is timeless, Winn said. Gates, too, prefers polished nickel; in her bathroom, she pairs it with a gold mirror.

When using two different metals (and no more than two), Harbin said to repeat them enough, and it will look good. Try using gold on knobs and a mirror and nickel on faucets and hardware and perhaps your lighting, for example.

Investing in higher-quality metal hardware also will help with longevity. A faucet with brass fittings and water-efficient technology may be pricier in the beginning, but youll be grateful later, Harbin said.

Marble, or a faux marble, like quartz with a marble appearance, will never go out of style, Winn said. Gates agrees, with a vote for Carrara marble.

The soft, porous stone requires some semiannual resealing to maintain its appearance, Winn said; newer generations of countertops in sturdier materials provide that marble look without the maintenance. These countertops are excellent in heavy-use bathrooms, such as those used by children, he said. Solid-slab marble is typically $100 to $200 per square foot; marble-like material is about $45 to $75 per square foot, Winn said.

White subway tile in a shower or bath will never age, Winn said. For floors, penny tile white or black and white is still found in homes built in the 1950s and 60s, Winn said, but clients also are asking for it in new bathrooms. Other classics include hexagonal and basket-weave patterns.

Choosing these tiles in white will age a bit better, Winn said, than tiles in bold colors or patterns. (If you love pattern and color, instead of a super-bold tile pattern, try a rug that can be easily changed out.)

Winn suggests white grout with white tile for a classic look. For a more modern feel, try a charcoal or black grout with white tile. As for size, larger floor tiles, such as 8 by 8 inches or 12 by 24 inches, can make a room seem bigger, since the grout lines are less visible, Winn said.

Small tiles 1 by 1 inch or 2.25 by 2.25 inches also are good for powder rooms to create a full, repetitious look. They also can be beneficial in a shower because more grout lines help prevent slipping, Gates said.

Winn recommends a free-standing, furniture-grade vanity, which will make the bathroom seem less utilitarian, he said.

Gates likes free-standing vanities with Shaker doors and undermount sinks a style she has in her bath. The Shaker style is simple, she said, without ornate details, and its rooted in history. Gates recommends a custom vanity if the budget allows.

White, gray and limed oak wood are all safe bets for a classic look that wont age, she says. In a powder room, Gates recommends a simple pedestal sink and free-standing cabinets or baskets to hold toilet paper and extra hand towels.

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Five bathroom updates that will help your space stand the test of time - The Spokesman-Review

The JaredCoffinHouse, a former whaling shipowners home turned hotel located in the heart of Nantucket, expanded late this summer with the opening of five new accommodations.

Additionally, the Tap Room, a fixture in the downtown dining scene for more than four decades, re-opened earlier this season after a 14-year hiatus. Celebrating 175 years, the three-story brick mansion offers a total immersion into Nantuckets whaling history.

Nantucket local and interior designer Audrey Sterk was selected to ensure careful preservation of the pre-civil war landmark while incorporating the islands nautical feel into the design. While the propertys footprint remained the same to retain the historic architecture of the 19th century building, portions of the ground floor have been transformed from a former restaurant space into the new accommodations.

Inspired by the colors of the sea and sand, the interiors feature a color palette of foggy greys, robin egg blues, and soft neutrals. In the individually designed rooms, custom furniture including four-poster King Beds, tulip-style coffee tables and walnut brown desks with lacquered inlay are paired with original refurbished wood floors from the 1840s.

For those looking for extra privacy, one suite features a private entrance that can be connected with the guest room to create a two-bedroom option. To complement views of Nantuckets historic streetscape, an extensive collection of original oil paintings is also on displayeach piece hand-selected by the hotels owners to highlight Nantuckets whaling days.

TheJaredCoffinHouse is steps away from what was historically called Petticoat Row. Men of the whaling heydey were out to sea for years at a time, spurring the ladies to become entrepreneurs that operated in the area close to the hotel. As a nod to the islands history making women, each of the four new suites is named after influential women.

The rooms pay homage to Anna Gardner, who was instrumental in calling an anti-slavery meeting in 1841 in which Frederick Douglass gave his first speech as an abolitionist speaker, as well as LucretiaCoffinMott, who participated in the countrys first meeting about womens rights in 1848. Guests can opt for the Maria Mitchell suite, honoring the first professional female astronomer who opened her own school in 1835 that was desegregated, a controversial move at the time. Lastly, the MaryCoffinStarbuck suite celebrates the woman who brought Quakerism to Nantucket in the early 1700s. She ran the familys trading post that served as the islands commercial center.

The 2020 season also brought changes in dining at the hotel. The Tap Room, located on the lower level of the hotel beneath the lobby, has been resurrected. A popular gathering spot for locals and visitors alike for more than 40 years, the restaurant shuttered in the early 2000s.

Boston-based Carroll Design Studio was brought on to re-imagine and re-design the pub-style outpost, which now offers indoor and outdoor dining. The two-toned interiors embody the essence of modern dining. An exposed brick wall is paired with ocean blue and cream shiplap that provides the backdrop for hanging bare bulbs and original dark wood ceiling beams. The semi-circle bar is at the heart of the space, while camel tan colored dining booths line the perimeter.

The menu offers a modern interpretation of celebrated Tap Room staples including traditional New England clam chowder, French dip sandwiches, grilled local swordfish and Welsh Rarebit consisting of melted cheese poured over slices of toasted bread. A full-service bar with beers from local Cisco Brewery and craft cocktails like Nantucket Red Margaritas are also offered.

TheJaredCoffinHouse has been a beloved Nantucket getaway for years and were excited to unveil our refreshed look and new restaurant, says Jason Curtis, general manager ofthe JaredCoffinHouse.Preservation was at the heart of the project, ensuring the historical feel remained, while updating with modern touches.

Originally constructed in 1845, theJaredCoffinHouse was the first mansion built on Nantucket. In its almost 200-year history, many distinguished guests have passed through the doors, includingMoby Dickauthor Herman Melville and President Ulysses S. Grant. TheJaredCoffinHouse as we know it today officially arrived on the scene in 2004 when it became part of White Elephant Resorts. Today its one of the most cherished properties on the island and serves as a centerpiece of the Nantucket Historic District. Guests enjoy access to a complimentary BMW courtesy car and use of Priority Bicycles.

The starting rate for a guest room is $195 per night and the starting rate for a new suite is $395 per night. TheJared CoffinHouses main building closes for the season on December 7, while the next door Daniel Webster building, with thirteen rooms, is open year-round.

For more information, please visitjaredcoffinhouse.com.

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Nantucket's Jared Coffin House Opens New Suites and the Tap Room - nshoremag.com

Because the algorithm isnt always right.

Recently, a new phase in housebound hobbies has appeared on the periphery or our doorsteps. Careful preparations of two or three hour-long recipes have, on a collective level, faded, and were once again moving to the peppier beat of gleeful consumerism.

A few months into lockdown our source of stimulus isnt in baking sourdough and twisting finicky shapes out of home-made pasta on kitchen benches, but in adding things to cart increasingly, new pieces for our interiors. Waves of packages from lockdowns triumphant purveyor Instagram are dropped off and ushered inside.

The cooking-model of the first wave was a time-consuming nod to slow living. Making the most of our time at home by learning the value of more involved tasks made us house proud, and amateur cooks dotingly captured their dishes via Ottolenghi, Laila Gohar, Alison Roman regaling one another with stories of that nights dinner: parsley-specked gnocchi, whole fish flushed-pink and dotted with lemons translucent flesh, and big pots of water bobbing with chicken and halved onions.

Its interesting to see how quickly Instagram and its algorithms can drive communal interest, an interest that is now firmly focused around indoors style. Recently opened parcels reveal green shimmers of Iittala glass or the soft plush of high thread count Bed Threads sheets.

A big delivery the other day presented orange and white checks that rose into an Occasional Pieces plinth for putting things on. The deeper into lockdown we go, the twistier the Lex Pott candles that arrive on our doorstep are.

This turn towards our spaces has permanent potential. Buying beautiful objects brings an opportunity to add detail, comfort, or to let our space tell a story of who we are. With this in mind, I spoke to Natalia Held, a Melbourne-based freelance interior designer, on breaking through inspiring Instagram feeds to create a space that authentically reflects your style.

Weve spoken before about designing space, in particular bedrooms, and youve talked about the entrance to your room as being a first important step in how to think about your layout.

The view from your doorway is something to take into consideration. When you enter a room the first object should be something youre proud to have be immediately visible or to showcase when your door is open. Whether that be something with sentimental value it could be a restored piece of furniture or pre-loved vessel or something that you searched far and wide for, or it may even be a special piece that demanded a lot of your paychecks. In terms of what kind of furniture that might be for some, a simple shelf or console that acts as a platform to showcase your taste in design is quite a good opening piece.

Some people dont like being seen sitting on their beds as they feel its quite an intimate moment, so removing your bed from the line of sight of the doorway then might be important to you. But in the same vein, your bed might be the piece you want to showcase. A lot of people portray their personality through their bed linen, and presenting softness through linen and pillows helps bring out the feel they want.

What furniture do you consider essential for personal spaces?

A big one is your own reflection. I think its so important to be able to see yourself using your space. Its a good way to perform self-practice, whether its attending to your skincare routine before you go to bed, getting dressed for work or taking photos of yourself. It provides ownership over your space, because you see how you operate in that room.

Another essential is mood lighting. Typically, I dont ever use the main light in my bedroom because I find that the light isnt tailored to the way I want to use the space, nor is it a colour I want to see my things or myself in. Mood lighting can be found in floor lamps, table lamps, or humidifiers anything that emits a softer glow can generate a specific mood, and whether that comes from warmer or cooler lighting is completely up to the individual.

Being housebound, Instagram is the most accessible channel through which were now finding design and a recurring theme of objects and layouts has been encouraged through the platforms algorithm. Is there a danger in being exposed to a repetitive feed of design?

To some degree, I have an issue with Instagram in terms of design, because promoted products and layouts encourage repetition. What part of that room that youve just seen on your feed relates to you? Pre-Instagram you would go to a store, or find a seller on Gumtree and come across a specific piece that meant something to you it was about the pride you felt because you found it, not something that was pushed up your feed because of an algorithm. I feel that your room is best when its curated by things from your own journey.

However, Instagram does make interesting design really accessible. The design intent is there, its just important that items sourced through Instagram still have design-integrity. A piece being either locally-sourced and designed, sustainable, and unique not a replica makes it worthy in my eyes. When you find such pieces, apply them to your space in a way which works specifically for your function.

Where else could you look to for organic inspiration?

Books and magazines like Frame and Wallpaper Mag are so important for curating style. Its possible that youve landed on that page and others have chosen to flick past it. Theres something quite special and emotional about connecting to design through books as it becomes a part of your personal experience.Designers I follow focus on small details. Its those small things commissioned artworks or light fixtures that you dont necessarily think of but are such a delight to cast your eyes over in the moment, and visually impact a space so much.

Some of those designers include Pierre Yovanovitch, Ilse Crawford, Axel Vervoordt and Halleroed. Pierre, for example, designs a lot of his pieces specifically to suit the layout of a room every part of the interior is completely tailored to the space. What I like about that is that hes laid out pieces according to the circulation of the room, depending on how you function in a space. Perhaps this notion is something to consider when we lay out our pieces in our homes.

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I asked an interior designer how to look beyond Instagram inspiration when styling your space - Fashion Journal

As we leave behind the hotter-than-hot summer days and begin to feel the ever-so-subtle cooling breezes, many of us are left with the desire to mark the change of seasons (even where there are none). Homeowners can mark the passage of time by giving their home a facelift.

Precluding a home renovation, there are many things you can do to your home. Here are a few designer tips to help your home fall into its best version.

Pick one room, such as a powder room or entry hall, and wallpaper the walls with a bold, stop-you-in-your-tracks paper. This will help create an impactful first impression and fool every visitor into thinking you have done an entire renovation. Let them think what they will.

Never underestimate the power of color. The look and mood of a space can dramatically change when you alter the colors. For example, ivory and yellow are psychological substitutes for a room that may lack natural light, so they are great choices for creating an uplifting and bright room. A darker color such as black, brown or red creates a mysterious and warmer mood, and pink and green are purported to have a calming effect. Study your room, and determine your desired effect and then paint away.

Move your furniture around to create inviting and intimate conversation areas. Any space can become more intimate when you pull seating a little tighter. If your room allows it, create more than one arrangement within the room. Don't be shy to mix and match any combination of sofas, love seats and chairs. Refrain from lining the room with chairs; it will look like an arrangement for a group-therapy session. Conversational groupings should be interrupted by small tables to place drinks, books and magazines, as well as ottomans or hassocks to prop up your feet.

Do not be afraid to improve store-bought furniture. Say you picked up a pair of end tables at your local store; you can give it a custom edge or feature. Place a beautiful handkerchief, a remnant of a favorite wallpaper or a collection of antique prints on the surface, and top it with a piece of glass. Voila! You now have something quite unique.

Daring enough to try drafting or freehand drawing? Paint an unexpected surface such as the ceiling or floor. Try making a plaid pattern on the ceiling. This will entail some accurate measurements, tape and several layers of paint. If that sounds too restrictive, try a freehand detail on a wall or swirls of a roller on a floor. One layer after another, your bold floor pattern will come to life. The point is to have fun and give the room that "why didn't I think of that?" feeling to your visitors.

Finally, an easy makeover for any room that also improves the quality of the air and makes the room feel serene is the addition of plants and flowers. They will not only embellish the room but also make you feel so good!

Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida.

2020, Creators Syndicate

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Give your home a facelift this fall - Chicago Daily Herald

Londons urban wellness hotel, Inhabit on Southwick Street, has announced it will reopen on 1st October 2020, offering a truly restorative experience for those travelling to the city.

Set across six Georgian townhouses in Paddington, Inhabit launched in 2019 to provide travellers with a more conscious place to stay all single-use plastic is banned, anti-pollution air filtration systems have been installed and meditation booths, infrared saunas and nature walks comes as standard.

The reopening comes at a poignant time, following the hotels recent admission to Design Hotels, an exclusive and handpicked global portfolio of over 300 privately owned and operated hotels which share an aligned vision and passion for culturally rooted hospitality and cutting-edge design and architecture. The Scandinavian-inspired design matched with traditional British heritage and Eastern flair found at Inhabit encourages a peace of mind and is the creation of architects Holland Harvey and interior designer Caitlin Henderson Design. Across the world, Design Hotels member properties anchor a community of travellers united in the pursuit of inspired environment, genuine local culture, and transformative, boundary-pushing adventures.

Additionally, the hotel has cemented its commitment to sustainable business practices having achieve Green Key certification. The award is a leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. The prestigious eco-label represents the commitment of Inhabit to promise to adhere to the strict criteria set by the Foundation of Environmental Education and guests opting to stay at Inhabit can now be rest assured that they are helping to make a difference on an environmental level.

Inhabit also plans to unveil a digital version of their landmark wellness programme in time for the reopening, including Yeotown food and nutrition classes and recipe videos, a mindfulness podcast series, and online yoga classes, allowing for guests to continue to emerge feeling nourished, rested and inspired.

With its soothing spirit, Scandi-toned aesthetic and health-enhancing manifesto, Inhabit is ideal for busy solo business travellers as well as long-haul urban adventures after comfort and calm. With 88 fresh and uplifting guests rooms, Yeotown an inviting light-flood caf serving highest quality fair trade coffee, cold-pressed organic juices and a healthy, plant-loving menu, a digital programme of mindfulness activities, and the bounties of London on its doorstep, including nearby Hyde Park, Inhabit sets out to have a positive impact those who stay and the wider environment.

Average room rates: 150 +VAT for a double room.

Inhabit Hotel, 2527 Southwick Street, Paddington, London W2 1JQinhabithotels.com; +44 (0)20 7723 7723

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Inhabit Hotel joins Design Hotels and is awarded Green Key Certification ahead of October 2020 reopening - Premier Construction Magazine

It's a membership-based cigar lounge that also is open to the public. It's open daily, and members have their own key fob for 24-hour access. "It has the feeling of a very upscale, cozy, inviting place to spend time," Stopulos said.

"There's just a lot going on," he said, summing up projects in the works in downtown Davenport.

And because several of these projects are geared toward experiences rather than shopping, "it's going to be a totally different retail experience," he said.

"It really is making East Second Street a destination experience."

Because all of the projects are scheduled for 2021 openings, Stopulos expects they will tap into a lot of pent-up demand for something to do after months of COVID-19 restrictions.

As Carter said: "A year from now, downtown Davenport is going to look a lot different."

If you like craft beer and haven't been to Geneseo, Illinois, since the Lionstone brewery closed, you owe it to yourself to go for a drive.

New owner Richard Schwab has changed the business so much you'll hardly recognize it, beginning with the name, which is Great Revivalist Brew Lab.

The "lab" refers to its specialization in micro brews currently 24 on tap and that it offers the public the opportunity to use its equipment to make their own beer which Great Revivalist will put in a keg or in cans.

Schwab sees this as a great opportunity for people to make their own beer for special occasions such as weddings or 21st birthdays or, really, anytime.

As for its own micro brews, it emphasizes "crazy, different, off-the-wall" beers, Schwab said. Last week he was working on one that incorporates toasted bread. For those with more conventional tastes, he sells Pabst Blue Ribbon and Hamm's.

The brew lab also offers what he describes as an "upscale but affordable, family-friendly" food menu, with such offerings as woodfire pizza and smoked brisket.

In addition to beer, Schwab has added homemade sodas, such as grape, orange, cream and ginger beer all of which taste great over ice cream, he points out.

The decor is all different, too, beginning with the planting of hops a key ingredient in beer all around the outside of the building to create an out-in-the-country feel.

In redecorating, he used wood salvaged from a barn in West Branch, Iowa, and there is a gazebo made from an actual grain bin that overlooks Geneseo Creek.

Because of restrictions surrounding COVID-19 that may be around for awhile, he has built a 25x65-foot patio in back for outdoor dining. He also is installing greenhouse like structures around tables with a fire pit so that they can be used even when weather turns cold.

There also are igloos.

And because the dining is outside, it's also dog-friendly.

Another touch was the hiring of a local artist to create a mural in the back.

Even more than a brewery or restaurant, Schwab wants to make his business "a destination location for Geneseo."

"We're very proud of what we're doing."

Schwab is a former telephone and cable company executive from Seattle who decided about two years ago to leave the corporate world to start his own business.

The brew lab is located off Interstate 80 at 122 S. Oakwood Ave. The phone number is 309-944-5466.

In addition, Schwab is buying the Great River Brewery in Davenport and hopes to re-open it it's been closed since the 2019 Mississippi River flood in early 2021 as the Great Revivalist Brewery.

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Davenport revitalization: 'East 2nd Street is going to look completely different' - Muscatine Journal

Argyle Gardens provides 72 units of affordable housing for formerly homeless individuals and low-income residents of Portland, Ore. The modular construction offers a co-housing approach and small unit sizes to achieve development costs 31% below typical affordable housing projects. The project consists of four buildings oriented around a central outdoor space. The largest building encapsulates 36 studio apartment units, plus a large community space with laundry facilities and support service offices. The three co-housing buildings use the single room occupancy model and feature two six-bedroom pods, each of which has two shared bathrooms and a kitchen. The project team: Transition Projects (sponsor); Housing Development Center (development consultant); Holst Architecture (architect); All Structure (SE); KPFF (CE); MFIA (mechanical engineer); Sarnata (electrical engineer); Acoustic Design Studio (acoustics); Earth Advantage (sustainability consultant); 2.ink (landscape architect); MODS PDX (modular design and construction); and Walsh Construction Co. (GC).

Lead architect SCB (Solomon Cordwell Buenz) assigned San Franciscobased Surfacedesign to conceive the landscape features for Anaha, a 40-story condominium tower in Honolulu for The Howard Hughes Corporation. The 317-unit residential structure has a cantilevered glass-bottom pool sticking out at the 7th floor deck and a lobby with the largest living wall in Hawaii, 15 feet high by 80 feet wide, composed of more than 8,000 native plants. Other team members: Benjamin Woo Architects (AOR), Brownlie & Lee (landscape architectural assistance), Takano Nakamura Landscaping (landscape contractor), Green Living Technologies (green wall), Pacific Aquascapes (swimming pool contractor), and Albert C. Kobayashi, Inc. (GC).

McShane Construction Company completed 1100 Apex, recycling an abandoned 15-story office building into 134 apartment and townhome residences in downtown Clearwater, Fla., for GSP Development. McShane used its design-build MEP/FP approach to save $2.6 million in construction materials costs. The complex has a clubhouse, fitness center, putting green, pool, outdoor lounge area with grills, a fire pit, private cabanas, a 202-space parking deck, and 4,300 sf of retail space. Kimmich Smith Architecture was the designer.

Cuningham Group (architecture, concept design, interior design) and Mortenson Development delivered Rafter, a 283-unit luxury apartment community in Northeast Minneapolis, a neighborhood marked by historic buildings, a hip art scene, and yes, rafters of wild turkeys. The 26-story, 407,530-sf, pet-friendly enterprise has studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans, including penthouse options, plus a dog wash station and a seven-story, 279-space attached parking structure.

The Residences of Crystal Lake, a 63,000-sf affordable independent senior living facility in Crystal Lake, Ill., 50 miles northwest of Chicago. Its 48 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom units include six ADA-accessible units, 12 adaptable units, and two sensory units (https://bit.ly/3jpHi1S). The project team for developers DKI and TH Associates: UrbanWorks (architect), Groundwork (CE), and Skender (GC).

At five stories, 17 West, designed by Stantec (AOR/interior designer for common areas) and Touzet Studio, has 23 apartments (one to three bedrooms), a pooltop deck, 193 parking spaces, and the first Trader Joes grocery in Miami Beach, Fla. The developers: Turnberry Associates, Elion Partners, and the Sredni family. Grycon was the GC.

Meta Housing Corporation and Studio One Eleven have adapted a 1965 office building into 100% affordable studios and one-, two-, and three-bedroom live-work lofts, plus 10 new two- and three-bedroom townhomes near the Santa Ana, Calif., arts district. The $15 million, 58-unit Santa Ana Arts Collective offers art, dance, and music studios and an art gallery. Units range from 512 to 1,300 sf. Ten apartments have rents ranging from $448 to $666/month; the rest are priced from $1,345 to $1,998/month. Westport Construction was the GC.

KWA Construction (GC) and Studio A Architecture (architect) completed The Village at Rayzor Ranch, a 300-unit luxury apartment community at Rayzor Ranch Town Center, a walkable 400-acre planned development in Denton, Texas. Developer EPC Real Estate Group offers tenants complimentary concierge services, a resort-style pool, bocce courts, cornhole boards, a massage/sauna spa, a fitness/yoga studio, coworking studios, a dog park/grooming station, and, most notably, pickleball courts.

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8 (more) noteworthy multifamily projects to debut in 2020 - Building Design + Construction

Earlier this week, the New York Botanical Gardens and Douglaston Development announced a collaboration to complete two new affordable housing projects in The Bronxs Bedford Park. The buildings will take shape near the northwest corner of the New York Botanical Gardens at 2856 Webster Avenue and 410 Bedford Park Boulevard.

Designed by Stephen B. Jacobs Group, both properties will debut as 100-percent affordable housing properties. Together, the projects will introduce 450 units reserved for low-income seniors and low- to moderate-income households in Bronx Community District 7. The district includes the Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge Heights, Norwood, and University Heights neighborhoods.

With a 40-year development track record in the New York City area and beyond, weve seen the critical need for more affordable housing options in our city, especially for our senior population, said Jeffrey Levine, chairman of Douglaston Development. Were thrilled to be joining forces and visions with The New York Botanical Garden on this project, an institution with roots in The Bronx community dating back 129 years to provide this vital housing resource to the community.

Phase one of the collaborative development will break ground at 2856 Webster Avenue. Components will include 188 units of affordable housing for seniors earning up to 50 percent of the area median income (AMI), with an additional 12,000 square feet of ground-floor area for a grocery store.

The first phase is expected to wrap construction by 2022.

The second phase at 410 Bedford Park Boulevard will include up to 260 affordable rental units for individuals and families earning between 30 and 100 percent of AMI. Up to 8,000 square feet of the lower level will support community retail space.

The rendering illustrates an orthodox massing and design with a mix of light and dark gray curtain wall and an irregular grid of windows. The ground level features a floor-to-ceiling glass faade.

At this time, the project team has not revealed when phase two is expected to open.

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Affordable Housing Project Announced for 2856 Webster Avenue and 410 Bedford Park Boulevard in The Bronx - New York YIMBY

The controversial Tarry Lighthouse project proposed for downtown Port Chester, N.Y., would be highly compatible with the district, the attorney for the developers said.

But Byram resident Al Shehadi disagreed, saying, The scale and bulk of this building is completely incongruent with the rest of downtown.

Ultimately, the Port Chester Zoning Board of Appeals shut down the project, voting 3-2 on Thursday night to turn down a request for six variances for the plan.

The plan had called for construction of a seven-story building with 242 apartment units and retail space on North Main Street, just blocks from the Greenwich border. It would have been built at the site of the now-closed Tarry Lodge, a once-popular restaurant, near the Mill Street bridge into the Greenwich neighborhood of Byram.

I feel the variances are substantial and will change the character of the neighborhood, said Evelyn Petrone, the ZBA chairwoman.

The development team was seeking six variances from the villages zoning code in the latest version of its plan. The project had been heavily criticized by Port Chester village residents as well as residents of the Byram section of Greenwich, who were concerned about additional traffic the project could draw as well as a change of community character.

Art D'Estrada, another ZBA member, said he believed the project would have been a detriment to nearby properties. The streets around the site are already choked with traffic, DEstrada said.

Greenwich residents and public officials had criticized the application by developer David Mann, saying traffic conditions would worsen along the Mill Street corridor in the Byram neighborhood.

The application had been under review for over a year-and-a-half. The planned construction, which would have called for tearing down a row of older buildings on North Main Street as well as the former Tarry Lodge, was first proposed in February 2019 as a nine-story project.

The latest version of the project had called for a variance to construct the seven-story building in an area that allows buildings of only up to six stories tall. Variances were also needed for a number of facade and design features that did not meet the village zoning code.

The attorney representing the developers, Tony Gioffre, said the project was highly compatible with the Port Chester downtown district and would add vitality to the community.

Shehadi, the Byram resident, said the building was too tall for the surrounding area, which are largely one or two-stories in height.

Adding traffic at one of the worst choke points in the village is going to add a detriment to all residents, Shehadi said, adding that would set a bad precedent for future development.

Connecticut State Rep. Stephen Meskers, who represents the Byram area, said that approval of the project would have created a more urban environment for the village. I dont know if White Plains is the model you want, but its your call for the character of downtown Port Chester, he said.

Traffic was also a major concern for nearby Greenwich residents, which also raised a safety issue, Meskers said.

Carol McMillan, a representative from an advocacy group called Sustainable Port Chester Alliance, said the project contributes virtually nothing to our community. She characterized the proposed building as excessively tall.

rmarchant@greenwichtime.com

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Port Chester project called a 'detriment to nearby properties' is rejected - CT Insider