Posted on 16 February 2010.
There is much anticipation for the California High-Speed Rail and the transformative properties it may have on Fresno. With state and federal money now allotted to the project, it is hard to curb my enthusiasm about the idea. After all we must be realistic that it will be several years if not a decade or [...]
Posted in featured, national39 Comments
Posted on 01 February 2010.
The American Institute of Architects has long set the bar for quality design in the United States. The organization awards buildings and architects that are contributers to a high quality built environment. Awards are given by the national, state and local chapters of the organization. The AIA San Joaquin has a bi-annual awards program. Projects [...]
Posted in featured, local0 Comments
Posted on 31 December 2009.
Inspired by an article that John King wrote for the San Francisco Chronicle, we decided to do a Decade in Review article to identify the 10 best buildings representing Fresno architecture. Our parameters were that the buildings be in Fresno County with construction completed between 2000 and 2009. The reviewers were Joe Moore, president of [...]
Posted in design critiques, featured40 Comments
Posted on 16 December 2009.
In Fresno, CA there is only one building on the Fulton Mall that is also on the National Register of Historic Places. That is the Bank of Italy Building. A new owner of the building was announced today in a press conference hosted by the City of Fresno. The new owner is the Penstar Group, [...]
Posted in featured, local3 Comments
Posted on 27 October 2009.
Saturday was a very active day in the Lowell Neighborhood. Hundreds of volunteers met up at Lowell Elementary School to kick of HandsOn Central California’s Make A Difference Day. This is an annual event that focuses local volunteers on one neighborhood with the hope of making a big difference. Mayor Ashley Swearengin was on hand [...]
Posted on 24 October 2009.
Update 10/26/09 In a dramatic turn of events, the mural on the East wall of Neighborhood Thrift got spared from being painted over. In an outpouring of community support that involved emails, phone calls and a human wall in front of the mural the Neighborhood Thrift Board reconsidered it’s course of action. See The Fresno Beehive [...]
Posted in featured, local4 Comments
Posted on 18 October 2009.
The City of Fresno’s Downtown and Revitalization Department has made an announcement on the consultant it selected to complete the Downtown and Neighborhood Specific Plans. The announcement came through a note from department director Craig Scharton on the Department Facebook page. See full announcement below. On Friday we announced that we have selected a team for [...]
Posted in featured, local5 Comments
Posted on 14 October 2009.
Looking back in time to October of 2008 our 1st anniversary: On display was an installation designed by artist Ramiro Martinez in collaboration with architect and Fresno State professor Riitta Vepsalainen. This design was made reality through material donations of Patton Air Conditioning and the volunteer work of Fresno State interior design students and Fresno [...]
Posted in featured, updates0 Comments
Posted on 05 October 2009.
We have been working in collaboration with graphic designer Floyd Sanchez of Anti Laboratories. The goal being the development of archop park wayfinding and place making signage. Above is the conceptual design of monument signage that we propose locating at the major entries to the park. The form is inspired by the gateway signage to [...]
Posted on 28 September 2009.
It was another warm Saturday morning in Fresno. Tower District residents walked, biked, and drove to a 3rd in a string of community meetings. The purpose of these meetings is to craft a Streetscape Master Plan that will guide City of Fresno infrastructure investment in the district. Meeting #1 Saturday, July 25, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm: [...]
Posted in featured, local16 Comments
Posted on 25 September 2009.
Today, September 25th, the City of Fresno announced the Downtown Citizens Committee appointments. This committee’s first meeting will be on September 29th. This meting will be open to the public and we’ll announce the time and location shortly. Below is the media release and list of appointees. Appointments to Downtown Citizens Committee Announced FRESNO – The City [...]
Posted in featured, local0 Comments
Posted on 18 September 2009.
The topic for today is the Fresno Metropolitan Museum of Art and Science. he City of Fresno is in escrow for the block containing the Fresno Metropolitan Museum of Art and Science and a parcel across the street containing a parking lot. By everyone’s account, the city did not want to own this property. You may [...]
Posted in featured, opinion6 Comments
Posted on 11 September 2009.
Architecture thrives on creativity and creativity thrives in architecture. It is perhaps the single greatest force which moves architecture forward. However, creative ideas emerge through a conscious effort to seek them. New ideas are developed in practice, discourse, technology and materials as a result of investing time and energy in creative pursuits. [...]
Posted on 23 August 2009.
Below is a first draft of a design for a new stage at archop park. It is a teardrop shaped concrete platform that is elevated 3 steps (18-21 inches). The existing park is in need of both some changes in elevation aswell as a central gathering place. This stage would fill that role. This stage can [...]
Posted in featured, updates7 Comments
Posted on 30 July 2009.
For those of you unable to attend, M. W. Steele Group presented the following 1st draft of the Tower District streetscape master plan to the community meeting Tuesday night for feed back. Click on the images to zoom in. I’ve decided just to post the plans here and not issue an opinion. Feel free to discuss [...]
Posted in featured, local27 Comments
