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We are very excited to let everyone know about the fantastic new Ecco Pizzeria in the Allston area designed by Studio Luz Architects. Ecco means “Here” in Italian, an expression often used to call one’s attention; it’s casual, friendly, and plays on the eco-consciousness of the owner’s mission. The pizza is both organic and natural, with fresh ingredients. The owner operates Ecco Pizzeria in an environmentally conscious way with the aspirations of creating net-zero waste. All food waste, napkins, plates, cups, straws and utensils are able to be composted. Even the kitchen is 90% reclaimed/reused! We are proud to be part of the team to create an “eco-minded” eatery.
Exterior Facade along Commonwealth Ave.
Studio Luz Architects was challenged with creating a distinct design and identity for this new pizza franchise. As such, the design strategy, architectural character, and brand identity had to be transferable to potential future sites. Studio Luz Architects helped the owner to create spatial features, highlights and interior graphics that are distinct and memorable. For example, each store is to have major wall murals, an open pizza oven as the focal point and pixelated graphics that defines the façade.
Pixilated Ceiling Interior
Working with the graphic design Firm Deelux, our two teams were able to create a space where the graphic identity is intricately linked to the architecture. The owner spent countless hours tracking down reclaimed or reused furniture and equipment. And the design team specified many recycled, reclaimed or rapidly renewable materials. Sheryl Julian, Boston Globe’s food editor, recently wrote a review of Ecco Pizzeria in the Boston Globe. Ecco Pizzeria is located at 1147 Commonwealth Ave. in Boston.
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Dear Friends and Colleagues,
It is time for Studio Luz to reflect on the past and imagine new possibilities for the future. 2011 marked some significant achievements for our clients as well as our team here at Studio Luz. Here is a quick look at some of accomplishments and projects to look out for in 2012!
We are very proud of all our new projects this past year. We congratulate ECCO Pizzeria in Allston, Chutneys at the Longwood Galleria, Dental Arts of Westwood, Ab-Pro Labs of Lexington, and to our dear residential clients, thank you for allowing us to be part of your homes. One of the residences was recently featured in the Boston Globe Magazine. We would also like to give special congratulations to Urbanica Inc. for the new residences at 691 Massachusetts Avenue project, which received a great article from Robert Campbell, the Pulitzer-Prize winning critic for the Boston Globe. SLA is proud to be involved with all of these projects, grateful to our clients for the opportunity and enjoyed the process immensely. You can see many of these on our redesigned website, facebook, and blog.
Our principals were fortunate to be invited to speak, contribute to and participate in various juries and symposia internationally this year. We thank Universidad Francisco Marroquín of Guatemala, the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Critical Productive for including Hansy in their programs this year. We also thank the AIA Puerto Rico for inviting Anthony to be part of the AIA Award Jury and to present at the Polytechnic University School of Architecture.
Academically, our founding partner, Hansy Better Barraza was promoted to Associate Professor in Architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design. She was recognized for her dedication to addressing issues of Social Justice through Architecture as well as excellence in mentoring and teaching. She is currently on sabbatical working on two significant projects. Her first project is applied research into making ecologically advanced homes in an affordable way. The second project due out in 2012 is her new book, “Where are the Utopian Visionaries? Architecture of Social Exchange.” being published by Periscope Ltd. and distributed worldwide by Prestel Press.
Lastly, principals, Hansy Better Barraza and Anthony Piermarini founded a new Non-Profit organization called BRACE, which received its 501(c) (3) status. BRACE is dedicated to creating innovative and progressive community spaces that engage in social, economic and cultural issues.
In 2012, we look forward to continued collaborations with our clients and of course welcome new relationships. Wishing everyone peace, health and joy in the New Year!
Cheers!
From all of us at Studio Luz Architects.
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TONIGHT! Principal, Anthony Piermarini is participating in the AIA Rhode Island Emerging Professional’s Forum “The Pursuit of Practice” held at the Brown University Perry and Martin Granoff Center for the Creative Arts. Tours at 5:00 PM and Forum at 6:00 pm. Here is a link to the event: (Click here)
Travelling much further abroad, Principal Hansy Better Barraza will be presenting the work of Studio Luz in a lecture entitled “Homemade,” at the School of Architecture, Public Lecture Series, Universidad Francisco Marroquín (UFM), Guatemala City, Guatemala. (Click Here) for more information.
Date: November 7, 2011
Save the date for the Symposium Curating Race Curating Space A University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning / CriticalProductive Symposium where Hansy Better Barraza will speak on the theme of representational practices in architecture.
Details
November 12, 2011
9:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.
University of Michigan Museum of Art
Helmut Stern Auditorium
525 S. State St. Ann Arbor, MI
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THIS PROPOSAL SEEKS TO OBTAIN LEED PLATINUM, HERS INDEX: -9
Studio Luz Architect’s proposal for Mayor Menino’s Energy Positive E+ Green Building Demonstration Program is on exhibit at the Boston Architectural College’s McCormick Gallery through September 25. Studio Luz Architects partnered with Urbanica Design + Development for the 64 Catherine Street site in Jamaica Plain, Boston. The design competition was held by the City of Boston on city-own property to promote the next generation of high performance deep green building prototypes in Boston.
It is imperative to create homes that are in harmony with the environment in which they operate. To achieve this requires not only a radical shift in the design of buildings but an encouragement of new living patterns and sensitivity to economical viability.
Our proposal introduces the townhouse type to the Jamaica Plain Woodbourne neighborhood, contributing to the diversity of homes in the area while remaining respectful of the existing neighborhood character. The building consists of two typical units, approximately 1,500 sf each, sharing a mirror twin relationship with the central party wall. Variations in proportion and scale are developed as a response to the unique triangular site configuration. We see this as a soft prototype, where the spatial layout and systems of a basic unit can be adapted to fit the specific demands of the site, its context and particular climate.
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Studio Luz Architects would like to share the great news that 691 Massachusetts Avenue received the final certificate of occupancy. The project team led by Kamran Zahedi of Urbanica Design + Development is much to be credited for delivering a historically sensitive, yet contemporary new building for South End residents.
Facade along Massachusetts Avenue
The new building containing 40 residential units, strives to transition between the Victorian row houses and the Neo-Renaissance Palazzo. We worked closely with the South End Historic Commission, the BRA, and neighborhood groups to create a building that is sensitive to its context yet of it’s own time. The building is comprised of terra-cotta rain screen panels, with compliments in anodized aluminum. Variations in texture and depth provide increased detail to be appreciated from the sidewalk.
The western facing, Trask Street facades of the building take on a different character, with a focus on creating access to light and air for the people living in the building. The fenestration pattern creates a subtle dynamic, also seen in the Massachusetts Avenue facades.
Metal Cladding Detail
The building features balconies with green screens, to allow for colorful plants in the future. These will bring life to the building and compliment the North Hampton Street Community Garden.
Screened Balconies
Facade along Trask Street
Hansy Better Barraza, AIA, LEED AP is a co-founder of Studio Luz Architects and an Associate Professor of Architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design.
Anthony Piermarini, AIA is a co-founder of Studio Luz Architects and an adjunct faculty in the Architecture Department at Northeastern University and at the Rhode Island School of Design.