DesignLAB architects, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
From Archiplanet
| Architecture Firm | designLAB architects |
| People | Robert Miklos, FAIA; Scott Slarsky; Brent Stringfellow, AIA; Whitney Hudson; Sam Batchelor; Andrew Wenrick |
| Address | 711 Atlantic Avenue |
| Boston, Massachusetts, 02210 USA | |
| Telephone | 617-350-3005 |
| Fax | |
| info@designlabarch.com | |
| Web Site | http://www.designlabarch.com |
| AW Directory | ArchitectureWeek Directory Listing |
| Add buildings by this firm |
Contents |
[edit] Services
Architecture, Planning, Programming, Graphic Design
[edit] Focus
Arts, Cultural, Academic, Libraries, Residential
[edit] Projects
EDUCATIONAL
THE DANIEL ARTS CENTER | SIMON’S ROCK COLLEGE OF BARD
Great Barrington, MA
Located in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, the campus at Simon’s Rock College sits in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains. The taut volumes of the Daniel Arts Center respond to the site by alternately framing and obscuring views, cinematically revealing the mountainous, agrarian landscape. Inside the Center, arts studios and performance spaces are interspersed with classrooms and faculty offices to emphasize the school’s interdisciplinary values. This programmatic approach encourages the college community to consider art within the context of daily experience. The 60,000 square foot Center includes an electronic arts studio, dance studio, two theaters, rehearsal spaces, as well as painting, drawing, photography and sculpture studios. In 2005, the center was awarded three AIA Honor Awards for Design Excellence from the Boston and New England chapters, as well as the Institute for Theater Technology Award. Credits: Robert J Miklos FAIA design principal while at Ann Beha Architects, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
SKILLMAN LIBRARY | LAFAYETTE COLLEGE* Easton, PA
Programming and design for $17.5M renovation and additions to 1960’s era campus library
THE RAY CHARLES CENTER FOR THE ARTS | MOREHOUSE COLLEGE* Atlanta, GA
Programming and design for 475 seat performance hall, music school and art museum
MIDDLESEX SCHOOL^ Concord, MA
Master plan with Doug Reed, design of Kravis House dormitory and renovation and additions to Ware Hall, dining hall and student center.
FINE ARTS CENTER | UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS~ Amherst, MA
New entry pavilion for 2200 seat theater and black box theater for the University’s Fine Arts Center.
PROCTOR ACADEMY LIBRARY^ Andover, NH
New library and learning center for private secondary school
CLEMSON ARCHITECTURAL CENTER Charleston, SC
Invited national competition for architectural school and community building resource center.
LIBRARIES
SKILLMAN LIBRARY
LAFAYETTE COLLEGE | EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA
Situated at the center of the pastoral Lafayette College campus this building was reconceived as a ‘studio for learning’ rather than a traditional library. The original 1960’s era Skillman Library presented uninviting concrete walls to the campus green. The challenge of the $17.5M project was to convert this existing library into an inviting landmark that would serve as the intellectual and social protagonist of campus life. The 110,000 square foot addition and renovation project provides a café, formal and casual reading/information/meeting areas, group study rooms, classrooms, computer and media labs and an art gallery. Students work collaboratively in this open environment with learning resources that are convenient to work spaces. As a result, the library has become the most popular place on campus for both serious study and casual student gatherings. In 2006, the building was awarded the AIA National Honor Award for Interior Architecture, as well as two AIA chapter awards. Credits: Robert J Miklos FAIA design principal, Whitney M Hudson and Scott Slarsky project designers while at Ann Beha Architects
HYDE PARK BRANCH LIBRARY
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY | BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
Built in 1899, the original Hyde Park Branch Public Library epitomized the classical library’s aspiration to express the ideals of enlightenment and self--improvement through learning, following the Carnegie Model. One hundred years later, the original structure has been renovated and an addition built to continue the City of Boston’s commitment to improving the learning resources of its public libraries in all districts of the city. The addition doubled the size of the branch, added technological improvements, and provided a welcoming and distinctive glass “vitrine,” displaying the library’s stacks prominently. The branch was awarded the National Honor Award for Architecture in 2000 by the American Institute of Architects. Credits: Robert J Miklos FAIA design principal while at Schwartz Silver Architects
BOSTON ATHENAEUM
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
In 1998 the Boston Athenaeum embarked on a $25 million renovation to enhance its stewardship of the many rare books and manuscripts in its collection and to prepare the institution for its next century of public outreach. The Athenaeum, one of the oldest and most distinguished independent libraries in the United States, incorporated technical and functional innovations while maintaining the unique character and historic grandeur that has made it a nationally recognized institution. The renovation included the development of new programmatic elements, including an events hall, catering facility, temporary exhibition gallery, conservation lab and children’s library. In 2005 the project was awarded the Annual Preservation Award by the Boston Preservation Alliance as well as the Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award. Credits: Robert J Miklos FAIA design principal for the Athenaeum while at Schwartz Silver Architects
NEEDHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY* Needham, MA
Programming and design for LEED certified $12M renovation and addition to a historic public library for the Town of Needham.
PROVIDENCE PUBLIC LIBRARIES* Providence, RI
Programming and design of 9 neighborhood branches of the Providence Public Library System.
South Providence Branch
$2.5M renovation and addition of a historic library
Rochambeau Branch
$3.5M renovation and addition of a historic library
ARKELL ARTS CENTER Canajoharie, NY
Programming and design for arts center and renovation of a historic 20th century library.
PEARL CITY PAVILION* Muscatine, IA
Programming and design for $30M combined community cultural center including- Musser Public Library, Muscatine Art Museum and 400 seat theater.
MUSEUMS/GALLERIES
ARKELL ARTS CENTER Canajoharie, NY
The design infuses a forgotten industrial site with new life through thoughtful renovation and an engaging programmatic approach. Located on the scenic Mohawk River, the new Arts Center tells the multifaceted story of the intersections between local manufacturing, art, and culture through the lens of the arts patronage of industrialist Bartlett Arkell, founder of Beech-Nut foods. The Arkell collection of late 19th and early 20th century American art boasts works by Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth, Edward Hopper, Thomas Hart Benton, and Childe Hassam, which are further enriched by interactive exhibits showing artifacts from the Mohawk River Valley’s storied past. The renovation of the old gambrel-roofed library is blended with a contemporary gallery addition that subtly references the museum’s industrial past. A series of glowing boxes give the Arkell Arts Center and the city of Canajoharie a presence that reads from the nearby New York State Thruway. Credits: Robert J Miklos FAIA design principal, Scott Slarsky project architect while at Ann Beha Architects, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. This project is being completed by designLAB architects.
BLACKSTONE VALLEY VISITOR CENTER* Worcester, MA
Programming and design for $18M combined Visitor Center, Heritage Corridor Site and Worcester Historical Museum in 19th century wire works factory.
THE RAY CHARLES CENTER FOR THE ARTS | MOREHOUSE COLLEGE* Atlanta, GA
Programming and design for 475 seat performance hall, music school and art museum.
PEARL CITY PAVILION* Muscatine, IA
Programming and design for $30M combined community cultural center including- Musser Public Library, Muscatine Art Museum and 400 seat theater.
FIREHOUSE ARTS CENTER^ Newburyport, MA
Conversion of 19th century landmark firehouse to 200 seat theater and center for the arts.
PORTLAND ART MUSEUM+ Portland, OR
Design for $19M restoration of the museum’s north wing, a former Masonic temple, to provide new gallery spaces, administrative offices and restoration of historic civic spaces within the building.
CUMMER MUSEUM OF ART AND GARDENS* Jacksonville, FL
Master plan for $25-$35M restoration and reconfiguration of museum campus, educational facilities and overall identity.
DANIELS GALLERY Wells, ME
Addition to artist’s gallery.
WYETH FAMILY CENTER | FARNSWORTH ART MUSEUM^ Rockland, ME
Master plan and design for a new archive and Library and the renovation of a 19th century church as a gallery for 3 generations of painters.
ABBE MUSEUM^ Bar Harbor, ME
Native American history museum supporting the living traditions of the Penobscot, Micmac, Passamaquoddy and Maliseet people.
BLACKSTONE VALLEY VISITOR CENTER* Worcester, MA
Programming and design for $18M combined Visitor Center, Heritage Corridor Site and Worcester Historical Museum in 19th century wire works factory.
PERFORMING ARTS
STEELSTAX ARTS CENTER | BETHLEHEM STEELWORKS
Bethlehem, PA
Working in collaboration with the Rockwell Group, designLAB is designing a $70 million performing arts and educational facility that will transform an abandoned section of the former Bethlehem Steelworks into a vibrant cultural and economic center. This relic of America’s industrial past is being reinvigorated with an ambitious program of new and renovated buildings that will include a 3,500 seat festival music hall, 400 seat performance theater, 200 seat film theater, 200 seat performance café, rehearsal spaces and media studios. The project will house the nationally recognized Lehigh Valley Musikfest program and other regional performing groups and educational programs.
DANIEL ARTS CENTER | SIMON’S ROCK COLLEGE OF BARD* Great Barrington, MA
Combined visual and performing art center including 350 seat theater, dance studio and 2 dimensional, 3 dimensional and electronic arts studios
THE RAY CHARLES CENTER FOR THE ARTS | MOREHOUSE COLLEGE*
Atlanta, GA
Programming and design for 475 seat performance hall, music school and art museum
PEARL CITY PAVILION* Muscatine, IA
Programming and design for $30M combined community cultural center including- Musser Public Library, Muscatine Art Museum and 400 seat theater.
NORTH SHORE MUSIC THEATER* Beverly, MA
Master plan for $35M 1600 seat proscenium theater and performing arts educational center for American musical theater.
FIREHOUSE ARTS CENTER^ Newburyport, MA
Conversion of 19th century landmark firehouse to 200 seat theater and center for the arts
UMASS FINE ARTS CENTER~ Amherst, MA
New entrance sequence for the University of Massachusetts arts complex encompassing a concert hall, black box theater and the University Art Gallery.
RESIDENTIAL
Summer House, Martha’s Vineyard Edgartown, MA
Guest House, Martha’s Vineyard Edgartown, MA
Damariscotta Retreat Edgecomb, ME
Historic New England Farm House South Shore, MA
Summer House Nantucket Island, MA
South End Brownstone Condominium Boston, MA
South End Brownstone Renovation Boston, MA
Casa Mayamo Villanueva de la Vera, Spain
COMPETITIONS
CLEMSON ARCHITECTURAL CENTER | CLEMSON UNIVERSITY Charleston, NC
The founding team at designLAB architects was a finalist in an invited international design competition for the new Clemson Architectural Center in Charleston, South Carolina. The ambitious goal was to develop a community-based architectural center in the core of historic Charleston that would reflect the contemporary programs of the University while respecting local building traditions. The proposal featured workshops in the traditional building arts that in the wake of Hurricane Hugo have served as a rich resource for rebuilding the city. To meet the challenge of presenting a modern building within a densely established historical context, the team premised their design upon the spatial typology of the Charleston Single House–a narrow, wood frame structure with a side yard situated in response to climate, culture and the city grid. The proposal wove together interior and exterior spaces for work and celebration. Credits: Robert J. Miklos FAIA led the competition team with Scott Slarsky and Whitney M Hudson while at Ann Beha Architects
MARS ENCOUNTERS | CHICAGO MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
Chicago, IL
INSTITUTIONAL
HEADQUARTERS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR ANIMAL WELFARE
Yarmouthport, MA
Currently in construction, the World Headquarters for the International Fund for Animal Welfare will create a new 60,000sf home for this influential and dynamic global organization. The LEED-silver building integrates landscape and built form. Three simple, clean volumes are arranged around a reclaimed brownfield site, establishing a central gathering space reminiscent of a coastal drumlin or rural Cape Cod meadow. The building is designed to facilitate open communication, collaboration and interaction, while promoting the IFAW’s global mission “to provide a better world for people and animals.”
[edit] Firm Statement
We believe that places of meaning emerge from a dialogue between art and science.
Every project we undertake requires reconciling poetry with rigor, idealism with reality and beauty with utility. We call ourselves designLAB to locate our studio at the center of this exchange.
FIRM BIOGRAPHY
The ethos of this emerging studio is evidenced in the award winning buildings that span the 25 year career of designLAB’s founder, Bob Miklos. The success of Bob’s architectural career is grounded in his dedication to the education and advancement of young architects and designers, all of whom have contributed to the work within his studio. In addition to his career as an architect and planner, Bob has a distinguished record as an educator at Harvard University, RISD, and Northeastern University. The studio gathered at designLAB represents the most ambitious and energetic talents that have worked together over the course of Bob’s career.
The collaborative forces of all the members of the designLAB studio form the bedrock of its Design Mission. DesignLAB's expanded team includes Landscape Architects, Building Engineers, Cost Estimators and Contractors with whom the studio members have established a working relationship over the course of their cumulative careers. designLAb's buildings are characterized by:
•a poetic relationship to site and setting •a clear, logical and efficient design of building systems •the use of carefully detailed enduring materials •a dedication to long term sustainability in building performance •dramatic results within the constraints of limited financial resources
designLAB's Design Process is organized around collaborative workshops that engage the planning team and all of the stakeholders in the endeavor. Only with the engagement of the client can the best ideas and options for their project be uncovered. Through this process designLAB explores and develops design solutions that capture the unique personality and identity of the institution, city or individual.
- Robert J. Miklos FAIA design principal while at Ann Beha Architects, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Robert J. Miklos FAIA design principal while at Schwartz Silver Architects
- Scott Slarsky project designer and project manager while at Perry Dean Rogers
- Scott Slarsky project designer while at Ann Beha Architects, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
