Winter D'Angelillo

In the world of design, creativity often blooms from the unexpected. Imagine a space where every element tells a story, where reclaimed materials are dusted off and given a fresh start. In residential design, there are the easy and all-too-often adopted tropes of the Airbnb, which can only be characterized as tasteful, yet easily reproduced minimalism, and the house flipper aesthetic that keeps the Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) industry alive. Why LVP flooring needs to die is a topic for another day, but don’t worry, we’ll get to it. In hospitality and commercial spaces, it tends to be more of a cool, cold modernism where since it’s assumed there will be hoards of people filtering through, every surface must be wipeable and sparkly.  In the days before Google Maps and eBay, when classifieds were king, the hunt for the perfect piece, regardless of success, was an exhilarating experience. Nowadays, when clients share the same passion for this thrill, it often leads to the most enjoyable projects. Let there be recycled light fixtures Light fixtures are a great way to introduce some vintage flair. We source from vendors worldwide to ensure each space tells a unique story. For a recent project with %Arabica, we sought a piece that not only fit the space, but also complemented the space. Collaborating with Blom & Blom, we were able to find the perfect light fixture — even if we had to locate it in Germany. Another instance involved our work on Roberta’s Pizza in Williamsburg, at the Domino Sugar Factory. For this, we found vintage lighting fixtures, which we revitalized by repainting them with automotive paint. Repurposing such items can truly transform a space, turning something as standard and mundane as a radiator into a functional decoration that adds character instead of just occupying space.   Repurposing Comes in different forms Reimagining a chair as anything other than a chair can seem like reinventing the wheel. However, every so often, the perfect piece and idea emerge to achieve just that. Enter these Eames chairs. Exquisite on their own, yet when the need arose for a bench in a project, Nomura, a design firm based in Japan, ingeniously repurposed them into a stunning, one-of-a-kind bench.  This innovative approach resonates with the founder of Emmett’s Pizza, who shares a desire to create comfortable spaces full of character (our favorite). At his Gove Street location, we played the ultimate game of Tetris with repurposed vintage bowling alley seats, weaving them throughout the main dining room.  In the realm of design, every element we choose tells a story. From meticulously sourcing unique, upcycled pieces to imaginatively repurposing everyday items, each project offers an opportunity for reinvention. By blending the new with the old, incorporating textures, patterns, colors, and, most importantly, a heavy dose of personality, we inevitably achieve great results. While benefiting the planet is a welcome bonus, we are convinced that giving a second life to goods only increases their value. Design transcends mere functionality; in our work, it’s about creating spaces that resonate with emotions and narratives. These moments of ingenuity are a testament to the endless possibilities when imagination meets craftsmanship.

An architect has three primary roles in the construction process; design, plan, and develop concepts based on consumer requirements. If the client has an ” X ” dollar budget, the architect must abide by this in the plan and development stages. If you’re hiring an architect in NYC for a project, the first question that you need to ask is, “How will you manage the design process to align with construction budgeting?” Knowing this is incredibly important, as it’s your money. To learn more about the importance of this and the architect’s obligations, read below. The importance of construction budgeting Construction budgeting is essential to ensure you have sufficient  funds to create the desired design. In the budget, it should include a quantitative allocation of research such as the money, material, machinery, minutes, people, etc. required to complete a particular task. Good construction budgeting doesn’t only guarantee you stay within the allocated funds but can also help with cost-effectiveness, quality of time, and the general organization of the project. For this reason, high-quality and trained architects should be able to design to budget by appropriately planning the project.  Failing to stick within a construction budget can result in catastrophic financial consequences for either the project owner or architect (depending on the agreement.) There have been many poorly budgeted projects worldwide, with the below mentioning a few: Source: Construction Digital Not planning, managing, and executing a construction budget correctly can produce awful problems. Therefore, you might need a professional to help – like an architect. Are architects obligated to design to budget? As you can see, the importance of construction budgeting is remarkable. However, that leads us to another common question: “Are architects obligated to design to budget?” Well, it depends. As an architect will be using your budget, planning the project, and likely managing it, there will be contracts that need signing before the work commences. Ideally, the contracts will include obligations from the. architect that might include:  Provide conceptual estimates of construction costs Design with the intent to stay within the allocated budget Consult with the project owner regarding budget, program, schedule Obtain the approval of the design from the owner at each phase before moving on to the next If any of the estimates of the construction budget change, they must inform the owner of the project When you receive an architect’s contract, find pieces of information like the above. If the agreement is written fairly, it’ll include these, meaning the architect assigned this job is legally obliged to try and design to budget. How to ensure you stay within a construction budget After reading the above, you should have a clearer understanding of an architect’s role and obligations in construction budgeting. It would help if you had the right team alongside the project to guarantee you successfully design to budget.  At Parkbench Architects, we can help. We’re NYC natives who have planned, managed, and built flawless properties, including restaurants, bars, retail, etc. For more information about how we can stay within your construction budget, contact a professional representative today.

When entering a room with friendly lighting, you instantly feel at peace. Enter the same room with harsh or insufficient lighting; your mood can completely change. Because of this, good lighting is considerably important in all aspects of the world: Retail – Sufficient lighting has been shown to improve sales by 12%. Commercial – Using LEDs in a working environment can provide performance improvements in cognitive and visual tasks by 8.3%. Restaurant/Bars & Roasteries – Warm lights make customers feel more comfortable, increasing their stay and average order value. Clearly, lighting has physical and biological effects that impact our wellbeing. As a result, it’s essential to use the best lighting resources available to maximize their influence. At Parkbench Architects, we’re not new at finding excellent suppliers or modern lighting trends in NYC – it’s our specialty. Therefore, we’ve compiled a short list of our favorite resources below. Top Modern Lighting Trends & Resources In NYC In NYC, there are thousands of unique homes, food halls, shopping malls, and more, each with its own design and environment. Although furniture and architecture play a essential roles in making these appealing, lighting is what brings them to life. As architects ourselves, we’ve had the opportunity to study, review, and catch onto modern light trends to increase their visual influence. Here’s what we believe the current best designs for lighting are in NYC.   1: Wagon Wheel Chandelier Chandeliers: old but gold. Trends are continuously recycled back into our world, and considering these have been evolving since medieval times, they are a great example of this. Traditionally, chandeliers were candle-lit suspended lights, with some even having crystal prisms to illuminate the room. However, nowadays, things have changed. In current trends, they follow a much more modernized look like the above wagon wheel chandelier. Fitted with LED bulbs and a clear, solid wheel-like frame, it allows for broad  illumination. 2: Enclosed Ceiling Lighting Another hot topic in the industry and NYC is enclosed ceiling lighting. Typically, these come in multiple variations ranging from flush recessed, exposed canister, or even an eyeball down spot, which is used to shine a light on a targeted area. For example, you might utilize this style of lighting for a bar. When doing this, it’ll illuminate around the location and not the entirety of the establishment; like the below: Including the above, it could get used above restaurant tables, reception desks, and practically anywhere that requires targeted lighting. 3. Custom Neon Signs Another modern lighting trend that we love is custom neon signs. Thanks to their luminous colors, they’re eye-catching, fun, and bring so much character to an environment. Whether you’re a business wanting more visitors or a residential home wanting a more funky way of lighting, customize a neon sign. Summary In this post, we’ve detailed three lighting resources that are trending. Undoubtedly, there are many more, but we feel these are the most relevant right now. If you’re looking to spruce up a property, contact a creative architect at Parkbench Architects today.

One: Choosing the Right Property   In New York City, the roasting of Coffee beans, and their packaging and distribution can only legally take place in a building located in a Manufacturing Zone or Manufacturing Overlay with another Zoning Group.   Of course, there are other important property considerations: proximity to neighbors, distance to nearest highway depending on your volume of green bean deliveries, whether a truck easily maneuver on your street and bring in bags of coffee efficiently for your roaster process. The logistics of large and frequent deliveries to your NYC space should not be overlooked. Choosing the right space can save you tons of time and headaches. Two: Getting the Necessary Construction Permits  Aside from the usual business licenses in New York City, you will likely need approvals from the Department of City Planning for zoning re-use, the Department of Buildings for construction permits to install the roaster, the Department of Health, and the Department of Environmental Protection. Three: Actually Getting the Roaster into Place Delivery is often difficult on busy NYC streets, be prepared to deal with traffic at the time of delivery. You may need to get a permit from the city to shut down the street to get the roaster assembly in the door and installed. With weights ranging from 500 lbs to 5,000 lbs and beyond, roasters and all their accessory components can get extremely heavy. Installation may require a crane or heavy-duty lift to get the equipment in place, and typically takes a full day to sit properly in its final location. Aside from the cumbersome delivery process, it’s common that floors or roofs will not be able to support this weight. Often, we have had to use temporary structural supports during installation or permanently reinforce the existing structure to support these machines. Do not assume the floor or roof can handle this additional load – consult with an architect or engineer beforehand to make sure you’re in the clear. Four: Your Roaster Will Smell: Place the Flue Well  We do LOVE the smell of freshly roasted coffee but unfortunately, in New York City, by law, you must install an afterburner to burn off the odors. Afterburners can be installed in many configurations, often next to or above the roaster. When placing this and the exhaust flues, you might need scaffolding depending on the location and height of the building.   Other flue and exhaust concerns to consider: How hot do your machines get? The temperature determines the height of the flue, and distance above the nearest construction. For example, if your roaster assembly’s average temperature is 1,500 degrees the height of the outlet above a roof must be a minimum height of 10’-0” above the roof.   Considered a “Medium-Heat Appliance,” with temperatures between 1,000 and 2,000 degrees, rules for such equipment regulate the flue’s height, path through and above the building, material and construction of the flue, proximity to building openings and combustible materials, to name a few.   Suffice to say, when locating your roaster, it’s best to start with the final exhaust outlet and work backward into the space to ensure it’s safe and code compliant.  Five: Final Hookups & Approvals Before You Can Roast You’ve now made it through the hardest parts: you found the best property, delivered and installed the roasting assembly, obtained the appropriate construction permits, reinforced any building elements to ensure structural safety, received the first bags of green coffee beans– and you’re ready to fire the roaster and start a-roasting! Before getting started, be sure to double-check that: you have passed your final gas inspection and obtained Gas Authorization from the city, and that you have had a technician familiar with this type of specialty equipment handle the electrical and low-voltage programming. This isn’t in the purview of an average electrician and needs to be done by an experienced professional. Check with your Architect or Expediter to make sure you’ve received the other necessary city approvals, and if so – roast on, hot stuff!  Be sure to let us know where we can come pick up our complimentary cup of joe, we have more helpful blog hints to work on. Happy roasting!