Firm News

Live Nation Opens New Fillmore Philadelphia

EwingCole-interior designed Fillmore Philadelphia becomes Live Nation’s newest landmark entertainment venue

PHILADELPHIA (Oct 2015) – Live Nation opens new Fillmore, interior designed by EwingCole, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s trendy Fishtown neighborhood, the former Ajax Metal Company building (circa 1893) has been creatively adapted into a 40,000 s.f., state-of-the-art, live music venue expected to provide cultural and history-making events.

“The distinctive features of Philadelphia, the raw intensity of the existing factory, and the Fillmore’s legacy inspired the interior design, resulting in a one-of-a-kind contemporary entertainment destination,” said Craig Schmitt, RA, principal at EwingCole.

The two-story atrium features a recreation of Robert Indiana’s famous LOVE sculpture where the O is swapped for an I. Expected to create a great photo-op for guests, this new LIVE sculpture, reflects the founding ideals of Fillmore founder and legendary music promoter, Bill Graham, who died in 1991.

Beyond the atrium is Ajax Hall, which is open to both ticketed and non-ticketed guests. This unique space provides a central location for non-concert events and activities and also functions as the connector to the 2,500-capacity main event space. Design features of Ajax Hall include the following:

An original 1960’s era VW van, painted with the faces of music legends Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon, will be the focal point for Fillmore branded merchandise sales.
The Ajax Bar, designed with an industrial feel, includes salvaged fire doors from the Ajax factory on the die wall, an array of overhead lights on dangling “Fillmore Red” cords with Edison bulbs, and a liquor display made of […]

Increased Daylight and Modular, Open Space Improve Outlook and Productivity

EwingCole’s Chuck Rudalavage, Steve McDaniel, and Howard Skoke
discuss strategies for healthier research facilities in September’s Tradeline.

 

EwingCole Designed Outpatient Facility is Modern Healthcare’s Gold-Prize Winner

EwingCole’s design of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s newest regional cancer center was recently named the recipient of the Modern Healthcare’s 2015 Gold-Prize Award. The award program recognizes excellence in the design and planning of healthcare facilities.

The challenge for the design team was converting the dated brick and metal panel building with large floor plates into a state of the art cancer center which upheld MSK’s preeminence as a leader in cancer treatment and reflected their high standard of care.

The building not only accomplished the stringent task of achieving LEED Gold but also implemented additional healthy-building initiatives such as specifying entirely PVC-free products for both construction and design.

Read more in September’s issue of Modern Healthcare.

The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Receives LEED-Platinum

The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center recently received LEED-Platinum certification from the US Green Building Council!  This is the first platinum building for the Smithsonian. Read more in June’s issue of R&D Magazine  

 

Honoring and Remembering Alec Ewing

Alec, as he was known to his clients, colleagues and friends, was not only the founder of EwingCole, he pioneered innovative philosophies within the design and construction industry.  His personal and professional influence was expansive.

In the midst of receiving his architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1943, Alec enlisted in the Marine Corps.  Self-described as a “B” student, he credited his Marine Corps training for developing the personal discipline integral to his success.

After working with his brother at his father’s firm, George M. Ewing Co., for 10 years, Alec envisioned creating a new design firm that would thrive beyond his personal leadership and ownership, a firm that would have an ownership transition plan at its inception.  The initial risks and challenges he shouldered to start Alexander Ewing & Associates in 1961 resulted in a successful firm now led by a third generation of owners at EwingCole.

Because he understood the stressful nature of management positions, Alec insisted that a rotation of leadership positions was best for the professional growth of both individuals and the firm.  His association with Stan Cole, the in-house architect for Rohm and Haas, one of the firm’s first clients, became a life-long partnership when Stan joined the firm in 1968.  True to his core belief in transitioning leadership, Alec turned over the role of firm president to Stan in 1972.  Their complementary skills and mutual admiration helped grow the firm to the success it is today.

Alec, a master of time management, was able to sustain regular communications with the […]

EwingCole Library Design Experts Presenting at the 2015 Joint Library Conference

Architects Chuck Rudalavage and Jolin Wang conducted a post occupancy building assessment 18 months after Anne Arundel Community College opened their new library in August 2012. Designed by EwingCole, the new library, which focuses on student success, won industry awards and was featured on the covers of two magazines.

But how does the building perform against the project goals?

This session analyzes data and information gathered in the assessment. All types of libraries can use the same techniques to measure the success of new or renovated facilities.

EwingCole Sports Lighting Designers to Speak at Lightfair International 2015

This seminar focuses on successful methods of sports and stadia lighting for collegiate and professional venues. Emphasis will be placed on the progressing role of LED lighting within new and retrofit stadium applications. Topics will include decisions during design, lighting controls, budgetary constraints, structural systems integration and energy conservation, including how these issues evolve throughout the course of a large-scale project. The diverse lighting factors for the various types of venues will be outlined and case studies presented, including MetLife Stadium and Citizens Bank Park LED Upgrade Study.

EwingCole Team to Speak at Laboratory Design Conference

We are proud to announce that four EwingCole thought leaders will be speaking at the 2015 Laboratory Design Conference, presented by R&D Magazine.

Changing the Image of a National Lab: Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility

Tuesday, April 28, 2015, 11:15 am to 12:00 pm

Ted Newell, AIA, Saul Jabbawy, and Sara Eastman, RA examine how in today’s world, the national labs are changing direction to focus on exploration of the universe, physics and energy, and want to change their image to an open, campus like collaborative environment. This presentation identifies planning and design issues related to image transformation including site organization, image making, and planning.

Lab of the Year Awards

Tuesday, April 28, 2015, 11:15 am to 12:00 pm

Designers representing R&D Magazine’s 2015 Laboratory of the Year-winning facilities will present and discuss their projects. Howard Skoke, AIA, EwingCole’s principal project planner and designer, will be on hand to receive the award and share an overview of the project.

Oklahoma City Dodgers Begin Implementing EwingCole/ADG Designed Ballpark Improvements

EwingCole announces that the Oklahoma City Dodgers are unveiling improvements to the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. EwingCole and local Architect ADG were commissioned to perform a marketing and feasibility study to improve the overall fan experience and generate new revenue opportunities within the ballpark.

“Times have changed since the ballpark opened in 1998,” says Craig Schmitt, RA, EwingCole’s project principal.  “The line between sports and entertainment has blurred and the new generation of fans desire more of a social experience centered ‘around’ the sporting event.  Our design encourages movement around the field by creating new places for guests to gather, eat and socialize while never losing sight of the field.”

The Team’s goal is to update the facility to embrace a wider audience by addressing their newer, more diverse interests while also retaining the unique “Bricktown” character of the ballpark.  After recommending a variety of new amenities to improve the overall fan experience, the first project for 2015 will be the conversion of an underutilized seating area in left field to a new group sales seating and hospitality area.

Highlights of the recent projects include:

Conversion of the aluminum bleacher seating in LF to new tiered picnic style seating.
Shaded seating via a new wood and steel, membrane roofed open-air structure
Three tiers of synthetic wood and cast concrete
New picnic table seating and bar stools with drink rails
Open service pantry to provide food & beverage service for group sales
Overhead TV’s

“We look forward to unveiling the first of many new fan amenity upgrades at the ballpark,” commented […]

EwingCole Wins Laboratory of the Year High Honors

EwingCole received a 2015 Laboratory of the Year High Honors Award, given by R&D Magazine, Laboratory Design Newsletter and the Scientific Equipment and Furniture Association for its design of the Smithsonian Institution’s Charles McC. Mathias Laboratory. This prestigious international competition recognizes excellence in research laboratory design, planning, and construction. EwingCole’s project was the only winning entry from the United States.

Designed to be the first LEED Platinum building for the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC), the Mathias Lab demonstrates a renewed commitment by the Smithsonian and the US Congress to invest in crucial environmental research. This project is a cornerstone of sustainable development outlined in EwingCole’s master plan for SERC’s 2,650-acre site, located on the shoreline of the Rhode River and Chesapeake Bay.

The award will be presented in Atlanta on April 28 at the annual Laboratory Design Conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.  Howard Skoke, AIA, EwingCole’s principal project planner and designer, will be on hand to receive the award and share an overview of the project.