Design + Build
Whether it is health care, information technology, clean tech or business and consumer products, our region’s increased level of startup activity is attracting funding from venture capital firms both here in Northeast Ohio and beyond. But experts say there's a ways to go before the Silicon Valley comparisons stick.
Vocon, an architecture and design firm in Cleveland, was named one of the top places to work by the NorthCoast 99. Vocon was recognized for its positive work environment and fostering an atmosphere dedicated to creativity, innovation and collaboration for its staff.
The NorthCoast 99 event was created in 1999 by the Employers Resource Council to recognize companies that create good workplaces. The awards ceremony was held on Sept.19 at LaCentre Conference and Banquet Facility in Westlake.
Vocon, which has added 30 employees and grown to 100 total employees in the last two years, has maintained a healthy growth rate while still focusing on creating an ideal workplace. “We’re growing in the right way,” says Susan Austin, chief human resources officer for Vocon. “We still have that small company feel, but we keep our current staff engaged.”
The company prides itself on a diversity of ages and talents who learn from each other. “We’re non-hierarchical,” says Austin. “It’s not about titles, it’s about contributions. We take inexperienced employees and put them in positions very early where they can shine. When you have the freedom to get work done you work harder.”
Of course, being one of the top places to work, Vocon offers its perks as well. “We work hard, but we play hard too,” says Austin, who adds that the company recently installed a nine-hole putt-putt golf course in the offices.
Source: Susan Austin
Writer: Karin Connelly
The NorthCoast 99 event was created in 1999 by the Employers Resource Council to recognize companies that create good workplaces. The awards ceremony was held on Sept.19 at LaCentre Conference and Banquet Facility in Westlake.
Vocon, which has added 30 employees and grown to 100 total employees in the last two years, has maintained a healthy growth rate while still focusing on creating an ideal workplace. “We’re growing in the right way,” says Susan Austin, chief human resources officer for Vocon. “We still have that small company feel, but we keep our current staff engaged.”
The company prides itself on a diversity of ages and talents who learn from each other. “We’re non-hierarchical,” says Austin. “It’s not about titles, it’s about contributions. We take inexperienced employees and put them in positions very early where they can shine. When you have the freedom to get work done you work harder.”
Of course, being one of the top places to work, Vocon offers its perks as well. “We work hard, but we play hard too,” says Austin, who adds that the company recently installed a nine-hole putt-putt golf course in the offices.
Source: Susan Austin
Writer: Karin Connelly
Freelance designers Eric Bockmuller and Dan Klammer noticed that family and friends were coming to them for help when they wanted to create announcements, invitations and other such items and needed a creative mind.
“We thought, why can’t people publish their own content without going through us,” recalled Bockmuller. “We saw a need for something that was more than 140 characters, but not a blog.”
That thought sparked the idea for Tackk, an online design tool where users can instantly create and share their own content. The online editor provides fonts, color palettes and backgrounds to design the perfect announcement with no design skill needed.
"It’s a super simple format to create and share your content instantly,” says Bockmuller. “They’re simple designs, but they always look beautiful.” Users don’t have to sign in or create an account to use the site.
Tackk launched in early September. “It’s been great,” says Bockmuller. “We’re taking all the data and learning from it.”
Bockmuller has two goals for his new product: “First, Tackk becomes the next verb on the web,” he says. “And we build a great company here in Cleveland. It’s not every day you see something like this happening in Cleveland.”
In addition to Bockmuller and Klammer, there are four other people on the Tackk team: CEO Christopher Celeste, CTO and developer Ryan Niemann, COO Robert Hatta and developer Ryan Pastorelle. Tackk plans on hiring additional staff as they get off the ground.
Source: Eric Bockmuller
Writer: Karin Connelly
“We thought, why can’t people publish their own content without going through us,” recalled Bockmuller. “We saw a need for something that was more than 140 characters, but not a blog.”
That thought sparked the idea for Tackk, an online design tool where users can instantly create and share their own content. The online editor provides fonts, color palettes and backgrounds to design the perfect announcement with no design skill needed.
"It’s a super simple format to create and share your content instantly,” says Bockmuller. “They’re simple designs, but they always look beautiful.” Users don’t have to sign in or create an account to use the site.
Tackk launched in early September. “It’s been great,” says Bockmuller. “We’re taking all the data and learning from it.”
Bockmuller has two goals for his new product: “First, Tackk becomes the next verb on the web,” he says. “And we build a great company here in Cleveland. It’s not every day you see something like this happening in Cleveland.”
In addition to Bockmuller and Klammer, there are four other people on the Tackk team: CEO Christopher Celeste, CTO and developer Ryan Niemann, COO Robert Hatta and developer Ryan Pastorelle. Tackk plans on hiring additional staff as they get off the ground.
Source: Eric Bockmuller
Writer: Karin Connelly
When Case's think[box] is completed, it will be one of largest university-based invention centers in the world, bigger even than Stanford's d. school, MIT's Fab Lab, or Rice's Design Kitchen. It’s a venture that has the potential to play a major role in spurring innovation in the region, say local educators and entrepreneurs.
w magazine devotes serious ink to moca and its architect
In the article "Build It and They Will Come," Alice Rawsthorn writing for W Magazine proffers a lengthy piece on Cleveland's brand new Museum of Contemporary Art and its world-famous architect, Farshid Moussavi.
"There’s a new kind of theater in Cleveland," Rawsthorn begins. "If you stand outside the city’s just built Museum of Contemporary Art, you can watch its walls change color with the light. When the sun shines directly onto their black mirrored steel, the six walls will look blue -- the brighter the sun, the more vivid the hue -- but if the sky clouds over, they will darken to black, just as they will when the sun moves around the building. And as each of them stands at a different angle, each reflects a different image of what is happening around it."
“It’s as if the building is performing for you,” Farshid Moussavi is quoted as saying. “There are some amazing moments, when the distorted reflections produce a kind of new reality.”
Moving to the interior of the stunning structure, Rawsthorn writes, "While the tone is set by the building’s constantly changing facade, there are playful touches inside, where visitors are invited to observe the daily life of the museum and its staff in a series of impromptu performances: They can peek through glass walls into the art-handling area, delivery bay, and other behind-the-scenes spaces usually hidden from the public. If they walk to the top of the spectacular steel staircase, they can look down into the main gallery to catch an aerial view of the artworks or watch the installation of new shows. But the grand finale is the ceiling of those galleries, which is painted in the same deep blue as those of ancient Egyptian tombs. It resembles the night sky, with the gallery lights shining like stars."
Read the rest of art-y-facts here.
"There’s a new kind of theater in Cleveland," Rawsthorn begins. "If you stand outside the city’s just built Museum of Contemporary Art, you can watch its walls change color with the light. When the sun shines directly onto their black mirrored steel, the six walls will look blue -- the brighter the sun, the more vivid the hue -- but if the sky clouds over, they will darken to black, just as they will when the sun moves around the building. And as each of them stands at a different angle, each reflects a different image of what is happening around it."
“It’s as if the building is performing for you,” Farshid Moussavi is quoted as saying. “There are some amazing moments, when the distorted reflections produce a kind of new reality.”
Moving to the interior of the stunning structure, Rawsthorn writes, "While the tone is set by the building’s constantly changing facade, there are playful touches inside, where visitors are invited to observe the daily life of the museum and its staff in a series of impromptu performances: They can peek through glass walls into the art-handling area, delivery bay, and other behind-the-scenes spaces usually hidden from the public. If they walk to the top of the spectacular steel staircase, they can look down into the main gallery to catch an aerial view of the artworks or watch the installation of new shows. But the grand finale is the ceiling of those galleries, which is painted in the same deep blue as those of ancient Egyptian tombs. It resembles the night sky, with the gallery lights shining like stars."
Read the rest of art-y-facts here.
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has broken ground on an $18.5 million redevelopment of its Cedar-University rapid station that will make it safer, easier to navigate, more efficient and more inviting. RTA officials hope it will become a stronger hub for the growing University Circle area and its surrounding neighborhoods.
"It will look a heck of a lot better," says Mary Shaffer, Media Relations Manager with RTA, of the project's impact. "It is safe and functioning now, but there will be a greater sense of security. We want to help people in the community to be able to recommend RTA."
The current Cedar-University rapid station was built nearly 50 years ago. The facility's layout requires a long walk to transfer between bus and rail, and greater efficiency and easier connections will offer a huge improvement, Shaffer says.
"We'll have bus and rail on the same side of the street, and that will make it a lot easier for transfers," says Shaffer. "Behind Tower City and Windermere/Stokes, this is the largest bus-rail transfer station that we have in the RTA network."
The glassy new station will also be more attractive and welcoming. "When you have things like MOCA coming into the area, having a state-of-the-art rail/bus station in the heart of the University Circle area is really a positive thing."
RTA won a $10.5 million competitive TIGER II grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to be able to complete the project. The agency also contributed $4 million from its own capital budget and raised money from other local sources.
The station is actually the first of two newly revamped stations in the University Circle area. The University Circle-Little Italy station is next to be redeveloped, and that project was recently funded by a federal transportation grant, as well.
The Cedar-University station will incorporate additional green space and public art. RTA will also increase the frequency of its train service to serve local riders.
Shaffer says that RTA is now seeing the 17th straight month of growth in overall ridership. The Red Line leads the pack. She says this is attributable to higher gas prices and new development in Cleveland that is making it harder to find parking.
"This is most likely attributable to people who are making the decision to ride," says Shaffer. "They want to avoid the Innerbelt or see a lack of parking in University Circle or by the Clinic. We're glad to be a solution for them."
Source: Mary Shaffer
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"It will look a heck of a lot better," says Mary Shaffer, Media Relations Manager with RTA, of the project's impact. "It is safe and functioning now, but there will be a greater sense of security. We want to help people in the community to be able to recommend RTA."
The current Cedar-University rapid station was built nearly 50 years ago. The facility's layout requires a long walk to transfer between bus and rail, and greater efficiency and easier connections will offer a huge improvement, Shaffer says.
"We'll have bus and rail on the same side of the street, and that will make it a lot easier for transfers," says Shaffer. "Behind Tower City and Windermere/Stokes, this is the largest bus-rail transfer station that we have in the RTA network."
The glassy new station will also be more attractive and welcoming. "When you have things like MOCA coming into the area, having a state-of-the-art rail/bus station in the heart of the University Circle area is really a positive thing."
RTA won a $10.5 million competitive TIGER II grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to be able to complete the project. The agency also contributed $4 million from its own capital budget and raised money from other local sources.
The station is actually the first of two newly revamped stations in the University Circle area. The University Circle-Little Italy station is next to be redeveloped, and that project was recently funded by a federal transportation grant, as well.
The Cedar-University station will incorporate additional green space and public art. RTA will also increase the frequency of its train service to serve local riders.
Shaffer says that RTA is now seeing the 17th straight month of growth in overall ridership. The Red Line leads the pack. She says this is attributable to higher gas prices and new development in Cleveland that is making it harder to find parking.
"This is most likely attributable to people who are making the decision to ride," says Shaffer. "They want to avoid the Innerbelt or see a lack of parking in University Circle or by the Clinic. We're glad to be a solution for them."
Source: Mary Shaffer
Writer: Lee Chilcote
atlantic cities likes new museum -- but loves university circle
In an article titled, "In Cleveland, a Flashy New Museum But an Even Better Neighborhood," the Atlantic Cities inspects the eds, meds, and cultural facilitiesthat are making University Cicle thrive.
In addition the new Museum of Contemporary Art, about which the writer says, "the sophisticated, gem-shaped museum reminds visitors that Cleveland can still build the kinds of flashy cultural toys associated with bigger, wealthier cities," the real praise is reserved for its neighborhood.
"MOCA Cleveland may make the loudest design statement, but it's far from the only symbol of bold, 21st century urbanism in the University Circle neighborhood."
"The neighborhood has seen a diverse set of investments, including high density residential projects, new medical facilities and academic buildings, even multiple public transit initiatives. University Circle now stands out as a diverse hub of activity in a city clamoring for such things."
Citing university, medical, cultural, and transit facilities as fuel for the recent economic development, the writer calls University Circle, "a Rust Belt planner’s dream of a modern-day economic hub."
Read the rest here.
In addition the new Museum of Contemporary Art, about which the writer says, "the sophisticated, gem-shaped museum reminds visitors that Cleveland can still build the kinds of flashy cultural toys associated with bigger, wealthier cities," the real praise is reserved for its neighborhood.
"MOCA Cleveland may make the loudest design statement, but it's far from the only symbol of bold, 21st century urbanism in the University Circle neighborhood."
"The neighborhood has seen a diverse set of investments, including high density residential projects, new medical facilities and academic buildings, even multiple public transit initiatives. University Circle now stands out as a diverse hub of activity in a city clamoring for such things."
Citing university, medical, cultural, and transit facilities as fuel for the recent economic development, the writer calls University Circle, "a Rust Belt planner’s dream of a modern-day economic hub."
Read the rest here.
art in america mag attends, writes about moca opening
Art in America, an illustrated fine arts journal designed for collectors, artists, dealers, art professionals, was in Cleveland to attend the opening festivities at MOCA over the weekend. They filed a report titled, "MOCA Cleveland Opens in Sleek New Digs."
"Designed by Iranian-born, London-based Farshid Moussavi, the striking new facility resembles a gigantic chunk of a shiny mineral, resting on an airy plaza," writes Brian Boucher. "Six sides, some triangular, some trapezoidal, rise 65 feet from a hexagonal base to form a square roof. The building's exterior is clad with 1,354 black steel panels that create shimmering reflections."
"The 34,000-square-foot new building gives the non-collecting institution about 8,000 square feet for temporary exhibitions, with three quarters of that area on the top floor and one quarter in a second-floor project space."
Discussions of the opening art exhibit, "Inside Out and from the Ground Up," follows.
Read it all right here.
"Designed by Iranian-born, London-based Farshid Moussavi, the striking new facility resembles a gigantic chunk of a shiny mineral, resting on an airy plaza," writes Brian Boucher. "Six sides, some triangular, some trapezoidal, rise 65 feet from a hexagonal base to form a square roof. The building's exterior is clad with 1,354 black steel panels that create shimmering reflections."
"The 34,000-square-foot new building gives the non-collecting institution about 8,000 square feet for temporary exhibitions, with three quarters of that area on the top floor and one quarter in a second-floor project space."
Discussions of the opening art exhibit, "Inside Out and from the Ground Up," follows.
Read it all right here.
Peter Debelak was a frustrated lawyer with a passion for woodworking when he stumbled on a soon-to-be-available woodshop space in a former meat processing plant on Cleveland's near west side.
"There was a woodworker who had been in there for 30 years, and his space opened up," says Debelak, who fell in love with the medium of wood 12 years ago and has worked with it ever since. "The opportunity was hard to pass up."
Still, starting the woodshop was a leap of faith. "I realized it was now or never," he adds. "I could get into the inertia of my next job and it would stay an idea, or I could just do it."
This past July, Debelak opened Soulcraft Woodshop, an artistic space for his own furniture making and a hub for woodworking lessons and workshops. He partnered on the project with fellow woodworkers Jim Doyle and Jim McNaughton.
"There's definitely an existing and growing 'maker' movement among people in their 20s and 30s and retirees," says Debelak. "It's about going back and working with your hands, making your own things and having a connection to objects."
Unless you have a woodworking shop in your basement, there is a dearth of spaces to explore this field, he adds. "Shop class has been eliminated in just about every curriculum in public and private schools. There's a hole in terms of market need."
Soulcraft Woodshop currently offers classes on an ad hoc basis based on inquiries. However, the owners will soon roll out regular classes such as "Introduction to Furniture Making" or "How to Build an Adirondack Chair in a Weekend."
Budding woodworkers can also purchase a monthly membership pass for $120 or a pay-as-you-go pass to complete an individual project for as little as $50 to $80.
Soulcraft Woodshop is located in the Hildebrandt Building at 3610 Walton Avenue.
Source: Peter Debelak
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"There was a woodworker who had been in there for 30 years, and his space opened up," says Debelak, who fell in love with the medium of wood 12 years ago and has worked with it ever since. "The opportunity was hard to pass up."
Still, starting the woodshop was a leap of faith. "I realized it was now or never," he adds. "I could get into the inertia of my next job and it would stay an idea, or I could just do it."
This past July, Debelak opened Soulcraft Woodshop, an artistic space for his own furniture making and a hub for woodworking lessons and workshops. He partnered on the project with fellow woodworkers Jim Doyle and Jim McNaughton.
"There's definitely an existing and growing 'maker' movement among people in their 20s and 30s and retirees," says Debelak. "It's about going back and working with your hands, making your own things and having a connection to objects."
Unless you have a woodworking shop in your basement, there is a dearth of spaces to explore this field, he adds. "Shop class has been eliminated in just about every curriculum in public and private schools. There's a hole in terms of market need."
Soulcraft Woodshop currently offers classes on an ad hoc basis based on inquiries. However, the owners will soon roll out regular classes such as "Introduction to Furniture Making" or "How to Build an Adirondack Chair in a Weekend."
Budding woodworkers can also purchase a monthly membership pass for $120 or a pay-as-you-go pass to complete an individual project for as little as $50 to $80.
Soulcraft Woodshop is located in the Hildebrandt Building at 3610 Walton Avenue.
Source: Peter Debelak
Writer: Lee Chilcote
If you don't know the name Scott Kim, then you likely have been missing out on some of the most thrilling food presently served in Cleveland. Kim's Shaker Square restaurant Sasa encourages exploration through a bevy of Japanese small plates. With Accent, slated to open in just weeks, the chef's culinary borders will expand past those of Japan to include influences from Korea, India, China and beyond.
At the corner of E. 83rd and Carnegie Avenue, a dilapidated building has been transformed into a contemporary, glass-walled resource center. Inside these walls, youth will be mentored, adults will receive financial education and job skill assistance, and seniors will record their history within the community.
This is no ordinary redevelopment project. The PNC Fairfax Connection was designed with maximum community input to address the needs and aspirations of the Fairfax neighborhood, which lies just south of the Cleveland Clinic campus.
“We celebrate the opening of the PNC Fairfax Connection as a demonstration of what it truly means to work together to create a new relationship and a new bond between a bank and its community,” said Cleveland native James Rohr, Chairman and CEO of PNC Bank, in a press release. “PNC closely collaborated with the Fairfax community at every step to ensure the center's design and programs meet the interests and needs of this proud and historic community.”
The $5 million center, which was sustainably built and will likely receive LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), is a 6,400-square-foot space that is flexibly designed to meet the needs of the community. Two full-time coordinators, Susan Blasko and Brandon Lipford, will staff it.
Upcoming programs include SPARK, a web-based literacy initiative provided in cooperation with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Cleveland; Senior Compass programs that help seniors with help and wellness and technology skills; and Financial Connections, which are weekly financial wellness workshops.
The PNC Fairfax Connection is open daily from Tuesday through Saturday, and programs are offered in the day as well as the evening.
Source: PNC Bank
Writer: Lee Chilcote
This is no ordinary redevelopment project. The PNC Fairfax Connection was designed with maximum community input to address the needs and aspirations of the Fairfax neighborhood, which lies just south of the Cleveland Clinic campus.
“We celebrate the opening of the PNC Fairfax Connection as a demonstration of what it truly means to work together to create a new relationship and a new bond between a bank and its community,” said Cleveland native James Rohr, Chairman and CEO of PNC Bank, in a press release. “PNC closely collaborated with the Fairfax community at every step to ensure the center's design and programs meet the interests and needs of this proud and historic community.”
The $5 million center, which was sustainably built and will likely receive LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), is a 6,400-square-foot space that is flexibly designed to meet the needs of the community. Two full-time coordinators, Susan Blasko and Brandon Lipford, will staff it.
Upcoming programs include SPARK, a web-based literacy initiative provided in cooperation with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Cleveland; Senior Compass programs that help seniors with help and wellness and technology skills; and Financial Connections, which are weekly financial wellness workshops.
The PNC Fairfax Connection is open daily from Tuesday through Saturday, and programs are offered in the day as well as the evening.
Source: PNC Bank
Writer: Lee Chilcote
see also: 2013 call for artists
Cleveland Public Library in partnership with LAND studio invites artists, designers and other creative professionals to create a temporary public art project in the library’s Eastman Reading Garden.
As part of an annual program called See Also, one artist (or team of artists) is selected to exhibit an artwork from May until October in this visible and beloved space in the heart of downtown.
For 2013, organizers are asking artists to think BIG:
"In the spirit of thinking big for our city, Cleveland Public Library and LAND studio challenge artists to design thoughtful, wacky, novel or whimsical concepts for a jury of local stakeholders to consider for installation in the Eastman Reading Garden. Artists are encouraged to develop concepts that deal with the garden space specifically, or present ideas for sites throughout the city at the scale of the garden."
One or more artists will be selected to create an installation for the garden that showcases their big dreams for a small space.
All proposals must be received at LAND studio’s office by 5:00 p.m. on Friday November 9, 2012. Hand deliveries will be accepted. If you have any questions regarding the site or the materials that are to be submitted, please call LAND studio at 216-621-5413 x117 or email ssiebert@land-studio.org.
As part of an annual program called See Also, one artist (or team of artists) is selected to exhibit an artwork from May until October in this visible and beloved space in the heart of downtown.
For 2013, organizers are asking artists to think BIG:
"In the spirit of thinking big for our city, Cleveland Public Library and LAND studio challenge artists to design thoughtful, wacky, novel or whimsical concepts for a jury of local stakeholders to consider for installation in the Eastman Reading Garden. Artists are encouraged to develop concepts that deal with the garden space specifically, or present ideas for sites throughout the city at the scale of the garden."
One or more artists will be selected to create an installation for the garden that showcases their big dreams for a small space.
All proposals must be received at LAND studio’s office by 5:00 p.m. on Friday November 9, 2012. Hand deliveries will be accepted. If you have any questions regarding the site or the materials that are to be submitted, please call LAND studio at 216-621-5413 x117 or email ssiebert@land-studio.org.
uptown project in university circle primed for its public debut
Following a spate of recent openings, the Uptown Cleveland project has more than doubled the number of stores and restaurants previously available along Euclid Avenue in University Circle. It also has brought high-end contemporary design to an area known for traditional, classic architecture.
"All of the retail space is full, and we're pretty excited about that," says Tammy Oliver, Director of Leasing and Marketing for MRN Ltd., the developer of the project, which includes ground-level retail with apartments above. "We pretty much came into construction with letters of intent on everything."
Some of the new businesses that have opened include Constantino's Market, Barnes and Noble, Panera, Starbucks, Verizon Wireless, Jimmy John's, Chipotle and Anne van H. Businesses that will open this fall include Accent (a new restaurant helmed by chef Scott Kim), Mitchell's Ice Cream, a second location for ABC the Tavern, and three additional restaurants.
The project includes a brick interior courtyard for strolling, patio dining and events. The public space between Uptown and the new Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MOCA), which was named Toby's Plaza in honor of donor Toby Lewis, will be programmed by its owner, Case Western Reserve University.
"We're hoping you can wake up and do tai chi or yoga there, lay out and read or simply have lunch there," says Oliver. "There will be a constant change of events and programming, and we want to involve the community and visitors in that."
The Uptown apartments, which are priced aggressively for the Cleveland market, are more than 70 percent leased, says Oliver. She cites the loft-style ceilings, large windows, green features, high-end finishes and flexible spaces as the reasons why.
"There is a demand for this new style and new way of living in Cleveland," she says. "This is the only new construction apartment building to be built in Cleveland for many years. Historic renovations bring fantastic character, but with modern living spaces such as these, you can bring your own character."
Source: Tammy Oliver
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"All of the retail space is full, and we're pretty excited about that," says Tammy Oliver, Director of Leasing and Marketing for MRN Ltd., the developer of the project, which includes ground-level retail with apartments above. "We pretty much came into construction with letters of intent on everything."
Some of the new businesses that have opened include Constantino's Market, Barnes and Noble, Panera, Starbucks, Verizon Wireless, Jimmy John's, Chipotle and Anne van H. Businesses that will open this fall include Accent (a new restaurant helmed by chef Scott Kim), Mitchell's Ice Cream, a second location for ABC the Tavern, and three additional restaurants.
The project includes a brick interior courtyard for strolling, patio dining and events. The public space between Uptown and the new Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MOCA), which was named Toby's Plaza in honor of donor Toby Lewis, will be programmed by its owner, Case Western Reserve University.
"We're hoping you can wake up and do tai chi or yoga there, lay out and read or simply have lunch there," says Oliver. "There will be a constant change of events and programming, and we want to involve the community and visitors in that."
The Uptown apartments, which are priced aggressively for the Cleveland market, are more than 70 percent leased, says Oliver. She cites the loft-style ceilings, large windows, green features, high-end finishes and flexible spaces as the reasons why.
"There is a demand for this new style and new way of living in Cleveland," she says. "This is the only new construction apartment building to be built in Cleveland for many years. Historic renovations bring fantastic character, but with modern living spaces such as these, you can bring your own character."
Source: Tammy Oliver
Writer: Lee Chilcote
TWIST Creative had been adverse the word "agency" for many years, as the term represented something the Cleveland-based branding firm was not. That all changed eight months ago when TWIST shifted its strategy to target bigger clients, spurring a period of growth that has led to a flurry of new hires as well as new customers.
That's four new hires and about 20 new clients to be exact, says Michael Ozan, TWIST's president and chief creative officer, who in 2000 founded the firm with wife Connie. Add promotions and an overall company realignment to that list and TWIST has had a very busy 2012.
"We looked at our market position and decided to turn in the direction of being an agency," says Ozan. "We needed more people [on hand] to make that change."
In September, TWIST hired a new director of media relations, an art director and two designers. The agency also named marketing director Josh Taylor as its new director of strategy and development, while lead senior designer Chris Oldham is now director of design operations.
To its burgeoning client portfolio TWIST added 20 new brands, including big-name consumer product companies Hoover Vacuum and Hinkley Lighting; aerospace industry manufacturer Voss Industries; and multi-market restaurateur Paladar.
This was an exciting year, but one also full of difficult changes, says design director Connie Ozan. Although the former boutique is now a full-service brand agency, the challenge for TWIST looking ahead is to continue to grow its position within the market.
"There's been lots of energy over the last eight months," she says. "It will take awhile for the new team to gel, but 2013 is going to be a great year."
SOURCE: Michael Ozan, Connie Ozan
WRITER: Douglas J. Guth
That's four new hires and about 20 new clients to be exact, says Michael Ozan, TWIST's president and chief creative officer, who in 2000 founded the firm with wife Connie. Add promotions and an overall company realignment to that list and TWIST has had a very busy 2012.
"We looked at our market position and decided to turn in the direction of being an agency," says Ozan. "We needed more people [on hand] to make that change."
In September, TWIST hired a new director of media relations, an art director and two designers. The agency also named marketing director Josh Taylor as its new director of strategy and development, while lead senior designer Chris Oldham is now director of design operations.
To its burgeoning client portfolio TWIST added 20 new brands, including big-name consumer product companies Hoover Vacuum and Hinkley Lighting; aerospace industry manufacturer Voss Industries; and multi-market restaurateur Paladar.
This was an exciting year, but one also full of difficult changes, says design director Connie Ozan. Although the former boutique is now a full-service brand agency, the challenge for TWIST looking ahead is to continue to grow its position within the market.
"There's been lots of energy over the last eight months," she says. "It will take awhile for the new team to gel, but 2013 is going to be a great year."
SOURCE: Michael Ozan, Connie Ozan
WRITER: Douglas J. Guth
cle botanical garden first in state to be certified by sustainable sites
Cleveland Botanical Garden earned certification from the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) this week, making it the first organization in Ohio and one of just 11 nationwide to receive the designation. Of the eight organizations to receive SITES certification this week, the Garden was the only one to achieve a three-star rating.
SITES is a partnership of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center of The University of Texas at Austin and the United States Botanic Garden.
Sustainable features added as part of the Garden’s two-year effort to achieve certification include a low-maintenance lawn along East Boulevard, a rain garden that captures runoff, native plants and a green roof that reduces energy costs and slows stormwater runoff. Other behind-the-scenes efforts include composting leftover food from the Garden Café and training all new employees in green practices.
“The Garden is committed to promoting green living to our guests and the Greater Cleveland community at large, and the best way to do that is by example,” says Garden Executive Director Natalie Ronayne. “We hope people will come to the Garden, see what we do here to preserve the environment and then take home some ideas of what they can do.”
Read the rest of the green news here.
SITES is a partnership of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center of The University of Texas at Austin and the United States Botanic Garden.
Sustainable features added as part of the Garden’s two-year effort to achieve certification include a low-maintenance lawn along East Boulevard, a rain garden that captures runoff, native plants and a green roof that reduces energy costs and slows stormwater runoff. Other behind-the-scenes efforts include composting leftover food from the Garden Café and training all new employees in green practices.
“The Garden is committed to promoting green living to our guests and the Greater Cleveland community at large, and the best way to do that is by example,” says Garden Executive Director Natalie Ronayne. “We hope people will come to the Garden, see what we do here to preserve the environment and then take home some ideas of what they can do.”
Read the rest of the green news here.
The Cleveland Museum of Art recently opened its signature new atrium, a breathtaking public space whose traditional and contemporary elements bridge the museum's past and future. It soon will become one of the city's central gathering places, as well as a spot that brands the city to visitors, akin to Grand Central Station in New York.
The museum will host a community celebration on Sunday, October 28th to celebrate the completion of the atrium and the opening of the beautiful new museum store. Provenance Restaurant and Cafe, which will be managed by Doug Katz, chef-owner of Fire Food and Drink, will provide fresh, local fare. Other highlights of the event include music and dance, free tours and a giant photograph of everyone.
“The Ames Family Atrium will serve as a central hub for the museum, offering visitors a chance to relax and reflect on their experiences in the galleries,” said David Franklin, Director of CMA, in a release. “This dynamic space will offer opportunities for temporary art installations, performances and special events.”
The atrium, designed by New York architect Rafael Vinoly as a centerpiece to the museum's expansion, is nearly as large as a football field and has an elegant, curved glass ceiling that bathes the space in light on even the cloudiest of days. One half of the giant room is contemporary, with wood, glass and steel elements, while the other half reveals the restored 1916 building's classical north facade.
The atrium also has a charcoal-colored stone floor and indoor gardens that introduce color and life. It is not only a centerpiece of the museum's new design, but also the central point to which visitors continually return. A second floor balcony that offers great views of the atrium escorts visitors between the galleries.
The skylighted ceiling, which rises from 55 to 66 feet in height, mirrors the sense that one's consciousness and view of the world expands as one enters the galleries.
The opening of the atrium caps a decade of planning and seven years of construction. The entire project is expected to be completed next year.
Source: Cleveland Museum of Art
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The museum will host a community celebration on Sunday, October 28th to celebrate the completion of the atrium and the opening of the beautiful new museum store. Provenance Restaurant and Cafe, which will be managed by Doug Katz, chef-owner of Fire Food and Drink, will provide fresh, local fare. Other highlights of the event include music and dance, free tours and a giant photograph of everyone.
“The Ames Family Atrium will serve as a central hub for the museum, offering visitors a chance to relax and reflect on their experiences in the galleries,” said David Franklin, Director of CMA, in a release. “This dynamic space will offer opportunities for temporary art installations, performances and special events.”
The atrium, designed by New York architect Rafael Vinoly as a centerpiece to the museum's expansion, is nearly as large as a football field and has an elegant, curved glass ceiling that bathes the space in light on even the cloudiest of days. One half of the giant room is contemporary, with wood, glass and steel elements, while the other half reveals the restored 1916 building's classical north facade.
The atrium also has a charcoal-colored stone floor and indoor gardens that introduce color and life. It is not only a centerpiece of the museum's new design, but also the central point to which visitors continually return. A second floor balcony that offers great views of the atrium escorts visitors between the galleries.
The skylighted ceiling, which rises from 55 to 66 feet in height, mirrors the sense that one's consciousness and view of the world expands as one enters the galleries.
The opening of the atrium caps a decade of planning and seven years of construction. The entire project is expected to be completed next year.
Source: Cleveland Museum of Art
Writer: Lee Chilcote
As city dwellers, we tend to focus on buildings. But it's the spaces in between those structures that matter most, say urban planners. Public spaces bring communities together, improve our physical and mental well-being, and drive social and economic change. The presence and quality of our public spaces is a measure of the desirability of a city.
The City of Cleveland has developed a plan to create bike lanes along Detroit Avenue between West 25th and West 75th streets to cater to the growing number of two-wheeled commuters using the thoroughfare.
The idea was developed as a temporary alternative to the stalled West Shoreway project, but has now taken on a life of its own. City officials say that even if more money is found to complete multi-modal paths along the Shoreway, the Detroit bike lanes are here to stay.
"This really is a new day in the City of Cleveland for cycling," Planning Director Bob Brown told the audience at a recent public meeting. "For decades, Cleveland put the priority on cars and cyclists were treated as second class citizens. The big change was the complete and green streets ordinance -- now it's the law of the land that every time we plan a roadway project, bikes have to be a priority."
"If we want to create a mode shift [away from driving and towards cycling], then we need to create the facilities to do it," added Jacob Van Sickle, Executive Director of Bike Cleveland. "Bike Cleveland will continue to push the city."
The complex project, which will span 1.7 miles and cost $76,000, includes a mixture of bike lanes and sharrows (painted arrows in the roadway indicating that cars must share the road with bikes). The five foot lanes allow for on-street parking while providing enough room for cyclists to avoid the "door zone" (the area where they could be hit if the driver of a parked car opens the door).
The long-term goal, Brown said during the meeting, is to create a network of bike lanes on major streets throughout the city. Planners are working on eventually extending the bike lanes along the Detroit-Superior bridge and Superior.
Source: Bob Brown, Jacob Van Sickle
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The idea was developed as a temporary alternative to the stalled West Shoreway project, but has now taken on a life of its own. City officials say that even if more money is found to complete multi-modal paths along the Shoreway, the Detroit bike lanes are here to stay.
"This really is a new day in the City of Cleveland for cycling," Planning Director Bob Brown told the audience at a recent public meeting. "For decades, Cleveland put the priority on cars and cyclists were treated as second class citizens. The big change was the complete and green streets ordinance -- now it's the law of the land that every time we plan a roadway project, bikes have to be a priority."
"If we want to create a mode shift [away from driving and towards cycling], then we need to create the facilities to do it," added Jacob Van Sickle, Executive Director of Bike Cleveland. "Bike Cleveland will continue to push the city."
The complex project, which will span 1.7 miles and cost $76,000, includes a mixture of bike lanes and sharrows (painted arrows in the roadway indicating that cars must share the road with bikes). The five foot lanes allow for on-street parking while providing enough room for cyclists to avoid the "door zone" (the area where they could be hit if the driver of a parked car opens the door).
The long-term goal, Brown said during the meeting, is to create a network of bike lanes on major streets throughout the city. Planners are working on eventually extending the bike lanes along the Detroit-Superior bridge and Superior.
Source: Bob Brown, Jacob Van Sickle
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Ingenuity Fest 2012 will take place this weekend, September 14 to 16 at Cleveland Lakefront Docks 30 and 32, in 120,000 square feet of warehouse space. Aside from music and artistic performances, the festival will showcase the work of local inventors working on some fun and interactive projects.
“It ranges from DIY aesthetic things to engineers,” says director of programming James Krouse. “We have inventors or people who are beta testing a product or are in academic engineering programs. This is a place to display these innovations.”
The Make Space area of the festival will include the Lorain County Community College Fab Lab and the Cleveland MC2 Stem School Mobile Fab Lab -- a NASCAR trailer equipped with computers, software and lasers for creating 3-D images.
“It’s just a collection of designer software and laser cutters,” says Krouse.
A CWRU engineering graduate student will have a display of solar-powered fireflies that mimic the algorithm of fireflies’ communication. A panel of local chefs and sustainability advocates will speak on Friday about local food and sustainability. A series of talks on Saturday will examine the history of flight -- from the Wright brothers all the way through the Mars Curiosity expedition.
Source: James Krouse
Writer: Karin Connelly
“It ranges from DIY aesthetic things to engineers,” says director of programming James Krouse. “We have inventors or people who are beta testing a product or are in academic engineering programs. This is a place to display these innovations.”
The Make Space area of the festival will include the Lorain County Community College Fab Lab and the Cleveland MC2 Stem School Mobile Fab Lab -- a NASCAR trailer equipped with computers, software and lasers for creating 3-D images.
“It’s just a collection of designer software and laser cutters,” says Krouse.
A CWRU engineering graduate student will have a display of solar-powered fireflies that mimic the algorithm of fireflies’ communication. A panel of local chefs and sustainability advocates will speak on Friday about local food and sustainability. A series of talks on Saturday will examine the history of flight -- from the Wright brothers all the way through the Mars Curiosity expedition.
Source: James Krouse
Writer: Karin Connelly