New York · 2006.0514
The New York office of OMA (Office for Metropolitan Architecture) is now Ramus Ella Architects (REX). Joshua Prince-Ramus, previously co-owner and partner of OMA New York, has purchased the office in full from 2000 Pritzker Prize-winner Rem Koolhaas, founder of OMA, based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. REX takes with it all 35 staff members of OMA New York and management of most of its projects, including the $380 million Museum Plaza in Louisville, Kentucky. OMA will maintain an office in New York and plans continued collaborations with REX.
Moscow · 2006.0512
Construction is in progress on Federation Tower in Moscow, Russia. The German firms Schweger Assoziierte and nps tchoban voss Architekten BDA designed the building, which they currently expect to be the tallest in Europe. Two asymmetrical towers and their shared base will house luxury apartments, offices, stores, restaurants, banks, and a hotel. A central spire will reach approximately 1,440 feet (440 meters) high and the taller of the two towers will reach approximately 1,120 feet (340 meters).
Washington, D.C. · 2006.0512
The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Chamber of Commerce has appointed Christine McEntee, AIA executive vice president and CEO, to its Association Committee of 100 (C100). She joins other association chief staff executives in advising the Chamber's board of directors and improving its outreach, lobbying, and coalition work.
Charlottesville · 2006.0512
The New York firm Pei Cobb Freed & Partners has revealed its design for the NASCAR Hall of Fame in downtown Charlotte, North Carolina. The 100,000-square-foot (9,300-square-meter) building will feature a twisted exterior evocative of a speedway. Yvonne Szeto, AIA, is lead design architect for the $150 million project, which includes a banquet hall for the adjacent Charlotte Convention Center. Groundbreaking is planned for spring 2007; completion is expected by 2010.
Willits · 2006.0511
St. Francis in the Redwoods church has broken ground for a new strawbale church in Willits, California. Architect John Cross and builder Tom Allen will work with strawbale specialist Darryl Berlin on the project. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2006.
Memphis · 2006.0510
Two Memphis, Tennessee, architecture firms are merging. The two principals of Williamson Pounders Architects, James F. Williamson and Louis R. Pounders, are joining Askew Nixon Ferguson Architects. Williamson's past projects include Ballet Memphis and restoration of the Orpheum Theater and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Pounders's portfolio includes Tunica RiverPark, Lichterman Nature Center, and the Metropolitan Interfaith Association headquarters.
Lancaster · 2006.0509
Campus Apartments, Inc., has broken ground for a $30 million residential and retail complex at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Located on a five-acre (two-hectare) parcel, the three buildings of College Row will include 117 residential units comprising 150,000 square feet (14,000 square meters), plus a stand-alone, 17,000-square-foot (1,600-square-meter) grocery building and additional retail space. Completion is planned for fall 2007.
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