Author's Posts
Cornerstone has been busy in preparation for the “Big Game” this weekend. Click below for some highlights of our work at MetLife Stadium.
Meanwhile, some local governments have addressed another issue in Sandy’s aftermath. Towns like Point Pleasant and Manasquan have loosened zoning restrictions for residential heights, allowing homeowners to comply with the federal guidelines without conflict.
H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture
Diller Scofidio & Renfro
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
SHoP
When’s the last time you heard someone say… Let’s meet for a drink at Penn Station? People say that about Grand Central all the time.
May is mental health awareness month and Cornerstone is getting involved! Receptionist for the firm, Angelina Baker, organized a team for the annual 5k NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mercer County walk. NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community for hope for all of those in need. NAMI is the foundation for hundreds of NAMI State Organizations, NAMI Affiliates and volunteer leaders who work in local communities across the country to raise awareness and provide essential and free education, advocacy and support group programs. Angelina’s team, “The Stigma Stompers” raised a total of $945 and had 12 people join her in walking to promote mental health awareness. Mercer County had over 850 people who proudly gathered to walk. Together, the Mercer county teams raised over S110,000. Mental Illness affects 1 in 4 or nearly 60 million Americans each year. Cornerstone offers endless support to anyone diagnosed with a mental illness and caretakers in the mental health care system.
Cheers erupted as the spire topped One World Trade Center on Friday morning May 10, 2013. A crane lifted the last of a 408-foot tall spire on top of the “Freedom Tower”, a capstone to an emotional 12-year effort to replace the twin towers destroyed by terrorists. The 18-piece silver spire tops out the tower at a symbolic 1,776 feet, a nod to the year America signed the Declaration of Independence. The new building is just north of the original towers, now the hallowed ground known as Ground Zero. “This really is a symbolic moment because this building really represents the resiliency of this country,” said Port Authority Vice Chair Scott Rechler. “These people, the thousands of men and women who have worked here tirelessly, really as a tribute for the people that perished on 9/11 right on this site”. The pinnacle was built with the city’s streets in mind. Its tip holds a beacon with 288 50-watt LED lights that will allow it be seen up to 50 miles away on a clear day. Once operational, the spire will serve as a world-class broadcast antenna. It also makes the building the tallest in the Western Hemisphere.
- Small businesses and non-profits may apply for grants and forgivable loans of up to $50,000. Businesses with multiple locations in New Jersey may receive more than one grant, totaling no more than $250,000.
- The entity must be considered a “small business” as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and have more than $25,000 but less than $5 million in gross operating revenues.
- Applicants must show each location sustained at least $5,000 in damages.
- Grants are eligible for working capital (operating expenses), inventory, equipment, machinery, fixtures, furnishings and construction.
- Priority will be given to applicants located in the nine most impacted counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union.
- Grants will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The grant program is part of the state’s $1.8 billion plan to spend federal Community Development Block Grant disaster assistance funds. The plan was approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the EDA approved the first initiatives of that program.
Patrick J. Fucci, Associate AIA is the Project Manager and Robert M. Longo, AIA is the Partner in charge of the project.
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Rendering of Robertet Fragrances’ Main Lobby
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I made an unexpected stop in Rye, NY today and I was lucky to stumble upon the William E. Ward House. The building is located on a large lot in a residential neighborhood on the border of New York and Connecticut.
Constructed from 1873-1875, the house was the first structure in the United States built entirely of reinforced concrete. Mr Ward, a mechanical engineer, collaborated with architect Robert Mook, to create this imposing 17 room mansion. The building is constructed entirely of Portland cement based concrete reinforced with iron beams and rods. Only the doors, window frames and trim are of wood.
A combination of Gothic Revival and French Second Empire styles, the building features a four-story octagonal tower that expresses rather than conceals the concrete. The mansion was jokingly known as “Ward’s Folly” by neighbors until its durability and character caused it to be re-dubbed “Ward’s Castle.”
The castle was later bought by “Beetle Bailey” cartoonist Mort Walker, and it was home to the Museum of Cartoon Art from 1976 to 1992. The building is currently a private residence.
I was caught without my SLR so these camera phone pictures will have to do.
Submitted by: Donna M. Miller, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP Ref: TRP
2012 marks the 25th year in practice for New Jersey’s Cornerstone Architectural Group, LLC. We are proud to share this short video celebrating our 25th anniversary, showing you some of our architectural projects and more importantly the people that make up our team. A BIG Thank You to our families, friends and clients for supporting us for the “First 25”!
After many years of need, two years of planning and 5 months of construction, the Kendall Park First Aid & Rescue Squad unveiled extensive renovations to its headquarters during a September 19, 2012 dedication ceremony. The facility, located on New Road in Kendall Park, is home to one of three first aid squads in South Brunswick. The squad has 45 volunteers and answers 1,800 calls a year, including three calls that happened during the dedication ceremony!
On the afternoon of Thursday, July 26th, Bob Barranger helped to coordinate and participated in the second annual Dairy Queen Miracle Treat day fund raiser to support The Children’s Miracle Network. More than 100 classic show cars were on display at the event held at the Diary Queen on Fisher Boulevard in Toms River, NJ. Bob and his son Bobby drove their 1967 Shelby GT 350 and 1966 Mustang GT to the event for display and were on hand to answer questions about these rare beauties.