PERSPECTIVES
As we wrap up 2021, Jessica Haley, RODE’s Head of Interior’s, shared the interior team’s perspective on what trends will be omnipresent in the hospitality industry in 2022. Head to HOTEL Magazine to read the full piece: https://www.hotelsmag.com/blog/escapism-in-design-fits-the-moment/.
The highly-anticipated opening of Karen Akunowicz' second Boston restaurant, Bar Volpe, is finally here! The space includes a restaurant, bar, dining lounge, back bar, and pastificio (pasta shop), all inspired by Karen's travels through Southern Italy. Venetian plaster, antique mirrors, and a warm white color palette compliment the cuisine, creating an intimate and engaging atmosphere. To read more, click here.
Photo by Alyssa Blumstein
This is not our first time designing restaurants for Karen. RODE was behind the design of her first eatery, Fox & the Knife. In contrast to Bar Volpe, RODE fused the sensibilities of an enoteca (Italian wine bar) with the punk-femme culture of its chef and all-female management through bold colors, rich textures, and intimate lighting. Since opening in 2018, Fox & the Knife has quickly become a gastronomical touchstone in hip South Boston, described as warm, welcoming, cozy, and delicious by both local articles and online reviews.
Photo courtesy of Xhulio Cooks
We are thrilled to watch Bar Volpe join its Northern Italian-inspired counterpart, Fox & the Knife, as one of South Boston's favorite restaurants. Congratulations, Karen!
This week, the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) approved the design of a building aimed at addressing East Boston's housing needs while supporting the area's local artist scene.
The mixed-use development will provide 139 residential units, 13 of which are work/live spaces reserved for artists. The building also provides 2,100+ SF of artist workspace. On the ground level, 3,200 SF of retail space will be able to accommodate a variety of potential new tenants, such as a daycare facility, local market, or restaurant.
282 Bremen Street also includes many upgrades to the public realm—pedestrian and vehicular access, streetscape design, and landscaping. In addition to improving the public right of way, sloped walkways, steps, and ramps have been integrated into the design to allow the first floor of the building increasing the building’s resiliency to future storms and sea level rise.
Meet Luke Stevenson, our newest Designer! Luke came to RODE with eight years of experience designing everything from single-family and multi-family homes, to civic and academic buildings like libraries and theatres. We checked in with Luke this week to get the scoop on his background and ambitions.
What inspired you to pursue a career in architecture? Were there any other career paths you considered along the way?
As a child, my favorite toy was LEGOS, I guess foreshadowing my future as a Designer. I never considered any other career paths and went straight into studying architecture after high school. I obtained a degree in Environmental Design from the University of Colorado, Boulder before moving to Texas and attending UT Austin for my Master of Architecture. The rest is history!
Are there particular project types, skills, or experience that you'd like to focus on as a Designer at RODE?
I am particularly interested in honing my skills and experience with construction detailing and I would love to work on religious buildings and places of worship like the Congregation Kadimah-Toras Moshe Synagogue.
What architect do you most admire and why?
Todd Williams and Billie Tsien have always been inspirations to me. Both Architects create idiosyncratic sculptural forms that make their buildings unique and impactful.
When you’re not designing amazing spaces, what do you like to do for fun?
I can usually be found woodworking, hiking, and gardening in my free time. Even when I am not at work, I enjoy activities that involve creativity and working with my hands.
You’ve studied, worked, and lived in many different places. Are there buildings that resonate with you as a designer in Colorado, Texas, or Massachusetts?
I am fortunate to have lived in each of those places because I was exposed to many different types of architecture. One particular place is the Charles Moore House in Austin, Texas. It is a great example of how architecture can be whimsical and colorful instead of anonymous and pretentious. The very modest home responds to Austin’s climate by organizing the house around a central pool covered by an arbor.
Yesterday, after four years of planning and development, our Neponset Wharf project was approved by the Boston Civic Design Commission! The multi-faceted waterfront project was presented last night by our fearless leader, Kevin Deabler, as well as members of the team from RISE Together and OJB Landscape Architecture.
The project will transform the northern end of the Port Norfolk peninsula with the development of a community wharf and boathouse, 120 residential units, office and community meeting space, and a resilient landscape of native plantings and public walking paths.
Neponset Wharf was met with praise from the commissioners in attendance, who lauded the project team for improvements made to the landscape and architecture over the course of the public process.
We are thrilled with the progress the development team has made in bringing this project to life. Neponset Wharf will create a unique seaside destination in Dorchester, bring new jobs to the area, and prioritize wetland restoration and climate resiliency. Congratulations to the team! Next stop, BPDA approval!
