PERSPECTIVES

Situated right on Columbus Avenue in the South End, SRV — from The Salty Pig duo of Michael Lombardi and Kevin O’Donnell — plans to open early next week. The front of the restaurant space is floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows that open like garage doors during warmer months. A large portrait of a lion greets guests at the front, and the space divides into a bar area and dining room.

To the right, the bar area starts with a large open space inspired by traditional Venetian bacaro-style dining — diners are meant to stand and casually enjoy small plates. Beyond the open space, the marble-topped bar awaits, surrounded by leather-lined seats. Behind the bar, small circular leather stools swing out from underneath a long, multipurpose room divider that serves as a table, service stand, and divider of the room.

The dining room is an open space with varying colors of exposed brick adding character and charm. Velvet banquettes run down the center of the room, and lightbulb-stuffed vintage decanters hang from above, providing a regal feel. A spacious wooden patio is in the back, surrounded by office buildings, which give it a private feel.

In the back of the dining room, tall rustic blue doors roll on tracks to create a private dining room, or the space remains open for additional seating. An artful wine rack hangs from the back, empty now, waiting to be filled with wine from friends and family on opening night. Across from the hanging wine racks, the brick wall is lined with white hanging vases of all different sizes and shapes. Nestled inside are little green plants, providing a pop of color. A gold mirror hangs from the back wall.

Original article by Katie Chudy: Peek Inside SRV

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We uploaded new projects on the site! Check out the Forbes Street Townhouses and a high-tech concrete facility in Brooklyn, New York.

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With game-changing projects completed and underway in Boston’s developing neighborhoods including Dorchester, Roslindale, Jamaica Plain, South Boston and along the Rose Kennedy Greenway, we have released our predictions for the biggest architecture and design trends on the city’s horizon in 2016 and beyond. This year, we expect Boston professionals and residents alike to see continuing transformational trends in the development arena, including:

RISE OF THE BOSTON NEIGHBORHOODSAs the downtown center, Seaport, and South Boston fill up with mega-developments, several communities will see the ripple effects. Very transformative developments are hitting their streets. We are talking about large sites which have been vacant and neglected for years, thus their impacts will catalyze areas far beyond what a downtown development could do.

FOOD & HOUSINGIf the first trend materializes, we expect to see a wave of restaurants and grocery stores forming behind those transformed sites. Elected officials have worked hard to empower restaurant entrepreneurs with more accessible beverage licensing and these businesses need traffic (foot, bike, car), which is hopefully coming along with more housing. Supporting local is no longer a trend, it has become a paradigm shift, translating into an economic initiator and stabilizing factor to support these neighborhood developments.

ARTS & CREATIVE EXPRESSION BOILING OVERWhat was that thing painted on the Hancock? What about that net hanging over the Greenway? Understand it or not- whatever is going on has created more conversation about the best uses of our public space. It’s almost radical out there. Architects are really trying to explore this sea change.

MILLENIAL NEEDS & WANTSThey want an exciting place to work. We’ve all grown out of the world of cubicles and enclosed offices. Nobody is surprised to see new collaborative work spaces, but there will be several new concepts fusing work spaces with other uses – like art exhibition, fitness, event spaces, cafes, maker spaces. Say goodbye to dull, vanilla boxes and welcome to workplaces that get people excited to show up and are not bound by the constraints of a space, but influencing the broader urban experience.

CHANGING NONPROFIT LANDSCAPEIt seems like every non-profit needs help finding space. We mean schools, homeless shelters, rehab centers, training facilities. It’s not all rosy for a lot of kids, families, and struggling individuals. Look (or hope) for several inspiring examples to come on line exploiting the fervor associated with the food industry, through food trucks and production incubators.

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The RODE designed multi-family residence on 115 Florida Street in Dorchester was featured in the Boston Herald. Learn more about the project and our collaboration with Developer Dan Mangiacotti here.

photo by Matt Stone

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This week brought a big win Dorchester Brewing Company. The Zoning Board of Appeal approved plans allowing the company to open the 25,000-square-foot facility at 1250 Mass Ave. near the South Bay shopping center (the former site of sheet metal contractor M.A. Peacard Co.)

Plans designed by RODE Architects, along with the brewing team and its consultants continue to be in the works. The design consists of a large tasting room for the general public, brewery observation and a new grain silo which highlights the buildings new identity.

Original article can be read here.

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