Tag: Architecture

Sustainability: Passive House, Active Results

In the realm of sustainable architecture, PHIUS (Passive House Institute US), stands out as a beacon of energy efficiency and environmental consciousness. Sustainable Architecture Week 2024 is a good time to understand more about this program. Mary Shepard Place – Hartford, CT / Sustainability At its core, PHIUS embraces several key principles aimed at drastically […]

Harnessing the Power of Sunlight

In the realm of architectural design few elements hold as much transformative power as sunlight. Its presence in the built environment can shape our experiences within spaces, influence our mood and contribute to the overall sustainability of a structure. Amenta Emma has long embraced sunlight as a fundamental element in our design philosophy, pairing its […]

Working Towards A Sustainable Future

Amenta Emma’s Commitment to a Sustainable Design Practice The built environment bears a substantial responsibility to planetary health, contributing a staggering 42 percent of global carbon emissions and significantly influencing climate change and future landscapes. Sustainable Architecture Week 2024 provides a forum to reflect on our progress and the work we’ve done to change that […]

Hartford Business Journal Q&A With Michael Tyre

The Hartford Business Journal interviewed Michael Tyre in a Q&A about the firm’s plans for growth and new leadership. From the article written by Greg Bordonaro: Hartford-based Amenta Emma Architects last year kicked off an ambitious 10-year strategic plan, with goals that include doubling its staff size and becoming a regional design leader in New […]

Design Development with Rens Hayes IV

Founding Partner, Tony Amenta, was a recent guest on the Design Development with Rens Hayes IV podcast. In this episode, Rens and Tony explore the entrepreneurial journey of establishing and growing a successful architecture firm in changing markets. Listen or watch on YouTube, Spotify, LinkedIn, Apple or Google Podcasts.

New Building Technology: Mass Timber

3-Part Series One exciting thing about architecture is the possibilities of evolving technologies and materials. An example is Amenta Emma’s downtown Hartford project – Bushnell South. The project will replace a currently underutilized parking lot in the heart of the city with more than 200 residential units in a mix of rental and ownership models. […]

Carbon Neutrality: The Sustainable Case for Designing With Wood

The construction industry contributes approximately 40 percent of global CO2 emissions. These emissions can be broken down into operational and embodied carbon. Operational carbon is realized during a building’s operation, while embodied carbon is released before and after a building’s operation. To lower carbon emissions and meet the Architecture2030 goal that all buildings, developments, and […]

2023 Year In Review

As we anticipate the possibilities of the new year, we take a moment to share a snapshot of events and accomplishments from 2023. Read here.

Fall ’23 Teaching Firm in Residence at RWU

We are honored to join a distinguished list of Teaching Firms in Residence at RWU Cummings School of Architecture. Amenta Emma team members Eric Weyant, Jeremy Jamilkowski, and Thomas Barker will be teaching the graduate-level design studio focused on multi-family housing this fall semester, with project sites in Martha’s Vineyard and Boston. Established in 2007, the Architecture Teaching Firm […]

Senior Living: Revolution or Evolution?

The generation that influenced cultural change in the 60’s and 70’s with marches for civil rights, women’s rights, and against war, is on the cusp of another social movement. They want to age differently. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that by 2050, 22 percent of the world’s population will be over the age of […]

Animal Resource Center Breaks Ground

The Animal Resource Center for Connecticut Humane Society (CHS) in Wilton, CT broke ground on September 7. The new 13,971 GSF building will convey the organization’s goals and values, providing a professional and compassionate environment to support the adoption and treatment of animals. In attendance were Amenta Emma design team members, our collaborators, Animal Arts […]

Canaan Parish Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

A Ribbon Cutting ceremony was held for the new Canaan Parish affordable housing community in New Canaan, CT, on July 25th. In attendance was Governor Ned Lamont, local officials including First Selectman Kevin Moynihan, Scott Hobbs, chairman of the Housing Authority of New Canaan, and members of the General Assembly. Governor Lamont praised the subsidized and affordable […]

Thoughtful Design is Inclusive

A new apartment community recently opened in the affluent community of New Canaan, CT, drawing praise from residents, town leaders and state legislators. The two L-shaped buildings frame a generous green space with outdoor amenities like a multi-purpose sports court, playground, community garden and sledding hill. Inside units have large windows with commanding views, 9-foot […]

LeadingAge Annual Meeting + Expo

Senior living team members Myles Brown and Emily Knipe will be in Denver next week at the annual LeadingAge Annual Meeting + Expo.

Orange Pop! Innovation Central

Amenta Emma completes the new engineering building at Central Connecticut State University – Applied Innovation Hub.

Amenta Emma Announces Promotions

Celebrating 2022 Promotions

Amenta Emma Architects recently announced the promotion of three team members. Thomas Barker has been promoted to Associate and Pawel Honc and Nicole Owens have been promoted to Senior Associate.

Ribbon Cutting at Canaan Parish

A Ribbon Cutting ceremony was held on Tuesday, 10/26 to celebrate the opening of a rebuilt 60-unit affordable housing complex – part of the Canaan Parish redevelopment designed by Amenta Emma. Several elected and appointed officials, as well as municipal workers, were in attendance.

AMENTA EMMA WINS THREE IN AIA CT DESIGN AWARDS

Amenta Emma has been honored with three Merit awards in the 2020 AIA Connecticut Design Awards. The New Haven offices for quasi-public venture capital firm Connecticut Innovations was recognized in the Interior Architecture category. Amenta Emma’s workplace studio adapted a 1950s-era bus station into a 9,000-square-foot headquarters, encompassing offices, meeting rooms, collaborative areas and open work areas. […]

FOX 61 FEATURES AMENTA EMMA SENIOR LIVING DESIGN

Amenta Emma was recently recognized with the 2020 IIDA NE Senior Living Design Award for the Southington Care Center second floor reception area and courtyard. FOX 61 met Myles Brown, who heads Amenta Emma’s senior living studio, at the site to discuss how the design is helping residents through the pandemic. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Myles and […]

AMENTA EMMA WINS CREW CT AWARD FOR WEAVER HIGH SCHOOL

Amenta Emma Architects and talented project team won the CREW CT Best in Class: Academic award for the amazing transformation of Weaver High School in Hartford, CT. The winning projects were announced at the virtual Blue Ribbon Awards presentation held on October 1, 2020. Renovations to the 1960’s building include a new transparent façade which […]

AMENTA EMMA WINS IIDA NE AWARD FOR SOUTHINGTON CARE CENTER DESIGN

Amenta Emma Architects won the 2020 IIDA New England Senior Living Award for the firm’s design of the Southington Care Center second floor outdoor patio garden, garden room and nurses’ station. The award was announced September 16, 2020, at the IIDA New England Chapter’s virtual award presentation live from Boston. The International Interior Design Association […]

OFFICE SNAPSHOTS HIGHLIGHTS AMENTA EMMA IN RETURN-TO-WORKPLACE FEATURE

Amenta Emma’s design for the new Connecticut Innovations office at District New Haven is included in an Office Snapshots roundup of return-to-workplace solutions for the post-COVID office. Flexible glass spaces within an exposed, high-ceiling, semi-industrial environment turned out to be a better design choice than we ever could have guessed–and a big help in working […]

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF HIGHER EDUCATION PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY MICHAEL TYRE

The New England Journal of Higher Education, the publication of the New England Board of Higher Education, published a detailed article by Amenta Emma Principal Michael Tyre about how colleges and universities can express and build their brand through campus design. Michael offers a framework for thinking about long-term campus planning, as well as questions […]

HARTFORD COURANT HIGHLIGHTS HISTORY AND FUTURE OF ONE PARK

The Hartford Courant recently published a detailed article about the $65 million conversion of the West Hartford convent on Park Road into apartments. The Courant explores the history of the site and the future of the project–which will bring 292 much needed rental housing units to the city–and describes how Amenta Emma Architects created a […]

West Hartford Town Council Grants Tax Abatement for One Park Road Project

The West Hartford Town Council made a historic move – in part for the sake of history – by granting a tax stabilization agreement to the developer of Amenta Emma designed One Park Road, paving the way for the $66 million project to move forward in a manner that preserves the chapel and the grounds […]

TOPPING OFF CEREMONY MARKS PROGRESS ON CONSTRUCTION OF CCSU ENGINEERING BUILDING

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, construction of the new engineering building at Central Connecticut State University has continued on schedule toward a spring 2021 completion. KBE Building Corporation recently completed the steel framework for the project, which was designed by Amenta Emma Architects, and celebrated with a topping off ceremony. Photos by Fly on the Wall […]

Sustainable Architecture Week – Day 4: Material Transparency

Amenta Emma recognizes the impact design has on the well-being of building occupants. From the macro to the micro level, buildings play a significant role in the health of humans and the environment. Materials are the simplest building component and therefore changes in this sector can have exponential impact.

What’s the Big Idea?

As we tackle larger and more complex projects each year, the diagram remains at the core of the Amenta Emma design process.

Back to School – Lessons from the Summer Slammer

It’s mid-May, a stream of packed SUVs has departed campus, the last evidence of end-of-year festivities and commencement ceremonies is cleaned up; signs of faculty are few and far between. Queue up contractors, architects, engineers, and vendors on a three-month mission: the SUMMER SLAMMER. University of Connecticut –  Putnam Refectory It’s that intense period most […]

Ideal Healthcare Spaces Consider Staff, Too

When designing in any healthcare or senior living environment, it is important to understand not only how to best suit resident or patient needs, but those of the caretakers as well. Providing an effective and stimulating environment for both staff and residents results in happier and healthier employees and enhanced patient care. This goal played […]

Spatial Systems and Design Clarity

We’ve all been in spaces that feel right, and we’ve all been in spaces where something feels off. For those not in the architectural/design profession, it may be difficult to articulate what it is about a space that affects us positively or negatively. In design, we begin by understanding the spatial systems that are already in place. By using the existing conditions as an underlay, we can ensure that what we add to the space feels right.

Every Day a Spa Day

Bathrooms don’t have to look institutional to function well for our more senior population. Andrus on Hudson is leading the way with an update to its central bathing room that will provide residents with a luxurious environment that can accommodate the special needs of users with various levels of disability.

Small Interventions Yield Big Community Returns

Amenta Emma values involvement in Hartford-based design initiatives for temporary and long-term action. Members of our team participate in initiatives for the betterment of the communities we live in and serve. Recently, the Hartford Climate Stewardship Initiative sponsored the “Dream Green, Hartford Eco Design Competition.” I participated with a university cohort; another of my Amenta […]

Boston’s Seaport Revival

Cities have lives, spanning centuries, and evolve to accept change. Boston’s newest neighborhood is a testament to vibrant adaptive use.

Walk the Walk

Numerous clients who approach us to invigorate their office spaces are familiar with many of the popular movements that exist in office design today. Trends such as open office concepts, flexible spaces, and wellness initiatives all sound great on paper, but many are still skeptical. “Will it function for us?” Of course, we have countless success stories to share, but it means a lot when our firm can can show that we practice what we preach. It helps to reinforce our points.

The Phone Booth Is Alive and Well

While the use of strong, bold colors works well for visitors to a building or parking garage, different strategies are needed for people who work in the same place.

Five Senses

How often do we stop to think how intricately intertwined our five senses are? Probably not many of us. But as we age, our senses begin to diminish, and for those in senior care environments, the reality is acute. What can architects and designers do to help? More than you might think.

Know Your Value

Jenna McClure, AIA, LEED AP, and Debra Seay, AIA, WELL AP,  at the Aurora Foundation Breakfast. Today, we celebrate International Women’s Day. The occasion provides a perfect opportunity to take stock of our profession and personal career paths. The truth about women in architecture is not positive. While one-half of students who graduate with a degree in architecture […]

2019’s Colorful Optimism

The first harbinger of a new year is the December release of Pantone’s “Color of the Year.” The Pantone Color System, originally developed for the print industry, has come to influence most other areas of design – fashion, interior design, product branding, graphic design and more. The pick for 2019? “Living Coral.” “Just as coral […]