Van Alen- High Speed Rail Ideas Competition

An opportunity to discover through observation

Connecting our current major urban centers with growing areas is key to proper community integration.

Current infrastructure must be evaluated for efficient reinterpretation or revitalization as part of the HSR infrastructure. City urban and commuter systems should be considered key opportunities to limit HSR funding within city center’s, where new viaducts or tunnels will considerably affect construction estimates.

Infrastructure necessary for the continuous linear condition of the train will offer opportunities to reward wind and solar energy generation. Train corridors will offer a dual benefit by having turbines or photo voltaic panels along the spine of an already necessary structural system. Energy will become available to jurisdictions along some of the more desolate areas of the pathway or as necessary near metropolitan areas.

A key feature must be FLUIDITY.

Strawberry Frog

Strawberry Frog, the new breed of lean and mean advertising agency with stellar results came to MAD to design its expanded office space on Madison Square Park. MAD, led by firm principal Juan Matiz, brought the 90-person agency's brand to life in the expanded space with a new stair connection, highlighting the red and green color palette throughout. Using environmentally-friendly materials, and creating an office that reflects Madison Avenue's future of doing business, open space lead to a collaboration between account services and designs. Photos by Ty Cole.

Brand refresh for IACE - Italian American Committee in Education

The Italian American Committee on Education (IACE), recently updated its brand identity/logo to raise the profile of its nearly 40 year old mission for the 21st century—to educate people in the Tri-State area about the Italian language through the rich culture, arts and culinary traditions of Italy.

The redesign of the logo was spearheaded by IACE board member Sara Mosele Matiz, a native of Trento, Italy and a resident of New York for over 12 years. The MAD team applied the same vigor and methodology in revitalizing the IACE logo as with all of its branding clients.

Be éclat by MAD

We are working on an up-and-coming women's brand of collections (jewelry, accessories, and home decor) for those who have a deep appreciation of art and nature.

Boys and Girls Club Educational Center

The early childhood education center is a 6,500 SF addition to offering four new classes and new offices for the existing Community Center. The project is designed to introduce a bright and contemporary façade for the previously mundane building. Light is captured by the clearstory bands of glass and sustainable materials are found throughout. The exterior porch is an additional education space supporting the interior classrooms. Another completed by Matiz Architecture & Design.

ETSY offices in DUMBO

The pics for this full office build-out have made the rounds and we are very proud to share these Ty Cole photos! Etsy's philosophy of incorporating the hand-crafted look is in full effect! Vibrant colors, textures and patterns fill the 100 person space located on Washington Street in DUMBO.

Engel Entertainment ideas

Design for this film production company, located in the Fashion District, is ongoing as we study ways to tie concept and program for this renovation. Our design organizes offices, creative suites, edit rooms and meeting spaces that will brew creativity!

New Years Resolutions

Fall Cocktail Party!

Pictures from our Open House showcasing past, present and future work. Clients, friends, relatives and colleagues came to our studio to enjoy each other and great food and wine.

East Hampton with Roberta's colors!

The soft-opening of this new retail space on Main Street in East Hampton gives us another great reason to travel East from NYC for the summer. A contemporary beach inspired interior design offers the R. Freymann and the Roberta Roller Rabbit brands a framework of displays that capture product lines in elegant style. A sculpted wood slat ceiling, along with specifically oriented and textured surfaces combine to appeal to passers by who glance toward the completely new space. Graphics and some lighting still need to be installed, and then we'll get our best photos to share!

Neurological Center now complete!

The facades are now complete and the doctors have moved in as interior details are being finalized. The rear image above with the adjacent smaller townhouse on the left is indicative of the unaltered building's scale prior to the additional 3,000+ sf addition. Exteriors were shot by Ty Cole, as we review the builder's work on the completed six story project.

StrawberryFrog

We're currently working on the design of this advertising firms office expansion located on the top floors of a building facing Madison Square Park. Our design will allow StrawberryFrog to connect two floors and add 7,000 sf of creative space for this dinosaur crushing firm. Sustainable products and energy efficiency throughout this design and buildout.

Neuro clad in Copper

Now in 2010, we're getting closer to having the doctors move in! With the building now fully enclosed, busy crews from Aries Construction are working on interior finishes throughout the six stories of medical offices.

Roberta Freymann @ Lex and 70th

We just completed the design of a wonderfully intimate space for Roberta Freymann. Rusticated steel frames and perforated panels meet silks and leather. This landmark corner location was a design challenge in refined retail displays complementing the rich colors and textures of the RF lines.

It was a grand opening with more photos soon to come.

Happy New Year to all!

Pratt Entry Kiosk on Architizer

We're thrilled to share that one of our Pratt projects was selected for the ARCHITIZER home page on the site today.

Check it out at: http://www.architizer.com/en_us/projects/view/pratt-security-kiosk/1564/