January 4, 2007

Two of Michael Graves & Associates' architectural design studios - headed by Patrick Burke, AIA and Gary Lapera, AIA -- have simultaneously won worldwide competitions for mixed-use hospitality projects located in Singapore and Egypt. Founding Principal Michael Graves, FAIA commented, "All of my partners are incredibly talented and I am proud that their accomplishments are receiving such recognition. These two projects are just spectacular. Although completely different in program and context, they are both designed around lifestyle, which is at the core of our practice today."

Principal Patrick Burke, AIA and his studio are the planners and design architects for Resorts World, an extensive integrated resort on the island of Sentosa opposite the main island of Singapore, which will also feature a Universal Studios Theme Park. The S$5.2 billion project includes six hotels, with a total of 1,840 keys, a casino, a convention center with conference and meeting facilities, a multitude of theaters and entertainment facilities, a maritime museum, a marina and the largest marine animal park in the world, a world-class spa, and extensive retail stores and restaurants. One hotel, named after Michael Graves, will be designed from top to bottom by the firm's highly integrated practice in architecture, interior design, product design and graphics.

The development group, headed by Genting International partnered with Star Cruises, chose MGA to work alongside local firm DP Architects because MGA's design philosophy aligns with Genting's interest in making Sentosa an entertaining and educational experience for families and people of all ages, not just for casino-goers. MGA's design is also sensitive to the existing tropical context, integrating the architecture with the natural environment. "We created a resort that is tropical in character and sensitive to the climate through architecture that is open air and also offers cover from the elements," said Patrick Burke. "In every way - from the activities to the pedestrian experience -- we thought about what we would do to make this a special place, unique to Singapore, which visitors would want to return to over and over."

On the opposite side of the world, along the Nile Corniche in downtown Cairo, Principal Gary Lapera, AIA and his studio have designed an approximately two-million-square-foot mixed-use high-rise hospitality and residential complex for Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company. The project features a five-star hotel, serviced apartments, and retail atrium that will be attractive for tourists as well as luxury residential apartments and penthouses. "We strive to take a fresh approach to each of our projects, combining contemporary character with architectural vocabulary appropriate to the context," said Gary Lapera. "This building, designed to maximize the spectacular views of the Nile, will become a landmark destination and symbol of the urban lifestyle that is emerging in the city."

November 30, 2006

Three on the Bund was chosen by Hong Kong Design Center as one of six recipients of the "Best Design from Greater China" in the prestigious 2006 Design for Asia awards program. Now in its fourth year, the Design for Asia Award is presented to companies from around the world that both have generated business success and have had a positive impact on the Asian lifestyle. Three on the Bund, designed by Michael Graves & Associates, has become one of the most talked about destinations in the world and, with its elegant international flair, has set new standards for luxury in Asia.

Opened in 2004, the project involved adaptive re-use of an early 20th century seven-story building located in Shanghai's historic Bund district. Following a meticulous restoration of the Beaux-Arts facades, the interiors were transformed into a modern, vibrant center for art, retail, dining and entertaining. In addition to the public spaces, MGA designed the interiors of several restaurants including Jean-Georges, Laris, New Heights, the music club Third Degree, and private dining rooms located in the rooftop cupola. "We established the sense of luxury through the use of custom-designed furniture and high-end natural materials, such as marble, copper and brass leaf, and silk," said Principal-in-Charge Thomas Rowe. "It was relatively rare at the time to see historic restorations of buildings of this scale, and we felt that the use of natural materials reinforced the authenticity of the original building." Added Founding Principal Michael Graves, FAIA "It was important to us to create dining experiences with lasting value and not just something of the moment. People should want to return to these special places many times over."

October 13, 2006

In the fall of 2006, St. Coletta of Greater Washington, a nonsectarian, nonprofit school dedicated to serving individuals with mental retardation and autism, relocated from Alexandria, Virginia to its new facilities designed by Michael Graves & Associates. Located at the prominent Washington, D.C. corner of 19th and Independence Streets SE, the 99,000-square foot facility serves 168 students and sponsors two adult care programs with near 50 participants. The building is designed as a series of small schools known as "houses" within a larger complex connected by a long public space called the "village green."

The design creates an architectural transition between the smaller scale residential neighborhood on the west side and the larger scale Armory and RFK Stadium along Independence Avenue. Facing the residential neighborhood are school's "houses" with brick facades and pitched roofs that relate to the color and scale of the existing residential buildings. "In addition to responding to the context, this idea of houses also supports the students' needs and desires to be perceived as members of a community," said Project Architect Robert Miller, one of MGA's Principals. "It is about accessibility in the broadest sense, from physical accessibility to the accessibility that derives from comprehension of one's surroundings, both of which are essential for the general public as well as those with special needs."

Along Independence where the context is more institutional, the building features a series of colorful iconic pavilions containing the school's offices, public spaces and a multi-purpose room shared with the community.

The project is the District of Columbia's first private/public partnership to create a special purpose charter school. St. Coletta's Executive Director Sharon Raimo said, "We believe that this unique partnership could serve as a model for other urban districts to provide care to special needs students."