studioLEMONADE

C•R•A•V•E study concept

2012-01-17T18:35:00.000-08:00

The Sleepbox at Moscow Airport: Comfy Pod for Travelers - Luxury News from Luxury Insider

2011-09-17T19:05:00.000-07:00

The Sleepbox at Moscow Airport: Comfy Pod for Travelers - Luxury News from Luxury Insider

The Sleepbox at Moscow Airport: Comfy Pod for Travelers

Date Published: 9/16/2011 11:44:30 AM
By Staff Writer

Posted in:Getaways and Experiences Real Estate & Furnishings

We all know how frustrating it is to find yourself stranded in a foreign land, lugging your luggage around while scouting for a nearby hotel. The Sleepbox, billed as the future of urban infrastructure, is a cool conceptual pod that has been installed in the Moscow Airport to fix just such a problem. Developed by Arch Group, it provides a quiet sanctuary for weary travelers who need a space to rest while waiting for their flights.

The Sleepbox at the Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow houses two beds. Here's how it works: users may rent it for as little as 30 minutes to several hours at a time. Offering all the creature comforts you need for a short rest and catnap, the Sleepbox's beds come with warm LED reading lamps. Even as you recharge your body, the unit's electrical sockets will also come in handy for juicing up your cellphones, tablets and laptops.

The folks at Arch Group plan to set up the Sleepbox anywhere it's needed: train stations, bus depots, even at shopping malls. In warmer climates like Singapore, for instance, Arch Group says the Sleepbox can even be rigged outdoors, potentially making it a restful haven for shoppers along Orchard Road.

Arch Group

You

We have Moved

2011-08-11T16:57:00.000-07:00

http://www.studiolemonade.com/studio-lemonade-blog/

CrossPropx Cyclocross Kit 2011

2011-05-19T21:44:00.000-07:00

SUPER COOL KIT 2011

Let me know if you want to order one for your active summer and Fall Sporting wear.

Taste of LEMONADE

2011-05-06T16:16:00.000-07:00

Punch Bowl Deconstruction

2011-04-21T12:20:00.001-07:00

FINALLY!!! The space is being deconstructed and the demolition work has started. I tend to like seeing the space transformed from whatever the occupant was before, to a raw shell space ready for the new life. There is plenty of history with this location and I will detail in depth in the near future as the dust settles. Most of the historic images found for the location are of the east side of the street showing the current Hornet and Mayan Theater, but we found one image of the old Millers Grocery Store that is pretty cool. We will be attempting to bring the building back to the original brick facade that a Big Lots tenant had covered with a metal skin.

Sara preparing for our last presentation in the on-site war room.

Metal recycling underway!

Farewell Jenny

2011-04-15T15:48:00.000-07:00

Super sad day for the LEMONADE STAND. Jenny Krenek is headed back to Texas to save Houston. She helped us grow legs in one of the most demanding times in the design world. Thank You and we wish you the best in your future. I will always have a place ready for you when the bugs and hair are TOO BIG and your ready for more snow :)

Dear, damned, distracting town, farewell

Alexander Pope

Always fun shopping at the design center! Joyce and I had an opportunity to visit this week and play designer in the lions den. Pretty good resources for furnishings.
Seems like we are in Documentation mode lately and Punch Bowl is making Progress towards final pricing and construction. I am extremely excited to see this concept become a reality. More to come soon.

Bye Jenny

Mentor Graphics Fun

2011-03-17T18:01:00.000-07:00

Site visit today was made fun with the iphone app Hipstamatic. Building Entry is almost complete and the punch list should be rather small with the professional quality http://www.wyattconstruction.com/ has provided. Mentor Graphics was great to work with and Magi Real Estate managed the process with a high level of professionalism. Fun project folly. Thank You to everyone that made it possible.

Spire Potted Plants

2011-03-07T10:08:00.000-08:00

Worthington Illustration Study

2011-03-06T14:23:00.000-08:00

Mentor Graphics Entry Development

2011-03-01T22:06:00.000-08:00

March 1st 2011 the Mentor entry identity is 80% complete. The glazing, sign and landscaping should ground the figure well.

Worthington Square

2011-02-18T14:05:00.000-08:00

Creative Brief

Provide a hospitality inspired destination grounded in the nostalgic qualities and characteristics of

Worthington Square’s past that have evolved into the modern place. A simplified combination of inviting outdoor street walk spaces for shopping and dinning, and indoor fashionable five star environment

for comfortably escaping into a “retail daycation.” A second home concept, beginning with the

front door carriage house portal transitioning to a great room filled with natural day lighting, inviting seats,

engaging walkways, and unexpected experiences and conversations by the grand fireplace hearth.

Create moments that are distinctive and memorable. Create moments of explorations

and the photo opportunity of a special time. The first steps onto the property are welcoming and reminiscent

of a grand home with a garden court anchored by a fire fountain, ample seating and romantic

lighting. The entries are glowing glass jewels creating transparency into the interior spaces. The entries

are inspired by greenhouse garden architecture that relax the mood and welcomes the patron. The water fountain court is alfresco simplicity, with a splash of ambient sound and reflectance with natural materials and

simple elegance. The Grand Hallways set a natural stage for retail shops that inspires window shopping

and casual circulation. Comfortable seating areas provide perfect people watching and transitional areas.

A Great Room anchors the community spaces with a grand fireplace and hearth for gathering around and watching the big game, or warming the soul with a good friend or catching up on email in a comfortable space.

The Children’s Garden is a parent’s paradise with ample opportunity for the kids to playfully explore an abstracted topiary garden full of adventure, while its comfortable seating area offers a spot for the stroller moms to congregate.

Fun Project that is just getting started:

PBS_Punch Bowl Social USA Today study

2011-02-08T06:44:00.000-08:00

Exterior Study Sketch
Plan Study
From fast food to fine dining, business is up at restaurants

Enlarge	By Kevin P. Casey, for USA TODAY

The National Restaurant Association reports same-store sales rose in September for the first time in six months.

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By Bruce Horovitz, USA TODAY

America's appetite for eating out is starting to rumble again.

Three years after the $580 billion restaurant industry saw its harshest downturn in decades, there are signals that the worst may be over for an industry that suffered as people saved by eating out less.

"The glow is off the idea that cooking is fun," says Ron Paul, president of Technomic, a research specialist. "Consumers are returning to their old habits." Restaurant business is up in all sectors — from fast-food to casual to tablecloth. The dust began to clear in the third quarter, Paul says, when overall industry same-store sales went positive, following three consecutive years of negative numbers.

Families with kids started visiting restaurants in greater numbers this summer — up 1% following a three-year decline, reports researcher NPD Group.

The National Restaurant Association reports same-store sales rose in September for the first time in six months. "It's a substantially better environment than it's been for years," says Hudson Riehle, the trade group's research chief.

It's been a slog. The industry tried everything from $5 sandwiches to $10 pizzas. The driver hasn't been deals, but the economy. With about 1 million jobs added in the private sector in the past 10 months, more folks are eating out, Riehle says. More business travel and tourism are also helping.

Some are still adjusting. Tim Hortons and Ted's Montana Grill are closing units. The parent of Charlie Brown's Steakhouse filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. But things are improving:

•Upscale. After double-digit declines in 2009, steak house Morton's posted positive same-store sales for the first three quarters of 2010. "The worst is behind us," says CEO Christopher Artinian.

•Midscale. Applebee's same-store sales rose 3.3% in the third quarter. "I'm encouraged by what I'm seeing," says Michael Archer, president. "This has been the most difficult environment I've seen in 30 years." In early 2009,Ruby Tuesday stock was down to $1 a share and same-store sales had fallen double-digits. Now, its stock is above $12 and same-store sales were up 1.3% in the most recent quarter. "There's been a change in momentum throughout the industry," says CEO Sandy Beall.

•Down-scale.Hardee's, hit hard by the recession, is seeing a lift, with same-store sales up 6.8%. "From what we're seeing," says marketing chief Brad Haley, "it looks like we're in a recovery."

Queen of Love

2011-01-24T14:43:00.000-08:00

studioLEMONADE is quite adept at meeting the needs of many a princess (see proof below). Consequently, it's no surprise that the "Queen of Love" chair was a big hit here. Imported from Italy, the "Queen of Love" arm chair is the modern and ironic revisiting of the Louis XV style. Made of polyethylene (eco-friendly) and weather resistant, this chair is perfect for indoor or outdoor use. Shown in the red passion color.

http://linvin.com

Cholon Bistro - Super Cool Sound Mitigation

2011-01-13T13:29:00.000-08:00

studioLEMONADE made an early morning trip to Denver today to install sound mitigation in the Cholon Bistro dining room before the hungry lunch crowd arrived. The unique shape of the sound absorbing panels was a perfect complement to the design aesthetic of the space. We finished just in time to enjoy some chili crab rolls and a bowl of Chinese sausage fried rice ourselves.

Punch Bowl - Social Food & Drink

2011-01-07T09:24:00.000-08:00

We've been making great strides with PBS lately. With our concept fully ironed out, we're very excited about the direction the design has taken.

Breaking Ground at Mentor Graphics

2011-01-03T15:16:00.000-08:00

Cool NAIOP article about La Palmera

2011-01-03T13:50:00.000-08:00

A MODEL FOR 21^STCENTURY MALL TRANSFORMATION

By Terri Montesi

Anything worthwhile is worth waiting for and the newly renovated La Palmera Mall is a shining example. After two years of redesign and construction, the one-million-square-foot project has emerged as a model for mall revitalization.
The journey began in the summer of 2008 when Fort Worth-based Trademark Property Company, in partnership with Institutional Mall Investors, LLC, purchased the former Padre Staples Mall and immediately began work on its transformation. Trademark took a distressed 1970s conventional mall and has literally transformed it. A new mix of tenants and amenities were added, all of which greatly improve the experience. But it was not without obstacles. Undertaking a project of this scale can be a daunting task, even for the most seasoned professional. The strategy was to involve all of the leasing, development, finance and construction teams, many with substantial mall re-positioning experience. Trademark also used some of the most creative designers in the country. This put them on the path to success in Corpus Christi and serves as a blueprint for future projects.

The Art of the Deal

As all developers know, a great project idea is nothing more than a vision unless you have financial backing. Financing the La Palmera project was a challenging year-long process, primarily due to a rapidly

deteriorating credit market. As a result, the La Palmera project required a more conservative capital structure than the usual utilization of the existing permanent loan and substantial new equity. The financing for the redevelopment was negotiated and closed in July 2008, just before the onset of the financial crisis in September 2008.

Building Key Relationships

Community and local government support for a renovation project such as La Palmera is critical and Trademark faced a couple of initial challenges: Corpus Christi is a complex, diverse community and the former Padre Staples Mall had been owned by a family with a deep emotional attachment to the mall. Also, numerous promises to upgrade the mall had been made to the community over the years, none of which came to fruition. Therefore, it was imperative that Trademark become part of the community and deliver on commitments made. Prior to Trademark’s involvement in the Padre Staples acquisition, a major national developer was planning a competing project with tremendous public support. The developer was also attempting to lure Padre Staples’ department stores with the assistance of a $40-plus million public subsidy.
Extensive research was done to understand the market and numerous meetings and presentations were also held with city officials over a nine-month period to outline Trademark’s plan for La Palmera and solicit support for the project.

In March 2008, the City of Corpus Christi passed a $19 million tax increment financing agreement to assist with the development of La Palmera, essentially allowing the retailers to decide which project should happen. In this public-private partnership, a portion of the incremental tax revenue created by the development is used to finance public improvements, which made the project economics feasible.

Part of the pledge to Corpus Christi was to stimulate the local economy and create new jobs. The mall’s new tenants, including Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, P.F. Chang’s and Ulta, have added an estimated 361 new jobs with more than 175 of those full-time, along with over 1,000 construction related jobs over the past 24 months.

“LEED” the Way

The commitment to greener building and operating practices reflects the purpose of Trademark Property Company: To be extraordinary stewards, enhance communities and enrich lives. Incorporating those principles into the design of La Palmera was crucial for the company.

The company engaged firms with LEED experience on the design team. The greatest challenge with LEED was controlling project cost and documentation. Although Trademark did spend more money on LEED consulting and fees, they did not spend more on construction costs. The majority of the LEED requirements are best practices that would have been implemented even if certification was not pursued.

Most of the existing building was integrated into the design, thereby saving tons of building materials, which would have otherwise been sent to the landfill. The building materials that could not be reused were recycled, and the general contractor was required to document where scrap materials were sent. As a result of careful planning, La Palmera was pre-certified LEED-Silver Core and Shell by the U.S. Green Building Council, resulting in a reduction of the mall’s impact on the environment and higher indoor air quality. “While some sustainable strategies have additional upfront costs, sustainable design is generally within reach for most projects at little or no additional cost,” said Michael Murray of Beck Architecture. Trademark is actively working to implement similar efforts in their entire portfolio and is proud to lead the way for this type of redevelopment.
Construction and Keeping Everyone Happy

For 18 months the mall underwent major demolition and construction, all the while remaining open for business. For the onsite operations team, the biggest challenge was to manage expectations of shoppers, tenants and employees during the process. Timely and accurate communication was critical to all parties to ensure that the process went as smoothly as possible.

Graphics of the new mall were used extensively throughout the property as the process moved forward. The onsite team also utilized e-mail lists, electronic newsletters and Facebook to disseminate information. A public relations plan built good relationships with local media and kept them apprised of the progress.

Major highlights of the renovation and amenities include:

• A new outdoor main entrance featuring specialty shops, dining and a valet drop-off

• An ocean-themed Undersea Adventure children’s play area

• A new 600-seat La Palmera Cafes food court, featuring a 4,500-gallon aquarium
• 800-square-foot community room and new mall offices

• Free Wi-Fi in the food and center court areas

• Dozens of new skylights and clerestory windows, allowing more natural light

• New furnishings in the common areas, stone on floors, columns and walls, and all new landscaping

• Coffee Beanery coffee bar and 20-foot-diameter fountain in the center court

• Expanded Concierge located in the new West Court

• Two sets of new restrooms in the food court and near the children’s play area

Selling the Vision

It is easier sometimes to sell the vision of a new center without a history. The old mall lacked credibility with retailers because so little had been reinvested in the property over the years. Therefore, the biggest challenge for Trademark’s leasing team was getting existing and potential tenants to understand the vision for the planned transformation. To help “sell” the project to the tenants and customers, Trademark opened a preview center in the mall so that shoppers could see renderings depicting the new La Palmera. It was also the site for monthly tenant meetings, where attendees would sit on furniture designed for the common areas and food court. It was a helpful tool to communicate the vision and leasing strategy.

The efforts paid off. Since Trademark and partner IMI acquired the mall in July 2008, 25 new leases have been signed totaling 68,163 square feet as well as 28 renewals and relocations totaling 50,902 square feet, for a total of 119,065 square feet. New tenants include: Coach, Francesca’s Collections, Ulta, Charming Charlie, Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop and Vans. P.F. Chang’s and Grimaldi’s Pizzeria provide new sit-down dining in addition to an eight-unit food court which contains Subway, Stir Fry 88 and Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen. La Palmera also features new kiosk locations and updated retail merchandise carts throughout the mall. Management brought in a merchandise stylist to work with the individual cart locations and operators.

Promises Made, Promises Kept

The $50 million renovation is one of only a handful of recent major mall redevelopments in the country. Trademark maintained their commitment to the project, even when economic events would seemingly dictate otherwise. There’s virtually nothing being built right now, which helped La Palmera garner national attention. This project is an example of one that was needed and has a pulse on the community.

Trademark will capitalize on their La Palmera success as they work to revitalize other mall properties, including one in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which was recently acquired in partnership with a private equity firm. “We have been able to create an environment that is more than a mall: it is a leisure destination, said Grady Huff, formerly of CommArts, the design firm for La Palmera. You can shop, but you can also just come for a night out, meet a friend for coffee, bring the kids to play or take advantage of the many programs and events that we are providing for the community.” Trademark’s vision has come to life and La Palmera is well on its way to becoming a destination unparalleled in the region.

https://www.naiop.org/index.cfm

Happy New Year 2011

2011-01-02T21:17:00.000-08:00

STUDIOCOMO BOULDER OPENING

2010-12-08T19:53:00.000-08:00

Thank You STUDIOCOMO for the invitation

Sweet little shop @ 2304 Pine Street in Boulder:

STUDIOCOMO is collaborating with leading rug designer, Nicole Linton of

è bella, to create an amazing showroom experience where both designers and clients can

see how locally-designed rugs, throws and pillows blend seamlessly with the modern furniture and lighting of exclusive European brands such as B&B Italia, Bocci, Cassina, De La Espada, Fontana Arte, Foscarini, Poliform and Tom Dixon.

5280 Best New Restaurants_ChoLon

2010-11-27T19:01:00.001-08:00

We made the cover? Holy....Although there is not a mention of the client or the design team it is still absolutely awesome to see Lon and the restaurant being welcomed to Denver. StudioLEMONADE looks forward to Denver becoming the best Foodie Town in the country and congratulations all those who worked endless hours making it real. Also way to go Denver. What a great place to eat, entertain and live.

ChoLon Modern Asian Bistro

It was big news when New York chef Lon Symensma announced he was leaving the Big Apple to open his first signature restaurant in Denver. And yet, some foodies remained hesitant—concerned that Symensma was coming to town to educate local diners on the finer points of Southeast Asian cuisine. Truth is, Denver diners do not appreciate being told what to eat. But then ChoLon opened, and misgivings fell by the wayside. Within the beautiful, modern space there’s nary a New York attitude. Instead, there’s a generosity and accessibility that extends from the service to the menu. When trying a new dish—take the kaya toast with coconut jam and soft egg that’s wildly popular in Southeast Asia—there’s an immediate connection and a sense of fluency. Likewise with the soup dumplings: Even if you’ve never had them before, after one bite you immediately understand this is comfort food. This is, in fact, our favorite way to experience ChoLon—through the small bites menu (available from 11 a.m.), which will delight, surprise, and satisfy you with each dish.

Where To Sit: At the chef’s counter for a birds-eye view into the kitchen.

What To Order: Kaya toast with coconut jam and soft egg, soup dumplings, green papaya salad with tamarind sorbet, stir-fried Brussels sprouts with ground pork and mint. 1555 Blake St., Suite 101, 303-353-5223, cholon.com

BY: AMANDA M. FAISON

Lounge Lizards Rejoice!

2010-11-22T11:51:00.000-08:00

Great article in the Denver Post:

Restaurant bars aren't always a fun place to hang out.

The bar is usually a cramped purgatory for unlucky latecomers and the unwashed masses who forgot to make a reservation. There's nowhere to sit, people are constantly jockeying for position, and everyone is hungry, waiting for the golden moment when their name gets called or their glowing beeper-thing starts vibrating and shrieking.

It is not relaxing, to say the least.

The bar at ChoLon(1555 Blake St.), however, is a rare treat. Sedate and spacious, it's a hangout in its own right.

The space issue is what helps make the bar — more of a lounge, really — such a pleasure. Instead of packing the waiting hordes into a corner and serving alcohol as an antipsychotic, the Asian bistro's bar is practically its own entity.

It's separated from the dining area by a wide entry hall and set a couple steps below the main level. A large, L-shaped banquette sits to one side, with windows on Blake Street as the backdrop. Little square stools are scattered about and small logs serve as tables.

The decor is sparse. Two large photos of humble, workaday Asian scenes adorn one wall. Small plants sprout in the corners, modest statues perch here and there. It's all very feng shui.

Booze-wise, ChoLon doesn't disappoint. Unless you like cheap domestic beer. Many of the bottled beers are Asian — Tsingtao, Saigon — and the tap list is extremely short. There are two choices, to be exact: On a recent visit, Oskar Blues' Mama's Little Yella Pils and Odell Isolation Ale were on draft at $6 a pop.

The cocktail list is tempting, too. Try the "Zen Master" and blend in with the scenery. Served in a stout, martini-like glass, the Zen Master is a potent blend of Hendricks gin, sake, mint and cucumber. It's very refreshing, but don't push the Master too far, or you'll suffer the consequences.

Of course, the list of appetizers and small plates call out to hungry stomachs. All of them sound good, but give the curried duck egg rolls a try — they come with a scrumptious cilantro yogurt sauce for dipping. The soup dumplings are also a good choice, especially on cold nights. They're filled with French onion soup and gruyere cheese, and the texture is exquisite.

Here's the thing that makes the ChoLon bar go from pleasant to delightful: Remember the little stools by the banquettes? The stools' cushions flip over to create small tables. When you order food, or more friends join the party, you can simply grab an empty stool, flip over the cushion, and there's plenty of room for plates and drinks. Genius.

Yes, it's a small convenience, but it's the little things that count. In the sometimes-hectic environs of a restaurant bar, a genuinely nice touch goes a long way. And ChoLon has a lot of nice touches.

Read more:Clubs: ChoLon raises the bar on comfort for lounge-lizarding in restaurants - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_16641266#ixzz162h9tAIP
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse

Portland OR Textures

2010-11-13T11:26:00.000-08:00

2 days 46 hours 18 restaurants 12 bars 3 night clubs 1 strip club 1 movie theater 6 coffee houses 1 antique hardware store 3 bookstores 1 apple store 4 clothing stores 2 airports 1 train 6 buses 1 cab 1 bicycle 5 parks and 3000 photos: Portland is a COOL town

Punch Bowl - Social Food & Drink

2010-11-10T09:35:00.000-08:00

Develop a restaurant bar bowling lounge concept

Victorian NY Warehouse

create an aged, warm, refined, refurbished elegant (in sections) environment.

grand hotel / lodge - lobby / hall that's been remodeled 3 or more times over the years with layers of each decade exposed.

Build a simple, sustainable and comfortable lunch and dinner restaurant with various seating arrangements in a unique atmosphere.

Provide a PLACE

The EU... The Ace Hotel in Portland... The idea here is to create an aged, warm, refined, refurbished elegant (in sections) environment.

grand hotel / lodge - lobby / hall that's been remodeled 3 or more times over the years with layers of each decade exposed.

Some finish examples: concrete floors, some aged mosaic tile, some terrazzo, perhaps wooden planking and we'll use areas of the existing crappy looking flooring that's in there now.. Wall and furniture materials may have refined finished woods, red brick masonry, cinder block (if any exists already in the building) and some may have rustic plank wood. A combination of modern light fixtures and older used gooseneck canopies, etc., will be applied. Wherever possible under the current drywall we hope to find red brick masonry for added warmth and aging. The more scars we find the better.

Everything blends together rather than have complete themes in sections.

Layers is one of our key words - layers of time and materials, heavy action and reaction, upgrades and band-aids, styles and craftsmanship, layers of economy and social currents viewed through today's kaleidoscope.

materials and era landed firmer within the Victorian NY Warehouse category as our basis.

Create a concept that will instill a sense of community and connectivity. This one has to be in…Vaudeville Bowling... Furnishings in Bohemian Style Decorating

PunchBowl Charrette_2

2010-10-31T17:44:00.001-07:00

Notes to self: Working on the story and narrative and developing the identity has to be one of the best moments of the design process. This type of idea and development will be combination of gorilla design marketing and a collection of other well developed projects with similarities. (Quantifying and quoting them in the near future and extracting the people place aspects) Space planning started with the program and is being massaged by the ideas and opportunities of the site and demographic location. The Baker neighbor is a very cool collection of people with an urban appeal. Not overly gentrified and walkable. Broadway and 1st is heavily dependent on the automobile and bus transportation as an artery to I-25, but when you move one block off the center the residential mixed use neighborhood is 40 decibels quieter even at the peak of traffic noise. TBD-later... I'm headed to the Hornet to get a beer and watch the Rangers and Giants!

Broadway_Baker Bowling

2010-10-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

Check out the article in The Business Journals.

Developer pins hopes on SoBo bowling, diner

Published: October 28, 2010

Restaurant developer Robert Thompson hopes to strike it big with his latest concept the Punch Bowl bowling alley and diner in Denvers Baker neighborhood.

Thompson recently signed a 25-year lease for the 23,700-square-foot former Big Lots store at South Broadway and West First Avenue, which he plans to convert to Punch Bowl.

The restaurateur expects to start construction on the new dining spot in early 2011, and open it next August. He plans to employ 70 people there.

If Punch Bowl takes off in Denver, Thompson wants to expand it to other parts of the country.

This is a national concept, said Thompson, president and CEO of Denver-based Seasoned Development LLC. If it does well here, it could go national.

Thompson said it will cost about $2.5 million to convert the former discount store to an eight-lane bowling alley and diner with lounge and bar. Thompson is raising capital, all equity, through an investor syndicate consisting of high-net-worth individuals and others.

Miles Cortez III of Aventine Capital Partners LLC, a real estate advisory firm with offices in Denver and Dallas, is advising Thompson on the projects capital structure and development. Cortez recently spent 18 months as in-house adviser to Aventine client Apartment Investment and Management Co. (NYSE: AIV) of Denver, one of the countrys largest owners of apartment properties.

This is a proven concept thats been developed successfully around the country, Cortez said. Denver is a great market for this concept, and the Baker district location is perfect.

Thompsons only operating Denver property is the Argyll GastroPub in the Cherry Creek North neighborhood. The restaurateur previously developed and owned metro-area restaurants such as Brasserie Rouge and B-52 Billiards, and Atomic Cowboy.

Punch Bowls design style will be updated Bohemian meets 1960s mid-century modern, with an eclectic decor featuring rich colors, according to Thompson. He designed the property, along with architect Shane Mettler of Legacy Partners CDS Inc. and StudioLEMONADE, to attract a family crowd from the neighborhood early in the day and the hyper hip set after 9 p.m., he said.

Thompson wants Punch Bowl to be open 24 hours, but getting a liquor license may hinge on having shorter operating hours, he said. If the property stays open all day, he plans to call the diner Baker24; if not, hell come up with a different name.

If Punch Bowl ends up with shorter hours, theyll likely be 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. for the diner, and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. for the bowling alley.

The diner menu will feature items made from fresh, seasonal ingredients, Thompson said.

Planned breakfast items, priced at about $8 to $15, will include egg dishes such as a lobster-and-Swiss-cheese omelette; flapjacks; and banana bread French toast. Lunch and dinner offerings, costing $5 to $19, will include sandwiches, salads and soups as well as entrees such as Colorado buffalo meatloaf and chicken-fried steak.

Thompson thinks the popularity of bowling will help propel his new venture. More than 70 million people a year go bowling in this country, according to the U.S. Bowling Congress membership group of Arlington, Texas.

Punch Bowls bowling alley will cater to recreational bowlers, not serious league competitors. Prices for bowling havent been set yet.

Well be somewhere between Monaco Lanes and Lucky Strike not as expensive as Lucky Strike, but more expensive than Monaco Lanes, Thompson said.

Article is by American City Business Journals Inc.

mydesignfix.com

2010-10-24T21:09:00.000-07:00

http://mydesignfix.com/ Great blog chalked full of fabulous finds.

Here comes the 60's

Michelle Torrez-Saks Galleries-Skin

2010-10-15T10:27:00.000-07:00

I received an invitation to see Michelle Torrez's work in the mail recently and had to post. I was instantly draw to her style and fluidity and look forward to seeing the pieces in person. The exhibit opens today oct 15th and runs through November 16th in the SAKS gallery.

Quick Ideation on Big Lots

2010-10-11T16:02:00.000-07:00

Big Lots on Broadway to become a big bowling alley and 24/7

diner, courtesy of Argyll's Robert Thompson

ChoLon Restaurant ready to open October 5th 2010

2010-10-01T08:07:00.001-07:00

The ChoLon Bistro Restaurant is finally ready to open their front door for business on October 5th. Taking less than nine months from idea to completion, this has been one of the best design projects with which I have been involved. Working with the Owner, Chef, Contractors, AOR, Lighting, Kitchen Equipment, Furniture, City of Denver, and many others has been great. Now the test will be ChoLon's reception by Denver and the design community.

I recommend starting with a Lady CamVan, (Kaya Toast, Coconut Jam, Soft Egg) then move onto a Tamarind Glazed Lamb Shank, Spiced Peanuts, Asian Pear plate and complete everything with Toasted Marshmallow
Crème Moulée ............ Yummmmm ....Cheers to the Team and a Job well Done.

Good Luck Chef Lon and Flow Restaurants.

Exclusive Eats: Dress Rehearsal at ChoLon Modern Asian Bistro STACEY BRUGEMAN

Slate Plates

2010-09-29T07:39:00.001-07:00

My seven year old documented the production of 50 slate plates. Handcrafted always makes for better than store bought from china and adds the story telling component. Although mined in Brazil and shipped to the US it feels crafted and integrated into the project lending for a beautiful connection. It was also fun to work on and gratifying to get my hands dirty.

Cholon Furniture is installed

2010-09-19T18:57:00.001-07:00

http://www.livedowntowndenver.com/LDDBlog/?p=1858

Worthington Square Retail Concept Study

2010-09-11T08:52:00.000-07:00

doghaus

2010-09-11T08:29:00.000-07:00

Over the labor day weekend studioLEMONADE was winterizing the facilities and needed to add on a dog house in preparation for the cold winter days ahead. Using scrap lumber from a construction site and left over materials from the window trim the only purchase was insulation and the dog door. Fun little design and construction project.

chocolove pot o gold

2010-09-11T07:51:00.000-07:00

Pretty cool image of the new chocolove building under a rainbow Tim sent this week.

There new address is:

1880 S 57th Court

Boulder, CO 80301

Cholon Material Recycling

2010-09-06T20:03:00.001-07:00

Trying to be good stewards to the environment and keep as much packing materials out of the Landfill the studioLEMONADE team is packing the truck full of styrofoam from the restroom mirrors that came from Brocade Home and Chandeliers from Horchow and recycling with Ecocycle.

#6 White Block Foam Packaging
• #6 White Block Foam Packaging and Rigid Foam Insulation only
• Businesses: $6 per cubic yard
• NO packing peanuts, "Styrofoam"
cups or “to-go” boxes, moisture or tape

Chocolove Soft Opening

2010-09-06T19:57:00.001-07:00

I was really hoping to have more images of the soft opening last Saturday, but last week was impossible to catch up and get over to the project and photograph the final project. I will this week and get the design posted. Great group of folks over at Chocolove and I hope they like the new building and day lit spaces.

jetsongreen.com WattStation

2010-08-29T20:41:00.001-07:00

Super Cool

Jetsongreen

GE WattStation

Building Numbers

2010-08-29T19:58:00.000-07:00

Westonletters are awesome. Very easy to buy and install. Nuetra continues to have a huge influence on graphics and design here in the studio. Wesnic is glueing up the huge family style tables for ChoLon. Mentor Graphics Exterior Design is making Progress and we had a funny moment at the Griffis Group Charity Grand Prix event worth posting.

Sculpting

2010-08-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

What a busy weekend for the Lemonade Stand. Starting with a few touch ups to the Spire Dog Park with a Paw Path and new Hose for washing down Fido when needed. Patrick Gerace put together a modified Paint Stamp to create a path to and from the park in order to delineate and caution drivers and pets as the cross paths. Then the sculpting fun began when I was finally able to get my hands on a skid steer and work on building a bicycle track in the, "Back 40" as Jenny says as well as the Fire pit. Images in the future when it is complete. Also attended a charity event GRIFFIS GROUP Show Jumping Invitational Charity Event August 21st, 2010 and was blown away by the quality of event that the put on. Impressive to see the horses and to meet the Griffis Group and relax and enjoy a spectacular place and moment in time.

Cholon Drapery

2010-08-18T07:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we headed out to Arvada to see Yolanda at Fabrications Unlimited, who is creating the custom drapery for Cholon. Her shop is full of beautiful fabrics, all in the process of being transformed into some awesome window treatments. We can't wait to see the finished product!

Dog Paws, Study Models, OAC's and Sketches

2010-08-13T19:37:00.000-07:00

Even in the toughest years of design and architecture I have ever seen and probably will ever see there is room for creativity. Problem solving is creative thinking and I hope we can find a way to be more sustainable as the economy creeps out of the meltdown. This week was incredible.

Read a great article/ interview that struck a cord about how the design world and people evolve,

Meet the Minds Behind Restaurant Design - Lisa Pope-Westerman, Lisa Pope nails a few great points and perspectives. Worth a ten minute read.

Ok off to hang with the kids in the mountains and breath some fresh air.

Cholcolove Facade Study

2010-08-10T19:43:00.001-07:00

Performance Woodworking Sedita MFG

2010-08-09T19:01:00.000-07:00

ChoLon restaurant banquette shop review

local resources for craftsmanship

performance woodworking colorado

sedita MFG colorado

hospitalitydesign cholon PR

2010-08-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

ChoLon Bistro, the inaugural modern Asian restaurant by executive chef Lon Symensma, will open in downtown Denver early October in the SugarCube building. ChoLon is the first restaurant from Flow Restaurant Group, founded by Symensma and his partners, Alicia Pokoik Deters and Jim Deters. ChoLon, which translates to "big market," is named after the largest Chinese-influenced market in Saigon, Vietnam. Symensma, formerly of Buddakan and Spice Market in New York City, will showcase his passion for Asian ingredients and French cooking techniques in a striking and eco-friendly environment designed by Studio Lemonade. The venue features a bar and lounge and is an ideal setting for business meetings and presentations, thanks to a large projection screen in the lounge area. hospitalitydesign

All MIXED up in details

2010-07-30T13:51:00.000-07:00

chocolove.com

cholon.com

spiredenver.com

My week sum'd up in a video

2010-07-30T12:14:00.000-07:00

Radiohead Live - 2+2=5 (Prague DVD)

501 As Built

2010-07-25T20:31:00.000-07:00

501

Design Objectives:

• Harmonize forms

• Create One Design Vocabulary

• Use Sustainable Materials

• Organize Sequences

• Open Indoor Outdoor Space

Drawings, finishes and materialization of the this collection of abstract forms has started with client consultation and ideation. History and references of the existing vocabulary are reminiscent of the cat5 overlaid on power lines running in all directions. The House is an original 50's bungalow that had an addition and remodel sometime in 2003. The first remodel has a few odd mixes of Michael Graves Post Modernism type forms with the original Bungalow Dormers and curved entry roof and adjacent to the garage stands a two story agroagarian form that bisects the building into two halves. In the next few days we will be developing the new direction that has a similar look and feel of the local 300 house shown and more simple roof lines and spacial organizations taken from the Mid century modern and Richard Neutra type visual forms. Sustainability is a drumbeat of studioLEMOANDE and we will be creative in the attempts to implement responsible construction.

Mathew Pokoik_ChoLon

2010-07-20T15:28:00.001-07:00

Mathew Pokoik put together an attractive collection of photography inspired by the ChoLon Restaurant travels. We are now poised to add drama with a splash of visual taste to the interiorscape. From my design perspective the photography really invokes the senses and captures moments and places that taste great with daydreaming.

ChoLon interior illustrations

2010-07-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

Hot Chocolove

2010-07-16T15:54:00.000-07:00

It was 100 degrees in colorado today.

We are nearing the completion of Chocolove's new factory headquarters and the constructions is moving at a blistering pace. Although from an owner and designer perspective it feels more like a crawl due to this new world we live in where everything is perceived to be instant. Thanks iworld / Steve Jobs. Now the paint by numbers feel of materials to raw canvas are being placed in order. Monday the plywood veil will be removed from the entry and the light will finally start to shine on the new portal entry. For a project that is not trying to achieve LEED certification the owner has a very sustainable approach to the interior remodel. The restoration of materials, doors, hardware, toilet partitions, mechanical systems, combined with locally sourced materials, a classic approach to furniture, tank/reception desks and recycled debris from the construction it will have all the qualities of a certified type construction methodology. Here is looking forward to moving this project to completion.

choLon framing

2010-07-08T21:42:00.001-07:00

The skeleton and infrastructure for choLon is now three weeks into the construction schedule and beginning to take form. There is absolutely something beautiful about the process and nature of the construction trades coming together. Inward Charles is general contracting the project and moving at a blistering pace to meet the demanding schedule.

Paint Colors ktcolorusa

2010-07-08T19:36:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Timothy of Chocolove introducing studioLEMONADE to Kt.Color we now have a favorite paint selection to add to the design toolbox. Spoke with Aronson's out of NYC today and have a few fan decks headed to the studio. The color selections are inspirational and are based Le corbusier's LC series.

Handmade by Swiss specialty paint manufacturer

kt.COLOR, these exceptionally hued and beautifully textured

paints expand upon the discerningly curated range of floor

coverings Aronson’s offers to architects and designers.

At core of the 106-color kt.COLOR collection are two palettes

chosen by Le Corbusier for their spatial and physiological effects.

The LC 32 series consists of forty-three pastel hues from the

monochrome 1930s Salubra wallpaper collection, which he used

against the white background of the purist architecture of the time.

The twenty powerful colors of the LC 43 series, introduced in the

1950s, provide dramatic contrasts against natural materials such

as lime plaster, raw concrete and wood.

kt.COLOR founder and chemist Katrin Trautwein, inspired by

her work with artist pigments and wishing to offer architects a

palette of colors as rich as those available to artists, licensed the

exclusive rights to manufacture the original Le Corbusier colors

from Fondation Le Corbusier in 1999. Working with samples

from the Salubra archives, Trautwein re-created the shades

from the same pure mineral pigments used by Le Corbusier in

contemporary, environmentally safe binders and first offered them

in Europe in 2000. kt.COLOR has since added other histo

rically

important colors, such as Yves Klein’s Ultramarine Blue, and

developed new colors, including a stunning array of subtle

variations on white.

The extraordinary vividness and depth of color found in kt.COLOR

paints is the result of combining more than 100 vibrant and

sometimes rare pigments traditionally used by artists, without

the usual addition of black. By comparison, the commercial paint

industry uses just fourteen industrial pigments to create all colors.

About kt.COLOR

kt.COLOR, located in the foothills of the Swiss Alps near Z

ürich,

is a highly specialized manufacturer of fine paints for interior

use. The company combines pure mineral pigments in modern,

environmentally safe binders, to create a range of 106 beautiful

Aronson’s Introduces Le Corbusier Architectural Paint Palettes

from Swiss Manufacturer kt.COLOR to the US

colors, including the sixty-three that comprise Le Corbusier’s

LC 32 and LC 43 series. kt.COLOR also offers custo

m color

consulting to create or match colors outside the collection.

Founder Katrin Trautwein holds a PhD in chemistry and has 20

years of experience formulating high-quality paints.

About Polychromie Le Corbusier

Le Corbusier’s sophisticated color theories, outlined in his

Polychromie Architecturale writings, were influenced by his

experiences as both an artist and an architect. The color

palettes he selected for Salubra were systematize

d in chromatic

‘keyboards’ with accompanying cut-out cards to isolate color

combinations. The LC 32 series are organized into groups based

on mood, from which a smaller palette of three to five harmonious

colors can be selected. The stronger colors of the LC 43 series

appear on one page, with color proximity a

nd the cut-out cards

enabling selection of two to three vividly contrasting colors. A threevolume

set of Le Corbusier’s writings and color selections, edited

by Arthur Rüegg, was published in 1997 and updated in 2005.

About Aronson’s

Aronson’s is a niche leader in the floor covering arena with

a history and presence in New York City for more than140

years. Having transformed over the last decade into a boutique

architecture-and-design-focused enterprise, Aronson’s works

closely with architects and interior designe

rs as well as with

manufacturers and artisan fabricators to provide custom

design solutions for retail, commercial and residential projects.

Aronson’s floor covering collections feature natural fiber

and rapidly renewable materials, reflecting a commitment to

sustainable and environmentally friendly products. Owner Carol

Swedlow is a licensed architect, member of the USGBC

and

is working to complete LEED certification. She has helped to

change the conversation about design materials, artisanship and

sustainability in the field through her relationships with architects

and designers, her work with artisan materials fabricators around

the world, and her workshop series on the subject for architects

and designers.

Shocking Denver

2010-07-06T22:16:00.000-07:00

I stopped to ponder how modern are we really? How sustainable are we? Sugarcube is a great addition to the denver fabric and serves as a backdrop to this collection of watts per square foot calculus equation.

CROSS PROPZ cycling Kit Study

2010-07-01T14:17:00.000-07:00

Pretty simple design, but effective in getting the message across. I like the cool Cross Propz design which fits in the pouch for sessions in the park.

BGBG Flatirons Bank

2010-06-30T15:04:00.001-07:00

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™ is the national benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance sustainable buildings. Flatirons Bank, Boulder County's only locally owned, locally managed community bank, earned LEED® for Commercial Interiors (CI) Gold certification. It is the first bank in Boulder County to earn the honor.

The Bank was also able to meet and exceed the City of Boulder requirements for higher Energy Efficiency (Ordinance 7620) only weeks after it went into effect in March of 2009.

The entire team worked to make this project possible including the Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, Interior Design, LEED Consultant, Owner and Contractor. The process would not have moved forward smoothly without the commitment of all parties right from the start.

The interior of the bank is a distinct mix of efficiency and design; from the recycled currency countertop to the dual-flushing toilets. It is a truly unique space and we believe there is a great deal to see and learn from the design and construction of it.

Chocolove with a view!

2010-06-28T08:56:00.000-07:00

Finally the glass is on site and going into place as designed. This is a sneak peek @ the construction as it is moving forward. Portal should be significantly completed this week and interior is close to having the drywall in place.

VIC’S ESPRESSO CRITERIUM 2010_Poster

2010-06-23T21:55:00.001-07:00

VIC’S ESPRESSO CRITERIUM 2010

in the heart of downtown

Prospect

New Town

Longmont

Colorado
COLORADO MASTERS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Directions:
Denver: Hwy 25 North. Left on CO-52 (Exit 235). Right onto US-287. Left onto Tenacity Dr. Follow signs to parking one block.

Fort Collins: Hwy 25 South. Right onto CO-119 W (Exit 240). Left onto S Main St/ US-287. Right onto Tenacity Dr. Follow signs to parking one block.

Boulder: CO-119 N/Diagonal Hwy into Longmont. Right onto S Hover St/ 95th St. Left onto Pike Rd. Right onto Kristy Ct and follow signs to parking.
QUICK STATS

RACE DAY: JULY 17, 2010

• OSKAR BLUES Beer Tent

• $10,000 in prizes

• Premium Podium Models

• Free Spaghetti Dinner For Racers

• Hot Lap wins Peerless Tires

• Vendor Row

• Live Music

• Kid Park (Climbing Wall & Bouncy Castle)

• Face Painting

MOGO returns

2010-06-18T14:46:00.001-07:00

Dale's HD Inspirations_Great Blog

2010-06-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

http://www.hdinspirations.com/

choLon Construction Graphics

2010-06-09T22:59:00.000-07:00

ChoLon is the largest Chinese market in Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and literally translates to “big market”. The ChoLon Modern Asian Bistro will be a culmination of Chinese, Vietnamese, and French influences that inspire Executive Chef Lon Symensma's cuisine.

Super Cool Furniture

2010-06-04T21:38:00.000-07:00

This has to be one of the coolest finds in my short career. Timothy Moley of Chocolove Sent me a connection of his today for nostalgic furniture from Knoll to Gunlock, George Nelson and just about every other 20th century industrial manufacturing generation designer under the sun. I typically spend most of my waking design hours filtering through modern furniture design and sometimes forget the roots of great design and sustainability, (Reuse) create spectacular interiors. Granted the materials and textures have a dusty feel to the images, I can envision a great retro interior feathered with todays modern simplicity. Past Present and Future's Steve Mogol was a very enthusiastic connection that I look forward to working with on Chocolove.

Chocolove Boulder Construction Begins

2010-05-28T13:54:00.000-07:00

WaterGarden Circle Illustration

2010-05-28T08:48:00.000-07:00

La Palmera Web Shots

2010-05-24T07:11:00.000-07:00

http://www.lapalmera.com/

http://www.trademarkproperty.com/

ChoLon Materials

2010-05-22T13:14:00.000-07:00

Looks like choLon will finally begin to become a reality. Permitting, design and architecture are all wrapping up the documents and now the contractor will start the construction in the next couple of weeks. Simple, Sustainable and Elegant with a distinct fusion of subtle natural hard surface mixed with the Fleur-de-lis patterns will mix together to create the distinction in place. The Kitchen is basic white subway tile with an accent of the blue button to contrast the coats of the chef and line cooks. Restrooms are inspired by the french design found in the areas settled or occupied around the globe similar to vietnam. Behind the Lounge Bar the pattern is silkscreened onto a 18x 24 tile accented by walnut shelving and a hint of 3m poured glass creates a screen window into the corridor behind the bar...Create a sense of mystery and free animation. The Bars are thick walnut with an linseed oil rub to achieve a contrast in the more refined elements of the interior and take advantage of the local resources of walnut that occupied cherry creek. Floors are Travertine to create warmth and an upscale contrast to the walnut tables and chairs. Patterns in the fabrics are boutique in nature and add movement and color to the interior.

http://www.facebook.com/ChoLonBistro

http://www.cholon.com/

Water Garden Circle Site Study

2010-05-07T21:45:00.000-07:00

501 Forest site plan study

2010-05-05T21:58:00.001-07:00

• Indoor outdoor

• Axial

• Connection Comfort

• Focal

• Spa Resort

• Garden

• Shadow Play

• Retreat

• Local Stones

• Organic Landscaping

• Refreshing

ChoLon Restaurant Illustration Development_Denver

2010-05-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

Hanoi

Considered the cultural center and former capital of North Vietnam, Hanoi’s French influence shows in the charming tree-lined streets, lakes throughout the city, and abundant French colonial architecture, seen in buildings like the Opera House and the Presidential Palace. Romantic Hoan Kiem Lake is home to a variety of picturesque temples and bridges.

Two important landmarks are the Temple of Literature, the site of the country’s oldest university, and Ba Dinh Square, where communist revolutionary Ho Chi Minh ceremoniously declared Vietnam’s independence in 1945.

Cholon Market

In 1788, a group of Chinese from Pho and My Tho Islands came to Ben Nghe River Dike and founded a market which developed into the existent ChoLon Market, offering a wide array of products. This is Vietnam’s Chinatown market. It is an attractive site for observing a very lively atmosphere.

It remains home to more than 500,000 people, many of whom are of Chinese origin. The area and its side-streets and markets provide an interesting glimpse of Sino-Vietnamese life, as the Vietnamese Chinese strive to retain their cultural traditions and language. In addition to temples, traditional apothecaries, fortune tellers and the like, some excellent Chinese food is available in ChoLon.

Develop a restaurant concept influenced by the distinct characteristics of the ChoLon market found in Vietnam’s Chinatown on the Ben Nghe Dike. The aromas, lighting, atmosphere, architecture, collection of local foods and sense of community will be brought together to create

a comfortable and inspiring dining place unique to Denver, Colorado.

Build a simple, sustainable and comfortable lunch and dinner restaurant with various seating arrangements in a unique atmosphere. This will include a central community table for all, an exclusive chef’s table with a view to the kitchen, plush banquettes, table tops for flexibility and a lounge area to entertain before, after and in between meals.

Provide a fresh and invigorating, holistic and healthy dining experience. Fresh, hand-selected local ingredients will be combined with one of the world’s most creative chefs, Lon Symensma. The interior will reflect this freshness by incorporating local materials and finishes and theatrical lighting.

Create a concept that will instill a sense of community and connectivity. The design and décor will reflect French Colonial architecture, capturing the romantic and inquisitive imaginations of the patrons. This setting will abstractly reflect a “theatre of dinner” where everyone is invited on the stage with the chef. The interior design will work together with unique graphic elements such as menus to form a truly awe-inspiring experience.

Chocolove Facade Study

2010-04-19T17:05:00.000-07:00

April Fools Week

2010-04-02T17:11:00.001-07:00

Cholon

http://lisakowalski.com/

http://www.chocolove.com/

http://www.spiredenver.com/

http://www.flatironsbank.com/

http://www.rare-maps.com/

Le Corbusier

2010-03-30T21:47:00.001-07:00

In doing research for a current project a client has called out a reference to one of the fondest architect designers I studied during my long college career. As a continuous student of design I have rediscovered that many fundamental aspects of Le Corbusier's work influences many decisions made in the design process I go through daily. Although the city planning aspect of"the raven-like one."^{[2 are less than desirable his paintings, furniture, interior design and architecture are wonderful and inspiring. Few references on his work are best defined by Wikipedia and the remote Barbican Gallery of Past exhibits.}

Landscaping Project

2010-03-20T09:16:00.000-07:00

studioLEMONADE started a landscape sculpting project this week with a BMX track and 40,000 tons of dirt that will take a 5 acre lot and create decorative wind blocks, rock gardens and a few fun kid play areas. The idea is based on creating a sustainable xeriscape for shade, less water and less driving to keep the kids at home playing on the property. More to come soon as the project develops. Please be advised as the tractor driver was only 2 years old. (Only in this economy)

Flatirons Bank Longmont Facade

2010-03-17T19:58:00.000-07:00

Flatirons Bank is adding another branch location to the downtown Longmont Colorado area @ 522 Fourth Street next to Ziggi's Coffee shop. The building location is the historic Longmont National Bank Building that still has the air of the horse a buggy days. Going through the Longmont Historic Preservation Commission and the Longmont LDDA was a process that was a learning experience in keeping with the request to hold some heritage to the past proportions and materials while balancing a legitimate budget and Brand Character for Flatirons Bank. Between ESA and studioLEMONADE we were able to develop a simple interpretation using Storefront glass in the existing infill brick panels and awnings to shade the southern exposed facade. This addition to the facade will flood enough natural daylight into the new offices to create a great place to work. The new location will be opening the first week of April after Wyatt construction wraps up what had to be one of the fastest design to build exercises I have ever been involved with to date. Hats off to the bank and team for putting this one together under such extreme pressure.

chocolove

2010-03-06T16:17:00.000-08:00

Highly recommend trying this treat!

History of Chocolove

Tucked away in Boulder, Colorado sits an unassuming building where a little magic takes place... Every day, decadent chocolate bars are carefully crafted using the timeless combination of chocolate and love.

Chocolove chocolate bars are available in ten distinct flavors that range from a sweet, creamy Milk Chocolate with a 33% cocoa content, up to an Extra Strong Dark with an impressively strong yet smooth 77% cocoa content. Tied to chocolate's natural counterpart, love, each bar resembles a love letter, complete with a romantic poem.

For the past ten years, Chocolove has been quietly developing a loyal consumer following in natural and organic food stores around the country, including Whole Foods and Wild Oats. In 2005, Chocolove began its expansion into gourmet and conventional grocers, such as King Soopers, Gelson’s, HEB and Bristol Farms, making this delightful treat more readily available to its ever-growing fan base.

Chocolove started as the classic entrepreneur story – a dream, a garage, extended credit card debt and loans from friends and family. With its visionary chocolatier, and a solid concept, Chocolove became, and continues to be, a pioneer in the chocolate industry.

Timothy Moley is the founder, owner and chocolatier at Chocolove. A tall and slightly eccentric man, he reminds you a little of Willy Wonka. His laid-back attitude, wry grin, and lanky physique would never lead you to believe he is a man who lives and breathes chocolate, and has been consuming two chocolate bars, every day, for the past ten years. Seriously.

It all began in a cocoa field in Indonesia… Timothy was chewing on some cocoa beans doing volunteer work for USAID, a government program that promotes agricultural and technical education in developing countries. He had been living abroad on and off for two years, visiting over 28 countries, developing his palate with spices, teas and wines. And, like most of us, he had always dreamed of being his own boss, dedicated to something he loved. The idea of a career in chocolate inspired him and an idea began to form - to create a premium chocolate bar, paired with the romance of love.

When he returned to the States, he began his chocolate education and quickly discovered a few key facts about the U.S. chocolate market: the average consumer could tell the difference between cheap chocolate and premium chocolate and they preferred premium chocolate; the available premium chocolate bar choices were limited, expensive and intimidating; no U.S. company was indicating the cocoa content on their wrappers; and flavors were boring.

Chocolove was born. The idea was simple - a selection of distinctly flavored chocolate bars made with all-natural ingredients and the classic techniques of Europe's finest chocolatiers. The package design would resemble a love letter sent from a distant land, and inside each wrapper - a classic romantic poem. The cocoa content would be clearly indicated on the front of each wrapper, the tasting notes would be simple and approachable, and the price, affordable.

Initially, bars were manufactured at a U.S. co-packer, but in late 2003, Timothy completed building his custom-designed chocolate factory in Boulder, CO, and by mid-2004, the factory was in full swing, running as smooth as melted cocoa butter. Today, Chocolove bars are made in small batches and shipped around the country, delivering a little bit of “chocolate–love” to discerning chocolate lovers everywhere.

Flatirons Bank Goes LEED Gold

2010-02-12T22:56:00.000-08:00

Congratulations Flatirons Bank on accomplishing LEED CI Gold rating from the USGBC

C_restaurant paint bucket

2010-02-12T22:47:00.000-08:00

Best part about the design process is collaboration, the fun begins when the materials become real.

Vic's Espresso Criterium 2010 Cover graphic

2010-02-12T22:41:00.000-08:00

MHeller kicks it again for the lemonade stand. kudos' to great work and look forward to the reaction from the cycling community.

http://www.slidingdoorco.com/

2010-02-02T20:38:00.000-08:00

New product worth checking out. Cool Factor of 10

slidingdoorco

ubuntu restaurant another cool design in Napa

2010-01-26T07:30:00.000-08:00

From:

http://www.contemporist.com

APPARATUS Architecture have designed the Ubuntu Restaurant, which occupies a historic 19th century stone building in downtown Napa, California. The main dining room, bar, and open kitchen occupy the large volume bounded by the original exposed stone walls and timber roof trusses. A second floor mezzanine sits over the enclosed space of the prep kitchen and storage areas. Materials were chosen for their inherent richness of color and texture, with an eye towards using recycled materials wherever possible. The flooring is a dark mix of salvaged hard woods, the tabletops are reclaimed fir from the Eastman House on the Sacramento River, and the large community table was built with solid slabs of two windfall trees from Occidental, California. Large custom pendant lights float within the volume of the dining room, while a row of smaller glass fixtures focuses the scale and axis of the central community table.

Ubuntu Yoga Studio & Restaurant

www.ubuntunapa.com
1140 Main Street
Napa, CA 94559-2639
(707) 251-5656

Table Graphic

2010-01-24T14:38:00.000-08:00

Pretty cool design for a center seating table that combined for a credit towards LEED certification on the Flatirons Bank in Boulder Colorado. The table base is cut from a 200 year old walnut tree found in a local sawmill. The Walnut tree was from Cherry Creek in Denver making for a great story in itself. For LEED certification there is a credit in the Design credits for spelling out the process and achievements in the process for the tenant interiors and with an etched second surface the glass has the story written then pin mounted to the log table base. Simple clean and cool.

Hot Bath Graphic

2010-01-22T21:28:00.000-08:00

Caught this on my iphone while visiting a family property and just thought it was cool how time had weathered in so many ways.

Boulders install

2009-12-16T21:38:00.001-08:00

client meeting

2009-12-14T19:38:00.001-08:00

14 Michael Ovitz Quotes to Celebrate His December 14th Birthday

Michael Ovitz is a former talent agent and Hollywood powerhouse for 20 years. Although he was considered ruthless at times, Michael Ovitz became a leading name and a brilliant contributor as head of the Creative Arts Agency from 1975 to 1995. Let's make his December 14th birthday special with these 14 Michael Ovitz quotes.

1. "Until the day I die, I`ll never be able to understand how I spent 25 years with that man and his family, and within 60 days of taking this position, he decides I`m a number of things."

2. "If I didn't know you personally, I'd throw you out of the room."

3. "It`s not about money. The money will flow. It`s about power and influence."

4. "It is important to recognize when something is not working. I hope that my decision to leave will eliminate an unnecessary distraction for a great company."

5. "He did walk behind me. But it wasn`t a shovel he was carrying. It was a knife."

6. "If you're not being sued by someone, then you must be doing something wrong."

7. "I didn't set off a bomb in a shopping center. I didn't take off in a white Bronco. I'm an entrepreneur. The money I lost was mine. My money, my gamble, my mistake. And still they hate me. Everyone."

8. "I'm just going to say what I'm going to say, and let the cards fall where they may."

9. "If I say nothing, I get killed. If I talk, it comes off as sour grapes."

10. "I'm not trying to say I'm a saint, but when I built CAA I played aggressively, sometimes ruthlessly, insensitively, and I hurt people. Sometimes that's what happens when you build a business."

11. "This is a game in our business you have to be terribly unsophisticated not to understand. This is not rocket science."

12. "I have been known to use an occasional gerund when it serves to make my point. I am very good at confrontation. I think that is part of my job. Ask my clients if they want a laid-back agent or a control freak."

13. "When I get on a plane, I don't want a laid-back pilot. I want a pilot who is a control freak, who is paying attention to every single detail of his job."

14. "That package was way too lucrative for the services performed."

So there you go! Mr. Ovitz had many years as a successful talent agent and take charge guy in Hollywood. We hope you enjoy some pearls of wisdom with these 14 Michael Ovitz quotes.