Category Archives: Article

First Presbyterian Church of Encino, California Abramson Teiger Architects The cupping of hands in prayer—a simple gesture, an expression of faith, and a metaphor of form—was the inspiration for the physical changes to the First Presbyterian Church of Encino. Pastor J. Malcolm Laing was looking to renovate a 1950s church building in decline as a means of invigorating his […]

Smith-Buonanno Hall, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island William Kite Architects, Inc. Is this building the product of environmental adaptation or evolution, or the intentional design of a talented architect? The Smith-Buonanno Hall project stretches the boundaries of pure historic renovation,exceeds the expectations of adaptive reuse, and leads to a new standard for interior classroom space. The design intent […]

In today’s open, collaborative work environment, many executives find themselves in the midst of an open sea of cubicles. The question is, how can you differentiate workspaces or create a perceived hierarchy for executive or higher-level personnel? Some issues to consider are size and location of executive workstations; a larger-sized cubicle might include a meeting […]

Although business owners deal with growth and change in their physical facilities, they often don’t know who to turn to or how to start the process.  Sometimes they simply don’t know what they don’t know. With over 23 years of experience helping businesses grow, relocate and reinvent their operations, I was asked by David Finkel […]

Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood, Lenox, Massachusetts William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc. L. Lawrence Kirkegaard Associates, Acousticians Build a room for music—a simple request that had a simple solution but required a complicated journey to deliver. The outcome of this design project was a space created specifically for the enjoyment of music, but it evolved into much […]

Mission:  Design, Build and outfit an 8,400 square foot medical clinic in only 14 ½ weeks. Agents:  Brenner Design, Keystone Construction and IU Health. Location:  State of Indiana Government Center, Lower Level. The project vendor, IU Health and its design-build team were selected early in 2014 by the Indiana Department of Administration (IDOA) as the […]

Finding great solutions to problematic situations is one of our favorite challenges at Brenner Design. So when we were asked by The National Bank of Indianapolis to come up with a great solution for their employee lounge, we immediately turned to IDEON and SitOnIt Seating for help. Because the structure of the room presented a […]

Craft Restaurant, New York City, New York Bentel & Bentel, Architects/Planners, LLP Culinary craftsmanship is the chef’s ability to portray cooking as a craft, rather than an art. According to the design team the restaurant’s purpose is to “explore the full flavor of each artisanally raised ingredient on the seasonal menu, and serve these unadorned creations on separate plates […]

Lutèce, Las Vegas, Nevada Morphosis A serene respite from the visually and audibly cacophonous interior of the Venetian Casino, Lutèce is a quiet, calm oasis in the Las Vegas casino environment. Building on the reputation of a successful sister establishment in New York City, the restaurant serves French cuisine in what is intended as a refuge for weary, hungry, […]

Leaders of the community met Monday to talk about upgrading one of the city’s historic properties. Architects and local steering committee members addressed the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs to discuss the potential of renewing the Memorial Home as a community center. Brent Mather, of Brenner Design, led the informal meeting by gauging the public’s input […]