A Sustainable, Inclusive and Beautiful Architecture

 A few days ago, I heard somebody say: let's work together to imagine and build a sustainable and inclusive future that is beautiful for our eyes, our minds, and our souls.

And this simple, but strong statement made me think about what we do and what we believe as architects and urban designers at JMA.

We believe that, as architects, we shall build more sustainable buildings.

Buildings use around 40% of the energy consumption, while industries consume 32% and transportation consume 28%, data from US EIA (Energy Information Administration).

Energy sources, such as fossil fuels, oils, and natural gas have negative impacts on our environment, like, air and water pollution, damage to wildlife and to public health, habitat loss, water use, land use, and global warming emissions. 

Most of that consumption in our buildings comes from Lighting, which has a higher percentage in Commercial uses (26%) than in residential uses (11%), and Cooling and heating, where the percentage is reversed between Commercial and residential uses. 26% for Commercial and 43% for residential. Residential use also has a high consumption due to Hot water usage (11%). Of course, these consumptions are subjective to many different conditions, like location, culture, etc.

So, if lighting, cooling and heating, and hot water are the main issues in our buildings, it is clear that we can reduce the impact of energy consumption by working on solutions. However, this should be part of a future discussion.

We shall also build more inclusive buildings.

As always said to my students, as architects, we design buildings that have to satisfy the basic needs of people. When we talk about people, we mean people with different needs. People at every stage of life, so we should design with inclusivity and diversity in mind. We need to design spaces that are convenient, flexible, affordable, and enjoyable to everyone.

Sustainable and Inclusive buildings have to be beautiful to our eyes, to our mind, and to our soul. In other words, buildings have to satisfy our poetic needs. And this is what differences architecture from mere construction.

But “Beautiful” is very subjective. What is beautiful for one, it may not be beautiful for somebody else. During my 30 years of experience, I came to the conclusion that although people differ in what beautiful means, everyone agrees that if a building is respectful to the surroundings, if every component of the building has a reason to exist in the design, If we use proportions, geometry, and rationalism, the building will satisfy our poetic needs.

“Walk in confidence”

Imagine walking with your children to the transit hub on Sip Avenue in Jersey City or any major city. With your eyes concentrated on your well being and safety you start observing the intricate details of your commute that could easily lift the burden of your travel. First observation by walking would start with the travel and experience. The sidewalk experience and the pros and cons to effective connection to your destination.

“Jersey City Walks” is a workshop focusing on walk ability in Jersey City peers in on the effectiveness of public safety. Whether there commute to work or daily travels. Focusing on the authentic and ultimate experience for the users of the city. The initiative of the program the organization wants to initiate bump out modifications, street signage and improve sidewalk rest stops.

(Picture1) Above-example of sidewalk safety in most cities that needs upgraded

Visualize yourself walking on a sidewalk as you leave home. Your hands are burdened by purse, stroller, briefcase or children. As you pull out your phone, you notice the sidewalk and it’s faultiness. Safe sidewalks require even, well-maintained pavement, with no trip hazards. To expand inclusive communities and comply with the law, sidewalks must also comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Thoughtful design and development choices can support communities and improve their local economies and the lives of their residents.

(Picture 2) Illegal parking of firetruck and construction fence that closes the sidewalk while pedestrian (with a stroller) has to cross into the street with child creating a safety issue for the pedestrian.

Let’s progress to the effectiveness of bump out sidewalks and the effectiveness, while walking on the sidewalk. Colorful extensions added to the pavement for your safety and time. Creating an extension allows the safety and time to cross with confidence. With the added experience of the colorful, experience, the children will appreciate it. Curb extensions increase the overall visibility of pedestrians by aligning them with the parking lane and reducing the crossing distance for pedestrians.

(Picture 3) Example maple of curb extensions.

(Picture 4) Curb extension installed for pedestrian safety.
(Picture 5) Rest stops on sidewalk parking to give pedestrians and commuters a safe free zone to rest.

Here are some of the benefits of curb extensions:

• Increased pedestrian visibility at intersections through improved sight lines
• Decreased pedestrian exposure to vehicles by shortening the crossing distance
• Reduced vehicle turn speeds by physically and visually narrowing the roadway
• Increased pedestrian waiting space
• Additional space for street furnishings, plantings and other amenities
• Reduced illegal parking at corners crosswalks and bus stops
• Facilitated ability to provide two curb ramps per corner

States are acknowledging the program and its benefits. Austin, Texas, has transformed busy street intersections with curb extension and the public really enjoys the security. “It's a testament to the character and energy of Austin,” says Marissa Monroy, public relations specialist for the city of Austin. “People are really excited to see a project that emphasizes safety but, at the same time, really shows that we like to have a little bit of fun".

(Picture 5) Austin, Texas, creative approach to curb extension.

All states should adapt to this standard of walkability. With all intricate changes for the safety of commuters, public knowledge is key. But officers and emergency vehicles should only abuse these initiatives if only there was an immediate emergency. Safety is affected, as it may urge people to illegally cross the road, which in turn puts them at greater risk to traffic accidents. Additional concerns the increased chances of getting fined by authorities. There are key points of improvement to true walkability in any city.

(Picture 6) Example of importance that public officials are unaware of the bump out system.

The Solution

The solution is simply urban planning. Strategies of altering and adding to the infrastructure can solve the use of public space to improve livability of the area. It is important to realise that successful planning techniques can often solve more than one problem and that urban problems are often linked with each other and environmental health. Once appropriate sidewalks are in place, people need ways to safely cross from one side of the street to the other, which brings us to crosswalk placement and marking.Crosswalks must be placed in areas where drivers have clear sight lines while also considering appropriate locations for ease of pedestrian travel.

We as architects, and urban designers firmly believe in the core principles of urbanism and safe communities. A movement that aims to develop the quality of life through sustainable urban development and creation of user friendly neighborhoods. A key tenant of urbanism is walkability, which we value as designers. People need community design features like recreational space, safe streets, landscaping, outdoor play space because it can contribute to enhance the neighborhood identity. With all of our projects, it is essential for us as architects to develop designs that are not only beautiful but resource efficient embraces its inhabitants, and foster vibrant communities.

We appreciate what Jersey City Walks is doing. Creating a safe city, drivers and enhancing pedestrian safety. This overall vision and strategy are a great initiative for the advancement of public safety.

Citations
National Association of City Transportation Officials “Urban Street Design Guide” Island Press. 2013 Web.

National Association of City Transportation Officials “Transit Street Design Guide” Island Press. 2013

“Creating a new model for a healthier commute”

Why do we believe in public transportation? 

Transportation is about more than just moving people from point A to point B. It’s a system that can either limit or expand the opportunities available to people based on where they live. In many cities, the areas with the shadiest access lack investments which leave many Americans without easy access to jobs, goods and service. The only way to move is with cars.

Contamination to yourself and the Environment.

Creating a healthier commute starts with commuters learning of the effectiveness of public transportation and the effect it would have on the environment and yourself.

One issue is contamination with using personal transportation; I mean Cars. This affects the culture and many ways.When commuters use private cars, the effect of pollution to the environment is elevated.

Driving can be highly stressful when you are stuck in a traffic jam, which happens in cities, especially during rush hour. Most commuters spend at least two hours a day commuting to their destination. Driving-related stresses can cause heart diseases and psychological problems. “The longer amount of time you spend in a car getting to and from work, the more time pressure you feel and the lower your overall satisfaction with your life,” explained Margo Hilbrecht, Ph.D., an associate director of research for the Harvard University.

With the focus of a good public transportation, it can help societies thrive. Just look at the image below.
Image 1. For every one bus, it replaces 30 cars. And with effective trains the carbon impact would drastically be reduced.


More people riding buses and trains mean fewer cars on the road, which translates into less smog and greenhouse gas coming from our tailpipes. Yes, many big buses spew more tailpipe emissions than cars, until government officials approve eco-friendly electric buses, those buses will be making their routes today no matter how many passengers are on board. The benefit of less pollution and a healthier culture is vital. Once a new model is created by government parties the momentum of the effectiveness of public transportation will thrive.

Not the correct direction for the economy

Politics portray a primary role in any aspect of planning, but none such more than transportation planning and the investments and policies that go into constructing the aspects associated.

Our government officials play both positive and negative roles in public transport planning, policies and investment; as it shapes decision-making and the degrees of financial support that is given to each project. Because politics brings both positive and negative effects to public transport planning it can both promote and block development. Government parties should compromise on an agreement that repairing and developing a new model for public transportation is the best model. With repairing train system tracks, train frequency and security of the users. Creating an effective model for transportation should be the message created.


Image 2. Light rail user waiting for New Jersey Light Rail


Zoning code/Restrict parking

One element with true walkability in cities is master planning in cities for transportation. The state of New Jersey, and many other cities suffer from strict zoning codes for on-site parking.

The parking ratio for residential units is relatively low, which is beneficial at making cities less dependant on cars. The initiative should aim at improving public transportation.

But the starting point should be amending and improving public transportation. Of course, this doesn’t depend on each individual city, which makes everything more complicated.

This depends on the interconnectivity with different cities and even at state level. Once we improve the quality of the public transportation, their frequency, their safety, we should focus on reducing the parking ratio in each urban plan.

Let’s take as an example Jersey City in New Jersey. People live in Jersey City because of the urban lifestyle, and still need cars. Why? Many of them often work in other towns in NJ. In most cases these commuters traveling can’t find trains to get them to their destination in other towns, especially when train frequency is low. Others, especially families with young kids, can not rely on the low frequency or very crowded public transportation.

So, when the zoning codes doesn’t allow parking on site, or their ratio is very low, people park on the streets (anywhere on the street). This brings congestion for parking, people spend time looking for a parking, with some parking in illegal parking spaces, like the corner intersection, which can cause accidents for lack of visibility.

And, of course, we believe that when designing the master plan for cities the encouragement of cars should be minimum to assist in creating a stress free experience.

So, what is the solution?

More frequency between transportation routes and a reliable system schedule.

Our government and city officials should collaborate with the community about public transportation in their neighborhood. The issues heard can initiate a dialogue to revamp connectivity and protect commuters safety. Case example,when recently visiting The Liberty Center Science Museum in Jersey City with my two children. The transient route, reliability and connectivity should be easier. I could easily take the light rail in Jersey City to the Science Museum, but the system on weekends proved hard to travel effectively with children. The New Jersey Light Rail was long with its frequency and a challenge with traveling with children especially in winter. Most families explore on weekends, and in any city not just New Jersey. Frequent routes to destinations, accessible stations and path would create less of a challenge especially when traveling with children.

Connectivity

If we want people to take advantage and use the transit system we must create a transit point. Interconnecting storage should be adequate to the users with any mode of transportation. Walking to the closest bus route or train route is beneficial to a healthy and thriving community.

It is time that we unite the parties involved with public transportation infrastructure and help shape the future of commuting. At JMA our design team is focused on strategizing new ways to maximize walkability when we are in the design planning process. It is essential for us to create effective architecture for our clients focused for the community. It is very rewarding when true innovation reflects the future plan of the client and the city it encompasses. If you would like to learn about our commitment to walkable cities, contact us.



Citation
Jason Margolis, “Why taking the bus is better for our health.” PRI “The World”. October 28, 2015. Web

https://www.pri.org/stories/2015-10-28/why-taking-bus-better-our-health-driving


National Association of City Transportation Officials “Transit Street Design Guide” Island Press. 2013 Web

Creating The Perfect Backyard Getaway

There is nothing better than having a beautiful outdoor space in your home. It’s the perfect place to relax, unwind, connect with nature, and the environment. When JMA designs any type of backyard or patio space for our projects, we aim to have the area feel like a welcoming extension of the home. It’s so important for us to give our clients a backyard that makes them feel as if it’s their own personal retreat. With our projects like the 7th street townhouse we designed, as soon as the person opens the door they make a beeline for the backyard because it is just so beautiful and inviting. 

Backyard Designed by JMA

Backyard Design Essentials

Patios aren’t just meant to be a barren concrete spaces with no vibrancy or life. The best designed backyards are fun, colorful, and full of activity zones designed for entertaining, cooking, and relaxing. As soon as you enter into the backyard at the 7th street townhouse it gives you a sense of calmness as you see the wonderful view of the tall trees and wood accents from the large patio deck. When we were in the design planning stage for this project, we made sure the space had different areas where people could gather have a nice meal, and also have an area where kids can play. By us incorporating elements like a small water feature and colorful accents it becomes a great addition to the backyard space because it is both pleasant in sight and sound.

7th street townhouse backyard

For our design project at 10-18 47th Avenue located in Long Island City, the private rooftop terrace in the building is the ultimate showstopper. People say the kitchen is the heart of the home but this is the type of terrace you would never want to leave. When we design buildings we aim to make each project have an interior that flows effortlessly into the exterior of the home. As architects we do this by incorporating an open floor layout and large windows like the glass atrium on top of the upper unit that floods natural light throughout the space. At this terrace residents can have a place outdoors to enjoy cool breezes, fresh air, and see stunning views of the city.

The rooftop terrace at 10-18 47th Avenue designed by JMA

10-18 47th Avenue Rear Yard

Also located in Long Island City, at 10-27 47th Road, we designed this building to have multiple outdoor spaces. This stunning contemporary style 3-unit townhouse respects the context of the neighborhood and pays homage to the typical brick facade but with a modern flair.  It has an elevated ground floor unit that provides added privacy from the street in addition to the natural wood latices and plants climbing the facade. The main floor and basement both have access to the expansive private backyard with nearly floor to ceiling sliding doors and windows. The two units above are front and rear triplexes, the top floor being a split private penthouse with roof terrace. Each terrace has sweeping views of the city beyond and plenty of planted area creating a green rooftop oasis.

10-27 47th Road Penthouse Designed by JMA

10-27 47th Road's Private Backyard

JMA has always made it our mission to create buildings that improve the quality of life for residents and design features that can contribute to a healthier happier lifestyle. We believe that having a backyard space is a necessary feature to have in a home. Beautiful backyard spaces don’t appear overnight it’s amazing how architects can overlook an unappealing yard or bare space because they know what it’s potential can be. It’s common for many people to see a backyard as something completely separate from the rest of the house, but we see it as a powerful extension of the home.

Citations

• Dalton, Melissa “How to Design An Outdoor Room” Curbed NY. Vox Media. June 2nd 2016. Web.
• Better Home and Gardens “10 Ways To Create A Backyard Getaway”. Meredith Corporation. Accessed Oct. 5th 2017 Web.

It's All In The Details

The details are what give a home depth, almost like reading a good novel full of meaningful characters and plot twists. It is the architectural features and details in a home that have the capability to transform it from looking “nice” or “boring” to stunning and unique. The best architects know that when they are in the design planning stage it is extremely important to add details as a way of maintaining the integrity of a home. The details help create consistency and authenticity in a space. At JMA, we make sure every material and detail chosen conveys the overall concept of our design, making it reach its fullest potential. 

Importance of Material Selection 

For our development project at 93 Bright, located in Jersey City, a significant attention was focused on the exterior skin of the project and its appearance towards the surrounding neighborhood. We carefully chose materials that would accentuate the diverse urban fabric of the city and still look consistent with its neighbors. The primary materials for the project consists of a system of horizontal cedar wood slats, glass panels, and painted white aluminum window frame projections. The horizontal wood slats are definitely the star of the show for this project. The wood slats not only help break up the scale of the project but it also creates a balanced palette for the building. Architects decide what specific materials they want for a design, if done correctly it can transform a building into a work of art. The horizontal wood slats at 93 Bright are the perfect example of that. 

93 Bright designed by JMA

         

At another one of our projects, called The Wooden Box House, located in Argentina, we used wood as material to give the house a unique looking design aesthetic for the exterior. The project was designed with the idea of separating two volumes in two separate levels. The resulting concept produces a modern interpretation of the traditional Argentinian veranda. The upper wooden box portion cantilevers over the lower level as to create this modern veranda, which becomes a buffer between the interior and exterior spaces as well as a common gathering space. The inside plays with the light and shadows with walls that open and close, ranging from transparent to solid. The shadows casted all around the private upper level from the wood screens adds beautiful shadows in the home making the space look like a piece of art. We wanted to design the upper level of the house to have an intimate relaxing atmosphere full of character and small details.

Wooden Box House Designed by JMA

Wooden Box House Interior

Details Provide Character 

When architects create a structure, the details are what make the design. It tells the story about the building, societal changes, and how much character it has. JMA has done a lot of development projects in historic districts located in the New York and New Jersey area. The buildings at these locations are full of rich details like trims, crown moldings, original floors, and more. Those details give the home a sense of vibrancy and “je ne sais quoi”. We believe in preserving design elements like this because their loss or alteration would diminish or destroy aspects of the historic appeal whether on the outside, or on the inside of the building.

West End Apartment designed by JMA

Beautiful trim moldings at the West End Apartment

For our renovation project at the West End Apartment we had to keep the beautiful trim moldings, it would be unfortunate to get rid of it. All homes have potential and the reason why some homes look plain and boring is the lack of poor detailing. Details are what makes a home intriguing and is a testament to the artistry of the architect. 

Citations 

Spry, Eric “Architecture: How Details Can Make All the Difference”. Houzz. March 27th, 2013. Web 

Nelson, Lee. H FAIA, “Architectural Character—Identifying the Visual Aspects of Historic Buildings as an Aid to Preserving their Character.” Technical Preservation Serivces. NPS.Gov. Sept. 1988. Web

The Window Into JMA

Windows are a building's most valuable player. They are a welcomer of daylight, the perfect source of fresh air, and a key participant in determining a building's appearance. The window is a beautiful architectural element in design with many functions and is a highly expressive tool. A building's window is like a sign of human life and way to connect with the outside world. The window has a long and unique history with different designs, styles, and shapes seen throughout every decade.

At JMA we love to combine function and beauty with every structure we build. In a lot of our projects we design, we like to arrange our windows to form an artistic pattern, it makes a building look unique, modern, and beautiful. At our project 349 4th street, we designed the facade of the building to have windows varying shapes and sizes to stir interest and curiosity to the viewer.

4th Street Townhouse Designed by JMA

 

Types of Windows

Finding the perfect windows for your home can be a lengthy process because there are so many

different types of window styles and window frames to choose from. The most common types of window frames are vinyl, wood, fiberglass, and composite frame materials that sometimes can provide greater thermal resistance than metal. For our projects we enjoy using a variety of different window shapes because it gives a building a fun contemporary feel to it. For our development project at the 4th street townhouse in Jersey City, we used a combination of Stationary and Casement windows. Stationary windows are commonly used in modern or contemporary style homes. They are meant to add an aesthetic flair to the home since they do not open, and are easily customizable to be in any shape or angle you desire. The great thing about these types of windows is it works in conjunction with operating windows. The casement style windows have a hinge on either the right or left side to open the window outward.

Living Room Designed by JMA

Function

In any type of residential or commercial building one of the key things everyone wants to have in their space is tons of natural light coming from windows. The natural light you get from windows helps keep the house fresh, spacious, and bright. In return these benefits help keeps the building users’ happy and gives them a way to connect with the outside world and nature. For our project 10-18 47th Avenue, we designed the contemporary townhouse to have a glass atrium on top of the central stairs in the upper unit to flood natural light throughout the space. The rear façade of the building boasts nearly floor to ceiling windows on every floor.  We were able to achieve an elegant and unique look for the outside of the building by designing a modern fiber cement panel and natural wood framed window protusions and paneling. The combination of both of these contrasting materials makes the house look earthy and warm.

10-18 47th Avenue Townhouse

The beauty about windows is it gives the home such an inviting appearance. Famous architects have used windows as a form of artistic expression for their buildings for years as seen in the image below.

At JMA we make sure every detail from the materials, fixtures,window sizes, and shapes we choose, all align and convey the style we want our buildings to exude. At 93 Bright our design accentuates the diverse urban fabric of Jersey City with wood and glass materials.

93 Bright Designed by JMA

The primary materials for this project consist of a system of horizontal cedar wood slats, glass panels and painted white aluminum window frame projections. The horizontal wood slats encompass the entire second and third floor with wood elements found in the neighborhood.  These wood elements help to break up the scale of the project and provide for a balanced palette that integrates the project into a coherent whole. It is so important for architects to achieve a balance when they design and have their structures look functional and aesthetically pleasing. It is the design elements architects choose like a window style that can turn a building from boring into something beautiful and different.

Citations

•Reggev, Kate “5 Energy-Efficient and Stylish Ways to Shade Your Windows” Dwell 3 Sept.2017. Web.

•HGTV “8 Types of Windows” Scripps Network 2017. Web. 

•“Types of Windows” Big City Windows 26 Nov. 2014 Web.

•Pierre von Meiss. “Elements of Architecture: From Form to Place” Electronic Book Chapter 1 “Openings”

Designs That Promote Healthier Communities

When designing a building it is necessary to design features in a home that will promote healthy behaviors and foster engagement opportunities for residents. Even the smallest design changes to a surrounding can have a strong impact on mood and overall health. Spaces that fail to promote community movement can lead to obesity and other physical health conditions. A lack of recreational space in a building can cause a sense of isolation and puts an unwanted strain on our emotional health.

JMA has always made it our mission to create buildings that improve the quality of life for residents and design features that can contribute to a healthier happier lifestyle. When we were designing a large residential building in Buenos Aires, Argentina, we placed a strong emphasis on functional space before formal concept. Our design goal was large apartments, comfortable balconies, abundant daylighting and open views. The development project is 90,000 square ft. and is located in a suburb of Buenos Aires called Ramos Meija. The footprint of the building is open on all 4 sides, letting the building open towards 2 centenarian palms, thus giving the name to the building: Palmeras de Ramos (Palms of Ramos).

Ramos Meija designed by JMA

Design's Impact on Our Mood 

The design of building is a key part of the solution in delivering healthy communities. The rooftop terrace we designed at Palmeras de Ramos is meant to be a place of social encounter for residents to interact and make friends. It is very spacious and encourages residents to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines by walking on the terrace and also around the walkways surrounding the building. Based on the design we created, we believe the accessibility we achieved can help residents combat issues like obesity and related chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Communities appreciate having a well-designed open space because it promotes active living and movement.

Patio deck at Palmeras de Ramos

Design Features That Foster Healthy and Active Spaces

It is very important to make sure apartments are designed with an open layout because it improves the quality of life for residents and diminishes the feeling of claustrophobia. At the Palmeras Ramos building we chose to design comfortable balconies for residents. This design feature extends the residents’ homes and makes them feel happy because it gives them access to the outside world.

The comfortable balconies at Ramos Meija

Along with an open floor plan, architects can improve physical and mental health for residents by using a design that improves ventilation and provides fresh air for the home. 54 Bright Street, another development project of JMA’s, is a high performance building built with an open layout and Passive Design strategies that are implemented into all aspects of the design.

The Positive Benefits of Passive Design

Jorge is passionate about Passive Design, he believes that an efficient design means responding to locate climate and site conditions to maximize building users’ comfort. When architects create an efficient design they must be thinking about the natural elements that can help residents feel more comfortable, like wind. Wind provides household heating cooling, ventilation and lighting, thereby reducing or removing the need for mechanical heating or cooling.

At 54 Bright we used passive design techniques to improve indoor air quality and reduce temperature fluctuations making it more enjoyable to live in. Jorge believes that architects should design buildings with comfort and resource-efficiency in mind. Buildings and apartments should be designed to be comfortable for residents to unwind when they need to, but still gives them the opportunity for social interaction. We encourage architects and developers to create buildings that have a strong social structure because it can promote healthy behaviors and prevent isolation.

54 Bright designed by JMA

It doesn’t matter if you are building a large development building or a smaller townhouse, adding a small change like a bench in the front of the building is a tool meant for people to interact with one another and feel happy having a discussion. People need community design features such as outdoor recreational space, safe streets, landscaping, outdoor play space because it can contribute to enhancing a sense of neighborhood identity. With all of our projects it is important for us as architects to create designs that are not only beautiful but resource efficient, embraces its inhabitants, and foster vibrant communities.

Citations

• Stewart, M. Cyril “How design can encourage home and community health”. The American Institute of Architects. Web

• Woo, Lisa “How to design communities that make residents fitter and healthier.” The Guardian. 3 Sept. 2014, Web.

• Center For Active Design “Engaging Communities to Promote Health through Design”. Web.