New Life and Remembrance

Thank You to Donna Miller and Jason Peist for this beautiful shot of the 9-11 Memorial and the One WTC Freedom Tower from your visit on November 12th.

The Memorial remembers and honors the nearly 3,000 people who died in the horrific attacks of February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001. The Memorial consists of two massive pools set within the footprints of the Twin Towers, with the largest manmade waterfalls in the country cascading down their sides. They are a powerful reminder of the Twin Towers and of the unprecedented loss of life from an attack on our soil. The names of the individuals who were killed in the September 11 attacks in New York City, Pennsylvania, the Pentagon, and the February 1993 World Trade Center bombing are inscribed around the edges of the Memorial pools.

Soaring above the city at 1,776 feet, One World Trade Center will be America's tallest building, and an indelible New York landmark. One WTC incorporates advanced life-safety systems that exceed New York City building code requirements. From structural redundancy to dense fireproofing to biochemical filters, it creates a new standard for high-rise buildings. Extra-wide pressurized stairs, multiple backups on emergency lighting, and concrete protection for all sprinklers will ensure optimal firefighter access. Exits are designed to ensure easy evacuation, and all safety systems will be encased in the core wall, with enhanced elevators. Safe, Sustainable, and Artistically Dynamic. One WTC will stand as a shining beacon for New York's transformed Downtown.

If you would like to visit the Memorial site also, follow this link; http://www.911memorial.org/visit 

 

 

2011 IIDA Holiday Social

On Tuesday, November 15th the New Jersey Chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) hosted their 2011 Holiday Social, "Soup and Cider by the Fire", at Avila Fine Arts in Bedminster, NJ. Attendees sipped on hot soup and cider around an outdoor bonfire as planning for the 2012 year commenced. The event was well attended by nearly 40 designers, architects and representatives. The NJ IIDA has taken an exciting new direction with the help of newly appointed directors Scott Marchio of The Aztec Corporation (left) and Erin Jimenez of Cornerstone Architectural Group (right). The pair is working hard to breathe new life into the organization, with much success. Keep your eyes open for more great events hosted by the NJ IIDA.

The IIDA promotes the interaction between Architects, Interior Designers and industry representatives. The mission of the chapter is; "To enhance the quality of life through excellence in interior design, and to advance interior design through knowledge, value and community".

 

SHI International Opens New Doors in Somerset, NJ

On November 10, 2011, almost 1,000 special guests attended the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening of SHI International Corporation’s world headquarters building in Somerset, NJ. New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno delivered the keynote speech to the standing room only audience in the three story high main atrium. SHI’s CEO Thai Lee spoke of the new facility and praised the design team, project managers and builders for their collaborative efforts to deliver the project in less than one year from commencement to completion. SHI occupies more than 50 percent of the 440,000 square feet within the building. Through continued growth, SHI looks to fully occupy the building very soon. LEED Silver certification for Commercial Interiors is anticipated early next year from the USGBC. The interior design implements the best green design practices; including water conservation, energy efficiency, innovative interior lighting design, and the use of recycled materials. Office space for SHI’s Operations, Sales, Accounting, Marketing, IT, Web and Training staff are all contained within the five-story building. A world class data center design solution by the Cornerstone team provides SHI’s newest business venture with a state-of-the-art cloud computing platform. A multi-phase project designed by the Cornerstone design team includes: Interior fit-out for SHI, Roof replacement, a Roof top mounted photovoltaic panel system, Upgraded building automation and fire alarm systems, and a Cloud computing center. Cornerstone is proud to have been part of this most important project, and to have partnered with an outstanding Owner, Design, Management and Construction team that included; Becht Engineering, The Reynolds Group, McQuilkin Associates, Carrol Engineering, JLL, Unity Construction Services, and Turner Construction. CAG’s in house team included; Robert Barranger AIA – Partner in Charge, Marco Migliaro Assoc. AIA – Project Manager, Erin Jimenez IIDA – Interior Designer, Donna Miller Assoc AIA – Project Designer, and Vito Tamborrino AIA – Construction Administrator.

A BIG “THANK YOU” from TEAM TAMBO

This year marked an amazing milestone for Cornerstone Architectural Group’s TEAM TAMBO National Multiple Sclerosis Bike Team. In it’s 16^th year of riding in, and fund raising for, the “Great New Jersey Country Bike MS Ride”, Team Tambo has hit the $100,000 level! We are very proud to have helped raise funds and awareness for this important charity, which benefits those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, “THANK YOU” for the continued support of so many of our friends and colleagues, and especially those who donated in our name. We vow to continue our efforts to help eradicate this devastating disease in our lifetime. Please consider joining us in our efforts in the year and years to come.

The Fanwood - Scotch Plains YMCA Cuts Ribbon on New Pool and Renovation

The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA celebrated the grand opening of its newly expanded facility Saturday afternoon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that featured remarks from Assemblywoman Linda Stender, D-Scotch Plains and Scotch Plains Mayor Nancy Malool. F-SP Y Director Karin Dreixler, joined at the ceremony by Trustees Chairman Tom Luciano and Board of Directors President Bob Evans, accepted honorary resolutions from the Fanwood, Scotch Plains and Clark municipal councils. Mayor Malool also proclaimed June 2011 "YMCA Month" in Scotch Plains. Luciano offered remarks that recounted the history of the F-SP Y, which opened in 1947, and credited generations of volunteers who helped the community center thrive. "Why does our town now have such a great Y asset?" he said. "Give thanks to the keepers of the flame, all those volunteers that had the grand vision of building a YMCA that would make this a great town to raise a family in." Dreixler, who spoke last, thanked the architects at Cornerstone Architectural Group, which designed the facility, and laughed as she presented them with "I Survived…" T-shirts. Donna and Steve Gartner, lead donors of the center’s capitol campaign, were welcomed to the main entrance of the new building and standing beside Karin Dreixler, Tom Luciano and Bob Evans, Donna Gartner cut the red ribbon. The complex’s biggest addition is a 25-yard pool and natatorium, dedicated by the Gartner family to the center’s aquatic staff, coaches and teachers. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests were invited to tour the newly renovated facility. Trustee Anne Flynn said that she was excited to see the completed additions and renovations. "In a big sense," Luciano said as he surveyed the new pool, "it is almost reaching a culmination of a vision that began 60 years ago….Look at how many volunteers have given a lifetime of service. This is a Y that is all about families and that’s why it is so successful." http://bit.ly/jIrGYW