The final model being presented at the fundraiser and two members of the Archventures group who work on the project for Innercity Weightlifting (from left to right) Christopher Kirch and Andrew Hiatt.

After a month our group (Kevin Young, Agustin Jesus, Christopher Kirch, and Andrew Hiatt) had completed the model of the gym being designed for Innercity Weightlifting (ICW) at 12 B Street, South Boston.

Posted by Christopher Kirch

As fall begins, we are making tangible progress with all things BBR. Currently we have 2 projects that we are accomplishing within their site. –

The first project is the production of a storage unit for materials that the public can freely use. This storage unit will be completed with advanced framing techniques that will be transparently displayed for the community to engage and learn from. This project is in the final stages of design; we are currently in the process of finding the materials to solidify this project.  Construction for this is scheduled to promptly begin the first of November.

The second of our projects within the BBR, is the addition of a sustainable façade that will be made from a green wall held by recycled pallets. This project has made substantial progress from its early stages; we are currently collaborating with structural engineers to assure that this design, like Archventures, will prove to be a functional and reliable structure to the BBR for many years.

Discussing moving the shed that is currently near the entrance — we can’t really move it to the side of the building that is nearest the Orange Line. Possibly we could re-design it to look a bit more like an extension of the building

Discussing the merits of joining the SEED network (Brian Bell’s organization) — possibly send an intern to work on registering this project with SEED (for more information: https://seednetwork.org/join/pledge.php)

Is doing a charette a good idea? If so, when? We can present this to participants as a “community presentation.” Ideally done at the BBR with the staff and possibly members of the coop and community. This would be a chance for the design team to throw out ideas and listen to the participant’s responses

Ideas: sculptures; lattice; mounting deconstructed items (tub on a wall, for example); big, open windows; adding landscaping; a mural; bringing the logo inside; a green wall; envelope perforation etc. Make a 5-10 minute presentation of these ideas and wask participants what they think, and then discuss from there. This would not be a “blind charette,” in that we have ideas to present and want to hear their reactions to this.

Travis knows someone at Payette who may be interested in contributing to this project.

Could we use resources from the BAC to do landscape architecture at the BBR site? This person could be used for consulting purposes.

Can we break up some of the asphalt?

Mike S. spoke about his charette he recently ran for the “Teen Cafe” at the Greater Love Tabernacle in Dorchester. It is was intended for young people.
Elizabeth explained that this would be a good chance for AV to be come an organization fueled by community outreach. We should really include people who come to the BBR for its services and use it frequently. We could possibly get some of their manpower too. An open charette can faciltate this. Could we put something together for presentation by the mid- to end-of-March? Could we do this in their space?

How to group our presentation: 1) Envelope/Facade Changes 2) Landscaping — planters/seeding 3) Signage (we’re not sure what they’ve done to their banners/awnings since we last visited) and Way-finding 4) Shed

Timing and attendance are two issues we may face — could we do it at a time where the BBR is meeting anyways? Maybe during their Wednesday morning meeting, or sometime during the work week? Depending on the number of people who attend, we can reorganize how many people focus on generating ideas for each of the areas numbered above.

In landscaping, we’ll include a courtyard as a connector between the two buildings (using asphalt breaking for this process) — a pedestrian path, benches, planters. Planters on both sides could provide a sense of welcoming to visitors. Ideally, we’d like to expand the feeling of the administrative building that used to be known as the BBMC — in the sense that it has plants and landscaping design around it, as well as the entryway with the tool-arches. Maybe we could put something similar to this entryway over the entryway to the entire site.

Facade/Envelope: Mural ideas, some type of painting; windows and lattice; showing the interior products (cutting out the back); Mike has an idea of putting in slats through the chain-link fence that we could do art on. This could bring in color to follow the color-scheme of their new logo

Signage and Way-finding: Signage in the entrance; possible changes to the pavement (directly related to way-finding;

Shed Ideas: Could we make the shed of reclaimed items? Possibly of “reclaimed lumber” — we can use the materials of this shed to show the purpose of the BBR. Possibly bring seeding into to it to make it blend into the building

Discussing with Steve about how many of the new interns that we’d like to assign to this project.

Up next: Think about: what kind of materials and presentation items will we need? Make it straightforward — this is going to be presented to non-architects. We’ll avoid making it perscriptive, not saying, “this is what we are going to do,” but rather, listening to there ideas.

File-sharing ideas: Media Fire is free. Elizabeth will set up some folders for themes that all members can access. Mike suggests an FTP site for shared folders that everyone can access. Carly will look into setting up an FTP site.

2011-02-16 Advisory Board Minutes

Sorry for the Daft Punk reference, I couldn’t resist. (Our-work-is-never-over).

Last week we’d been at BU’s Nonprofit Career Expo with our fancy new AV tablecloth, struttin’ our stuff. (It went really well – so well, in fact, that I woke up with a sore throat the next day from all the talking I’d done.) The first half of this Wednesday was a continuation in that vein - Travis, Steve, Mike, and I interviewed a series of candidates for this semester’s internship cycle. We found some passionate, excited new people and we welcome them to Archventures!

Migdalia, Amy, and Steve met up to discuss administrative tasks while I scooted off to meet with Richard and Camille regarding website design. Despite the crippling lack of internet where we chose to meet, it looks like the site is progressing! Camille and Richard are busily ironing out and tweaking the design, and the interns will continue to generate website content. Then we’re going live!

We all met back up for the February Advisory Board meeting at 7 pm. We’ve identified another potential project, made headway with our branding efforts, and have grown our organization by another 6 people since last month! We broke out into groups to discuss the updates presented as well as to engage in a “network mapping” and diagnostic session. We all agree that growing AV’s web presence, marketing campaign, and branding efforts are crucial at this point.

After an intense and productive meeting, some people went around the corner to grab a drink and bite to eat. I, unfortunately, had to head back home to get cracking on my mountains of work. I’m looking forward to hanging out with everyone on Feb 28th at the PICCO Fundraiser! We’ll be there from 6 to 10; be sure to sign in at the door!

One of the coolest thing about Archventures is its model. It’s truly designed with interns in mind, more so than any other organization I’ve heard of (apart from university student groups, that is). The interns function as the powerhouse of AV – they design, write, research, and interview their butts off, checking in once weekly. Once per month, the interns present what they’ve been working on to our Advisory Board composed of Boston professionals in various fields. We’ve got marketing, graphic design, architecture, finance, and real estate law gurus, all of whom instruct interns at a 2:1 ratio. What results is a great balance between intern independence (and actual valuable work, rather than paper pushing!) and professional volunteer oversight.

I spent a significant part of the fall tweaking this model and continue to keep a watchful eye over it as part of my role in AV, so it’s near and dear to my heart. We want to get the word out about this project, so I’ve also been spending some time talking to Boston universities. Ultimately, the goal is to establish partnerships with these universities so that students can get academic credit for their AV work.

Then I thought, “Hey! I’m still a student too! I should get credit!”

Thus, my independent study project for spring of my senior year was born. I’ve got another blog going that will detail what I’m up to – GIS maps, reading responses, etc. The project is called Nonprofit Networks in Boston. Hope you like it, and if you have any ideas for me, shoot me an email at Molly@Archventures.org!

This week, Archventures officially begins its first Build of 2011! We’re partnering with TriMillenium and renovating their Learning Enrichment Center space located in Cambridge.

As for the specifics of the Build, it’ll be a little bit of everything – skill levels needed range from novice wall-painter to experienced carpenter. Below are some of the specifics as outlined by Travis, our Project Manager and Contractor.

Custom Built-ins and Sliding doors:
A large portion of the project will be the assembly of custom shelving and storage units. These will serve space in multiple ways; general storage for supplies, bookshelves, whiteboard space, chalkboard space, walls to nooks and studies and will help to create an overall modern feel.

Entry Table:
We also will construct an interactive hi-top table that will form a waiting area for parents, children and educators. Its amorphous shape will encourage collaboration and conversation, serving as both an educational and marketing tool for the center.

Office:
We also will construct a traditional office space for the center’s administrator to hold meetings and carry out daily tasks.

Prime+Paint+Patch:
Another large portion of the work will be sprucing up the walls, adding color and warmth to the overall feel.

This is a great opportunity for us, and we look forward to swinging hammers with the TriMill staff and volunteers.

However, a year later, despite much attention, the prospect of Haiti’s recovery faces serious challenges. In a January 6th report, The Chronicle of Philanthropy has reported that of the $1.4 billion that Americans donated last year, only 38% has gone towards recovery and rebuilding aid. Granted, some of that is due to this fall’s cholera outbreak and other unforeseen logistical dilemmas, but even the unflappable Bill Clinton revealed that he was frustrated at the pace of Haiti’s rebuidling. Yet, as donor atrophy sets — and it certainly has –, the outlook for Haiti’s rebuilding will suffer.

Fortunately, we do have examples of innovation and seeds of hope. In today’s Huffington Post article, “Haiti’s New Social Innovators,” Judy Lubin highlights two catalysts, Dominique Toussaint and Rachel Pierre, behind two organizations — Mobilize for Haiti and The Andora Project, Inc., respectively — who are utilizing their entrepreneurial skills in the effort to re-build Haiti. In the design field, Architecture for Humanity maintains the Rebuilding Center in Port-au-Prince with the objective of coordinating resources and local professionals for micro-planning projects with the intent of having the program entirely in Haitian hands within five years. On the local front, here in Boston, the Cotting School has partnered with its sister-school in Haiti, called Wings of Hope, to rebuild its small community. Regrettably, “building in Haiti happens at a glacial pace, say Cotting School President Dave Manzo, “Throughout the country little of the rubble has been removed in the past year. Thankfully the debris of the old Wings of Hope site has been completely cleared and the architect has produced preliminary drawings.” Amazingly, through fundraising efforts the Cotting School has raised $250,000 for Wings of Hope and other progress is being made.

Many have observed this anniversary in their own personal ways. At noon, there was a moment of silence. Some have volunteered with Haitian advocacy groups. Still others have turned to worship. [If you wish, consult the hompage of Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries for an impressive and comprehensive list of "suggested actions" in their Month of Remembrance and Rededication to Haiti campaign.]

Still, there is less than 5% of the rubble cleared in Haiti and over one million of its people are still homeless living in tents. How can a community-based, design-oriented nonprofit contribute to rebuilding efforts? What are some Boston-based organizations that are striving to rebuild in focused projects? A New Haiti is emerging and there is still much to be done.