560 Palisade Ave - Jersey City Heights

Just completed a renovation to a renovated firehouse turned townhouse in need of some refreshment. The design reworks the living, dining, and powder room on the ground floor, which has one source of natural light in the form of a large skylight above the kitchen area. The client has a large collection of art and books. The conceptual idea was to consolidate the art on one wall and the books along the stair wall, thus anchoring the open-concept space. The side walls include a new kitchen and bar that are materialistically designed (minimally) so that they do not draw attention away from the client’s collection. Capturing the limited natural lighting source was a key factor in the overall design of the space.

Always excellent to have a client that believes in us and asks the right questions in order to achieve the original design intent

YOU CAN GET WITH THIS

OR YOU CAN GET WITH THAT

I THINK YOU’LL GET WITH THIS, FOR THIS IS KINDA PHAT

AFTER

AFTER

AFTER

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND NEW YEAR!

REDFIN Called on Contextus for Thanksgiving Table Decor Ideas

A shout out to Redfin: A real estate brokerage company based in Seattle, WA. Thanks for reaching out to Contextus Architecture and Design and letting us participate in your recent article; Thanksgiving Table Décor Ideas for This Holiday Season

RAMADA HOTEL - COVID FRIENDLY DINING ROOM - NEWARK DELAWARE

Tasked with new pandemic friendly parameters, Contextus revamped a dated, hotel dining room. Otherwise known as the “Olive Grill”.

The design solution replaced the buffet area with “grab and go” food service. Dining seating is spaced at 6’-0” apart and set-up for groups of two or less patrons. A new bar area was integrated as an object in the room. In this case, a trailer like box that allows the staff to remain safe behind a plexiglass, shielded window for service.

The overall design included, polished concrete floors, new acoustical ceiling tile, new HVAC diffusers/returns, new feature lighting, new paint, vinyl graphics and new Audio Visual systems.

BEFORE image of the Dining Room

AFTER image of the Dining Room

Vinyl graphics concept

Pop-Up Art Show - Newton, Massachusetts

During the Month of July 2020, we had some downtime and escaped to Massachusetts where we were allowed to make a little mess in the outdoors. The pandemic lockdown and the summer stall, allowed us to focus on more artistic endeavors.

We had the idea to engage our neighbors through the art work that we were producing on the premises. Hence, we set-up a Pop-Up art show that allowed our cabin-fever strickened neighbors to check out some art on their daily, leg stretching walks through the neighborhood.

The engagement with neighbors was fantastic. We met neighbors that we never knew existing and through social distancing measures, learned a lot about each other.

Some visual aids to give you an idea:

Removable easels as to not startle sensitive neighbors were implemented. All easels were removed after each showing.

Size: 28” x 19”

Media: Reclaimed wood (100+ years old), acrylic paint, wax, pencil and carving

Year: 2020

Size: 24" x 36"

Media: wood canvas, charcoal, acrylic ink, acrylic paint, charcoal, paper, glue and pencil

Year: 2020

Size: 26 1/2" x 39 1/2'

Media: Recycled wood pallet wood, charcoal and acrylic paint

Year: 2020

Size: 16"x 12"

Media: acrylic and charcoal on canvas 

Year: 2020

Size: 48"x24"
Media: wood slats, paper, newspaper, paint, charcoal, glue

Year: 2020

Overall, a fun experiment and we hope we can get a few more shows in before the end of Summer. More of the art work can be found HERE

AMBER CHARTER SCHOOL - INWOOD, NEW YORK, NY

Sometimes, we get technical and get to work on remediating the exterior envelope of a future charter school in the Inwood section of Manhattan, NY. It may seem mundane, but as the famous architect, Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) stated, “God is in the details”.

Congress Street - Jersey City

This compact, urban, corner house with a lot of presence, came with the challenge to maximize the use of allocated space. This will be the future home of a photographer and a chef so thoughtful design was paramount for the creative couple. The design process was a pleasure as this home will not be a “developer’s special” design and really focused on the needs of the clients. Contextus is involved with the architecture, interior design and assisting the client with General Contractor procurement. More to come as this project commences construction.

Existing House

Conceptual Sketch

Contextus - Best Residential Architects in Jersey City

Contextus is excited to receive this accolade and recognition of being one of the ThreeBestRated “Best Residential Architects in Jersey City”. We have a lot of experience with designing and managing residential projects in the Metro New York City area. Thank you “Three Best Rated” for this recognition.

SCARSDALE, NY - ON THE BOARDS

We recently embarked on proposed renovations to modernize the ground floor of this home in Scarsdale, NY. More to come as the project progresses.

ARMSTRONG AVENUE - JERSEY CITY

Our re-interpretation of the “Bayonne Box” archetype. Just about to break ground on Armstrong Avenue in Jersey City. Our idea was to create a subdued, clean lined intervention on the street-scape which is currently littered with unfortunately, “Home-Depot” ornamented “boxes” and older homes that have been dressed with aluminum or vinyl siding. The shroud of aluminum and vinyl cladding relieves added maintenance but ruins the aesthetic appeal of the original designs.

The two, two (2) family residences will add subdued modernity to the street-scape and hopefully kick off future changes on Armstrong Avenue. It would be fantastic if the older homes peeled back their aluminum and vinyl cladding to reveal the historical nature of the houses.

BED–STUY BROOKLYN! ON THE BOARDS

We kicked off our first house design in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, NY today! The existing home is in dire need of a fresh design overhaul. Another Brooklyn hood to add to our portfolio. More to come as the project advances.

CONNORS SENIOR CENTER - JERSEY CITY

Contextus and team recently completed a “Building Assessment” for the City of Jersey City for the Connors Senior Center, located at 28 Paterson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07307. The report was inclusive of building code analysis and cost estimate for all recommended remediation.

Team Participants:

1.      The City of Jersey City - Division of Architecture - Department of Administration (Client)

2.      Contextus Architecture and Design LLC (Architecture)

3.      Robert Derector Associates (MEP/FA Engineers)

4.      OM Consultants Structural Engineers LLC (Structural Engineers)

The Connors Senior Center is located in the Jersey City Heights neighborhood at 28 Paterson Street, Jersey City, NY 07307. The building was constructed in 1925. The City of Jersey City’s, “The Office of Senior Affairs operates two (2) Senior Citizen Centers, the Joseph Connors Senior Center and the Maureen Collier Senior Center. Both Centers offer lunch, recreational, educational and cultural activities to Jersey City Senior residents (60+ years of age).

The Connors Senior Center is a three-story, 11K SF structure. The building is situated on a 50’ wide x 100’ deep lot.

Ambience Apartment - Gurgaon, India

A gut renovation to a builder spec apartment/flat in the Indian city of Gurgaon. The project introduces a complete refresh to the dark and tired finishes that were part of the original design. The result are clean lines and a refreshing, brighter environment.

Kaynemaile and Contextus

Kaynemaile recently posted the following case study of their Kaynemaile product at the Fractal Analytics space at One World Trade Center in New York City, NY:

Flexible Separation for Fractal Analytics Office

“The Kaynemaile screen provides a transparent separation and contrast between the ‘Experience Center’ (dark) and the open office area (light) as envisioned.”

—Shalinee Shah, LEED AP, Contextus

Fractal Analytics is one of the most prominent players in the Artificial Intelligence space. Fractal’s mission is to power every human decision within a company using the power of AI. Working to help the world’s most admired Fortune 500 companies and with offices in 13 countries, Fractal wanted to create an inspirational new space for their corporate headquarters in the One World Trade Center, New York building.

Part of the design—by Contextus—was to have a clear line of material separation between the "Experience Center" (used to display Fractal's capabilities) and the open office area. Kaynemaile was used to physically create this separation with a room-length folding screen in Obsidian Black which complimented Fractal's recent re-rebranding.

The folding screen allows greater functionality in the space as it partially blocks the light from the office area and windows creating a darker environment more suited to the media projections of the Experience Center. It can then be retracted when not in use to create a larger open plan workspace.

Our Kaynemaile folding screens provide the perfect, flexible solution for dividing spaces while keeping visual transparency and airflow high. With a low stack ratio the screen folds away discretely when not in use. Stainless steel armatures run the full length of the screen allowing it to fold and move easily. We use our own head track system and don’t need an intrusive bottom track.

With a wide colour range and great looking components Kaynemaile folding screens are an ideal solution for dividing a room.

Contextus on Business Talk Radio

We were featured on Business Talk Radio on November 07, 2019

A little insight into our business and what we can offer you a Contextus Architecture + Design + Project Management

DATA GRAPHIC

We have the pleasure of assisting Data Graphic on assembling their new home in Commack, New York.

Data Graphic is producing some classy graphic work and certainly a stand out in the industry. The industry tends to shy away from revealing their facilities. This project looks to share the process of production and will include client facing areas, various production areas, offices and staff areas. In addition, energy efficiency options are being explored and implemented.

My Remodel From Hell

Having worked on our own projects, we understand the perils of design and construction first hand. It does not help when budget gets in the way but adhering to budget and utilizing the right team goes a long way. As Architects, our goal is to achieve the best design for value. Of course we do break down and spurge on that "sexy" material or fixture but we maintain consciousness of the overall budget. Yes we rolled up our sleeves and got our hands dirty but the satisfaction that one obtains at the end of the project is paramount. A little of your own sweat and sometimes tears in the project makes one appreciate the project more. 

More often than not, we have experienced clients that go after what appears to be the best value and pay the price with regards to costs and equally if not more important, schedule. This article in "This Old House Magazine's" May 2017 issue, authored by Deborah Baldwin certainly portrays the trials of taking on a small renovation and seeking the cheapest route. She certainly has a sense of humor and hence this great literary piece but imagine if you did not have all the design items laid out in the form of good construction documents. The construction documents should be the basis for any General Contractor's contract with you. These documents stipulate what the general contractor owes you and alleviates most uncertainties. Bringing in a general contractor and verbally explaining your design intent is not recommended unless you have an open checkbook. Designing on the fly after a general contractor is on board will certainly expose you (financially) and hold you to his/her's mercy. Deborah definitely fell into the trap of doing it on her own and bringing the General Contractor in to work at her mercy but opposite proved true.

When starting a renovation project we believe that we can provide careful planning and assist with your design decisions in order to allow you to hold a general contractor to his/her contract. Change Orders are ugly words but there is little you as the client can do to make them go away when careful design and documentation does not exist. 

We pride ourselves on providing a robust set of design/construction documents in order to alleviate exposure from your future general contractor. We go beyond what the regulatory authorities require in terms of filing with their Department of Buildings. We provide assistance with materials, light fixtures, millwork, etc. We have actually found that the sincere general contractor appreciates our work as it allows them to construct with little inhibition. Most general contractors want to construct with expediency in order to remain profitable. 

We have experience as Architects and Project Managers, hence we know how to take your project from concept to constructed. We believe that we are problem solvers with your interest in mind throughout the design and contruction process.