History and Culture of Beyer Blinder Belle
Beyer Blinder Belle was founded in 1968, in the wake of the urban renewal movement in the United States, when the social fabric of cities, communities, and buildings was compromised by the prevailing attitudes about planning and architecture. We pioneered and defined a different approach to the design of the built environment that focused on architecture empowering people — their interaction with each other on streets and in neighborhoods, their pleasure in moving through the city, and their connections to the surrounding physical fabric.
This mission has guided us for more than five decades and has shaped a broad and award-winning practice — now 190 professionals in New York City, Washington, DC and Boston engaged in architecture, planning, and interiors. A persistent exploration of historic, cultural and civic meaning guides our work, while our design is contemporary and reflects the materials and technology of today.
Planning, restoration and the design of new buildings are the fundamental underpinnings of our practice. Many of our projects involve the stewardship of historic buildings in sensitive urban sites — the work for which we have become best recognized. Our deep sense of identity and evolving perspectives on design have guided our practice in new construction as well as master planning and urban design. With our clients and friends, we continue the dialogue.
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In 1968 John H. Beyer, Richard Blinder and John Belle met in New York as young practicing architects and founded an architecture and planning firm with a decidedly social mission.
Beyer Blinder Belle was created in response to the urban renewal movement in the United States, during which the social fabric of cities, communities, and buildings was compromised by the prevailing approaches to planning and architecture. The firm’s founding ethos focused on the social integrity of communities and institutions as a means to better the daily life of people; their interaction with each other on streets and in neighborhoods; their potential to take pleasure in moving through the city; and their memories and associations with the surrounding physical fabric. This mission has guided Beyer Blinder Belle for more than five decades and has shaped a broad and award-winning architecture, planning, and interiors practice.
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Beyer Blinder Belle Selected Projects
Robert A. Taft Memorial and Carillon
The Robert A. Taft Memorial and Carillon, located north of the US Capitol, honors the Ohio Senator who served from 1938-1953. The memorial plaza is encircled by a moat and contains a ten foot bronze statue of the Senator as well as a 100 foot tower clad in Tennessee pink marble. The carillon in the upper part of the tower is Washington DC’s oldest and contains 27 cast bronze bells, the largest of which weighs 7 tons. BBB designed a service stair for safe access to the carillon. BBB’s restoration also includes repair and restoration of the marble; upgrades to the electrical and mechanical systems; upgrades to the fountain system; OSHA and accessibility compliance upgrades; and new lighting.
Photos by Beyer Blinder Belle
Washington Monument Visitor Facility
BBB designed a refined contemporary visitor facility that meets long-term security, preservation, and operational requirements at the Washington Monument, a 555-foot tall marble obelisk standing as memorial to the nation’s first president on the National Mall. In collaboration with the National Park Service, BBB explored a broad range of options and conducted extensive consultation and engagement with preservation stakeholders, members of the public, and federal and state agencies, including reviews by the National Capitol Planning Commission, the US Commission of Fine Arts, the DC Historic Preservation Officer (State Historic Preservation Office), and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Following approvals, BBB advanced the design of this graceful and functional addition including the integration of a geothermal heating and cooling system that allows the glass roof to remain clear and provide visitors a full height view of the monument.
Photos by Beyer Blinder Belle
National Museum of American Diplomacy
BBB’s design for the National Museum of American Diplomacy, located at the State Department Headquarters in Washington DC, features interactive technologies that support real-time connections with embassies and exhibits throughout the world. Visitors will be welcomed into a grand 15,400 SF entry lobby that opens into an exhibition pavilion and gallery spaces. The design also includes a theater, classrooms, gift shops, museum support spaces, security screening, and climate control systems for the collections. The next phase of the project, which totals approximately 20,000 SF, will include additional museum spaces and will restore much of the historic lobby of the Marshall Building.
Photos by Beyer Blinder Belle
Do not forget that we will be posting more work by Beyer Blinder Belle in the coming weeks and months, so keep an eye out for more of their incredible work!! Every Friday we will be posting a new Featured Company, so join us again next week!
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