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
A duo of striking residential towers is rising up from a mixed-use podium on an expansive Brooklyn waterfront site, creating a dynamic neighborhood gateway and framing dramatic New York City views.
Two complementary towers, in conjunction with a lower 7-story building, will bring mixed-income housing, retail, and more than an acre of new public open space to Greenpoint, transforming this post-industrial waterfront. A ziggurat and its inverse, the 300- and 400-foot towers are stacked in a bold dialectic, creating an aperture onto Manhattan and connecting to the neighborhood with a series of cascading terraces.
A bridge between the towers is programmed with a pool and fitness center, while the naturally landscaped open spaces feature ample green lawns, a picnic area, and garden walk. In fall 2017, the Waterfront Alliance certified this first phase of Greenpoint Landing into its award-winning Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG) program for excellence in waterfront design and resiliency.
The complex will have approximately 750 rental units ranging from luxury penthouses on the top floors of each tower to market rate rental units, and 30 percent of the homes will be designated for affordable housing integrated throughout two of the three buildings. The unit interior layouts, finishes, bathrooms, and kitchen design are uniquely crafted with subtle modern flair in harmony with the iconic exterior envelope aesthetic. BBB is working as the executive architect and unit interior designer in collaboration with OMA.
Photos by Beyer Blinder Belle
BBB’s plan for Mission Rock creates a distinctive mixed-use development adjacent to San Francisco’s major league baseball stadium and waterfront parks.
BBB serves as planner and architect for the redevelopment of Seawall Lot 337 and Pier 48 in Mission Bay, San Francisco, to create a new 250,000 SF entertainment and retail district located directly across from McCovey Cove and the San Francisco Giants’ stadium at SBC Park. BBB’s plan transforms the existing 16-acre parking lot into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood with 875 residences, one million SF of office space, and a new 5.5 acre civic park as its centerpiece. It also includes an entertainment district featuring a 6,000-seat music hall, restaurants, and street-oriented retail. With views of the ballpark and the harbor, BBB’s plan integrates a high-energy, mixed-use entertainment development with game day activities and activates the waterfront with access to the parks and piers.
Photos by Beyer Blinder Belle
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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