{"id":39158,"date":"2024-12-06T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-06T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architect-us.com\/blog\/?p=39158"},"modified":"2024-12-06T14:07:43","modified_gmt":"2024-12-06T13:07:43","slug":"rex-third-selected-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architect-us.com\/blog\/2024\/12\/rex-third-selected-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"REX’s Selected Projects #3"},"content":{"rendered":"

History<\/strong> of REX<\/span><\/h4>\n

REX<\/a><\/span><\/strong> was founded by architect Joshua Ramus<\/span><\/strong> in 2001, after he was a founding partner of OMA New York<\/span> and rebranded the company as REX<\/span> in 2006.\u00a0During that period, he held the position of partner-in-charge for all of the firm’s projects, which included the Seattle Central Library<\/span>, which was praised by Herbert Muschamp, the architecture critic for The New York Times<\/span> as “the most exciting new building it has been my honor to review in more than 30 years of writing about architecture”<\/em>. Based in New York City, REX<\/span> is a highly recognized architecture and design firm internationally. Their goal is to develop creative designs that are so well-suited to their intended use that they inspire admiration. Fast Company<\/span> has listed the company as one of the Top 10 Innovative Architecture Companies in the World twice since its inception<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The firm challenges and advances building typologies and promotes the agency of architecture because it believes that architecture should do something for its users and communities, rather than just be a representational art. They believe that when handled intelligently, project obstacles like site conditions, finances, schedules, codes, and politics can serve as catalysts for the most creative solutions. As a result, any vision that resists unachievable realities will fall short when it comes to architectural concepts that take advantage of their clients’ constraints. Instead of creating universal designs that are watered down for wider use, they create highly targeted designs.<\/p>\n

As evidence of the firm’s superior design, REX and Joshua’s projects have been honored with numerous awards, including multiple AIA New York<\/span>, Architect\/Progressive Architecture<\/span>, Architect\u2019s Newspaper<\/span>, Architectural Review\/MIPIM<\/span>, Wallpaper*<\/span>, and two AIA National Honor Awards<\/span>. They have also been recognized with two American Council of Engineering Companies National Gold Awards<\/span>, a CTBUH Award of Excellence<\/span>, Time magazine\u2019s Building of the Year<\/span>, and inclusion in the prestigious Aga Khan Award<\/span> and Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize<\/span> competitions. Rex has also worked on a series of seminal projects which include\u00a0the AT&T Performing Arts Center Dee & Charles Wyly Theatre<\/span> in Dallas, Texas; the Vakko Fashion Center & Power Media Headquarters<\/span> in Istanbul, Turkey; and the Seattle Central Library<\/span> in the State of Washington.<\/p>\n

Leadership at REX<\/span><\/h4>\n

The leadership team is made up of 4 brilliant architects. JOSHUA<\/span><\/strong>, who continues to be deeply involved in every aspect of office operations as well as plays the role of leading the company’s think-tank. ALYSEN HILLER FIORE<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, who joined the firm in 2012 and co-manages the office with Joshua Ramus as a director. ADAM CHIZMAR<\/span><\/strong><\/a>, who joined REX in 2011 and is currently running the The Lindemann Performing Arts Center<\/span> at Brown University<\/span><\/strong> in Providence, Rhode Island (nearing completion) and two mixed-use towers on Perth\u2019s Elizabeth Quay in Australia (under construction) as a senior associate. And RA\u00daL RODR\u00cdGUEZ GARC\u00cdA<\/span><\/strong><\/a>, who joined the firm in 2014 and is currently leading 205 North Quay, a 37-story office tower in Brisbane, Australia; the 4,050 m\u00b2 (43,600 sf) Necklace Residence on New York\u2019s Long Island; and a luxury apartment in Manhattan as a senior associate. All his projects are still under construction.<\/p>\n

[Do you want to keep up to date with new job opportunities with Architect-US Partner Companies like REX? Leave us your contact info<\/span><\/strong> here<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.]<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Joshua Ramus, Founding Principal of REX<\/span><\/h4>\n

Mr. Ramus was the first American to win the $100,000 international architecture prize known as the Marcus Prize<\/span>, which is given out every two years by the University of Wisconsin<\/span><\/strong> and the Marcus Corporation Foundation<\/span><\/strong>. In addition, he has been named one of the “5 greatest architects under 50”<\/span> by HuffPost<\/span><\/strong>, one of the “20 Essential Young Architects”<\/span> by ICON magazine<\/span><\/strong>, one of the “Best and Brightest”<\/span> by Esquire<\/span><\/strong>, and one of the “20 Most Influential Players in Design”<\/span> by Fast Company<\/span><\/strong>. Joshua also\u00a0received the 2020 Action Maverick Award<\/span> from the experimental performance group STREB<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Joshua received the inaugural Araldo Cossutta Fellowship<\/span> and the SOM Fellowship<\/span> while pursuing his Master of Architecture at Harvard University<\/span><\/strong>. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Yale University<\/span><\/strong>, where he graduated magna cum laude with distinction. On top of that, he is registered as an architect in the Netherlands, Australia, and several U.S. states. He is also NCARB Certified<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

He has held visiting positions at Columbia University<\/span><\/strong>, The Cooper Union<\/span><\/strong>, Harvard University<\/span><\/strong>, Massachusetts Institute of Technology<\/span><\/strong>, Syracuse University<\/span><\/strong>, and at Yale University<\/span><\/strong> as the Eero Saarinen Visiting Professor<\/span> and the Cullinan Visiting Professor<\/span> at Rice University<\/span><\/strong>. Joshua presented REX’s design processes at TED<\/span><\/strong> and TEDxSMU<\/span><\/strong> conferences. He also frequently gave lectures at universities, museums, and symposiums all over the world.<\/p>\n

Company Culture at REX<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

They emphasize performance, a hybrid of form and function calibrated to each client’s aspirations and each project’s constraints, because they believe architecture should do things for its users and communities. Implementing good ideas requires as much, if not more, creativity than conceptualizing them. Architects, who have been less willing to take on responsibility, have moved away from the responsibility (and output) of Master Builders and toward the security (and helplessness) of stylists. REX re-engages responsibility in order to carry out vision and maintain the insight that fosters architectural invention. Contractual arrangements and procurement tactics are examples of processes that they\u00a0use as design tools.<\/p>\n

According to REX, the biggest barrier between clients and architects is a lack of common language. They deliver more coherent and high-caliber solutions by giving their clients enough time to reflect before starting the conventional design process. In collaboration with their clients, they pinpoint the fundamental issues they have and develop common ground from which to assess the ensuing architectural concepts.<\/p>\n

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The proliferation of the \u201cstarchitecture\u201d phenomenon reduces teams to individuals and their collaborative work to genius sketches. It diminishes the real teamwork that drives celebrated architecture. REX believes architects should guide collaboration rather than impose solutions. We replace the traditional notion of authorship\u2014\u201cI created this building\u201d\u2014with \u201cWe nurtured this process.\u201d<\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The studio is composed of thirty designers of varied cultural, social, and educational backgrounds. At REX, they believe that respecting and valuing each person’s distinct experiences and backgrounds is the first step toward ensuring that everyone has equitable access to opportunities and experiences in both their built environment and their line of work. REX requires diversity in the firms they work with, the stakeholder groups they interact with, and their fellow collaborators.<\/p>\n

While they foster these relationships, they uphold the highest standards of respect for all people, regardless of their color, gender, age, identity, or social standing. Their goal is to create structures and areas that allow people to move around with safety and dignity while also reflecting and advancing the variety of their experiences and stories. They do this by acknowledging and celebrating differences.<\/p>\n

Architect-US<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is proud to work in close contact with REX <\/strong>and to be<\/span> able to ensure the firm gets to know and work with amazing young architects like David Manso Pulido<\/em><\/span>, whom we helped process his Visa and get a position at REX through our\u00a0Job+J1 Visa Program<\/a><\/span>!<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

David Manso Pulido<\/span><\/h4>\n

David Manso<\/span><\/em><\/a> studied Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago<\/span> and at the Escuela T\u00e9cnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid<\/span>, Spain. David’s work experience ranges for a period of over 12 years in the Architecture Industry internationally (Madrid, New York, Sydney and Hamburg). The companies he worked for required him to employ different sets of skills such as: project managing, layout design, MEP, design, 3D modelling and archviz. Besides these awesome skills, David is also an expert in AutoCAD, Sketchup, 3DStudio Max, VRay, Corona, Lumion, TwinMotion, Enscape, and Photoshop.<\/p>\n

He\u00a0is a Spanish architect who joined REX<\/span> through our Job+J1 Visa Program<\/span><\/strong><\/a> as a Trainee. Despite the fact that he did not finish his Master’s, his impressive work experience in the field made his J1 Visa<\/span> process possible. David will not be moving alone to the United States, he will be bringing his wife and daughter along!<\/p>\n

He spent 12 years working at AXIOM Ingenier\u00eda<\/span><\/strong>, an engineering firm specialized in pharmaceutical plant design, Madrid, where he continues to participate in a variety of projects such as the Animal facility R&D center<\/span><\/strong> in Madrid for Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentaci\u00f3n<\/span>. The Animal Facility was entered in a competition and it won the 2nd Place<\/span>, David played the role of Design Lead<\/span> and Project Manager<\/span>.<\/p>\n

He also worked at Kirsch & Bremer\/artandarchitecture<\/span> in Hamburg and took part in numerous projects such as the Emil Nolde House and Museum renovation which won the 1st prize in a competition.<\/p>\n

[Let us take on the work of finding your dream job for you and\u00a0join us<\/span><\/a> today!]<\/strong><\/h4>\n

REX‘s<\/span> Selected Projects<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

2050 M Street – Washington, DC<\/span><\/h4>\n

REX has unveiled plans for 2050 M Street, an office building in Washington, DC’s Golden Triangle Business District. The 41,800 square meter (450,000 square foot) building is an evolution and fusion of two existing typologies found in the US Capitol: modern buildings with taut glass envelopes, many with applied decorative treatments and heavy masonry or concrete buildings with high relief facades and punched windows, in styles ranging from Beaux Arts to Neoclassical, Art Deco, and Brutalist. In order to balance these two opposing approaches, 2050 M Street offers ultra-transparent glass that extends from floor to ceiling without any mullions that obstruct views.<\/p>\n

To reduce solar gain and meet thermal performance requirements, the insulating cavity is coated with a high-performance, low-E coating, and the glass is treated with a subtly reflective pyrolytic coating on the outside. The architects claim that the unusual kaleidoscopic effect of repetitive transparency and reflection that is created by the coating and curves “both animates and dematerializes the fa\u00e7ade.”<\/p>\n

M Street’s lobby features book-matched cowhides for wall panels and warm wood floors and ceilings as a counterpoint to the facade. The hides are meant to evoke the use of stone patterns as ornament by Modernists such as Mies, with the effect akin to that of a yacht deck.<\/p>\n

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Photos by REX<\/span><\/p>\n

Perelman Performing Arts Center @ WTC – New York City, NY<\/span><\/h4>\n

On September 19, 2023, the Perelman Performing Arts Center finally opened to the public after more than 20 years of construction. The bright cube-shaped structure was designed to be the last component in the 2023 Master Plan for the reconstruction of the 16-acre World Trade Center site and one of the cultural icons of New York City. Despite its modest height of eight stories, the venue commands attention with its monolithic fa\u00e7ade made of Portuguese marble with translucent veining.<\/p>\n

The Perelman Performing Arts Center, named for businessman, philanthropist, and benefactor Ronald O. Perelman, has three adaptable spaces: the 450-seat John E. Zuccotti Theater, 250-seat Mike Nichols Theater, and 99-seat Doris Duke Theater. With their thoughtfully designed features, all three venues can be used separately or in different ways. With capacities ranging from 90 to 950 seats, more than 60 stage-audience arrangements are made possible by the high-tech theatrical flexibility. In order to make this happen, REX worked with acoustician Threshold Acoustics, theater consultant Charcoalblue, and executive architect Davis Brody Bond.<\/p>\n

The fa\u00e7ade, which is covered in almost 5,000 marble tiles that are half an inch thick, lets light shine through during the day and glow from within at night. The veined Estremoz Luminati Portuguese marble was laminated on both sides with glass and integrated insulated panels. As a result, light can flow through the stone-glass panels while maintaining energy efficiency and shielding the marble from weather-related degradation.<\/p>\n

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\"\"Photos by REX<\/span><\/p>\n

Victoria and Albert (V&A) Design Centre at Dundee – Scotland<\/span><\/h4>\n

The Dundee City Council held an international architectural competition earlier this year to create a new \u00a347 million Center for Art and Design. The ‘V&A at Dundee’ project is a collaboration between London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, Abertay and Dundee Universities, Dundee City Council, and Scottish Enterprise. It will be located on the bank of the River Tay at the foot of the city’s Union Street. The new facility will be the premier hub for design and art in Scotland.<\/p>\n

The overall shape of “V&A at Dundee” resembles an inverted pyramid, with an extended face at the top and a tapering bottom. This arrangement maximizes the area designated for the galleries while also reducing the building’s overall footprint. The creation of public space in the shape of an outdoor plaza is also made possible by the larger open area at the base of the center. Because of its numerous skylights, the tapering shape allows for self-shading during the summer months while still letting in a significant amount of natural daylight\u2014an essential feature for a museum. The building’s faceted shape serves as a secondary structural layer of diagonal perimeter columns in addition to optimizing the available space.<\/p>\n

It is split into four levels: an incubator layer for Scottish design, a civic area, an exhibition space on the top floor, and a marshalling area at ground level. The building’s elevators, restrooms, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire stairs are all located in a central core that is centered within these levels. Likewise provided by the core are the building’s principal gravity and lateral support.<\/p>\n

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\"\"Photos by REX<\/span><\/p>\n

We will be posting more projects by REX<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>in the upcoming weeks and months, so keep an eye out for more of their incredible work! Every Friday we will be posting a new Featured Company<\/strong>, so join us again next week!<\/span><\/p>\n

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