WINNER
2009 ULI Top Ten Entertainment & Retail Projects
2008 AIA Distinguished Award
2007 ICSC International Innovative Design & Development Award
2007 ICSC European Design Award
PROJECT SIGNIFICANCE
This project truly is a breakthrough design for a commercial development… an avant-garde design that rises above commercial mediocrity and achieves a much wider definition of success. Unlike corporate and institutional buildings, commercial architecture operates in an environment that must respond to all the normal constraints… especially exceedingly tight budgets… but also must achieve a successful selling environment that places very specific burdens on the project. Commercial buildings and environments must make strong financial returns… connect with customers… and establish themselves as important places in each community… in addition to striving for exciting architectural expression. Unusual for any commercial building is the integration of large scaled sculptural glass elements into the form giving architectonics for this project. These sculptural architectonics are not arbitrary design elements, but rather the physical manifestation of some very clear strategic imperatives. And finally, the client wanted a “Bilbao” event… a compelling “destination experience” on a tight commercial budget. It is interesting that this project is constantly showing up on private web sites of individuals who felt compelled to photograph themselves at Dolce Vita Porto. scaled sculptural glass elements into the form giving architectonics for this project. These sculptural architectonics are not arbitrary design elements, but rather the physical manifestation of some very clear strategic imperatives. And finally, the client wanted a “Bilbao” event… a compelling “destination experience” on a tight commercial budget. It is interesting that this project is constantly showing up on private web sites of individuals who felt compelled to photograph themselves at Dolce Vita Porto.
Michael was the Principal in Charge and led the design team while Suttle Mindlin, an internationally acclaimed architectural firm.