Northeastern Hospital lobby renovation nearly complete

before

after

Izzo Here:  Jerry and I have been doing a bunch of renovations to the former Northeastern Hospital on Allegheny Ave, in Northeast Philly.  In addition to a few tenant fit outs, we're just about to finish the renovation of their main entrance lobby.  The space was used as the main entrance and a general waiting area for patients.  The owner wanted the space to feel like a lobby for all the tenants and not just a waiting area.  A big improvement.  Still waiting on an awesome new light fixture to get installed where the fluorescents currently are. Oh... and the old desk in the foreground will be removed.

The Best in Philly - Jim's Steaks

Felgoise Here: Whenever my buddies visit Philly, there is always one, two and sometimes three adventures to Jim’s Steaks on South Street. After patiently waiting in an elongated line wrapped around the outside of the building, my pals and I gorged ourselves on delicious cholesterol climbing, whiz specials. After engulfing 1.5 - 2 of Jim’s delights, we sat around the table with engorged bellies in a comatose-like state as we contemplated the seemingly impossible record eating feats. Guiness Book of World Records title holder for banana split eating, Linda Kuerth ate 11 cheeseteaks in an hour and half in 1977 and high school football player Alex Friedman bested that by one sandwich in 2001. In January 2007, Bob Shoudt devoured 13 sandwiches during a stunt qualifying for Philadelphia’s Wing Bowl Competition. At least the record breakers don’t have to pay for their steaks in cash as their only cost is an extended day of indigestion.

Legends never die.

Izzo Here:  It's not often that we get to hang out with local icons and national celebrities. Jose and I had the privilege of hanging out with our favorite (some will say second favorite) bartender at the pub, and boxing legend Smokin' Joe Frazier.  Joe passed away yesterday, but we got to throw a few sharp lefts at him. 

Floor, Ship and Saw.

Philadelphia’s hottest new art exhibit is right here at JKR in the downstairs lobby! Our gallery space is perfect for the contemplative gazing of art, providing a neutral color palette and unimposing lighting. Each month we will be featuring the cream of the crop artists and their masterworks. This November don’t miss the opportunity to see three absolutely stunning art pieces currently on display: Floor by Natalya Maltseva, Ship by Steve Sergi and Saw by Mike Izzo. Admission is free.     

Art by Architects exhibition at The Center for Architecture

Izzo Here: The Philadelphia Chapter of The American Institute of Architects has chosen 5 of my drawings to include in their annual Art by Architects exhibition at the Center for Architecture.  The exhibition includes work from 38 local architects and runs from Sunday through November 19th with the opening party on Thursday the 27th from 5-7pm.  There should be some good stuff there.  Hope to see you all on the 27th!

This one's for the ladies...

 Tiffany here: (YES - I really am back) I had the pleasure of attending the 6th Annual Diversity Women's Business Leadership Conference (National Harbor, MD). The AIA's department of Diversity and Inclusion was a Bronze sponsor and invited me (along with a few other wonderful women) to participate in the conference as representatives of the design and construction industry. 

Yes - it was a conference full of women (and a few scared men - haha... just kidding), but the message that was sent was WE ALL need to be more diverse in our lives. This message holds true to each of our personal lives as well as the broader landscape of the working environment. 

I sat in a pretty dynamic break out session called, Executive Success: "What Men Aren't Telling Women"... (Presenter - Jeffery Tobias Halter)

(Needless to say, that room was PACKED)

The presenter took us through a myriad of situations that definitely divide the genders and offered advice in terms of how women can overcome some self-imposed challenges in order to play the game.

For example... A group of men and a group of women were asked a series of questions:

1. Who is better at problem solving...Men or Women?

- The group of women said that women were better.

- The group of men said that men were better.

Ultimately, is it said that men and women see the idea of problem solving differently... Men view it as making a decision (regardless if it is right or not) and women view it as a process of research and investigation in order to come up with the right solution...

2. Who is better at networking....Men or Women?

- The group of women said that men were better.

- The group of men said that men were better.

It is always important to network with a purpose. Just be mindful of your surroundings. Men tend to speak in terms of status and when meeting new people find ways of how they can help each other. Women typically do not go into situations like this.  However, study after study has proved that women tend to have larger networks than men, although they may not be using them to their fullest potential. 

- With that said... Ladies, it's time to step out of our shells and start working the room!

JKR Partners AIA exhibit boards

This year JKR Partners is featuring two projects Penn IMAX and Presser Senior Apartments for the 2011 Design Excellence Exhibit. The boards are on display at The Rotunda, The Shops at Liberty Place, 16th and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia. October 10 through October 23, 2011.