This project, from 1985, for a residential addition, included a studio for artist Joan Kennedy. She and her husband, Gordon, had a remarkable eye for design that set the bar high for the jump into my own practice.
This project from 1989 had to face the complex issues related to the conversion a badly warn mansion on 16th Street NW for a kindergarten and primary school program for the Lowell School. The collaboration with the Director, Abigail Wiebenson and her staff was critical to the outcome. And for me, engaging with the ethos of this progressive school was inspiring.
In 1991, a small project at the Smithsonian America Art Museum was a collaborative effort that included support from then Director Elizabeth Broun and Thora Colot from the Smithsonian Museum Shops. It also was the start of the long-time collaborative effort with Graphic Designer Caroline Lee.
In 2011 I was fortunate to be able to collaborate on an ideas competition, with a program to extend and connect sections of the walking and biking route along the East River in New York City. My collaborator was my daughter, then student, now architect Madeline Stokoe. The image is a section of our design that suggests a bridge that would run parallel to the United Nations building. Our entry tied with another for the competition winner.
In 1992, unexpected success was the award of a contract to execute renovations at the Kennedy Center that included a new entrance for the AFI, a new and expanded information desk and two museum shops. Key to the outcome was the close working relationship with an open minded Kennedy Center staff.
A new project, in 1996, was the restoration of a ground floor lobby hallway and a new museum shop at the Nation Museum of Natural History. An Important collaborative elements included the approval of the Associate Director, Robert Sullivan for the inclusion of artifacts in the design as wells as graphic design by Caroline Lee.
A new project for the Phillips Collection in 1999 in support of the Renoir to Rothko exhibit was the beginning of a more than ten year collaboration with exhibit designer, Val Lewton. There was also a key collaboration for improvements in lighting the in the galleries by lighting designer, Scott Rosenfeld.
2000 found Val and I challenged by demanding clients. Clients with a very note worthy art collection and an attention to detail that was was critical to a strong and exceptional outcome. Collaborating with lighting designer David Tozer was also key. Millwork by Washington Woodworking and construction by Gibson Builders was of the highest quality.
Another long-time collaborator, was Thora Colot. In 2003 she was Director of the Foundation for the National Archives and hired us to design a new museum store themed to NARA’s mission. The close attention from Thora Colot and her staff, as well as the graphic design of Caroline Lee set this up for an effective result.
In 2007 Val Lewton and I were hired to convert the interior of a large warehouse as the new location for the Mississippi Museum of art in Jackson, Mississippi. The work included the architectural framework and the exhibit design for the permanent exhibition the “Mississippi Story”.
UVA Museum 2009 a collaboration with V Lewton for the renovation of the existing art museum and exhibit design for an opening exhibition. The challenges regarding museum level climate control were a significant component of the work.
A series of projects in (2008-2017) Germantown NY in the Hudson Vally offered the opportunity to collaborate with long-time friends to transform their farm house and barn. The key of the program was to make the most of the view of Round Top, a mountain across the river in the Catskills as well as a monumental tree supported by the runoff from a spring fed pond.
A 12,000 square foot livestock barn was a highlight of a multi-decade collaboration with Mount Vernon on a range of projects large and small. The barn was designed in a deep collaboration with livestock manager Lisa Pregent.