BECOMING ARCHITECTS: A Major Professional Milestone
Our team is very proud to announce that Richard Abendroth, AIA and Robert Kuentzel, AIA have both achieved licensure as Architects. At Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS, Richard and Robert gained requisite well-rounded on-the-job experience, and completed the National Council of Architectural Review Board Architectural Experience Program (AXP) and the 6-part Architectural Registration Exam (A.R.E.). The AXP requires completion of 3,740 hours across six professional practice areas while the A.R.E. assess knowledge and skills of the practice including areas that affect the integrity, soundness, and health impact of a building, as well as an architect’s responsibilities within firms, such as managing projects and coordinating the work of other professionals.
A New Mission in Little Rome
Changing trends in the religious sector are increasingly leading many clerical orders to capitalize on the value of their land by selling all or parts of it for redevelopment, while in turn building smaller, more versatile and efficient facilities. Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS is working on one such project with the Paulist Fathers, who are building a new right-sized mission house and residence as the last of a series of redevelopments of the Paulist’s land in the Brookland neighborhood, DC’s “Little Rome”.
GREENing the Workplace
Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS recognizes the importance of a healthy office environment for the well-being of its employees, and continually strives to improve and maintain these spaces. One sound way to improve air quality, enhance visuals, as well as employee alertness and energy levels is by bringing nature inside of the building through living green walls. Over the past half century, a notable increase of urban dwellers has led to an increase in air pollution and loss of green spaces. Living green walls infuse office interiors with life-renewing greenery. They offer an inspirational and aesthetically intriguing natural boost to employee morale. The structures of living, breathing plant life create the “wow factor” so many designers seek while championing sustainability. The benefits of green walls are felt in our office every day.
Learning and Leading in 2020
Last semester, the firm welcomed to the studio a talented intern, Michael Njo, an IPAL student from The Catholic University of America. The IPAL (Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure) program was created by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) in 2015. The program offers a dynamic, innovative path to licensure for students who are dedicated to becoming an architect by integrating the opportunity to gain the real-world experience necessary to complete the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®) and ensuring that each IPAL student can take all six divisions of the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®).
The New Urban Campus
Twelve years in the making, the Capital One parcel master plan focuses on several key goals: establishment of an urban street grid linking to the surrounding community; a mix of uses and density, particularly in proximity to the McLean Metro Station; establishment of an inter-connected network of pedestrian-oriented amenities; and environmental stewardship and sustainable urban development.
Celebrating Our Team
Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS is driven by our talented and diverse teams; our people are our most valuable asset who help our clients to achieve innovative design solutions for the unique challenges of neighborhoods, communities and markets. Over the past year, we are fortunate to have new architects, designers, and industry leaders join our design studio who bring skills, perspective, energy, and personality to our dynamic team. Please join us welcoming them.
Study in Contrast: A Spring Feature
With a thoughtful blend of contemporary and historic elements, Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS’ David Haresign, FAIA and Adam Greene, AIA transformed a century-old log cabin in Chevy Chase into the open, modern home the client envisioned. The seamless juxtaposition of old and new in this renovation and addition project inspired Home & Design magazine’s Deborah Dietsch to tell the story through an eight-page spread in the Spring Edition.
B|HA Hosts Externship for University of Virginia Architecture Students
With 5 University of Virginia alumni currently on our team, we were very excited to host a week-long externship for two students from the School of Architecture: Audrey Liu, a second year MArch candidate, and Rhett Lin, a fourth year undergraduate student. The externship provides a glimpse into the professional life of a designer in an architecture firm with exposure to all aspects of practice.