Boston’s 300-Year-Old Eliot School adds a newly renovated campus in the North End

The City of Boston and the Boston Public Schools recently announced the completion of construction and opening of the $15 million renovation of the Eliot Innovation School building in the North End at 585 Commercial Street, Boston. The Eliot School has been located in the North End for its entire history. As Boston’s oldest continuously-run public school (and possibly the oldest continuously operating school in the United States), the Eliot has a rich past that began with its opening as the North Writing School in 1713. After merging with the North Latin School in 1790, the then newly formed entity became the John Eliot School, named after a pastor of the North Church in Boston. Many famous Bostonians, including American patriots Samuel Adams and Paul Revere have been educated there.

View from across Commercial Street in the morning as children walk to school

Children entering school before classes begin in the morining

Students sharing one of the nooks for discussion and collaborative learning.

The Bunker Hill monument is visible through the corner of the left window with a math class in progress

The Zakim Bridge is visible from the windows of a classroom where a writing class is in progress

Classrooms are near a “nook” where small groups can gather for instruction and collaborative learning.

A teacher with some students at one of the nooks for instruction and collaborative learning.

Students at breakfast in the cafeteria which has views of the harbor and Zakim Bridge.

Students in the corridors in between classes and using their lockers.

Students in the main lobby area after end of classes

Exterior view of one of the in-classroom “nooks”

Exterior view showing the 6 “nooks” and play yard visible from the harbor-side

Front elevation of the stairwell which is a major design element of the new school building.

The Eliot K-8 Innovation School's future as one of the highest-performing schools in the city, is exciting as well. As an innovation school, the Eliot is allowed to implement further changes to its curriculum, staffing, teaching methods and assessment strategies, yet still remain a Boston Public School. The city granted approval for the status change in September 2012, just in time for the school’s expansion into its new second building. It’s now considered by many to be the best public school in Boston and has a current waiting list larger than its enrollment.

This new, 42,000-square-foot school facility features a digital art studio, technology classroom with robotics lab and laser cutter, media center, cafeteria, and 18 new classrooms that promote collaborative learning. The building features eight brightly colored projecting bays, which create “learning nooks” geared for small group instruction and collaborative learning. Exterior upgrades include a new schoolyard with play structure, new sidewalks, and an accessible entry.

Students enjoying the new school yard and play structure during recess.

With its enviable waterfront location next to the harbor and Zakim Bridge; views of the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument; and just steps away from the Freedom Trail, this school building significantly enhances the learning experience of the students by uniquely connecting them to the natural and historical environment surrounding them.

The construction of the new Upper School building at 585 Commercial Street started in 2017 and was completed this past September. The building which serves students in 5th through 8th grades, is part of a three-building campus in Boston’s North End. The other buildings are at 173 Salem Street which serves grades 2 through 4, and 16 Charter Street which serves Pre-K through 1st grade. The Eliot’s 730 students are evenly distributed among the three school buildings, with the Upper School currently serving nearly 250 students. These three facilities now provide a refreshed urban campus for Boston’s longest continuously running school. The renovations of both the Commercial Street and Salem Street locations were designed by Finegold Alexander Architects.

“I am thrilled to celebrate the opening of a new Eliot School building,” said Boston Mayor Martin Walsh during the formal opening and announcement on Oct 19th 2019.. “This school is a big part of the North End’s history and will remain the heart and soul of this community for decades to come. Thank you to all our partners who made this possible.”

The Zakim Bridge is visible from the main stairwell which the students use to go between classes.

The Zakim Bridge at dusk from the main stairwell.

View across the water from the North Washington Street Bridge at dusk.

View from across Commercial Street at dusk.

Finegold Alexander Architects served as the design architect and architect of record. The project team included: Daniel O’Connell’s Sons (Contractor); Copley Wolff Design Group (Landscape Architect); Acentech (Acoustics); Sladen Feinstein Integrated Lighting (Lighting)

Boston City Hall Council Chambers redesign wins BSA 2019 Accessible Design Award for FAA

The Boston Society of Architects (BSA) recently announced the Design Awards for 2019. The redesign of the Boston City Hall's Council Chambers is one of 13 projects this year to be awarded in the Accessible Design category by the BSA. This honor is awarded every two years and recognizes design excellence in buildings or facilities that are accessible for persons of all abilities. According to BSA, the successful projects include the integration of accessibility requirements and exceed the legal requirements with features that anticipate diverse user needs and benefits.

The Council Chamber’s redesign effort was led by Finegold Alexander Architects and included Sladen Feinstein Integrated Lighting for lighting design, Meek Consulting for the interior design and Acentech for the acoustical and audio/visual design.

View from visitor gallery

This project is part of Rethink City Hall, the overall 30-year master plan announced by Mayor Marty Walsh in Oct 2017 to address required repairs and transform our 50-year-old City Hall and Plaza into an innovative, healthy, and efficient civic facility that better serves current and future generations of Bostonians and visitors. The redesign addressed accessibility, upgraded technology, and provided significant system, furniture and finish upgrades. Boston City Council President Michelle Wu said that “The Council Chamber is now fully functional, accessible and state-of-the-art, and will continue to connect us with the history of our building and our city. It has been wonderful to partner with this team to renovate, redesign and upgrade the space while honoring the iconic nature of City Hall’s architecture.”

Height-adjustable and accessible sit/stand podium for Council President

The Boston City Hall, designed and completed in 1968 by architects Kallmann, McKinnell, and Knowles is a prominent example of the monumental Brutalist architectural style of that time - featuring facades and interior surfaces of exposed cast-in-place concrete. Bostonians have a love-hate relationship with this building - considered a masterpiece of Brutalist architecture by many, but reviled as an eyesore by others. The redesign kept unchanged the famed Brutalist concrete motif.

Universal access was implemented throughout the entire space - aisle width adjustments, altered seating arrangements to accommodate wheelchairs and companion seating, addition of integrated accessible public lecterns and an automated, accessible sit/stand podium for the Council President allowing for an adjustable height. By raising the floor a prior system of ramps between visitor seating, the councilors and the podium was eliminated. This allowed for a seamless circulation and access that is direct, without impediments - promoting a more inclusive atmosphere in the chamber.

Visitor sitting area with seating for City Councillors in the foreground

The lighting design was modernized and upgraded through the use of energy efficient recessed LED fixtures which now maintain and celebrate the hallmark concrete grid design in the ceiling. The integrated acoustical improvements, new technology and audio/visual systems and special lighting support television production requirements for city hall proceedings.

Original concrete grid pattern was maintained in the new lighting design

Breathing new life into the old

The ALA (American Library Association) selected the Stoughton Public Library in Stoughton, MA as one of thirteen libraries nationwide in 2019 to be featured in American Libraries’ annual celebration of new and renovated libraries! The ALA selected these libraries as “shining examples of innovative architectural feats” that “address user needs in unique, interesting, and effective ways.” All thirteen libraries are featured in the Library Design Showcase of the Sept/Oct 2019 issue of the American Libraries Magazine.

The ALA is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 57,000 members. Each year the ALA announces that year's most impressive new and renovated libraries across the US.

Pages 32-33 of the Library Design Showcase section of American Libraries Magazine, Sep/Oct 2019 issue featuring Stoughton Public Library

Cover of the American Libraries Magazine, Sept/Oct 2019 issue

I had the pleasure of photographing this beautiful library for Finegold Alexander Architects, who designed and completed the renovation and expansion of this $14 million project in the fall of 2018. The new design economically reused the original 22,000 sq. ft. mid-century modern structure and foundation built in 1969 and expanded it to an energy efficient, universally accessible, inviting and modern library facility of 31,000 sq. ft.. The redesign expanded the second floor to create an addition that extends over the front façade. The clerestory windows and roof were kept in the redesign and the atrium was expanded, allowing for additional daylight into both the enlarged adult collection and the entry gallery.

Expanded second floor and adult section

New rear entrance and a view into the expanded second floor

The new circulation desk and seating area in the main lobby

Views of new atrium and lobby

Glimpses of the old library interiors before the redesign

New section of the library for teens and young adults next to the main entrance and atrium

New kids section

Exterior showing the expanded second floor that extends over the front facade

Exterior view of the front and main entrance from the street

The interiors of the Library were designed by Stefura Associates. New landscaping, signage and walkways were added and the building is now universally accessible along with parking capacity for 20 additional spaces. Below are few images of the interior and exterior at dusk taken in Dec 2018 around the time of the Library opening.

Finegold Alexander Architects win 2019 Preservation Achievement Award for BU Castle

One of the most gratifying things as a professional photographer is when my architect and designer clients win awards for projects they designed and which I had the pleasure of photographing for them.

When the work of my clients receive awards and recognition, I feel rewarded as well.

The most recent such project for my client Finegold Alexander Architects is the Boston University's Dahod Family Alumni Center (a.k.a The Castle), which won the 2019 Preservation Achievement Award from the Boston Preservation Alliance.

Entrance to The Castle from Bay State Road

When originally completed in 1915 by architects Chapman and Frazer as the private home of wealthy industrialist William Lindsey, it was one of the first residences along Bay State Road and Storrow Drive in Boston. It was modeled in the Tudor revival style after Athelhampton Hall in Dorset, UK. Over time, the Boston University campus developed around the home. In 1938, the property was donated to BU, serving as the residence of BU Presidents and as lecture space. In 1967 BU converted the building into office and event space on the upper floors and the the BU Pub in the basement.

View of the 2nd floor roof deck and extension to the BU Pub from Granby Street

Main entrance to The Castle

With this current massive $12 million restoration and transformation led by Finegold Alexander Architects, which completed in the Fall of 2018, the building became the Alumni Center and Faculty Club. As part of this transformation, not only were the ornate interiors and sandstone exteriors meticulously restored to their original splendor and character but there were also significant mechanical and functional upgrades made to the building, including an outdoor roof deck and patio space, and accessibility improvements. The result of all this effort is an iconic building that serves as a gathering place for students and alumni at the heart of the campus while continuing to preserve and contribute to the history and character of the BU Campus and the surrounding neighborhood.

Detail of sandstone exterior and improvements to windows

Entrance to the BU Pub which occupies the basement level of The Castle

View of the new 2nd floor roof deck and exterior improvements to The Castle from across Storrow Drive

View of the The Castle from the BU Hillel House across Granby Street

G2CLA wins BSLA 2019 Design Merit Award for Harvard Yard Child Care Center playground project

The Boston Society of Landscape Architects (BSLA) recently announced their 2019 Design Award winners. I'm so glad that G2 Collaborative Landscape Architecture (G2CLA) has won a 2019 Design Merit award for their Harvard Yard Child Care Center playground project in Cambridge, MA. In this project, the team at G2CLA utilized an innovative playground design to convert a rectangular space between two Harvard University buildings into a creative, engaging, safe and fun playground experience for the kids. This design allows the kids to engage and interact in an active and constructive play which is entirely different from how kids engage with the traditional playground kits we normally see.

It was a lot of fun photographing this for G2CLA last summer. I got to be a kid and follow the kids around as they splashed with water in the fountains, rode around in their bikes, and climbed up and down the vertical play elements. Because of the location and orientation of this space between two buildings there are hard shadows in the morning and afternoon. The only time window a majority of the playground has direct sunlight is from 11am-1pm; not the best of times to make nice photographs. Despite the harsh and contrasty light I was able to make use of the colorful elements and surfaces, the surrounding trees and buildings, the light and shadows, and the playfulness of the kids engaging in their activities to make some interesting photographs of this fun playground.

More information about the project can be found at G2CLA's website - http://www.g2cla.com/hyccc

And here's a link to an article in the Boston Real Estate Times about the BSLA 2019 Design Awards
https://bostonrealestatetimes.com/boston-society-of-landscape-architects-announces-2019-design-awards/

Prepping for an Architectural Photo-shoot

I was invited to speak at the Boston Society of Architect’s Marketing/PR Network meeting yesterday morning. I’m grateful to Sandy Kane (from Acentech Inc.) and Abby Gillespie (from Perkins+Will), the committee co-chairs, for this opportunity.

The topic of the morning was “Prepping for an architectural photo shoot”. The meeting was held in the Harbor Conference room of the BSA/Space on Congress Street close to the Boston Seaport area.

Title slide

Photo credit - Elisif Brandon

Photo credit - Elisif Brandon

We started off discussing what goes into planning and budgeting for an architectural photo shoot.

With roughly 25 registered attendees, we had an engaging and lively discussion about copyrights and usage, scouting and shot lists, and how architecture and design firms can involve their partners on a project to share the responsibilities and costs of an architectural photo shoot. And finally, we discussed what the different phases of an architectural photo shoot are. I listed out the activities that are involved in each of those phases and illustrated those with actual examples from some of my recent photo shoots.

I really enjoyed this opportunity to step back from my daily life as a photographer, look at the overall process that goes into producing and successfully executing an architectural photo-shoot, and share that process, best practices and experience with a group of professionals from the architecture, engineering and construction (A/E/C) industry . It was wonderful to hear their perspectives and experiences as well.

The Lucas, Boston, featured in local and national magazines and publications

The bold architecture and design of the Lucas, Boston by Finegold Alexander Architects and of the luxe interiors by Wolf in Sheep Design have been featured in a few local and national magazines and publications over the past few months - the Architectural Record in March 2018, in the Boston Home Magazine Spring 2018 issue, in the Special Advertising section of the Oprah Magazine and Entrepreneur Magazine May 2018 issues, and in the Architect's Newspaper on May 31st 2018. I'm glad the articles include some of the photographs I made for the project's architects and builders.

Architectural Record - March 2018

Boston Magazine Home - Spring 2018

Oprah Magazine - May 2018

Entrepreneur Magazine - May 2018

Architect's Newspaper - May 31st 2018

You can read the online version of the article and see more images of the Lucas at the archpaper.com site.

Once in a blue moon

It's only once in a blue moon there's an opportunity to photograph a full moon on two different occasions within the same month. There's no pun here.

When there are two full moons in the same calendar month it's actually called a blue moon. Due to the moon's 28-day cycle it only happens once in a while – therefore as the saying goes, once in a blue moon.

I was able to get an even rarer opportunity to photograph the blue moon from opposite corners of the country - first in the south west, at the White Sands National Monument in New Mexico on Jan 1st 2018, and then again in the north east, in Boston, this past Wed Jan 31st 2018.

The full moon this past Wed, Jan 31st was extra special - a super blue blood moon. A rare trifecta of lunar events happening all at once that was last seen in the US in 1866.

This moon is considered super being especially close to the Earth due to it's elliptical orbit, appearing larger and brighter than usual. We also had a lunar eclipse happening, so it's passing through the Earth's shadow caused the moon to appear a deep red color. And hence the blood moon.

This first set of images below are from the full moon during moon rise at the White Sands, NM on Jan 1st.

A full moon rises over the Sacramento Mountains and the White Sands National Monument, NM as the setting sun casts a warm glow over the sand and two yucca plants in the foreground. 

A full moon over the Sacramento Mountains and the White Sands National Monument, NM.

The second set of images are of the moon during moon set and the Boston skyline with the Prudential tower and dome of the First Church of Christ, Scientist. The partial eclipse is visible on the top left of the moon.

A super blue blood moon sets as the rising sun casts a warm glow over the Boston skyline with the Prudential tower visible on the right.

A close shot of the super blue blood moon with the dome of the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston visible in the center of the frame.

A close shot of the setting super blue blood moon with the Boston skyline and dome of the First Church of Christ, Scientist visible.

A super blue blood moon sets just as the sun rises in the opposite direction casting a warm glow over the Boston skyline.

According to NASA we'll get another opportunity to see a super blue blood moon in the US in another 19 years on Jan 31st 2037.

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico - a spectacular bird photography destination.

Happy New 2018! Hope your year is off to a great start.

I feel fortunate I was able to start off my new year with a visit to the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in the state of New Mexico. As one of the top rated destinations in the US for bird photographers, it has been on my must visit list for a while now.

Snow geese taking off from pool along Old Highway 1 in Bosque del Apache NWR, New Mexico

When a good friend of mine who is on a RV trip across the US South West mentioned that he'd be in New Mexico in Dec-Jan, I jumped at the opportunity and met up with him to spend a week in early January visiting the White Sands National Monument and the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.

Snow geese taking off in the morning from main pool in Bosque del Apache NWR, New Mexico

The 57,000 plus acre refuge which means "Forests of the Apache" in Spanish, is located in San Antonio, New Mexico in the Rio Grande valley at the northern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert. It is a system of wetlands and agricultural lands along the Rio that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does a fantastic job of managing as a refuge for migratory birds and other wildlife. Surrounded by desert habitat with the dramatic backdrops of the Chupadera Mountains to the west and San Pascual Mountains to the south and east, the reserve is a refuge for greater sandhill cranes, snow geese and other migratory birds during the winter. It is one of North America’s top bird-photography hotspots, home to as many as 50,000 snow geese and 15,000 greater sandhill cranes some winters.

A greater sandhill crane landing to roost for the night at Bosque del Apache NWR

A greater sandhill crane landing in a corn field backlit by the later afternoon sun

A flock of snow geese backlit by the late afternoon sun landing on a corn field

A snow goose landing in a corn field at Bosque del Apache NWR

With sunny weather most of the year, and oriented along a north-south axis, the refuge is known for it's beautiful light in the mornings and evenings. Mornings and evenings are also the times when the geese and cranes fly out and then come back to the refuge to roost for the night. I was inspired by the beautiful golden light, the graceful movements of the birds in flight, and the backgrounds of colorful foliage and mountains at Bosque to make some evocative, painterly images, and not just the usual crisp, sharply-focused images.

Using a telephoto lens, slow shutter speeds ranging from 1/8th to 1/30th of a second, and panning techniques, I created some images that look like oil pastel paintings and color pencil drawings. All of these images were photographed hand-held and made in camera.

This Bosque trip was a wonderful - something I'll remember and cherish for a long time to come.  I can't wait to get back there again, hopefully sometime soon. 

A flock of snow geese against the moon, flying into Bosque del Apache NWR in the morning.

If you're a nature lover or a birder/bird photographer, Bosque Del Apache in New Mexico should be a must-visit destination for a fall or winter getaway.

The Lucas - a spectacular Boston South End residential project marries the old with the new

Boston, like every major city in the US, has seen its share of the luxury residential construction boom. From the new skyscrapers in the Seaport district to the Millennium Towers downtown, we've seen quite a few spectacular projects. Much of it has been new construction replacing the old.

The Lucas, a recently completed 33-unit luxury condo complex, however, is unlike anything Boston has seen before. This elegant South End residential project transforms the former 1874 Holy Trinity German Church into a boutique, eight story condo building.

Located at 136 Shawmut Avenue, the project is a joint venture between New Boston Ventures and Metric Corporation. It was designed by the award-winning Boston architecture firm Finegold Alexander Architects.

The beautiful new design marries the original design of 19th century Irish-American architect Patrick Keely. It preserves the historical church's pudding-stone exteriors and adds a contemporary eight story steel and glass structure shooting through the original building.

The Lucas is a testament to balancing preservation with vibrant new uses of historical structures in an urban setting. I am thankful and honored to have had the opportunity to photograph and document this new gem in the South End for it's architects and developers.

Two framed prints from Cape Cod Lighthouses series hang at Mooncusser Fish House, Boston

If you happen to visit Mooncusser Fish House restaurant or the Moon Bar in the Boston back bay area, you might notice two 24"x30" framed prints from my Cape Cod Lighthouses series.

Long Point Light, Provincetown, Cape Cod, MA

Highland Light, Truro, Cape Cod, MA

Mooncusser Fish House and the Moon Bar which opened in August this year have quickly made a name in the Boston restaurant scene and is rated among the top 25. Ian Calhoun, who owns the restaurant recently purchased and put up the two framed prints - the one of the Long Point Light in Provincetown and the milkyway is in the upstairs dining room, and the one of the Highland Light in Truro in the late afternoon light is in the wine bar downstairs.

The name of the restaurant and Ian's choice of the lighthouse themed photographs from Cape Cod have a direct connection. The restaurant's name is inspired by Ian’s childhood summers on Mooncusser Lane in East Dennis in Cape Cod.

Mooncussers were land-based pirates who, on dark moonless nights along dangerous coasts would demolish any legitimate lighthouses or beacons, erect a decoy light or fire in a rocky, deliberately misleading location, and then, after having caused a shipwreck would subdue any survivors and plunder the wreckage. This strategy wouldn't work on a moonlit night and so the pirate might be expected to curse at the moon - hence their name mooncussers.

The sea food inspired dishes there are all thoughtfully and impeccably prepared. I have dined at the Moon Bar a couple of times already and can't wait to go back.

Interiors photography for a PRISM 2017 Award winning kitchen remodel project

My heartfelt gratitude to David Sharff Architect, P.C. and Jill Breed for the opportunity to be the photographer for another BRAGB (Builders and Re-modelers Association of Greater Boston) PRISM Award winning project. This kitchen remodel project was awarded PRISM 2017 Silver for kitchen remodels in the $125K-150K category. I'm very honored to be part of this award winning team.

Snapshot of Award announcement from the 2016 PRISM Book of Winners

The lead image for the project showing the kitchen and the adjoining sections of the residence

More images from the project are below

Image from Mass Audubon, Worcester Project in ABX 2017 Photo Exhibit

I'm thrilled and honored that one of the images of the Mass Audubon Broad Meadow Brook's new Barbara Elliot Fargo Education Center, that I made for my client Maple Hill Architects will be among the very select few to be displayed at the ABX 2017 Photo Exhibit by the Boston Society of Architects. The annual ABX international exhibition, which is the largest building industry conference and trade show in the northeastern US will be held from Nov 8-10 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

Maple Hill Architects redesigned and renovated the Barbara Elliot Fargo Education Center in Worcester, MA with a green environmentally friendly design that harnesses solar power, natural light and rain water in innovative ways.

A few additional images from that project are below.

Here's to hoping a speeding ticket will slow summer down

Another summer officially comes to an end today, and phew, did this one fly by. Is it just me or does it really seem to go by faster every year?

To me, summer is a time, for humid days and balmy nights,
To feel the grass beneath your feet and the sand between your toes,
Of curtains dancing in the breeze and afternoon naps on the hammock,
Bike rides around town, hikes along fields, and meadows of wild flowers,
For morning swims in the lake and peering over a book to watch a evening thunderstorm pass by.

It's a time to reconnect and rejuvenate, but at summer's end, you regret the missed opportunities and things you meant to get done. Then you wait for the next one ...

First Prize in the PDN Great Outdoors 2017, Wildlife category

The Photo District News magazine just announced the results of their 2017 Great Outdoors Contest. I'm honored and humbled to have won first prize in the professional section of the wildlife category.

I'm fortunate to have access to locations in our beautiful New England region where I can observe and photograph birds and animals in their natural habitat. In May, I was lucky enough to capture this female red fox and her kit as they went about their day on the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Watching the fondness, tenderness, and bond between the mother fox and her kit was magical. In many ways, it symbolizes the bond between any mother and child. It shows how these animals aren't very different from us humans.

Kumartuli in Kolkata, India - where the Mother Goddess Durga begins her journey

The potters and clay artisans of Kumartuli - the neighborhood in North Kolkata where the community of traditional potters and artisans live and work, have been toiling for the past several weeks to build and decorate the Durga idols (or "protima" which means image or likeness of a deity in Sanskrit) in time for Durga Puja which is just a few weeks away beginning on Sept 26th this year. This annual 5-day festival, a celebration of the 10-armed mother goddess Durga, and her victory over the shape-shifting buffalo demon - Mahisasura, symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. It's the most popular religious and social festival in Bengal and parts of eastern India, especially Kolkata. Life size and larger idols of Durga made of clay are worshiped in elaborately decorated stages called pandals in a public space in every locality and neighborhood of the city.

A Durga idol in progress is visible through a tear in the tarp of one artist's makeshift studio

A partially completed Durga idol in a studio in one of the alleyways of Kumartulli

An artisan paints the idol in a dimly lit makeshift studio in one of the alleys of Kumartulli

This was my first ever visit to Kumartuli. The best time to visit is in the weeks just before Durga Puja when the hum of activity here is at its peak. The artisans here are renowned for their traditional craft and art in idol making and have been supplying the idols for Durga Puja not just across Kolkata and Bengal, but also exporting idols used in Pujas in Bengali communities all across the world.

A young Bengali girl in a traditional sari walks past a Durga idol that is still being built

A young artisan applies a fresh coat to prevent the clay idols from cracking as they dry

An artisan builds a straw frame on which he will apply wet clay to prepare an idol

Strapped for time, I was only able to go to Kumartuli once on this trip. One visit is just not enough to get a sense of the tradition, artistry and rhythm of this place. I hope to make it back there again during this time of the year on another visit to Kolkata.

Making the idol's face and painting the eyes requires an artisan with special skill

Sibling Collaboration in Kolkata, India

While in Kolkata, India to visit my parents, I was able to take some time to photograph a residential project that my youngest brother's firm Internal Affairs, a leading interior design organization in the region, just recently completed. The two-level residence occupies the top 22nd and 23rd floors of one of the five towers of Tata Housing's Eden Court luxury complex in New-Town, Kolkata. Though my brother is an interior designer and I a photographer specializing in architectural interiors and exteriors, we never had an opportunity to collaborate on a photo shoot for one his designed spaces. The timing of my short India visits and the completion of one of his projects never seemed to align well. So when this opportunity came about we both knew we had to make it happen. 

One of five luxury high rise towers in Eden Court where this residence occupies the top two floors

Living room with double height ceiling

Another view of the living room, bar and the hallway leading to the dining and kitchen areas

Living room and the view from the balcony overlooking New-Town and surrounding areas

The dining area with a section of the stairway leading to upper floor visible on the left

The office & study and a view of the New-Town neighborhood at dusk from the balcony

Master bedroom with a view of the New-Town neighborhood at dusk from the balcony

A view from the master bedroom balcony as dusk settles over the New-Town area

It was fun to photograph this space my brother designed where he combined elements of traditional Indian with a modern flair to create an airy, naturally lit, open and a functionally elegant space.

Hope this is the first of many more such sibling collaborations to come.

Recreational shellfishing in Eastham, Cape Cod

Recreational shellfishing is a very integral part of the Cape Cod way of life. There is a very rich tradition of shellfishing in the estuaries, coves and bays of Cape Cod as a leisure activity for both residents and visitors alike.

On a recent late afternoon hike along the marsh trails close to Hemenway Landing in Eastham, I came across James and Allison harvesting shellfish in the estuary as the tide was going out.

The late afternoon light was gorgeous. After exchanging a few pleasantries, I asked if I could photograph them while they harvested shellfish. Allison and James very graciously agreed. I ran to my car, put on my rubber boots, grabbed my camera, ran back and got into the mud to photograph. Moving around in the soft sinking mud with my camera gear was much harder than I had anticipated. I was amazed at how easily the two of them moved around. After a while my rubber boots got stuck and James had to lend a hand and help me get out. Allison mentioned that having the rake helps in situations like that. Will keep that in mind the next time.

We soon got back on solid ground and marveled at the bounty they had just harvested. Their 10-quart wire basket (that's the weekly limit) was full to the brim with little necks, quahogs, mussels, razor clams and scallops.

James and Allison are both from the Cape, who grew up in Eastham and now live in Brewster. James was ready to go back and put some of the shellfish on the grill for supper. I thanked my new friends for letting me photograph them and bid good bye as they headed back to their vehicle with their harvest from the ocean. They will be back here again next week.

Recreational shellfishing in the Cape is regulated. Permits are available to residents and nonresidents alike in the area towns at the local Natural Resources office or Town Hall. Permits can be annual, seasonal and weekly and can range anywhere from $10 for residents, to $200 for non-residents. Permits generally allow the holder to harvest up to ten quarts of shellfish per week. There is no limit to the number of helpers but the person whose name is on the permit must be present. Also, the permit must be carried while shellfishing. There are also size restrictions for shellfish that can be harvested so it's useful to have a shellfish gauge handy. Shellfish that are too small should be dumped back into the water for another season's harvesting.

The local towns have shellfishing maps to indicate which areas are open for shellfishing. Here's the one for the town of Eastham. It's always a good idea to check since some areas can be closed due to pollution like red tide.

Featured in the Boston Society of Architects' 2017 Homeowner's Project Handbook

So glad to be in the 2017 Homeowner’s Project Handbook which is part of a very exciting year for the Boston Society of Architects/AIA celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.

Two residential interior images I made for David Sharff Architect PC are featured in pages 24 and 25 of the 2017 Homeowner’s Project Handbook, which is an annual publication of the BSA that enjoys a circulation of 12,500 and is mailed with the Boston Home magazine.

Cover, pages 24 & 25 of the Boston Society of Architects' 2017 Homeowner's Project Handbook

Two of the photographs of residential interiors featured in BSA's 2017 HPH

Grand Prize in James Hardie 2017 Design Contest

Thrilled and honored that an architectural project I photographed on 445 Main Street, Medfield, MA, for my client David Sharff Architects, won the Grand Prize in the 2017 James Hardie Design Contest.

In March we were announced as one of the five finalists. The Grand Prize winner was then decided by public voting that ran till March 24th on James Hardie's website, and the winner was announced at the end of April at the AIA 2017 Conference in Orlando, FL.

James Hardie, a leading international building materials company and the world leader in fiber cement siding, held the contest for architects from across the U.S. and Canada for multi-family and commercial projects showing off the design versatility of their products. The contest gave architectural firms the opportunity to showcase their top multi-family and commercial projects featuring James Hardie® products. More than 170 entries were submitted for a chance to receive a grand prize package, including a full-page ad in Dwell magazine and a custom video shoot.

I photographed this building, known as James Ord's Block, which was originally built in 1891. My architect client completely renovated and restored it for commercial and residential use and utilized HardiePlank® lap siding with ColorPlus® Technology.

In order to show case and photograph the building in the best possible light I went there on three different occasions. On the first visit, I photographed it early in the morning with the warm morning light hitting the front and right sides of the building.

On the next visit I photographed in the late afternoon sunlight and stayed on until dusk to photograph as well.

For one of the dusk photographs I wanted a higher vantage point. So I went back again on a Thursday, which is the one day each week that the Medfield Town Hall next door stays open until later in the evening. I requested and was granted access to a third floor office and photographed from an open window. That gave me the higher vantage point of the building at dusk I wanted and was able to make a more compelling image .

For my architectural work my goal is to always photograph and showcase the buildings in the best possible light that brings out the building's character and tells a story. Like in this case, that often requires me to visit the site at different times of day and photograph from different angles and vantage points.