Grovers Mill Construction Update Video

Foundations are progressing nicely as the building levitates … see the video below

Grovers Mill Zoning approved!

On September 2nd the West Windsor Township zoning board approved plans for mixed use of the existing Grovers Mill Barn. The renovation will maintain the historic character of the building while adaptively reusing it for professional office space and three studio apartments.  Keep checking in on the progress of construction!

Section showing loft studio apartment above and commercial space below.

View of proposed Grovers Mill mixed use

Wagon House and School House frames are raised!

Assembly of both the Schenck Farmstead Wagon and Schoolhouse began on Tuesday, September 7th and the main members are in place.  Check out the video below!  Dont forget to click on the subscribe button to make sure you get all our updates.

Wagon House Fabrication at the Schenck Farmstead

Another ongoing reconstruction project at the Schenck Farmstead is the reconstruction of the Wagon House.  The New Jersey Barn Company has begun fabricating the frame of the wagon house and plans to erect it this week. The Wagon House and the One Room School House are projects being constructed simultaneously.   Watch this video with more to come this week!  Enjoy!!

Schenk Farmstead update … Resurrection of a one room school house

Reconstruction has begun on a 19th century one room schoolhouse at the Schenck Farmstead in West Windsor, New Jersey. The project is one of a handful of remaining projects left in a master plan that began approximately twelve years ago to paint the historic story of agrarian life in New Jersey.

Click video and check in often for updates.

No Alien remains found … yet!

Lower Shed is temporarily removed to install new foundation

Careful clean-up and surgical removal of portions of Grovers Mill Barn building began when Martian Holdings, LLC. purchased the property in March.  Recently, more noticeable procedures began with the temporary removal of the lower portion of the building; excavation for footings and installation of a new foundations. No alien remains have been found … yet !!!

Check out this video … more to come!

Alien Project

Grover’s Mill Barn

The Martian's have landed!

This project offers great history and far from the typical story.  With the drop of a finger on a map, the sleepy little town of Grover’s Mill, West Windsor, New Jersey, was catapulted into fame.

It was here that this structure, along with adjacent buildings,  formed the backdrop for the Martian invasion as told by Orson Wells during his infamous radio broadcast  “War of the Worlds”, on Oct. 30, 1938,  igniting mass hysteria in New York and New Jersey.

This recently commissioned project will involve converting the  4900 s.f. timber framed barn constructed in the late 1800’s into mixed use to provide professional office space and studio apartments.

This  “out of this world” commission will be unique and we hope  you follow along with it’s transformation by checking here regularly.

First CASA-universal Design Award

Camden Dreams

In December 2009, CASA-universal partnered with the Supportive Housing Association (SHA) of New Jersey the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) and presented its first annual design award at the SHA/CSH eleventh annual Conference in Edison, New Jersey.

The Gold Award went to the architecture firm of Joseph F. McKernan Architects & Associates, LLC for  “Camden Dreams” renovation project located in Camden, New Jersey.   The owner of the project is Center for Family Services (CFS).

Project submissions were reviewed as to design impact within the community; design impact for the user;  cost and funding;  implementation of emerging new building technology & appropriate use of the traditional; implementation of sustainable/healthy concepts, material and life cycle issues; and design innovation.

JURY COMMENT:

This project exemplifies the purpose of SHA and the spirit of CASA worldwide by creating a place of hope and vitality for young adults at risk within a difficult environment.   The architecture boldly rebuilds and reclaims the neighborhood fabric while sheltering and supporting the programs that attempt to strengthen and guide young lives in crisis.  The design inspires renewal and hope for the community as it brings a deliberate sense of history and importance back to basic shelter.  The jury cited the high cost of the project as a negative factor but felt that the overall impact to the user, community and the use of alternative energy and green features overshadowed the cost. It was surmised that if historic guidelines were not required, the project could have been less costly and might have still been made to have a simple, articulated importance.    The use of solar acknowledges the need for life cycle affordability and is especially commendable within the constraints of the neighborhood having little impact on project aesthetics.  Such use of alternative technologies serves to educate and bring pride to the community allowing them to feel actively part of change and solution.

Center for the Advancement of Supportive Architecture.

A new name has emerged in the world of not for profit organizations  seeking affordable, innovative and appropriate design, construction and funding models for benevolent based groups. The Center for the Advancement of Supportive Architecture (CASA-universal),  currently a voluntary arm of the architectural firm Kyle Paul Van Dyke, architecture, LLC, seeks to create open dialogue between design professionals; public & private funding; developers; builders; non-profits; governmental agencies and other important stakeholders to provide more quality supportive housing and building projects on both local and global fronts.

The CASA-universal vision is for all people with special needs and life circumstances to be sheltered in efficient, sustainable and nurturing environments that enhance their lives and the life of the community.

The CASA-universal mission is to be a catalyst for fresh ideas, innovation, hope and change in design, building and funding of construction projects for non-profit, benevolent organizations.  The goal of  gathering and sharing  experience, data, education and resources from around the globe in order to be used in advancing local supportive building cultures is paramount.