Commonwealth Landing

July 7th, 2023

Commonwealth Landing is a renovated mill building in downtown Fall River. With active commercial space on the first two floors, the developers opted to transform the top three floors of the building into residential units. Included in the project are 103 one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, a fitness room, a small recreation room with a pool table, and a community room with a kitchenette for gatherings.

The building already hosts numerous retail establishments, restaurants, galleries, and offices. With a strong demand for rental units in Fall River, the addition of the Commonwealth Landing apartments has provided the opportunity for a much needed boost to the local economy.

The developer team received both federal and state historic tax credits, along with a state tax credit for building market-rate housing in a Gateway City. Our firm worked closely with the developer on the design and construction of the units and assisted the client with the tax credit application.

Arctic Mill Study

July 6th, 2023

The Arctic Mill Complex on Factory Street in West Warwick includes two granite buildings along the South Branch of the Pawtuxet River. The complex is a large, L-shaped stone mill located along the east side of the river. The main block, perpendicular to Factory Street, is a 5-story structure, with an 8 story flat roofed square tower centered on the east side. Working closely with the developer, LLB Architects developed a design to renovate this historic mill into a new residential community featuring 138 units, including studio, one- and two-bedroom units.

In 1865, a fire caused extensive damage to the original mill and its contents, but the walls were used in rebuilding the mill. Renovations made in 1884 included changes to the roof and the addition of another story on the main mill. On the interior, the mill is a open factory space with a regular grid of columns supporting heavy beams. On several levels the space has been subdivided with modular storage units as well as small office and mechanical rooms.

In addition to planning and architectural design, LLB assisted its client in preparing the application for historic tax credits for the project. We also assisted in developing a working pro forma for the project.

Providence Mixed-Use Building Feasibility Study

June 29th, 2023

LLB Architects worked with our client to develop a feasibility study for a 7-story mixed use building in an urban Providence neighborhood. We met with our client to understand the desired scope of the project. We developed a design that would suit the surrounding neighborhood and achieve the developers proforma requirements, within the constraints of a challenging site. LLB produced schematic designs for an 84-unit apartment building with a mix of studio and one-bedroom units. The first floor was envisioned to encompass both commercial spaces and amenities for the tenants. A Girder Slab structure and City Lift parking system were incorporated in the design to maximize the use of space. A set of renderings within the neighborhood context were developed for the client and project investors.

East Bay Residence

June 23rd, 2023

LLB Architect’s New England Modern design philosophy, tempered by the overarching goals of resilience and site specificity, shaped every aspect of the built project. Views, prevailing winds (both summer cooling winds and winter storm winds), and solar orientation guided the composition and relationship of the programmatic parts. The siting of the new structure on the footprint of the prior house limited the environmental impact, while native plantings and rain gardens improved water conservation and management.

The main two-story spine of the house, expressed with a classic gable roof, is set parallel to the coastal waterway to afford prime views from the main living spaces and bedrooms. A one-story volume intersects the main spine at an angle and contains the most social spaces – kitchen, living, and dining rooms. This volume is articulated by a copper-clad shed roof that cantilevers out on the south and west sides. These deep overhangs shelter the interior of the glass pavilion from the strongest summer sun. A stone-clad fireplace punctuates the west façade of the pavilion and expresses the vertical and horizontal integration of the site.

The resulting geometry creates an intimately scaled entry on the neighborhood side with a progression to more expansive spaces on the ocean side, at the same time forming natural eddies and sheltered outdoor rooms. A series of stone retaining walls merging with and emerging from the stone-clad base of the house, combined with terraces, boulders, gardens and natural landscaping, further root the structure into the landscape.

The grand staircase fits within and follows the resulting angles introduced by the pavilion form. From the initial view in the entry hall through to the ocean, the perspective expands as one ascends the stairs to the Crow’s Nest, located two stories above grade, which provides a cozy perch to enjoy panoramic views.
The house is equipped with a geothermal system which runs off 20 wells providing heating and cooling of the space. Efficiently divided into numerous specialized zones throughout the house, the heating operates both through radiant underfloor heating as well as through air handlers.

A focus on resiliency is found both in the bones of the house as well as in its materials. Designed to withstand the high winds of the waterfront location, the home was designed with a primary steel structure. The materials selected for the residence were chosen both for durability and low maintenance: Alaskan Yellow Cedar shingles, Spanish Cedar shiplap siding, copper, natural stone, painted cedar trim, reclaimed pavers and local stone. Windows and glazing are impact-resistant, thermally reinforced, and low iron.

The house benefits from tremendous solar and daylighting effects, but shading is key too. Large areas of glazing, especially in the one-story living/dining/kitchen space allows light to flow through the space. Architectural design combines with mechanical shading to mitigate harsh light and unwanted solar gain. A dramatic six-foot overhang on the west side shelters the interior of this living space from the intense summer sun.

LLB Announces Summer Hours

June 2nd, 2023

During the summer, LLB Architects will be closing at 1:00 pm on Friday afternoons. This will allow our hardworking team to enjoy a little extra time with family and friends. These summer hours will run from June 2nd through Labor Day.

While our offices will be closed on Friday afternoons, our staff remain available for standing meetings and construction services. Our clients are our top priority and our team is focused on ensuring all projects stay on schedule. Our Principals and Project Managers will ensure they are available as needed and be in regular communication throughout the summer. We take pride in helping our clients and colleagues create spaces that promote well being and help people thrive.

From all of us at LLB Architects, we wish you a wonderful summer!

Plastic Surgery of Southern New England

February 23rd, 2023

LLB Architects was engaged to renovate the second floor of an existing office building in Fall River, Massachusetts for the Plastic Surgery of Southern New England. This growing business was seeking a tastefully designed contemporary space which would welcome patients to their practice. The client requested a distinct minimalist appearance that resembles the atmosphere of an art gallery with a “Industrial Modern” expression.

Our team created minimalist spaces yet imbued them with a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere for patients and staff. The patients are greeted by a large moss wall that also provides a natural color accent in the neutral color scheme in the waiting room. The geometry of the reception desk is fused with the angled wall that leads into the clinic, accentuated by the aluminum laminate cladding that is applied to both the casework and the wall.

An all-glass door at the entrance to the clinical space provides secure access while emphasizing the visual continuity between the spaces. Ceramic floor tiles, used uniformly in all the “public” spaces, further underline the continuity. The two tile colors delineate the spatial configuration in conjunction with the ceiling, both in the racetrack corridors and in the waiting room.

Rounded drywall corners surround the clinic’s support core helping with wayfinding and replicating the form of the reception desk. Portions of the corridors are equipped with a professional grade artwork hanging system to display a changing array of photography and art prints.

Matching the minimalist expression of the space, the lighting scheme uses small linear fixtures throughout and is configured to underline the spatial organization of the rooms.

Groundbreaking for Sagamore Landing

November 17th, 2022

A groundbreaking was held on November 2nd for the new Sagamore Landing Business Park in Fall River, MA. LLB Architects has worked with owner and developer Dwight Silvia on several projects and was pleased to help design a modern development for commercial clients in Fall River. Senior Principal Christian J. Ladds, AIA, Principal Jonathan M. Taylor, AIA, and Designer Peter Fauci, Assoc. AIA are providing LLB’s professional services and took part in the groundbreaking.

LLB crafted detailed renderings for the new development which were unveiled at the groundbreaking. Learn more about the project in the press release from the owner.

 

Putnam Public Library

July 13th, 2022

LLB Architects worked with the Town of Putnam on a study for a new municipal facility that included a Town Hall and Library, as well as considering a separate site for a Senior Center. Ultimately, the Town decided on a single building to serve the diverse needs of the town hall, Putnam Public Library, Aspinock Historical Society, and senior community of Putnam within a one municipal community center.

The Putnam Public Library is the shining star of the new Putnam Municipal Complex. Aligned with the main entrance to the municipal complex, the Library welcomes visitors to explore it light-filled spaces. A bright, open floor-to-ceiling glass wall faces the historic downtown of Putnam and connects the space to directly to nature. The Children’s Library features bright colors and a whimsical window pattern overlooking the Town Green. In the adult section, an undulating wood ceiling is reminiscent of the Quinebaug River and the mills that helped found the Town.

To keep the Complex sustainable, the building was designed with the most efficient building systems, high recycled-content carpeting, low VOC paints, and expansive windows and glazing to take advantage of natural daylight and views. All on a single level, the complex is completely accessible for staff and visitors.

LLB Announces Summer Hours

July 12th, 2022


LLB Architects is implementing a mid-summer schedule and formally closing our offices on Fridays between July 15 and September 2. This doesn’t mean a reduction in hours, just a shift of our schedule, so we may work longer days Monday through Thursday.

While our offices will be closed on Friday, our staff will remain available for standing meetings and construction services. Our clients remain our priority and our team is focused on ensuring all projects remain on schedule. Our Principals and Project Managers will ensure they are available as needed and be in regular communication throughout the summer.

New Arts & Athletic Center for Community Preparatory School

April 13th, 2022

LLB Architects is excited to share designs for Community Preparatory School’s new Arts and Athletic Center which will provide a gymnasium, arts facilities, and a much-needed community center for the school. At approximately 11,000 sf, the new building will have the capacity to host the school’s entire community – around 700 people –– all together for the first time!

Serving as a multi-purpose gathering space for Community Preparatory School’s full network of students, teachers and families, the new Arts and Athletic Center will fulfill and significantly expand extracurricular activities. The versatile building will feature indoor basketball and volleyball courts, an art gallery and display walls, performance and backstage production area, along with extensive storage space. The gymnasium can also be used for seating for up to 240 people together at circular tables for meetings or meals. Gathering for graduations and other celebrations, as well as for school-wide shows and athletic events is important for this tight-knit community.

LLB is proud to have a longstanding relationship with Community Preparatory School, an independent school for grades 4-8 in Providence that serves culturally and economically diverse students who benefit from a rigorous academic education in an atmosphere of mutual respect. LLB has supported the expansion of the Community Preparatory School campus over the past 14 years through master planning, assistance with the purchase and closure of Somerset Street to create a playing field, and an addition to their existing building. The new Arts and Athletic Center building is a major milestone in completing the Community Preparatory School campus.