Archinect - News

American Library Association and Google partner to develop "library entrepreneurship centers"

2020-07-31T13:09:00-04:00

The (ALA) has named 13 libraries that were selected to receive a total of $1.3 million to develop their library entrepreneurship centers. Part of Libraries Build Business, an initiative established by Google.org to enable libraries across the country to increase the number of business creators they serve from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds. The program aims to provide services to 15,000 people over the course of 18 months.

"Libraries Build Business showcases libraries’ role as catalysts for equitable opportunity, just when it’s needed most," said ALA President Julius Jefferson in a statement. "In this time of economic hardship for many, the challenges are most acute for communities of color and people with low incomes. Even in a better economy, fewer than 30% of U.S. businesses were minority-owned. By expanding services such as business classes and workshops, mentorship opportunities, database and research expertise, co-working and makerspaces and specialized equipment ...

Non-profit plans to build facility to house 100 South African entrepreneurs

2020-07-28T18:35:00-04:00

RISE International, a U.S. self-funded non-profit organization, is raising $100,000 to design and build an "Enterprise Hub" for unemployed youth in Lesotho, South Africa. The new facility will house up to 100 young entrepreneurs at a time and will be designed and built by local talent as part of the RISE Fellowship Program.

Within the Hub there will be a focus on creative, artisanal, design, and construction education. There will be workshop space with a tool library, sample library, marketplace, co-working space, business coaching, and support services.

Architecture entrepreneurs.

Daniela Gusman, RISE co-founder and executive director, said in a statement: "To make this happen, we need to find 50 forward-thinking architects who are willing to mentor (virtually) a lucky young entrepreneur for just 6 months! To help us raise funds, they will also agree to host an in-person or virtual networking ‘lunch and learn’ with a supplier who will secure the opportunity by donating $2,000 toward...

Balbek Bureau morphs 100-year-old church into contemporary cultural center

2019-12-11T18:56:00-05:00

Located in a bustling area of the city, historic San Francisco landmark #204, The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe has been repurposed into a multi-functional architectural complex. Intended to be a launchpad for young startups to live, work, socialize, and develop with like-minded people, Kyiv-based Balbek Bureau imagined a multi-use space that could be used for events such as lectures, hackathons, presentations, exhibitions, and more.

The design group had to analyze and restore portions of the space in accordance with its historical past and had to be sure that any modifications proposed did not disturb the exterior envelope of the building. Primarily an interiors project, Balbek Bureau sought to emphasize the the architectural historicity of the space by contrasting it with inherently modern shapes, shown through the furniture and other additions to the main hall.

As a whole, the complex includes a three-level residential building, now a co-living space, a freestanding education c...

The Museum of Ice Cream will have a permanent location in New York City

2019-08-21T18:58:00-04:00

“Our community asked for it,” says Maryellis Bunn, co-creator and CEO of the Museum of Ice Cream. “They wanted a place where they can go to, not once, but to continue to come and visit us. When we have these pop-up models, we’re not able to hold space for our community. So to be able to give them a place, not just programmatically, but also to have it be a place that’s theirs is so important to us.” The new New York flagship location will be in Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood.

The Museum of Ice Cream (MIC) started s a pop-up experience in New York and Los Angeles, but now it has finally acquired its first permanent location. The organization has also expanded into retail, with a branded collection in Target, a makeup collaboration with Sephora, and their own ice cream.

“Our ambition has always been to create spaces that can connect humans to humans, and humans to architecture. Our journey to get there has been to create, understand, and then recreate,” said the company's CEO, in a Fast Company article.

The future looks bright for the MIC team. The new NYC location "will span nearly 25,000 square feet across three floors with 13 new installations."