Tag Archives: Diane von Furstenberg

Springing Forward on Newbury Street (Part Deux): Diane von Furstenberg Boston

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DVF - exteriorAs the Greater Boston area returns to normalcy, we are inspired by the resilience of the American people and reminded of the price of living in a free, democratic society.  With investigation scenes in Boston, Cambridge and Watertown scaling down, we encourage our friends and neighbors to take back our streets.  Please be advised that Newbury Street is open for business and hope indeed springs eternal here in the heart of the Back Bay.  Please consider (re)visiting some of our clients out there, including our first Newbury Street project – the DvF Boston store.

XChange Architects was invited to collaborate with Diane von Furstenberg Studio in 2010 on the design and construction administration of the first DvF store in New England at 73 Newbury Street.  Although an extensive corporate design standard was available, there were considerable challenges in applying them to a turn-of-the-century brownstone.  A range of custom design solutions – from unique universal access concepts to a considerable re-use of the existing HVAC system – resulted in the skillful merging of a contemporary design aesthetic with a New England flair.  We are most appreciative of the collaborative problem-solving spirit of our design team – including DvF’s New York City-based interior architecture team and R.G. Vanderweil Engineers – as well as our unflappable General Contractor, Sleeping Dog Properties.

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Interior view of the main retail bays, looking towards Newbury Street. Copyright Roberto Farren Photography, 2011.

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CREDITS

Photography:  Roberto Farren Photography

Design Lead:  David Del Villar, VP of Design and Construction – DvF Studio LP

General Contractor:  Sleeping Dog Properties, Inc.

M/E/P & FP:  R.G. Vanderweil Engineers, LLP

All photographs, images and drawings copyright XChange Architects LLC, unless otherwise noted.

Tax time reminder for small businesses – universal access pays!

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DVF rear cash wrap - LORES

View of rear cashwrap area (left) and fitting room lobby (right) – DvF Newbury Store. Photo copyright Roberto Farren Photography, 2011

As we approach the April tax deadline, we’re often reminded that small businesses commonly forget to claim tax credits for their commercial construction fit-outs that include Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)-related improvements.  Tax year construction expenditures to remove barriers to universal access – including retrofits or new construction to provide accessible lifts, bathrooms, signage, and entry doorways, amongst others – are eligible for a tax credit covering over 50% of the eligible access expenditures in a year up to $10,250 (maximum credit of $5000).  For the latest information on this tax credit, please refer to the ADA website http://www.ada.gov/taxcred.htm and the IRS link on this credit for barrier removal http://www.irs.gov/publications/p535/ch07.html#en_US_2012_publink1000208925

DVF details - fitting roomXChange Architects was invited to collaborate with Diane von Furstenberg studio in 2010 on the design and construction of the first DvF store in New England at 73 Newbury Street in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay.  Although an extensive corporate design standard was available, there were significant challenges in applying them to a turn-of-the-century brownstone.  Custom-designed, ADA-compliant fitting rooms and a slide-out sales counter features for the store addressed State MAAB and Federal ADAAG requirements with universal access design concepts that are both operationally-efficient and synergistic with the design-oriented DvF customer service approach.  This collaboration resulted in the skillful merging of a contemporary design aesthetic with a New England flair.

CREDITS

Photography:  Roberto Farren Photography

Design Lead:  David Del Villar, Vice President of Design and Construction – DvF Studio, LP

General Contractor:  Sleeping Dog Properties, Inc.

M/E/P & FP:  R.G. Vanderweil Engineers, LLP

All photographs, images and drawings copyright XChange Architects LLC, unless otherwise noted.