Sep 7th 2009 THE FUTURE HAS NOT PASSED
More editorial coverage on the Franklin Street redesign process.
franklin-arterials-future-looks-better-than-its-past.pdf
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Sep 7th 2009 FRANKLIN STREET ANIMATIONS
Working in collaboration with the Franklin Street Study Committee and Smart Mobility, MRLD developed animations of the proposed Urban Street, Urban Parkway and Multi-Way Boulevard concepts. The three concepts show different road alignments, street typologies, infill redevelopment opportunities, open space options and the potential for reconnecting cross-streets that were severed when Franklin Arterial was constructed. The images and animations MRLD produced to illustrate the concepts are based on hundreds of cross-sections of the existing topography and the alignment of Franklin Arterial as it transects the City from north to south. Each proposed scheme can stand on its own, but the various components can be combined to create different scenarios.
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Aug 1st 2009 NOT YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S ROOF
MRLD codified new development standards for Gardiner and Topsham, Maine encouraging creativity in design when environmental impacts are taken into consideration. In Gardiner, as part of implementing the “creative” Cobbossee Corridor, development of new buildings or redevelopment of existing mill buildings now allow and encourage white roofs to reflect heat. In Topsham, buildings are typically required to have pitched roofs meeting the “New England” design style and stormwater impacts must meet pre and post development standards for quantity and quality. This often requires detention basins reducing the density of site development. The new code allows for flat green roof systems to be utilized for stormwater management as well as reducing the heat island effect and creating more flexibility for site development. Topsham is the first community in Maine to adopt this standard.
by-degrees-white-roofs-catch-on-as-energy-cost-cutters.pdf
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Jul 28th 2009 REVITALIZING LINCOLN PARK
MRLD’s work redesigning Franklin Arterial also creates new opportunities for Lincoln Park.
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Jun 24th 2009 20/24 VISION
MaineBiz sees the work of MRLD in Standish as an exemplary process in the revitalization of Maine communities looking ahead to the year 2024…..
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Jun 19th 2009 RECLAMATION MAXIMUS
MRLD prepared a 90-acre master plan for the mixed-use redevelopment of an industrial site in the Portland / Westbrook Gateway Zone. MRLD designed all aspects of the Master Plan including buildings, streetscapes, open spaces and transit connections. As part of the master plan, MRLD also analyzed Main Street Gateway for potential job creation and tax benefits to the city. The project balances the needs of pedestrians and vehicles with well-defined street networks and a series of open spaces. Views of signature buildings and the reclaimed quarry lake are established through street alignments and strategically located parks. Parking is incorporated into mixed-use structures, on-street parking and surface lots placed behind buildings. Existing and proposed transit stops are integrated into the development. Proposed buildings address existing perimeter streets, further integrating Main Street Gateway with the site context
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Jun 18th 2009 MOJITO PARTERRE
MRLD in collaboration with Caleb Johnson Architects designed the entrance plaza for a new mixed-use project (housing, restaurant, bar) at the intersection of Congress and Washington Streets in Portland, ME. The plaza is a prominent location at the base of Munjoy Hill, adding to the dynamic and evolving character of the neighborhood.
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Jun 18th 2009 HIGHWOOD SQUARE BREAKS NEW GROUND
Highwood Square designed by Graftworks of New York, Ben Ledbetter of New Haven and MRLD has broken ground. Highwood Square is an 27-unit affordable artist housing community with residential, studio and commercial space devoted to the performing, visual and musical arts. The 2-acre project includes open spaces and performance areas designed by MRLD.
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Jun 18th 2009 CHOCOLATE CHURCH REFORMATION
MRLD developed a site master plan and building program for the Chocolate Church Arts Center in Bath, ME. The goal is to preserve and promote the historic church as a premier performance space and architectural gem, while developing an integrated urban campus supporting new and existing programs, establishing the Chocolate Church Arts Center as the premier regional arts facility. The existing site and buildings do not engage the city nor best support the programs provided by the Chocolate Church. The plan calls for new gallery, teaching, theatre, lobby, dance studio, workshop and office space, a restaurant, and a green roof accommodating a range of programs. The roof garden spans the distance between the existing church and a new building defining the intersection. The roof garden works with the topography to create a campus setting above the embedded black box theatre and multi-purpose support areas.
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Jun 8th 2009 ROCKLAND WATERFRONT MASTER PLAN
MRLD in collaboration with Woodard & Curran, Scott Simons Architects and Smart Mobility are developing an infrastructure capacity master plan to support a proposed build-out of the Tillson Waterfront District. The methodolgy for determing the build-out will be based in both what the current zoning and infrastructure can support and what necessary changes to zoning and infrastructure improvements would be required for an ideal build-out.
In determing the appropriate build-out, technical requirements for street and sidewalk systems, including road and sidewalk widths, curbs, and turning radii, transportation, streetscape and landscape features, architectural standards, public squares/pocket parks, view corridors, parking, and utilities infrastructure for water, sewer, storm water, electric, natural gas, phone and internet will be established. The guiding regulations for the build-out will be similar in nature to Smart Code or Form Based Zoning.
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Jun 5th 2009 TOPSHAM MAIN STREET VILLAGE PLAN IMPLEMENTED
After three years of focused work the Main Street Village Plan language was implemented as part of the Topsham Land Use Ordinance. The Plan reinvents and reinforces the two-long stretch of Main Street as transect zones with appropriate building forms, densities, green infrastructure and land uses. The Plan is unique in how the detailed analysis of existing conditions ranging from demographics, land uses, building forms and spatial patterns informed the goal of creating a safe, walkable and economically diverse Main Street.
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Jun 5th 2009 KENNEBEC RIVERWALK MASTER PLAN
MRLD was retained by the Somerset Woods Trustees to complete a master plan for a mile-long riverwalk beginning at Coburn Park in Skowhegan extending downstream to the Department of Conservation boat launch. The riverwalk will provide safe access along a busy stretch of Route 2 and complement the Run of River project.
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May 15th 2009 FORM AND FUNCTION IN STANDISH
The implementation of the Standish Corner Master Plan continues to gain momentum utilizing innovative tools encouraging a walkable community supporting a local economy and sense of place. The most recent public workshop included build-out scenario graphics, key pad polling and a discussion regarding the potential for form-based zoning versus traditional land-use based zoning. Throughout the implementation process, scale, pattern, form, connectivity and the character of the street have been the focus of understanding the implications of different futures for Standish Corner.
technology-helps-standish-picture-how-it-will-grow.pdf
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May 11th 2009 FRANKLIN RE-VISIONING WORKSHOP
The Portland community showed strong interest in the future of Franklin Street by attending a re-visioning planning workshop on April 29. Over 90 people generated a range of inspiring ideas for consideration. The next step in the process is the refinement of different urban design, mobility and land use issues resulting in concept master plans illustrating the potential for the corridor.
A Short History of Franklin.pdf
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Apr 17th 2009 COMPOSTMODERN ME
MRLD Principal, Mitchell Rasor, will be part of a panel discussion on sustainability in design on May 9 hosted by Maine AIGA. Compostmodern ME is an interdisciplinary conference that explores the range of design thinking necessary to create a socially and ecologically responsible society. Designers, manufacturers, and business leaders will come together to find inspiration, share knowledge, and explore real world opportunities for transforming products, industries, and lives
Other panelists include Chris Roberts from Barkwheats, Jeremy Litchfield from Atayne, Lisa Fernandes from Portland Maine Permaculture, John Rooks from the SOAP Group, John Bielenberg of Project M, Jesse Thompson of Kaplan Thompson Architects and Nathan Shedroff, Design MBA Chair at Califiornia College of the Arts.
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