What can I say - architecture is in my DNA. I’m rooted in South Jersey amidst historical homes located in charming small towns with bustling main streets and mid-century modern homes checkered throughout the suburban sprawl that has taken over every last acre of what was once farmland. Additions and renovations, along with the occasional new construction project, comprise the majority of my workload, which involves a delicate dance between client wants, needs and expectations, the surrounding community, local landscape and rigorous, if sometimes arbitrary, planning and zoning regulations. I love it all - the people, the place and the challenges. And I love sharing my perspective - a window, if you will, into my mind, with you.
ON THE BOARDS
It’s really exciting to see our design concept for the Getzingers Garden Center coming to life! The gas station / auto repair shop turned “Parisian Flower Shop” inspiration came when my buddy Joe Sikora, principal at Sikora Wells Appel landscape architecture, and I were brainstorming over a couple of beers. Ideas started flying and it quickly turned into a design charrette, sketching on top of aerial photos and yellow trace overlays. On the first run through we got really excited about how the project could activate the sidewalk and improve the walkability and interest along Haddon Avenue.
With the concept born, JRA has been focused on developing the “Idea” to meet the requirements of the owners business model while addressing Township zoning regulations.
As we work through the design process and prepare presentations for planning/zoning board approval, we’re focused on some important goals.
Maintain the structure as a part of the towns history.
The resulting project must be rooted and appropriate in its context.
The planning moves should generate activity along the sidewalk.
The design should delineate the zones along Haddon Avenue: Vehicular - roadway, Vehicular - parking, Pedestrian - public (sidewalk), Pedestrian - semi-public (walk w/ retail display) , Pedestrian semi-private (exterior retail), Pedestrian - private (interior retail).
The structures should provide human scale for the pedestrian.
The design should reveal and enhance the rhythm of Haddon Avenue.
The aesthetic should be informal, casual, familiar; yet refined. It should work with and play off the more rustic context along Haddon Avenue.
Once we realized the project is as much about the sidewalk and people as it is about selling plants, it didn't take long before we were scanning through pictures of Paris.
HADDONFIELD AUTHENTIC
Welcome to the place I love, Haddonfield, New Jersey! Here at Jay Reinert Architect, our focus lies beyond the micro scale of a home, because we understand that our lives and the homes we live in contribute to the culture of a community. To make reasonable, beautiful design decisions, we need to consider all of the essential aspects of what makes a community: the people, architecture, landscape, town planning, and so much more. With Haddonfield Authentic, I will take you along in my exploration of “place” in the hopes of sharing how original design decisions have influenced my perception of Haddonfield and the values of those who shape it.
