Category Archives: new

These projects range from the newly completed to still “on the boards”.

MojoTech Expansion

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KITE helped MojoTech, a growing mobile application developer, expand vertically as they added new employees. With existing offices in an open floor plan and minimal partitions on the second floor, MojoTech wanted to keep a sense of light and connection as they doubled their space on the ground floor.

A key part to making the connection is a new custom stair that KITE detailed in collaboration with the design talent at MojoTech. The treads make innovative use of 2″ solid ballistic rubber to reduce sound, provide a durable surface, and create a dramatic contrast look with cantilevered black treads against the white metal structure.

Desks are arranged in the open floor plan with standing desk. To allow a variety of seating areas and collaboration zone, KITE identified opportunities for work/lounge furniture as well as glass-enclosed conference rooms and “privacy pods” where people can have private phone conversations.

The offices make ample use of south facing daylight and views onto the adjacent park. Marsella Development was instrumental in providing a progressive vision for contemporary office space that met the needs of this growing Rhode Island based tech company.

Pike Street Mixed-Use Project, I-195 Parcel 8

KITE Architects is excited to design one of the first projects to be proposed for the I-195 Redevelopment District with the goal of connecting Providence’s vibrant neighborhoods and setting a precedent for excellence. Parcel 8, located at the intersection of South Main and Pike Streets, is on newly created land from the I-195 move. The new building project will stitch together Providence’s Wickenden Street neighborhood with the waterfront area. KITE sees this as a critical project for this new I-195 land in establishing scale, pedestrian experience and tying in the historic character of the surrounding neighborhoods and city as a whole.

This new mixed-use building will incorporate existing historic office building on the adjacent site, and create ground-floor retail, office space and residential units that make the most of the water and skyline views. The site will create a gateway for people arriving in Providence. A key element of the design takes into consideration the pedestrian, cyclist, and motorist experiences as they move around the site. KITE will employ its long history of working in Rhode Island’s communities and elevating its historic character, including Providence’s walkable urban streetscape, to deliver a progressive and fresh design for this exciting new land.

More details will be coming soon. Stay tuned!

Merchant’s Bank Building, 20 Westminster Street

Situated in the heart historic of Providence, when this shockingly narrow six-story masonry building was built in 1840, it was the tallest building in Providence and played a key role in the city’s maritime past. Still containing multiple bank vaults, it played an important role in the city’s history as a financial hub of New England, and is a contributing structure in the National Register Historic District. Situated on the banks of the Providence River, it took advantage of its waterside location and catered to merchants arriving with precious cargo. From structural evidence and historic photos, the top story was built after the original was constructed, and the ornamental stonework of the lower facade replicated.

After use as an office building, and home for many years to RISD Works, it was vacant for many years until a new life as upscale residences with a ground floor restaurant was undertaken. KITE helped the developers with appropriate interior layouts, details, and finishes to the interiors. The construction challenges of a tight urban site were dealt with as the decaying stonework were stabilized and new openings with wood windows crafted to match the original were created. Now completed, the mixed-use building contains the ground floor restaurant Cilantro, and high-ceilinged sophisticated apartments with unparalleled riverfront and city views.

As a recipient of State and Federal Historic Tax Credits, the project was subject to Department of the Interior standards, and also benefited from the special provisions of the RI State Rehabilitation Code. The central historic staircase was allowed to be maintained, and historic elements such as the ornate main entry were preserved.

The Dean Hotel

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Now open for guests and earning worldwide media attention, The Dean Hotel offers a stylish and affordable home base for visitors to Providence. In collaboration with developer and interior designer ASH NYC, KITE transformed this historic property with an infamous past into a unique destination that offers a glimpse into the character of the city.

Located in Providence’s historic downtown core, the hotel includes 52 guestrooms in a range of sizes, a breathtaking restored lobby that features finishes that are newly rediscovered after generations in hiding, the biergarten-style restaurant Faust, the mysterious Madelanae Lounge, and the hit karaoke lounge Boombox. The hotel features numerous locally crafted elements and artwork as well as hand-picked vintage items.

The complete renovation left no element untouched, from its high efficiency individually controlled heating and cooling system, to completely new and luxurious bathrooms, to restoration of its historic brick exterior and windows. All new plaster, doors, flooring, lighting, bath tile, and fixtures have resulted in a building that retains its historic character yet is fresh and updated.

Curbed.com recently published a slideshow of our “before” construction photos with completed “after” images. For additional blogs and media coverage, see our news story for a growing list.

Photography by Christian Harder

32 Custom House Street

One of the more enigmatic of buildings in Providence, KITE is assisting in its rehabilitation and conversion into ten residential units and ground floor commercial space. Originally built in 1875, the building retains its beautiful bronze storefront and interior grillage from the time when it was a waterside bank.

Green Corporate Headquarters

KITE is proud to have helped a growing local company with interior design to retrofit the “eco-office” at 28 Wolcott Avenue as their new headquarters.

Developed originally by John T. Jacobson as a high-performance green building, KITE’s challenge was to preserve the airiness and beauty of the original interiors while accommodating the particular needs of the business.

KITE chose a palette that reflected the original building’s black, white, and wood, and placed modular glass walls to define a new conference room used for regular collaborative sessions and private offices within the high-volume space. Ample natural daylight and sense of space prevail. The break room is oriented toward a landscaped patio, also used for hosting corporate events.

photography by Albert Garcia, AIA

Harrison Street Loft Apartments

KITE is currently working on the transformation of this building in the Armory District on Providence’s West End into fifteen live-work rental lofts.

Formerly the Pilgrim Congregational Church built in 1874, the structure was damaged by a series of unfortunate events, including a hurricane which removed its large steeple as well as a number of fires which destroyed the original roof as well as gutted the interior. Given a new life as a furniture warehouse in the first part of the century, it continued standing albeit with a diminished spirit on the lovely tree-lined street of restored Victorian houses.

This renovation will stabilize and remove many of the more disrespectful modifications, and create spacious loft apartments that reflect the rich character of the structure. New windows, stairs, and indoor parking will complement the spacious, open floor plans.

Prospect Street Residence

This major renovation is the perfect illustration of how KITE’s creative yet careful approach can transform even the most challenging structure into a gem. The resulting aesthetic is clean, modern, and elegant, yet approachable and contextually appropriate for its historic College Hill neighborhood.

The original residence can be best classified as “1970’s-contemporary”. At the start of the project, views to and from the residence were mostly obscured by overgrown plantings along Prospect Street and Angell Street. A key challenge was to brighten the darkened spaces and finishes.

Renovations transformed the existing structure into a new residence that is in keeping with the quality and character of the surrounding neighborhood, while maintaining the overall modern spirit of the original residence.

Exterior renovations include new cladding and windows, and a palette of materials drawn from the surrounding college hill neighborhood. Horizontal sapele wood siding replaces the existing vertical wood siding on the major volumes of the house. The minor volume defined by the garage that faces Olive Street is stucco clad to reflect the stone textures of the existing perimeter foundation wall. The site design and interior renovations improve the visibility and access to the “front door” located at the NW corner of the house.

Inside, KITE took a similar approach by enhancing the qualities of the existing floor plan and introducing subtle changes. The new open floor plan was designed to accommodate the family’s art, book, and media collection. A dramatic new stair organizes the space of the completely open plan.

The Knickerbocker Cafe

KITE is pleased to announce they are working on the revitalization of the legendary jazz venue The Knickerbocker Cafe, and new life as a center for music education and heritage showcase. Stay tuned for more details of this exciting endeavor!