Category Archives: Renovation

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.

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.

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