SEI Design Group BlogBlog about news, information, happenings and mojo at SEI Design Group

How come Brian doesn’t look happy?  Our clients over at University of Rochester pulled a little prank on Brian and it appears everyone enjoyed it more than he did.  BTW, who are those masked men?

SEI Design Group was one of this year’s recipients of the 2008 AIA New York State Design Awards. SEI received one of 18 Awards of Merit for the Parry Building Office Renovation project in Rochester. SEI was one of 294 entries and will receive the award on Friday, September 26 at the Crowne Plaza in White Plains. In March, SEI was recognized for this project when they received top honor for the 2008 AIA Rochester Design Award.

The Parry Building Office Renovation project involved the first floor conversion of the former Parry manufacturing facility in the historic High Falls District to house SEI’s Rochester-based architectural office.

The four-story brick structure was built in the late 1800s. The interior consisted of heavy timber beams and old wooden columns. Into that setting, SEI integrated an office layout of new glass walls and wood veneers.

Justin A. Cross, a 2 time former intern, is a new architectural designer at SEI Design Group. We are all excited to have him back in the SEI family!

We would like to welcome our newest client, Poughkeepsie Public Library District.  SEI will be working on renovation or new construction of the Town branch library.  SEI will be providing architectural and engineering services including pre-referendum services.

Last night, 15 SEI Design Group staff members from our Rochester office participated in the Chase Corporate Challenge.  This race/ walk and party was held at the RIT campus, and was the largest challenge to date, with well over 11,000 participants from 448 local companies.  There are worldwide races in 12 cities and Rochester ranks Number 1 in terms of participation.  We all had a great time raising money for four local charities.  Thanks to our inspirational coach and organizer, Ted, who kept us up to date, well-fed, and made it happen. 

Obviously the workspace we had custom built for Ted was not appropriate for this task.  It seems that Ted is very relaxed and feels that the studio at SEI is just like home.  Ted’s personality has changed drastically since he became the stunt double for Ben Shenkman of Canterbury’s Law.  Check the videos(especially the one on the extreme right) to see Ted in action.

The Greater Rochester chapter of Boma recently recognized SEI Design Group for winning an AIA Design Award in their newsletter.  You can read the article by double clicking on the image on the left.

According to Mazda, every family has one, and SEI is no exception.  Jimmi couldn’t stand Eric having a faster car than him, and had to go get his new honey, a Mazda Speed3 (Mazda’s self proclaimed Wild Child).  This Wild Child certainly looks happy in his Cosmic Blue sporty rig. We understand that it is a very fuel efficient vehicle, right Jimmi? 

Six Concepts were developed by the Urban Design Studio at Alfred State College in Partnership with the Rochester Regional Community Design Center to create plans for the revitalization of the historic Susan B. Anthony District in downtown Rochester. This group of students from Alfred included SEI Design Group’s Justin Cross!  Under the direction of Professors Bill Dean and David Carli, they have assembled a variety of design solutions that will be on display at RRCDC. There is an opening reception at RRCDC in the Hungerford Building at 1115 East Main Street Door #4 on the evening of Friday, December 7 from 6 – 8:30 pm. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

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