Saint Paul, MN, October 5, 2015 | Clever Architecture is pleased to announce that we have been selected as a featured firm in the latest issue of Licensed Architect magazine.
“It is exciting to moving so quickly,” said Principal and Architect Russell Peterson. “In just a few short months we have more than quadrupled our previous year’s billings and are getting national attention from the likes of Licensed Architect magazine. It really is quite remarkable and humbling.” Clever Architecture was contacted by Licensed Architect after they had reviewed their work and process on their website at http://CleverArchitecture.com. They were impressed by the depth of experience, client range and the project outcomes in such a short time frame. Featured projects in the magazine include: A cabin for two photographers in north central Minnesota; the Native American Montessori Immersion Preschool in St. Paul, Minnesota; the Charles Eastman Ohiyes’A Trail Head in Morton, Minnesota; and new offices for the Transportation and Environmental Planning group of SRF Consulting. “We are already so busy beyond my wildest expectations. I just looked at our workload and realized we have nearly a dozen projects going simultaneously in our office. We are definitely looking to add additional staff in the coming months,” said Russ. “It is exciting to see years of experience and months of planning pay off so quickly.” Clever Architecture is headed by Marcia Stemwedel and Russell Peterson. They are conveniently located in the historic Baker Court Building at 821 Raymond Avenue near Highway 280 and Interstate 94. The firm is a block from the Green Line on University and 5 minutes from either Minneapolis or St. Paul’s downtown. The published article can be found here: http://issuu.com/licensedarchitectwinter2009/docs/lo-res-1 on pages 18 and 19.
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CLEVER ARCHITECTURE RELEASES ICONIC THEATER CONCEPT FOR MAIN STREET SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS8/31/2016 Saint Paul, MN, May 17, 2016 | Clever Architecture is excited to release its innovative concept sketches for a flexible proscenium theater for the Main Street School of Performing Arts.
“The first viewing of our theater concept was at Main Street’s major fund raiser Spark The Arts. It was so well received that donors were rushing the operations director to see how they could help make it a reality,” said Architect Russell Peterson. “We have been working with Main Street for over a year to expand their performing arts education concept and this theater will be the main feature of their new complex.” “We call this theater the black box proscenium. It has a mirrored teaching stage with the ability to reconfigure the seating into multiple stage presentation types. It also features side flies where sets move in horizontally instead of vertically. It will be outfitted with advanced sound technology, LED lighting systems, flexible seating, iconic house lights and a fully equipped tech booth,” said Peterson, “It is the only theater of its kind in Minnesota and will seat approximately 500 depending on the performance layout.” Peterson continued, “There will be much more to come as Main Street hones in on its new location in Eden Prairie. This theater is the first of three theaters envisioned for a combined advanced performing arts community center and high school. The other two, a white box arena theater and an outdoor summer stock theater stage are currently being developed.” Main Street School for Performing Arts is an award winning, tuition-free charter school currently located in Hopkins, Minnesota. It is one of the country’s leading performing arts high school conservatories with alumni in professional stage practice and at some of the leading performing arts schools both nationally and internationally. Main Street has the biggest performing arts schedule of any high school in Minnesota and features training in music, theater, dance, and musical theater. Its combination of conservatory training, advanced academic classes and an urban community vibe make it unique among Minnesota’s charter schools. It is in authorizing partnership with the University of St. Thomas. More information about Main Street can be found at MSSPAHS.org Clever Architecture, located in St. Paul, Minnesota, is quickly rising among new architecture firms in the Twin Cities. Established only a year and a half ago, this boutique firm promotes unique visions, strategic planning, iconic designs, and buildable solutions. More information about Clever Architecture can be found at CleverArchitecture.com.
Morton Minnesota | Clever Architecture has landed the design of the new Charles Eastman Trail Project in the beautiful Minnesota River Valley. The design will include accessible trails, canoe landing, interpretive signage and an outdoor classroom shelter with trails to other historic sites around Morton. Features to include native granite, environmentally sound design, and local materials. "We are excited to move forward on what we believe is a very inspiring site with limitless possibilities. Rocks. Trees. Water. Who wouldn't be thrilled to work on this project? " said Russell Peterson from Clever Architecture. Saint Paul Minnesota | "A first of its kind child care center will soon open on St. Paul's east side, as two early childhood Montessori schools team up with the goal of preserving language."
"The grand opening is a longtime vision of Janice LaFloe, a Twin Cities American Indian community advocate who said, "In the early years is when you establish your mother tongue. And if we truly want to revitalize the language we have to expose our child to the language when they are young."' Marcia Stemwedel not only provided inspirational community design services, but also designed and helped hand paint custom murals bridging the two cultures with art.
London England | Article Excerpts "Architect Russell Peterson used to say that waiting at tables and cleaning a combine harvester were the hardest jobs he had ever done. Then he became a stay-at-home dad. “It far outstrips those,” he laughs. “It’s a tough job.” Fifteen years ago he sold his share in the thriving architectural practice he co-founded to look after his two young children. Both Mr Peterson and his wife, who live in Minnesota, had “high-level careers, spending hours at work” and struggled with the feeling that other people were bringing up their children. So they made the decision that Mr Peterson would stay at home, while his wife went out to work... “There’s a predisposition towards guys that we are driven by career success. It has to be a linear path showing success,” he remarks. “So few people value the role men play at home.” This was highlighted two years ago when Mr Peterson tried to get a job. “It was brutal,” he says. “I hear women complain about going back to work [after time out caring for children] and think ‘multiply that by five if you’re a guy’.” No headhunters were interested in the skills he had gained in the domestic sphere. As an architect, he felt he understood the home and family needs far better than when he worked full time. Despite going after more junior roles — and pay — than he had been used to, recruiters told him they wanted to see 15 years of continuous experience. The fact that he had kept his hand in by working on the occasional design project as well as maintaining his skills seemed to count for nothing. “One of the biggest areas of discrimination,” he says, “is towards dads coming back to work.” Ultimately he decided that forming his own company was his best option.... Mr Peterson’s advice to fathers considering a career break is to “stay connected” to industry contacts. Although, he concedes, “it’s hard to do when you have one kid in diapers and the other running around the house”. Despite the difficulties, he maintains that the experience of being a stay-at-home dad was valuable not just to his family but also his work, improving his understanding of how people relate to the built environment. “Being at home has helped my job. I’m a better (architect) worker.” Clever Architecture is excited to announce they have completed designs for their newest Restaurant: Thai Spicy. Our knowledge of the local Saint Paul market, quick understanding of our client's needs, decisive design approach, combined with our fast turn around made us the perfect choice to design the restaurant. Look for it coming this spring in the Hmongtown Marketplace at the corner of Como and Marion in Saint Paul. Also, look for new Marketplace enhancements designed by Clever's Marcia Stemwedel.
One of Clever Architecture's greatest features is our depth of restaurant and food service design. Jeff, Marcia and Russ have designed numerous successful prototypes, individual haunts and brands including multiple Caribou Coffee locations across the country, Life Cafe, Amoos Artisan Ice Cream, Bellingham Mall Food Court, Sawan Marketplace, O'Garas, Paradies Marketplace, Studio Distilling and the hottest new speakeasy Volstead's Emporium. |
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