Art of Form Architects (Amityville, NY) was awarded a "Special Award" at the AIA (American Institute of Architects) 42nd Annual Archi Awards held at the Tam O'Shanter Club (Old Brookville, NY) on November 16, 2006 for lighting design at Poleci (New York, NY), the upscale retail apparel boutique. On hand to receive this unique honor were AOF President Raymond Caliendo and his wife Anna. The "Special Award" was presented by AIA President John Notaro and AIA Past-President Jim Martino. Selected by a special panel of judges known in architectural parlance as a jury at the New York Chapter office's "Center For Architecture", the award came as a complete surprise to AOF president. "We are so surprised and thoroughly thankful to be recognized by the AIA in this way," said Mr. Caliendo, "as we did not enter this category." The Special Award acknowledges exemplary and unique lighting design showing how to display product at point of purchase. AOF staff who assisted on the award-winning design include Principal Mark Searage, AIA, Project Manager Paul Lombardo, AIA, Approvals Expediting Charles Washington, Chief Draftsperson James McDonough and Jr. Draftsperson Joshua Meyer.

About the Award-winning Project
Poleci's flagship New York retail store is located on West 14th Street between Ninth and Tenth Avenues in the trendy "Meat Packing District" of Manhattan. The majority of the neighborhood, as well as their location, has been designated as a New York City landmark, requiring special, in-depth approvals, including public hearings for proposed work. Cool, light and iridescent floating product displays were designed in and juxtaposed against the earthy pre-existing building elements. The thick and rough-hewn timber floor beams supporting the upper level were left exposed and treated with a fire-retardant chemical bond in order to preserve the needed fire separation. The flooring in the front of the store utilized a random, large aggregate terrazzo system with a high gloss, wax-like finish. The pre-existing quarry tile floors in the rear of the store were reconditioned. The original pyramidal wire glass skylight above the one-story section of the building was retained as well. Several touches that echo the building's history as a meat packing plant such as a huge stainless steel refrigerator door were preserved as a decorative element. Despite the rough quality of the indigenous interior, all new mechanical and electrical features were carefully planned and in some cases, such as the air conditioning ductwork, concealed so as not to compete with older elements. The lighting highlights and focuses the newer design features and products attempting to create a glowing, dream-like quality set against the realistic backdrop of this historic building and neighborhood.

Brookville, New York, November 2003 - For 39 Years the American Institute of Architects (A.I.A.) has been awarding its prestigious “Archi” (pronounced ark-ee) award for outstanding achievements in architecture design. Architects and Partners Raymond Caliendo and Mark Searage of Art of Form Architecture (Amityville, NY) took top honors at the Tam O’Shanter Country Club (Brookville, NY) in the category of Historic Preservation and Adaptive Re-Use for their exemplary work on the circa 1882 Fulton Street restaurant; Gage & Tollner (Brooklyn, NY).

The restaurant’s interior and exterior were designated a New York City landmark in the 1970’s. According to Mr. Caliendo restoring the 6,177 square-foot building, was “quite a challenge because it was a landmark and everything had to be preserved, yet upgraded. We had to really turn back the clock and look for original wall and ceiling coverings, basically recreate everything.” “There were a myriad of details to contend with and issues of authenticity that comes with the territory,” stated Mr. Searage. “Paint chips were analyzed and a search began for the original “Charleston brown” paint for the exterior trim and door of the limestone and wood building.”

The $1.2 Million renovation added a modern kitchen and a 15-foot mahogany and marble bar at the front of the 2,083 square-foot first floor dining room. Brass gaslight lamps and chandeliers were refurbished, and velvet brocade panels were custom-made to replicate damaged originals. With Restaurant, Hospitality market being one of the significant practice group areas of the firm, it is perhaps the detailed nature of Historic Preservation and Adaptive Re-Use that makes this project so noteworthy.

About Art Of Form Architecture
With a staff of 15, Long Island-based Art-of-Form is ranked one of the region’s fastest growing architectural and interior design firms. Art-of-Forms’ diverse project portfolio and depth of knowledge include; Corporate Office Design, Healthcare & Medical Facilities, Historic Preservation & Adaptive Re-Use Institutional Design, Not-For-Profit, Restaurant-Hospitality-Food Service, Residential and Retail industries. Over the past 10 years, Art-of-Form has developed and designed functional and creative space solutions for national and international clients including; Blockbuster Video, Enecon, 1-800-Flowers, Pepsi-Cola, Steel Equities, Sutton & Edwards, Time-Warner, and Winthrop University Hospital. Art-of-Form is a member of both the American Institute of Architects (A.I.A.) and American Society of Interior Designers (A.S.I.D.).