Julie Nelson Archives | BKSK ArchitectsBKSK Architects

December 4, 2019

Center for Fiction Wins 2019 Architect’s Newspaper Best of Design Award

The Architect’s Newspaper has announced its 2019 Best of Design Awardees, and the Center for Fiction received an Honorable Mention in the Institutional Interiors category.

We are so proud of the project team, led by BKSK partner Julie Nelson and Director of Interior Design, Gerry Ende. The Center for Fiction, founded in 1820 as the Mercantile Library, is the only organization in the United States devoted solely to the art of fiction. Its new headquarters, relocated from Manhattan to the heart of the Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District, offers 17,000 sf of resource-rich space to literary professionals and enthusiasts. Programming for the space accounts for housing a circulating collection of more than 100,000 fiction titles, a bookstore, auditorium space for educational programming, a writer’s studio, rooms for discussion groups, and administrative support space.

Center for Fiction Receives SARAs National Design Award

BKSK is proud to have received a 2019 SARAs National Design Award of Honor for the Center for Fiction in the Architectural Interiors category.

The Center for Fiction’s new headquarters in the Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District designed by BKSK offers 17,000 sf of resource-rich space to literary professionals and enthusiasts. Programming included housing a circulating collection of more than 100,000 fiction titles, a bookstore, café, flexible auditorium space, a writer’s studio, expandable rooms for discussion groups, workspaces and administrative support space.

The design vision marries two ideas essential to the Center’s mission: honor the historic roots and legacy of service to its members and integrate technology and amenities. This is achieved in a way that welcomes a new diverse audience.

It was essential to connect to the community and establish a high-quality “third place” for work, research and inspiration outside the home or office. The architecture inspired by stories celebrates a transparency and scale, that is traditional yet of its time, simultaneously grand and intimate.

February 22, 2017

The University of Virginia: Industry Expert Discussion

We believe it’s important to inspire the next generation of architects. Julie Nelson recently joined her alma mater as a guest on their Career Center’s Industry Expert webcast, along with fellow alumnus, Jeffrey Murphy of Murphy Burnham & Buttrick. The series is aimed at providing students with real world advice from practicing professionals in their field of expertise. Below is a sneak peek into the conversation, the full webcast can be viewed here.

UVA: Why did you choose a career in this industry?
Julie: I chose this career as a chance to do something creative and tangible (and a love of cities and the built environment).

UVA: What can students do to prepare for their first year of experience?
Julie: It’s important to gather a broad range of experience early on: construction, technology, design and collaboration. Try as many things as you can, especially when you’re young…ask questions and try it all. Tap into the collaborative ethos of architecture.

For more information about having BKSK involved with your school or organization, please email bkskinfo@bksk.com.
(pictured above, Convent of the Sacred Heart Athletics & Wellness Center, a building that serves as a living “teaching tool”).

October 13, 2016

CCNY Women in Design: Career Night at BKSK

Last week, students from the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture at City College joined us at BKSK for a discussion about the presence and influence of women in design and architecture. The conversation was facilitated by Julie Nelson, Joan Krevlin, Jennifer Preston and several other staff members who shared stories about their career trajectory, their inspiration, challenges and just some good practical advice for students with real questions about their future in the profession. The conversation evolved into an open dialogue where students and staff alike opened up for an exchange of knowledge and insight both in the aspirational and practical sense.

For information about future Career Nights at BKSK, please email bkskinfo@bksk.com.

October 10, 2016

Architecture as Advocacy: A tour of QBG’s Visitor & Administration Center

The Queens Botanical Garden Visitor & Administration Center will be featured as part of this weekend’s Open House New York. The first publicly-funded building in the city to achieve LEED Platinum certification, this 16,000 sf center is a built extension of the Garden’s mission: to demonstrate environmental stewardship while celebrating the cultural connections between people and plants.

“BKSK Architects used wit and seduction to advocate green architecture, rather than just demonstrate it. It will be a must-see among aficionados of green buildings. But by any definition, it is a terrific gift to the Queens community and all of New York City.” Scott Stefan, Queens Botanical Garden

October 15th at 12pm and 1:30 pm. Advance registration is required. http://bit.ly/2dG9ZXY

June 24, 2016

(LEED)ing by Example: A conversation with Julie Nelson

Under new legislation, New York City-owned buildings now have to meet some of the highest efficiency standards in the nation. On June 27, Julie Nelson moderated a panel discussing how the new regulations can help spur further innovation. Ahead of the panel, she gave her take on how the city’s move to lead by example will affect the design process.

December 17, 2015

Julie Nelson to present at NCGS Forum with Sacred Heart

On February 8th, Julie Nelson will present at the NCGS 2016 Global Forum on Girls’ Education with Aubree Stephens, a Convent of the Sacred Heart Upper School Science Teacher and an existing collaborator of Julie’s. Their session, “Drafting the Future: Students and Architects Designing in Tandem,” will give participants an insider’s look at the “Introduction to Engineering” course at NYC’s all-female Convent of the Sacred Heart. This year, that course included hands-on learning with Julie, a key partner of the female-led team responsible for Sacred Heart’s new Athletics & Wellness Center.

By framing buildings (including school buildings) as teaching tools, educators can meaningfully expand the portfolio of approaches that they use in the classroom. Julie and Aubree’s session at the Global Forum will illustrate how education and architecture professionals can effectively collaborate in this process, thereby fostering interdisciplinary learning, integrating emerging technologies, and instilling a sense of global citizenship, all while keeping students engaged. For educators whose institutions are planning new buildings, this collaboration can also ensure that excitement about the investment continues beyond a building’s ribbon cutting. Participants will leave the session with clear ideas for hands-on design challenges that also demonstrate opportunities for women in the building industry, possibly even in a student’s own backyard.

More information on the Global Forum is available here, including details about registration.

September 21, 2015

Center for Fiction selects BKSK for design of new Brooklyn home

The Center for Fiction has selected BKSK Architects to lead the design and interior buildout of their new headquarters at 280 Ashland Place, in the heart of the expanding Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District. The Center for Fiction’s new 17,000 square foot facility will offer three inviting floors of resource-rich space to literary professionals and enthusiasts alike. A partnership with Doyle Partners, whose expertise includes visual identities and environmental graphics, will reinforce BKSK’s design vision. Read More

August 4, 2015

Julie Nelson and Harry Kendall to speak on housing

At the August meeting of AIANY’s Housing Committee, Julie Nelson and Harry Kendall will share some of BKSK’s latest housing work and offer their insights into the New York housing market. James McCullar Architecture, Handel Architects, Terrain NYC, and Cook + Fox will also present at the event, which will be held from 6-8pm on August 12th at the Knoll Showroom at 1330 6th Avenue.

All are welcome to attend this “casual summer evening of presentations,” which includes appetizers and beverages courtesy of Knoll. RSVP’s are not required. For additional information about the event or the committee, please contact Committee Co-Chairs Fernando Villa at fvilla@maparchitects.com and Peter Bafitis at PBafitis@rktb.com.

To invite Julie or Harry to share their expertise at an upcoming event, please email bkskinfo@bksk.com.

July 21, 2015

Join us in exploring organic waste’s part in OneNYC

One of the Mayor’s OneNYC goals is for the city to send zero waste to landfills by 2030. Interestingly, one of the largest obstacles to achieving this goal is also a potential energy source: organic waste.

On Thursday, July 23rd, the Urban Green Council is hosting an event to discuss strategies for better dealing with organic waste and the opportunities that architects have to lead in this arena. Co-organized by BKSK’s Julie Nelson, the conversation will be led by Kiss + Cathcart’s Clare Mifflin, Foodprint Group’s Christina Grace, and the New York City Department of Sanitation’s Brett Mons.

The event runs from 6-8pm and is being hosted by Mohawk, at 71 West 23rd Street. Visit Urban Green online to register.