Category: Style

Client Award – Wyco Vintage “Hustlers of the Year”

Our first award goes to Wyco Vintage located at 3535 Broadway Blvd Unit R104 Kansas City, MO 64111.   Wyco Vintage owner Pat Klima is well known for having the largest curated collection of vintage tees in the world.  His team’s resourcefulness and passion for the culture grew into an assembly of collectible art, clothing, sneakers, and brands that include Supreme New York, Off-White, and Nike Air Jordan  just to name a few.  When Pat and partner Adam Compo reached out to Pendulum with an idea to move from their storefront in Merriam, KS to the new Broadway Blvd location just a few blocks from downtown we started with a sit down at our studio (see image below…discussion and deep thought) – “we immediately vibed off of each other’s energy and critical eye” said Pendulum founding principal Jonathan Cole.  There’s a lot that could be said about the process and journey from conversation to lines on paper, to virtual reality model, to the final built product.  The entire process took about six weeks; yes…we hustled.

Cole commented further, “one of the cool things about this project was being exposed to Pat’s breadth of knowledge of the vintage culture, he’s  plugged in beyond trends, the entire team has a nose for authenticity that is refreshing.  We got on a wavelength  rather quickly that resulted in us finishing each other’s sentences…Pat is ten years ahead…which is exactly where I like to think I am.”

Wyco Vintage is hands down the rightful recipient of the “Hustler of the Year Award”.  Since opening their doors October 17, 2019, they’ve brought a new energy to the vintage and sneaker culture in Kansas City – we can’t think of a storefront like it.  As Wyco’s notoriety has increased there’s been notable celebrity foot traffic in the store from NFL stars to internationally recognized musicians.  As far as we are concerned Wyco Vintage needs to be on everyone’s radar, not as up and comers but real hustlers and movers and shakers in the game.

When asked to comment on the award, Wyco Vintage owner Pat Klima stated “I Appreciate Pendulum for recognizing the work our team has been putting in.  The last year was our best yet and 2020 is already off to an insane start.  This acceleration wouldn’t be possible without the design and expertise Pendulum provided in building out the store.  The number one compliment we get at the shop is “you guys have the nicest store”.  We can’t wait to start working on the next location with the Pendulum squad!”

For more info and images of the store click the link: Wyco Vintage Broadway

Acknowledgements:

Mickey Ahammed (Pendulum) – Designer

Dale Frommelt (Fab+) – Collaborator/Fabricator/Installation

Pascal Meya (Meya Metalworks) – Custom Steel Fabrication

Jonathan Cole, AIA, NCARB, NOMA (Pendulum) – Facilitator

Wyco Vintage – Hustlers

 

Design Review – Crosstown Substation

As designers and curators of space, sometimes it takes time for our vision and intent to be fully realized in the built environment.  This can happen because the resources required to execute the vision aren’t available, or it could be that the stakeholders we originally sold on the design are no longer in place.  Unfortunately at times our vision isn’t fully realized because we didn’t clearly communicate our intent loud enough so that those that need to hear it get it.   As we take this moment to recognize projects from our past and present we think Crosstown Substation completed in 2013 warrants a mention as one of the most underutilized and unrecognized projects in Kansas City.

Pendulum was presented with the challenge of creating an architectural buffer between pedestrian traffic and high voltage electrical equipment that occupies an entire city block at the intersection of 18th Street and Holmes in the Crossroads District of Kansas City, MO.  Our solution ornamentally wrapped Zahner Solanum Weathering Steel around white concrete panels designed to display projected still and motion video (see image of full size mock up below).  A kinetic display of light was designed by artist Jim Woodfill to interact with the patterned weathering steel to create splashes of color and programmed motion.

Although the static white painted concrete panels that surround the substation survived several years without significant graffiti, sadly due to low traffic and the absence of curated projected art, we’ve seen an increase of vandalism over the past two years.  As we transition from winter to spring and the kick off of First Fridays in the Crossroads we’d love to see the substation utilized to its full potential and as intended.  Our vision for Crosstown Substation is a hub of pedestrian activity, a backdrop for local digital art, films, fashion shows, automotive gatherings, community events, cultural gatherings, concerts, etc.  The videos included in this blog represent a small cross section of what can be, hopefully a planted seed that one day blossoms into something much larger.  Stay tuned…this could be good!

For a virtual tour of our design click the link: Crosstown Substation Tour

 

 

Brewery Emperial Web Interactive Launch

 

Brewery Emperial is one of those projects that is best described by experiencing it.  The next time you’re in the Kansas City Creative Crossroads be sure to stop in a grab a pint, let it all soak in.  In fact…call us we’ll meet you there and have a pint of that good brew too.

Click the rotating image above to take the virtual tour of the project.  Stay tuned for upcoming announcements, more projects will be added.

Congrats To The Macon Bacon On A Great Season!!!

The Macon Bacon – members of the Coastal Plains League, have now completed two seasons in Historic Luther Williams Field located in Macon, GA.  Pendulum was the lead designer and architect of record for the project  completed in the spring of 2018.

The Bacon advanced all the way to the final round of the playoffs this season competing for the Petitt Cup.  Although they lost to the Morehead City Marlins in the final game of the series, the Bacon played a spectacular season providing unparalleled entertainment for their community and fans.

In honor of the Macon Bacon’s great 2019 season we have chosen Luther Williams Field as our next web interactive launch.

Click the rotating image above to take the virtual tour of the project.  Stay tuned for upcoming announcements, more projects will be added.

Buck O’Neil Education Center – Web Interactive Project Launch

Our latest web interactive release is a design concept for upgrades to the Buck O’Neil Eduction Center located in the 18th & Vine Jazz District of Kansas City, MO at the corner of 18th street and Martin Luther King Blvd. (formerly Paseo Blvd.).

Pendulum was retained by the City of Kansas City, MO to conceptualize  renovations and add an iconic feature to the north facade of the building that is identifiable from several blocks away.  Our scope included the addition of vertical circulation in the form of a pedestrian ramp, stairs and a passenger elevator.  The scope was then expanded to include additional storage, an open air elevated cafe deck, and a freight elevator connecting the basement and the first two floors above the grade level.  The improvements in total will enhance the operator’s ability to substantially expand his/her offerings to private entities and the community.

Click the rotating image above to take the virtual tour of the project.  Stay tuned for upcoming announcements, more projects will be added.

 

Pendulum Launches New Web Interactive Project Feature!

Pendulum is pleased to announce a new website feature now live in our portfolio.  We are kicking things of with the multi-award wining Dunkin’ Donuts Park, home of the Hartford Yard Goats.

Visitors are welcome to drag their mouse or finger across their computer screen or smart device and rotate the digital model in a walking tour of the ballpark.  There are hot spots that can be clicked to launch enraged images and brief descriptions of featured areas.

Jonathan Cole, founding principal of Kansas City, MO based Pendulum stated “virtual reality and 3D visualization is an important part of our daily process from the very beginning stages of design.  We communicate the sometimes crazy ideas rolling around in our head in real time and in a human scale which in my mind is a great advantage over the historic use of scaled physical models.  Our clients no longer have to interpret our drawings because we are placing them in our models at every meeting, it’s an environment that feels very real.  This new web feature also allows us to engage the public/fan and experience the ballpark before they arrive at a game…they’ll know what to expect; we think that’s powerful.”

Click the rotating image above to launch our new interactive feature.  Stay tuned for upcoming announcements, more ballparks will be added.

Pendulum’s 2019 Design Journal Release

Every year for the last nine years Pendulum has completed a new or substantially renovated ballpark in addition to other civic and/or boutique projects.  In the last three years we’ve made a conscious effort to shift our focus from a traditional architectural delivery methodology to a process that encourages a curating of the built environment.

Most of our clients as well as the users of our buildings are heavily influenced by art, fashion, food, music, environment, and automobiles just to name a few.   The combination of these elements in interior and exterior spaces fosters enhanced user experiences.  There is a certain vibe that people are looking for when they attend events in or around our facilities.  Most people don’t spend much time thinking about why something is cool or why it feels right, but they immediately know when something is off, when the vibe is not authentic.

Our job as curators of the built environment is to design experiences that feel effortlessly appropriate and ahead of the curve.  This design journal exposes you to some of our triumphs as well as our process.  It is evidence that we not only talk the talk…we live it.

Design Is Everywhere Volume 02 – Sportswear Passion

For the last 23 years I’ve spent virtually every day of my life working in some capacity on sports projects. That being said, my work has required relentless travel across the nation to service my clients and projects.  One of the many things I learned early in my career from my mentor Henry Stickney (former CEO of Mandalay Baseball Properties) is, “if you’re going to travel – log miles with one airline.”  When we first met we were “logging miles” together on TWA exclusively. He would layover in St. Louis, MO just long enough for me to meet up with him for a flight to Dayton, OH. We did this every week for about two years. After TWA was bought out we started logging miles on Delta. Two million miles later… the rest is history.

This volume of “Design Is Everywhere” is documentation of my travels and a tribute to my many clients over the years. One of the additional lessons learned from Hank, as the owner/operator of several Minor League Baseball teams and the individual who taught me everything I know about the business of baseball, is, “when you go to a ballpark, you should always buy merchandise; after all, it’s all about the per caps baby!”.  I’ve kept that lesson close to my heart for the last 20 years. He helped me to understand that my contribution to the ballpark-built environment is about more than just lines on paper. The truth of the matter is that I’m a real fan of the game and a fan of what my clients do. I’m excited about their brands and I proudly wear their gear on the streets of Kansas City all the time. When we design a ballpark, we pour our sweat and occasional tears into what we are doing; as far as I’m concerned we are members of the team even though we’re not playing on the field. As such we find that during the process of design there are a few funny stories that develop along the way. Even more important than that: there are real relationships that we’ve developed and nurtured over the years that are a byproduct of the work. Some of these relationships have absolutely shaped who we have become. So shout out to all the teams featured in this volume; we wouldn’t be who we are without you!

Stay tuned for the next volume release, we’ll share a few stories about how several of our clients have impacted our trajectory over the years.

Credits:

Behr Productions – Original Music Score (instagram @behr_productions)

Kyleigh Rowe – Graphics & Animation

Lauren Gripka – Photography

Lee Frommelt – Copy Editor

Michaela Simpson – Stylist

Design Is Everywhere Volume 01 – Launch From The Hive


We’re launching a new series that explores the many aspects of daily life that influence our designs. As we release each volume in the series you’ll notice that we often reference “the process”, that is deliberate. We find it interesting that as designers our natural tendency is to hide our process, we don’t want our audience to know the steps it took to arrive at a final thought…we project the idea that our first thought was perfect, as if we are perfect, yet reality is quite the opposite.  Our best designs are the product of collaboration.  It is the result of our willingness to be influenced by the things we see, hear, and smell, the people we surround ourselves with (our circle) that are chipping away at the same block of ice that we are but from a slightly different vantage point.  It’s the applied pressure from our circle that challenge us to do better and be better, even when we get deal fatigue*.

Tinker Hatfield & Jordan 3
Gehry Residence 1978
Museo Guggenheim Bilbao

What is most interesting about the concept of “deal fatigue” is that it is a phenomenon only experienced by the designer.  The end-user/consumer is never exposed to the steps associated with getting from point A (the beginning), to point B (the end), so this concept is foreign to them.
The consumer in general sees something they like, and they go buy it.  The designer in contrast has to create, edit, market, and sell the idea.  Think about it – how many different versions of the Air Jordan 3 do you think Tinker Hatfield studied before he pitched Michael Jordan who was at the time frustrated with Nike and considering leaving the brand?  The end result was Tinker’s design and it saved the day…the rest is history.  How many attempts in material study did it take for famed architect Frank Gehry to arrive at Museo Guggenheim Bilbao?  When you think about it, his trajectory toward use of a material that defies gravity started with chain link fence.  A very simple, affordable, and readily available sheet good that is pliable in multiple directions.  “The process” of study, trial and error eventually led him to the use of titanium which is also a pliable sheet good…but not as readily obtainable, much more expensive, but perfect for the application.  The end result is architecture that inspires us to aspire to challenge conventional methodology.

As an owner of an architectural firm, I’ve noticed amongst young talent the hesitancy to expose the process.  There’s this gravitational pull toward putting on our headphones and hiding in our cocoons and spending hours upon hours cranking way on what we think is the perfect solution.  It almost seems as if what’s really being taught at universities is the idea of self-reliance as a path to success which cheats the process. I’ve seen MANY portfolios in interviews where I look at the finished product and think to myself “wow, this is impressive”, only to realize that the individual was working in their cocoon all by themselves for the better part of a year to produce something that in real-time we’d have to produce in a couple of weeks.  It’s the most difficult adjustment for young talent to make…the transition from theory to real-time which is about twenty times faster.

I’ve concluded that the cocoon that we all gravitate toward climbing in as a default is really our safe place that protects us from vulnerability.   I think the people most successful at breaking boundaries, innovating, and generating new ideas are the people who are OK with exposing their vulnerability.  Those that are OK with looking a little weird or sounding a little crazy.  They are not afraid to be excited or show genuine emotion for the people around them that are exploding with talent.  They let their fears push them ahead rather than stand in front of them and impede forward progress.  The “Design Is Everywhere” series is our gesture of stepping outside of our cocoon and exposing you to the things we encounter on a daily basis that inspire us, the people in our circle that push us, the highs of challenging the market and our competitors, the inevitable lows of missing the mark, and yes – the occasional occurrence of crazy.

We are not afraid…let’s get it!

Stay tuned for Volume 02 of “Design Is Everywhere” – Sportswear Passion.

Footnotes:

*  Deal fatigue is a term used to describe the point of mental and physical exhaustion when working on a project because for various reasons often out of the designer’s control, the project seems as if it will not come to completion.  

Credits:

Lee Frommelt – Copy Editor

 

Pendulum Lifestyle Launch

Pendulum has always been about movement.  We firmly believe “design is change”, so we are passionately looking to perfect the things we do well and  improve upon areas we’ve fallen short.  We are constantly reinventing ourselves in search of the faster, stronger, smarter “us”.

Today we’ve launched a new section of our website dedicated to tracking the daily growth of our crew.   As designers, architects, and craftsman we tend to hide “the process” while exposing only the finished product.  In my opinion “the process” is where the really good stuff lives…so let’s celebrate the good stuff!

Click this link to check us out: The Pendulum Lifestyle