This short story illustrates how inspiration feeds design
The Light
Our CEO Jonathan O’Neil Cole had the privilege of hanging with Mr. Buck O’Neil and Mr. Bob Kendrick at the 2005 Baseball Winter Meetings in Dallas, TX – It was a day he’ll never forget!
This is the story of how Buck’s light shined so bright that it inspired a chain reaction of events that continue to resonate 17 years later. Pendulum’s collaboration with Mr. Sean Kane on the Buck O’Neil tribute painted glove was incredibly special. The images below are the illustrator’s design notes as we progressed through the process of design.
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In addition to the Buck O’Neil Tribute Glove, Pendulum commissioned Sean Kane to paint a tribute to Hank Greenberg pictured below.
The Look Ahead
While many organizations use this time of year to reflect on past accomplishments, Pendulum’s focus is straight ahead. We are committed to more dynamic collaborations with incredibly talented and passionate creatives. Stay tuned for several major announcements first quarter 2023.
On July 1, 2022 Pendulum celebrated 15 years in the architectural and design marketplace. We’ve been labeled a lot of things over the years, our favorites include “disruptors”, “innovators”, and “market challengers”. More than anything we are incredibly thankful for our mentors, collaborators, families, and staff for supporting our award winning progress over the years. We invite you to enjoy our 15 year video below as a few of our Pendulum family members discuss our 15 year milestone and where they see us headed in the future.
Pendulum stakeholders and collaborators discuss their 15 year milestone
Stay tuned for weekly announcements every Friday in July. We have a lot to share about the next chapter in our history. For a recap of past celebrations starting at year 10: @pendulum_kc
Credits
Videographer – John Iiams, Pendulum
Video Edit – Joshua Williams, Behr Production
Original Music Score – Joshua Williams, Behr Production
Media Contact: Veronica Jeon VSJ, Inc. vjeon@vsjinc.com 202-803-3303
CaroMont Health Park’s Architectural Design Firm Sets the Stage for Strategic Expansion to Embrace Aggressive Growth, Innovation, and Diversity
Gastonia, NC – January 11, 2022– In response to increased demand for its award-winning architectural and professional design services, Pendulum Studio, a Kansas City, MO-based design firm, is announcing its expansion into Gastonia, NC
Pendulum Studio, an architectural design firm devoted to strategy-oriented projects and client-centered relationships, has spent over a decade implementing their design philosophy and process from region to region. Pendulum has a diverse portfolio of projects across the Country, including 28 sports and entertainment facilities. Their proven track record has created an opportunity to expand their footprint in the City of Gastonia to leverage the area’s diverse architecture, design, and community enhancement.
Pendulum creates award-winning designs and innovative concepts under the leadership of award-winning architect and CEO Jonathan O’Neil Cole, who has made significant impacts on communities across the nation for the last 15 years. Mr. Cole has an eye for design that is complemented by his ability to realize the potential of every project to deliver long-term value to his clients and their stakeholders. He has developed an expertise in the development of community-oriented designs that foster environmental and economic sustainability.
In October 2017, Pendulum was selected from amongst several qualified architectural firms by the City of Gastonia to design CaroMont Health Park, the transformative sports and entertainment anchor in the Franklin Urban Sports and Entertainment District (FUSE). With the announcement of real estate developer and entrepreneur, Brandon Bellamy, as owner of the Gastonia Honey Hunters, Pendulum was tapped by the City of Gastonia to fine-tune the ballpark design to reflect the personality and operational needs of the organization.
“Brandon Bellamy describes the shared qualities of the Honey Hunters brand and the City of Gastonia as resilient, fearless, and determined — all of which resonate with me and who I am as an individual and what Pendulum has had to be to thrive in the sports architecture marketplace for the last 15 years,” said Jonathan O’Neil Cole, Founding Principal, Pendulum Studio. “I’ve had the privilege of developing relationships with Mayor Walker Reid, III, and the City of Gastonia staff as we collaborated over the last three years to make FUSE a success. This partnership elevated my decision to move forward with opening a satellite office in the heart of the FUSE district, and to make a positive impact in the Gaston community.”
The super graphics, signage, and wayfinding throughout CaroMont Health Park is the product of hours of collaboration between Bellamy and Cole.
Pendulum has set the stage for strategic expansion to embrace aggressive growth, innovation, and diversity. As they look toward the future, Pendulum plans to continue collaborating with the Honey Hunters and the City of Gastonia with a focus on launching the second phase of the economic redevelopment vision for adjacent parcels. For a sneak peek of this vision: http://www.pendulumkc.com/#/fuse-development-concept/
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About Pendulum Studio: We are more than a studio, more than architects, more than designers, we are a movement – a movement that creates the right solutions that perform beyond expectation, beyond definition. As experts in an array of architectural types, we have focused our practice on community enhancement, specialty projects, and sports facility design. Although we are a small firm, a key differentiation between Pendulum and large firms is the fact that when you select Pendulum you get dedicated and direct involvement of the principal owner of the firm. Our principal owner is a “working principal” so the high expectations we have outlined for our staff is the same expectation of our principal as it relates all aspects of project delivery including sketching, drafting, 3D modeling, project documentation, and exhibiting an overall knowledge of advanced industry technology and market trends. For more information on Pendulum Studio, visit http://www.pendulumkc.com/
About Jonathan Cole: Jonathan Cole is the founding principal of Pendulum Studio, a Kansas City, MO based architectural practice that specializes in the design and documentation of civic structures, multi-family housing, and sports facilities. Cole is responsible for national business development, design, and management of sports projects that range in value from five to fifty million dollars each. He has an eye for design that is complimented by his ability to realize in every project the potential to deliver long-term value to his clients and their stakeholders. Cole has developed an expertise in the development of community-oriented designs that foster environmental and economic sustainability. It is for this reason that Cole is considered one of the leading minds in the sports facility design world.
Media Contact: Veronica Jeon VSJ, Inc. vjeon@vsjinc.com 202-803-3303
Greenbelt, MD – November 30, 2021 – Pendulum Studio (Pendulum), an architectural design firm devoted to strategy-oriented projects and client-centered relationships, is expanding to the Maryland market, to accommodate rapid growth and leverage the area’s diverse architecture, design, and community enhancement.
With Kansas City as the base of its operation, Pendulum has spent over a decade implementing their design philosophy and process from region to region. Pendulum has a diverse portfolio of projects across the Country, including 28 sports and entertainment facilities. The volume of work that they are projecting for the future has created an opportunity to expand their footprint in a way that allows them to work faster and more efficiently.
Pendulum has spent the last three years assembling personnel and resources that set the stage for strategic expansion with a focus on regions, like Maryland, that embrace aggressive growth, innovation, and diversity.
Many have commented that Pendulum is one of “the best kept secrets” in architecture.
Pendulum created award-winning designs and innovative concepts under the leadership of award-winning architect and CEO Jonathan O’Neil Cole, who has made significant impacts on communities across the nation for the last 15 years. Mr. Cole has an eye for design that is complimented by his ability to realize the potential of every project to deliver long-term value to his clients and their stakeholders. He has developed an expertise in the development of community-oriented designs that foster environmental and economic sustainability.
“The decision to expand our presence into Maryland was a logical step in our business growth strategy,” said Jonathan O’Neil Cole, Principal, Pendulum Studio. “We have the opportunity to further expand staffing and capabilities in design and documentation of civic structures, multi-family housing, and sports facilities, as well as increase our ability to service current and future markets.
About Pendulum Studio: We are more than a studio, more than architects, more than designers, we are a movement – a movement that creates the right solutions that perform beyond expectation, beyond definition. As experts in an array of architectural types, we have focused our practice on community enhancement, specialty projects, and sports facility design. Although we are a small firm, a key differentiation between Pendulum and large firms is the fact that when you select Pendulum you get dedicated and direct involvement of the principal owner of the firm. Our principal owner is a “working principal” so the high expectations we have outlined for our staff is the same expectation of our principal as it relates all aspects of project delivery including sketching, drafting, 3D modeling, project documentation, and exhibiting an overall knowledge of advanced industry technology and market trends.
About Jonathan Cole: Jonathan Cole is the founding principal of Pendulum Studio, a Kansas City, MO based architectural practice that specializes in the design and documentation of civic structures, multi-family housing, and sports facilities. Cole is responsible for national business development, design, and management of sports projects that range in value from five to fifty million dollars each. He has an eye for design that is complimented by his ability to realize in every project the potential to deliver long-term value to his clients and their stakeholders. Cole has developed an expertise in the development of community-oriented designs that foster environmental and economic sustainability. It is for this reason that Cole is considered one of the leading minds in the sports facility design world.
“Architect Cole has broken the code for creating 5,000-seat ballparks for half the budget of other such facilities.” – Jock Mock USA Today Sports
USA Today Sports Weekly released an in-depth article by Joe Mock. The article chroniclesMock’s recent visit to CaroMont Health Park, home of the Gastonia Honey Hunters. The Honey Hunters are the newest Atlantic League team located in Gastonia, NC.
on May 27, 2021 CaroMont Health Park opened to a capacity crowd. To add to the fanfare, Earvin “Magic” Johnson made an in-person appearance as a show of support to the Gastonia community and team owner Brandon Bellamy.
CaroMont Health Park/FUSE District Phase Two Development Concept
Phase one construction for the ballpark is complete, now our sights are set on the surrounding commercial development. Pendulum authored an advance look at what phase two may entail – see image above for a broad overview. Pendulum will continue to expand our efforts at “breaking the code” forward thinking design. Affordable solutions to economic development with sport facilities as the catalyst for growth is our specialty.
On October 30th the City of Gastonia, NC hosted a series of tours of the soon to be completed ballpark. Despite the global pandemic construction is on track for first quarter 2021 events. Pendulum’s CEO Jonathan O’Neil Cole toured the FUSE complex with VenuesNow’sDon Muret and talked shop.
In addition to Cole and Muret, Brandon Bellamy – Owner of the team, and Mayor Walker Reid III joined the tour and offered their thoughts on this exciting project. For an in depth account of the visit see below.
VenuesNow Coverage of Construction
On Deck: FUSE District Phase Two
The intent from the very inception of the Fuse District is economic redevelopment. The Velocity Companies has a reputation for just that, so we are optimistic about what the future holds for the City of Gastonia. As stated in previous posts, the vision of Mayor Walker Reid III and City Manager Michael Peoples has generated excitement in the region. The recent groundbreaking of the Trenton Mill housing and Durty Bull Brewing Company projects is proof of growing momentum.
Jonathan O’Neil Cole has been named a “Power Player” in design by Sports Business Journal, an award wining publication that reports on the biggest stories in the sports business. SBJ asked Cole what comes to mind when the term “Power Player” is used to describe Pendulum, he stated:
“My goal for the Pendulum brand has always been for people to hear our name and instead of saying – who? they say – oh yeah, we’ve heard of them. Pendulum being named a Power Player under my leadership means we are gaining ground on that goal, we’re making an impact on the market. That being said, we can’t rest on past accomplishments, we’re keenly focused on making an impact on the future of the sports market.”
Cole was one of 36 named architects to SBJ’s design list, 17 contractors, 9 developers, 11 specialists, 2 professional teams, 8 owners representatives, and 6 engineers – 89 honorees total. See the full article below for additional details on this prestigious acknowledgment.
Jonathan Coles auction items to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters KC 2020 “Most Wanted” Auction go live November 12, 2020
The Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City (@BBBSKC) 2020 “Most Wanted” Auction opens to the public on November 12th, 2020. As a 2020 “Most Wanted” honoree, Jonathan O’Neil Cole has assembled a collection of sports legend memorabilia for bid that are second to none. Be sure to register to bid on the BBBSKC site by clicking the button below:
Jonathan’s roots in stadium design inspired his collection of auction items that honor sports, music, and creative legends. These legends are from Kansas City and beyond. All items highlight 25 years of nurtured relationships.
Mitchell Bat Company Custom 2015 Royals Painted Baseball Bat
2015 Custom Bat from Pendulum’s Private Collection
In 2015 the Kansas City Royals won the Word Series. In honor of the win Nashville, TN based Mitchell Bat Company – http://mitchellbatco.com – released a series of custom painted baseball bats in the Royals color way. Pendulum’s Jonathan Cole jumped on the opportunity to commission one of the custom bats for his personal collection. This auction is for the custom bat and leather bat hanger.
Sports Legend Clayton Kershaw Autographed Baseball & Los Angeles Dodgers Memorabilia
World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers Memorabilia
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been crowned 2020 Major League Baseball World Series Champions. Clayton Kershaw was a key contributor to the Dodgers’ historic advance to the World Series win.
Pendulum’s Jonathan Cole has nurtured a relationship with the Dodgers’ organization over the years through Janet Marie Smith – current Senior Vice President, Planning and Development. Janet’s career in the sports architecture world is well documented with one of her most famous projects being Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles. Janet was very kind in her willingness to facilitate the donation of this authentic autographed Sports Legend Kershaw baseball, Dodgers Stadium 3D model & Jackie Robinson statue on behalf of the Dodgers organization.
Sean Kane Painted Glove – Wood Plank Wall Art: Sports Legend Buck O’Neil
Wood Plank Wall Art – Buck O’Neil Custom Painted Glove
Canadian artist Sean Kane is famous for his period correct custom painted baseball gloves – www.paintedgloves.com. Pendulum’s Jonathan Cole commissioned Kane to paint two custom gloves that are closely linked to two career milestones. The items for auction are photographs of each commissioned glove printed and laminated on wood planks. Each come with certificates of authenticity from the artist.
In 2005, Cole spent time with Mr. O’Neil at the Baseball Winter Meetings in Dallas, TX. Cole was struck by how Mr. O’Neil’s personality lit up the room – “he was just magnetic, there’s not one person that could resist wanting to be around him” said Cole. Cole was inspired to commission a custom Sports Legend Buck O’Neil glove currently on display at the Pendulum headquarters.
Regarding the Buck O’Neil glove Cole stated, “It is especially meaningful to me because Buck is a Kansas City sports legend. I feel the challenges he overcame in baseball are very similar to the challenges I’ve experienced in the profession of architecture. His example inspired me to keep challenging the market, and to keep sharpening my skills. As such we’ve had the privilege of designing a number of amazing ballparks and look forward to more in the future.”
Sean Kane Painted Glove – Wood Plank Wall Art: Sports Legend Hank Greenberg
Wood Plank Wall Art – Hank Greenberg Custom Painted Glove
Sports Legend Hank Greenberg, nicknamed “Hammerin’ Hank” was best known for his tenure with the Detroit Tigers in the 1930s and 40s. As he designed historic Tiger Stadium renovations Cole learned a great deal about Greenberg’s legacy.
Cole was selected to design Dunkin’ Donuts Park in downtown Hartford, CT where Greenberg’s career began. Cole learned that the owner of the Hartford Yard Goats, Josh Solomon, was a huge fan of Greenberg. Upon completion of the construction of the ballpark in 2017, Cole presented Mr. Solomon with a custom painted glove of Hank Greenberg as an opening day gift. This auction item includes a photograph of the painted glove printed and laminated on wood plank for display.
Sports Legend Jimmie Johnson Autographed NASCAR Hat
Jimmie Johnson Autographed Hat – Michigan International Speedway
Rick Brenner, President, Michigan International Speedway, has a long career history in Minor League Baseball. Baseball is where Pendulum’s Jonathan Cole began a relationship with him. As an executive in Minor League Baseball, Brenner led his respective organizations to many prestigious awards throughout his career. In 2010, the Fisher Cats were awarded the Larry MacPhail Award, which recognizes the nation’s best in promotional effort.
Brenner invited Cole to conduct a design study at Michigan International Speedway in 2019. Pendulum completed the installation of a new modular seating solution. Cole attended a race after project completion on June 9 and witnessed Jimmie Johnson compete. Sports Legend Jimmie Johnson is the only race car driver in history to be named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. He is a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, sharing the all-time record with stock car racing icons Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. Johnson is the author of one of the greatest championship runs in sports.
Brenner was kind enough to donate this Jimmie Johnson Autographed Hat for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Most Wanted silent auction.
Sports Legend Marcus Allen Autographed & Framed Jersey with Newspaper
Marcus Allen Autographed Jersey
Bobby & Karen Schumacher, Owners of Vintage Fabrication LLC, an Independence, MO-based classic car customization legend, forged a bond with Pendulum’s Jonathan Cole. This bond began with a commission to design a custom interior for a 1986 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa.
Schumacher, a member of the Kansas City Automotive Museum Executive Board, nominated Cole for a board seat and they now serve on that board together as the museum prepares to embark on a capital campaign for the design and construction of a brand new home in downtown Kansas City. The Schumachers were kind enough to donate this framed and autographed Sports Legend Marcus Allen jersey [including a newspaper from this career era] for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Most Wanted silent auction.
Sports Legend Muhammed Ali Autographed Boxing Gloves
Scott Samson & Ali Autographed Boxing Gloves
The Muhammad Ali autographed boxing gloves are a special donation from Scott Samson; a dear friend, amazing acoustical engineer, and design collaborator. Mr. Samson and Pendulum’s Jonathan Cole forged a friendship beginning with their design collaboration on Fifth Third Field – home of the Class A Dayton Dragons.
In addition to Fifth Third Field, Jonathan and Scott worked together on the design of Louisville Slugger Field, home of the Class AAA Louisville Bats in Louisville, KY. Sports Legend Muhammad Ali was born and raised in Louisville; Mr. Samson’s donation essentially brings the relationship with Cole full circle.
‘Plush Friends’ Mega-Bundle
Plush Friends Mega-Bundle
These soft and huggable 12” furry friends are ready for adventure! They are a perfect gift for the young or young at heart in your life. Chris Evans, executive creative director/partner of Kansas City, MO based SPIRIT! has had a long collaborative relationship with Pendulum’s Jonathan Cole. They’ve worked together on a number of local and national projects. SPIRIT! Is a creative marketing agency dedicated to making kids and families your biggest fans.
Kansas City Music Legend Bobby Watson – Five Autographed Compact Disks
A saxophonist, composer, arranger and educator, Bobby Watson grew up in Kansas City, Kan. He trained formally at the University of Miami, a school with a distinguished and well-respected jazz program. After graduating, he proceeded to earn his “doctorate” on the bandstand – as musical director of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers.
For more than three decades now Watson has contributed consistently intelligent, and sensitive music to the modern-day jazz lexicon. All told, Watson, the immensely talented and now-seasoned veteran, has issued some 30 recordings as a leader and appeared on 100-plus other recordings, performing as either co-leader or in support of other like-minded musicians. Not simply a performer, the saxophonist has recorded more than 100 original compositions including the music for the soundtrack of A Bronx Tale, which marked Robert DeNiro’s 1993 directorial debut. Numerous Watson compositions have become classics such as his “Time Will Tell,” “In Case You Missed It” and “Wheel within a Wheel,” each now oft-recorded titles that are interpreted by his fellow musicians both on the bandstand and on other recordings.
Pendulum’s Jonathan Cole commissions local jazz musician, producer, and composer Joshua Williams of Behr Productions to arrange custom tracks for various lifestyle and videos releases. Josh has performed with Bobby on numerous occasions and was gracious enough to provide Jonathan with these autographed albums to add to the fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters Kanas City.
Help Jonathan’s campaign for Big Brothers Big Sisters KC
Pendulum is honored to share that our Montreal Excitation concept, a ballpark, practice facility, and concert venue has been awarded a Rethinking The Future (@Rthinkingfuture) ACDA 2020 First Award for Sports & Recreation Concept.
Pendulum’s concept is sited on the historic 1967 World’s Fair Island in Montreal Quebec Canada. This fact offered a significant challenge: how do we respect the historical significance of the site while embracing the beautiful natural topography and pay homage to the signature architecture that surrounds it?
Montreal Excitation Site Plan
Challenge Accepted
One of the stated goals of our concept is to provide site connectivity both physically and visually. Pedestrian plazas, walking trails, boat docking areas, and concourse breezeways create connection to adjacent site features. Because of the interruption of the angular extrusions in the building facade individuals within the facility are allowed to look out and view adjacent iconic architecture and landscape.
Many thanks to Rethinking The Future and the Jury Panel for their hard work and consideration. It is humbling and an absolute honor to be recognized by our international design peers.
RTF Awards Invites Architects and Interior Designers from across the World to submit their Built/Concept Projects
“Rethinking The Future Awards program aims to bring exceptional works in the field of Architecture the prestige they deserve. The objective of these awards is to raise awareness around the strategies Architects and Designers are employing to deal with the contemporary global challenges, and to bring the best of such projects into the light to inspire the next generation”
Contrasting Night & Day Rendering From Island Shore
2020 marks the 15th year that Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City will host the “Most Wanted Auction” that recognizes 25 Honorees from the Kansas City business community. They have been asked to raise funds and awareness for the benefit local youth. Our CEO, Jonathan O’Neil Cole was recently announced as one of the selected honorees. The video above provides insight on a few of his passions in life and why charitable giving for this very worthy cause is important.
We are challenging all of our friends, collaborators, clients and colleagues to assist us in supporting @BBBSKC. Although we are all negatively impacted by the current COVID19 pandemic we can’t overlook the heightened support needed by our youth…especially now.
Schedule:
November 12, 2020 – Silent Auction Items Available For bid
In the upcoming weeks we’ll start posting digital shorts honoring some of our friends that have already donated funds or silent auction items for the cause – don’t get left out…we’d love to tell your story too!
