Laurence Grigorov is a respected presence in the Johannesburg, South Africa construction sphere who leads Laurence Martin Developments and has completed several in-demand luxury residential developments. Passionate about design, Laurence Grigorov stays current on architectural trends through regularly reading magazines on the subject.
As featured in City Lab, one noteworthy project recently completed was the renovation of the 1963 landmark Keller Center on Chicago’s South Side. Housing the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy, the building was designed by the same architect, Edward Durell Stone, who designed Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center and the Radio City Music Hall in New York. The original interior had wood paneling and a “swinging-’60s” decor that tied it to a specific period.
Envisioned by local artist Theaster Gates, the limestone facade is now largely sheathed in glass and the interior has been redesigned around a four-story atrium that features ash wood from trees that fell victim to insect infestation. Featuring tiered stairs and cushioned seating, the space brings people from different parts of the building together around a shared social hub.
At the same time, a large staircase has been sheathed in black steel, with glass-walled meeting rooms and classrooms sharing real estate with break-out spaces and open-office workstations. The end result is an increased sense of connection between inside and outside spaces, with the renovated building offering a welcoming, contemporary look and feel.
As featured in City Lab, one noteworthy project recently completed was the renovation of the 1963 landmark Keller Center on Chicago’s South Side. Housing the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy, the building was designed by the same architect, Edward Durell Stone, who designed Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center and the Radio City Music Hall in New York. The original interior had wood paneling and a “swinging-’60s” decor that tied it to a specific period.
Envisioned by local artist Theaster Gates, the limestone facade is now largely sheathed in glass and the interior has been redesigned around a four-story atrium that features ash wood from trees that fell victim to insect infestation. Featuring tiered stairs and cushioned seating, the space brings people from different parts of the building together around a shared social hub.
At the same time, a large staircase has been sheathed in black steel, with glass-walled meeting rooms and classrooms sharing real estate with break-out spaces and open-office workstations. The end result is an increased sense of connection between inside and outside spaces, with the renovated building offering a welcoming, contemporary look and feel.
