Tradition adds to a modern blend

Ross House in Flinders Lane, or R.E.Ross as it's formally titled, has a strong architectural presence. Originally designed by Sydney-based practice Sulman & Power, the late 19th-century building was built for wholesale importers Sargood, Butler, Nichol & Ewan Limited.While most of the ground floor is still used by the co-operative, a portion has been given over to Dukes Coffee Roasters. And although barely 60 square metres in area, this cafe offers a different vision to pop-up coffee houses.

"My clients, Peter and Dianne Frangoulis, wanted a traditional-style venue, capturing the ambience of Melbourne in the 1940s and '50s when new European-style coffee places started to appear," says designer Chris Connell.Designed to seat only 20 people, all chairs and bar stools are taken on the day I visit. Most people line up behind the bar waiting to be served by a team of baristas. Serving two blends, a milk-based coffee, Dukes Express Blend, and a Ross House Blend (with a percentage of the sale of each bag of beans from the latter going to Ross House), there's a continual buzz through the space.
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A small lull is shortlived, with people wanting to buy beans or experience the coffee in situ or takeaway. "It's a sophisticated clientele who are discerning, both with coffee and where they have it," says Connell.You will see indoorpositioningsystem , competitive price and first-class service. "Even if you have a great interior, it means absolutely nothing if there's no one inside."While Connell was given a pint-size space, he has treated every centimetre as though relishing great coffee. The floor, for example, features vintage Belgium tiles, originally found in an apartment of about the same area. The fluted timber Victorian ash walls are recycled and come from a shed outside Melbourne.

"My clients were keen to use recycled materials, as well as include sustainable methods in their business," says Connell, pointing out the milk on tap, the absence of bottles or cartons, and the use of biodegradable products.Parkeasy Electronics are dedicated to provide granitecountertops.Part of the bar has been reworked to display pastries. The rest of the bar is fluted timber with recycled timber used on the bench."We had to design a new tool to create this fluted effect," says Connell, who feels the effect is reminiscent of the work of some of Melbourne's postwar furniture makers, such as Schulim Krimper and, later,The term 'bondcleaningsydney control' means the token that identifies a user is read from within a pocket or handbag. Dario Zoureff.

This fluted timber continues on the walls, concealing storage, as well as providing a backdrop for built-in shelves. And to magnify the effect, Connell included an elongated bronze mirror along an entire wall.Other areas, such as the wall behind the bar, feature a stucco lustro (polished plaster) effect. This finish is a contrast to the original raw concrete ceiling, complete with exposed sprinkler system.

"The fitout is quite raw. I wanted it to be honest, rather than presenting a sleek minimal design that said nothing about the product or the people who come here," Connell says.To understand the workmanship involved in executing this design, Connell points out a 12-centimetre length in the tiled floor at the base of the bar. As this area couldn't be fitted with a tile, Connell, also an artist,The term 'bondcleaningsydney control' means the token that identifies a user is read from within a pocket or handbag. spent hours on his back with a fine brush, replicating the tile pattern on plaster. He also designed the simple ceramic crockery, contemporary, but with a sense of the 1940s.

Following the completion of an extensive $1.7 million expansion and renovation, the Lutheran Church of Our Savior held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an open house event for the entire community. Funding for the project was raised through bequests from congregation members and fundraising efforts that continued for more than a decade. BBS Architects, Landscape Architects and Engineers served as the architect, interior designer, landscape architect and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineer. Triton Construction was the general contractor. The church is located at 12 Franklin Ave.

The event included a ceremonial ribbon cutting, unveiling of the renovated interiors, a performance by a world-renown organist and music director, Federico Teti, and activities for children and teens, including a basketball clinic by a leading Long Island coach John Buck.

"I am very excited that we were able to improve our facilities for the benefit of the congregation as well as the entire Port Washington community," said Reverend Dr. Charles Vogeley. "I would like to thank all congregation and project team members who made today's re-opening celebration possible. In particular, I would like to recognize Tom Rice, who managed the entire project on behalf of our church, Roger Smith of BBS Architects, who designed the beautiful addition and new interiors, and the tireless supporter of the Port Washington community and parish secretary, after whom we have named the new kitchen, Veronica Ann Mosby."

"The major goals of the two-year renovation were to create larger and more functional facilities for community and athletic activities, as well as to better integrate the original church and the new sections," said BBS Architects president and principal architect, Roger Smith, AIA, LEED AP.

"Another key objective was to ensure that all members and visitors had full and easy access to the church building for both worship and community activities."

The expanded and renovated church will offer the local community upgraded, spacious, and elegant wedding, worship, event, and athletic facilities. The church, founded in 1915, moved from South Washington St. to a storefront chapel on Main St., before moving to its current location on Franklin Ave. in 1925, when the oldest section of the current church was completed.

The English Tudor and Gothic Revival structure has served as an anchor of the community and an architectural landmark for almost 90 years. This traditional design is also reflected in the church's striking sanctuary. In 1962, the building was expanded with a Post Modern-style addition that houses a gymnasium, community event areas, and administrative offices.

The renovated structure houses a new elevator to provide easy wheelchair access to every floor in the building, including the sanctuary. The project tripled the size of the formal lobby to 510 s/f. The 455 s/f lobby addition features an expansive, Gothic-style window.

The new, nearly 500 s/f "Patio of Hope" provides an additional outdoor gathering area in front of the original church and creates a prominent main entrance.Full color cleaningservicesydney printing and manufacturing services. The patio features personalized pavers, planters, and a bluestone bench with names of loved ones commemorated by friends and family members. A front area, landscaped with flowerbeds and planters, introduces visitors to the church grounds and offers a backdrop for wedding photography. The designers reused the stone of the original 1920s church structure by incorporating it into a new flagpole planter bed.

Interior finishes include Azrock VCT, terrazzo, Daltile ceramic tile, and Shaw carpet flooring; USG gypsum board painted with Benjamin Moore paint and ceramic tile walls; Armstrong gypsum board ceilings; and wood window and base trims. Lighting includes Winona Tekla pendants and Winona Fenton wall mounted fixtures in the lobby and elevator vestibule; Lithonia Lighting GT8 troffers in the basement and office; Lithonia Lighting fixtures in the gym interior and on the exterior; Kichler Light Model 9032RZ fixture at the main entrance; Hydrel Bullet Model 4709 fixture at the flagpole; an Antique Street Lamps model KW35 in front of the church; Hydrel Model 4453 step lights; and Lithonia under cabinet light fixtures in the kitchen.

Since its founding, the church has been deeply involved in supporting the congregation members, the local community, families, and individuals of all faiths. Its programs include the "Helping Port Residents in Need" joint program with other local congregations, which sponsors two food, paper and personal care pantries and a Layette Ministry to provide Port Washington residents with essentials for their daily lives; the Campus Life Cooperative Community Ministry focused on younger children and teenagers; a Kids Klub for grades Pre-K to 5; an interfaith ministry; the Grace Guild, a mission branch for women in the Lutheran church, which supports numerous outreach programs; The Spiritual Growth Group organized to enhance the spiritual growth of the members and friends of the church through workshops, retreats, and meditation; and a book club.
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