OVERVIEW

The introduction of the “Bird’s Nest” (鸟巢) in Beijing, China for the 2008 Olympics wowed the world with its brilliance.  This icon, on a monumental scale and stage, reminds us about the creative and cultural capability of man.  Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron designed the National Stadium, but few might know that their original design actually did have a roof.  Structural concerns and constraints lead to the removal of the roof and ultimately to a most inspirational result, the nest itself.

Be it a small coffee shop or an international airport or an office building or a museum or a hospital or a university or even an Olympic Stadium, all spaces go through a creation process.  And, you never know when or from where inspiration will strike.  The March episode of Sidewalk Radio explores this process, along with inspiration, getting the inside scoop behind some of Atlanta’s most interesting, cool, and conceptual spaces. Join host Gene Kansas, along with four of Atlanta’s most “with-it” professionals, as they layout, design, educate and cook up what it takes to create space.

The Place Maker. Bob Amick of Concentrics Restaurants serves up not only what it takes to prepare fabulous spaces, but also how to pick the places in which they exist.  As creator of ONE Midtown Kitchen, TWO Urban Licks, TAP, and Parish to name a few, uncovering potential seems to be second nature to this taste-making entrepreneur.  His passion for design and love of the experience helped put Atlanta on the restaurant map, and makes his Sidewalk Radio interview sizzle

Todd Murphy fresco painting. Murphy and Amick have worked together for years to combine art and space.

The Interior Designer. Allison Hyer of Hyer Creative, worked with the Grammy Award winning Zac Brown Band to turn a 30,000 sq. ft. warehouse into the perfect combination of creative space and glorified green room.  Hyer shares with us her secrets for success with an tune that’s right on key, as she describes how Zac’s entrepreneurial spirit and down-home sensibilities shine through in “The Warehouse”.  This multi-use facility houses the corporate offices for Lucy Justice Goods, a commercial kitchen with style, an auto body shop, a leather shop, a t-shirt screen printing facility and a “living room” for the band and their families to enjoy time together when they’re off the road.

The Historian. Leslie Sharp, a historian and Assistant Dean with the Georgia Tech College of Architecture, also joins Gene in the studio this month.  Sharp shares a historical context of architecture on campus and brings the listener on a journey through Tech’s newest star, the Hinman Research Building.  Well, okay, maybe it’s not that new…A historic structure, and Georgia Tech’s first research building, Hinman was originally designed in 1939, and has just recently been renovated and re-imagined.  It’s a space that is so thoughtful, that it actually makes you want to think.  Check it out at their Grand Opening on March 30th.

The Architect. And then there’s Perkins+Will’s new headquarters building and the soon to be unveiled MODA (Grand Opening March 19th) space at 1315 Peachtree.  Lead Designer on the new space, Bruce McEvoy, enjoys his role as both Chairman of the Board at MODA and a Associate Principal at P+W.  McEvoy and P+W CEO, Phil Harrison, both serve on the MODA board and feel like the stars aligned to make the project possible.  McEvoy shares with us an insider’s guide to both the client and the designer’s perspectives on this transformational move for both his firm and the Museum of Design Atlanta.

So, join us on the creative journey, we know you’ll be happy you did.  The show airs on Monday March 14th at 8:30am and 6:30pm on AM 1690, “The Voice of the Arts”, both on your radio and online at http://www.1690wmlb.com.  And, of course, catch Sidewalk Radio anytime on iTunes.  Thank’s for tuning in, y’all.