Sean Peter Kane

Metro West Collaborative Development Project Details Client:...

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

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Metro West Collaborative Development

Project Details

Client: Watertown Community Development
Deliverables: Website - design, programming, maintenance; Branding - logo
Status: LIVE

Metro West Collaborative Development is a nonprofit community development corporation based in Watertown, Massachusetts, and servicing the MetroWest region. Started in 1991 as Watertown Community Housing, the CDC has been helping to secure and create affordable housing within the Watertown community. As part of its 20th anniversary, the organization decided it was time to expand its services to also include community building and economic development. The expansion came with it the need for a new name, branding and website.

I offered pro-bono services to the CDC to redevelop their website. This included the designing, programming, and training of the staff. During the development of the website, Watertown Community Housing requested that I also come up with a new logo for their new name - Watertown Community Development.

The website was developed to use the WordPress platform to make updating of the site as easy as possible. The original site (created in the 1990s) required hand editing of the HTML which the staff did not prefer. WordPress would allow them to easily update, add and remove content as they needed. The new website provides the organization with static pages as well as a news item update feature and online forum for landlords in the area to discuss current topics and issues.

The logo that was developed played off the fact that the city they’re based in is urban due to its proximity to Boston but also natural with numerous parks. The built structure of the city is a low profile with buildings less than five stories. The city’s name derives from the fact that its southern border is the Charles River. Each of these pieces were pulled into the logo and bright colors were used in connection with softer greys.

A few months after relaunching itself as Watertown Community Development, the organization decided to go a step further and expand its scope to include the MetroWest region, rather than just Watertown. With this new focus, I was contracted to update the website I had developed to reflect their new name, Metro West Collaborative Development, as well as develop a new logo. The website remained primarily identical to the WCD website except for the logo and name update. The logo shifted away from the river icon as the area of service was larger than just Watertown.

Keep Calm and Plan On Project Details Client: S. Peter...

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:19:00 -0500

Keep Calm and Plan On

Project Details

Client: S. Peter Kane
Deliverables: Desktop/iPad & iPhone images

In the spirit of the “Keep Calm” movement which has everyone creating their own versions of Britain’s famous “Keep Calm and Carry On” mantra, I decided it was time for an urban planner’s version.

The “Keep Calm and Plan On” concept has a couple of influential elements. The first is the mobile-centric world we now live in. With so many placemaking and wayfinding features being brought out and identified by Google and Apple, the icon I put together embodies that design concept. The message however can be attributed to the recent Tea Party push against the efforts of planners to make our built environment more socially and environmentally sustainable. Even though we may be up against fervent (and yet ill-conceived) pressures, we must “keep calm and plan on.”

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Beyond Photography Project Details Client: Amanda...

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 12:45:00 -0400

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Beyond Photography

Project Details

Client: Amanda Hoar
Deliverables: Website - design, programming, maintenance
Status: LIVE

Amanda Hoar has been building her photography skills over the past few years. With a growing portfolio and a number of local showings booked, Mrs. Hoar wanted a website to help profile her work and promote her services.

I took on the project to provide her a very simple way to update her portfolio and keep people informed of events she would be at. The website was built to utilize the Tumblr platform. I programmed the site in HTML5 and CSS3. The main focus is the images with the ability to open hi-res versions of the photos.

SPeterKane.com Project Details Client: Sean Peter...

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:09:00 -0400

SPeterKane.com

Project Details

Client: Sean Peter Kane
Deliverables: Website - design, programming, maintenance
Status: LAUNCHED

I have designed a number of versions of SPeterKane.com to showcase my online portfolio over the years. Initially launched as “studiophusion,” the website followed a storyline to portray the work. It slowly evolved into a more pictorial entity. After a few early versions as studiophusion.com, I reworked the site as kre8-ive.com in order to better represent the greater web programming experience I had gained. The final version of kre8-ive.com actually went completely different, focusing on the page layout based of a resume template I designed. Images were launched as Shadowbox features, keeping the website clean and very light.

In conjunction with reworking the portfolio to utilize WordPress, I rebranded the site to SPeterKane.com. The WordPress platform was used for the first two versions of SPeterKane.com. Along with the move to WordPress, I returned to a pictorial focus while at the same time increasing content management.

The third version of SPeterKane.com included a trimming down of imagery, removal of javascript (only needed for Internet Explorer), and coding for HTML5 and CSS 3. I also converted to the Tumblr platform which has proved to be far less bloated with functions and files and very stable. I’ve retained the Tumblr platform for the last three versions, including this latest development.

Buildingwell Project Details Client: New Ecology,...

Wed, 18 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

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Buildingwell

Project Details

Client: New Ecology, Inc.
Deliverables: Website - design, programming, maintenance
Status: LAUNCHED

As part of my internship at New Ecology, Inc. (NEI), I was tasked to develop a new wiki catered to owners and managers of affordable housing. The wiki is a resource of the various methods that can be used to green and make existing buildings more energy and water efficient as well as healthier for the residents.

NEI had put together an initial website design and some content development. This development was done through Wikispaces. This initial phase however was meant for new construction projects. When I came on board, we refocused the intent which led to developing a completely new design. Since all content would be developed by use (rather than the users of the site), I wanted the site to look less like a wiki and more like a typical website. This phase took about a month.

The content development and architecture were then developed over the course of a number of months with feedback from many, many professionals in the field. The content was broken down into topics consistent with standard building development practices. All content was written and focused for existing buildings on a non-profit level (financial limitations).

We also went through two test phases with select user groups. These two phases helped us to refine the homepage look as well as content. The discussion portion of the content pages turned out to be popular and effective.

With the launch of the website, I also launched Facebook, Google+, and Twitter accounts to help tie in additional marketing methods and grow the audience.

OpenNeighborhood Project Details Client:...

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

OpenNeighborhood

Project Details

Client: OpenNeighborhood
Deliverables: Website - design, programming, maintenance
Status: LAUNCHED

With three versions of the OpenNeighborhood successfully running/completed, it was decided that we needed to make the websites for all of them more cohesive. In doing so, we also determined that the very early version of the main website OpenNeighborhood.org should go through a revamping process.

Previous to this revamping process, the various project sites were being hosted on a very expensive (and unstable) Rails server. These research projects were supported by Tufts University and therefore we decided it would be best to move the sites to the university servers. In doing so, I reworked this main site (as well as the original Acton project, to use the WordPress platform.

I slimmed the main site down to act more as a portal to each of the sub-projects. Brief information about the project was included as well as contact information. The site now allows users to quick jump to the specific community-engagement project they’re looking for.

The subsites of OpenNeighborhood that I also programmed and maintain include:

PNboston Project Details Client: Planners Network Boston...

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

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PNboston

Project Details

Client: Planners Network Boston Chapter
Deliverables: Website - design, programming, maintenance
Status: LAUNCHED

Planners Network Boston Chapter (PNboston) was first established in 2008 as the local effort for the national progressive planning organization. Over its first two years, the chapter built its membership and developed a number of regular events. Its expanded efforts required additional communication methods. To build upon its current efforts via a Facebook page and Google listserv, the group undertook putting together a website.

The initial website that I developed was a simple Google Site. The leadership team liked the ability to provide all of the group’s information in one location and decided after a couple of months with the Google Site to move forward with a more customized website. In order to keep costs minimal (read $0), I turned to Tumblr. The design I created utilized a similar design one creative shop had considered for Tumblr but never programmed. The concept is that of a daily newspaper. All the important news and information flows through the homepage (and RSS feed) with additional information (like the group’s Google Calendar) on separate pages.

WegoWise Web Commercial Project Details Client:...

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 23:56:00 -0500

WegoWise Web Commercial

Project Details

Client: WegoWise
Deliverables: Video - production
Status: RELEASED

I produced this informational/promo video for WegoWise using Adobe Flash, construction paper, and digital photos to create a stop-motion effect.

ihatevw Project Details Client: Sean Peter KaneDeliverables:...

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400

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ihatevw

Project Details

Client: Sean Peter Kane
Deliverables: Website - design, programming, maintenance
Status: LAUNCHED

This was a personal project of mine born out of the numerous issues I had with my 2002 Volkswagen Jetta. After horrid customer service experiences and then reading numerous stories about many other issues VW owners have faced, I decided that there needed to be a single location to keep these stories. Since the launch of the site, there have been a number of stories submitted and the traffic remains very constant.

The site has gone through four versions. The first two were hand-coded with HTML/XHTML. The third version utilized the WordPress framework in order to create a better workflow as well as manage the growing content. With the latest version, I ported the website to Tumblr for better content management as well as faster downloads due to a simpler framework. This fourth version also uses HTML5 and CSS 3. The design cues have been retained throughout the recent versions.

The Village Potter Project Details Client: Mark...

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400

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The Village Potter

Project Details

Client: Mark Runnals
Deliverables: Website - design, programming, maintenance
Status: LAUNCHED

Originally built in 2004, this website is still going strong. It was built to showcase pottery artist, Mark Runnals, who lives in the art community of Village of the Arts in Bradenton, FL.

The first site was inspired by an earlier version of Apple.com. It was coded from hand and used straight HTML.

The latest incarnation, version 2, includes a complete rewrite of the website. It is now run through Tumblr and uses HTML5 and CSS 3. Along with updating the design and framework, the website was also renamed “The Village Potter.”

Green CDC Report Project Details Client: MACDCDeliverables:...

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Green CDC Report

Project Details

Client: MACDC
Deliverables: Report
Status: PUBLISHED

My ten-month internship at the non-profit Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC) included various projects. One such project was to research just how our members were embracing sustainability - the resulting report “Community Development Goes Green.”

By their very definition, CDCs are resourceful entities working to better the life of residents in their communities. These groups have historically worked to improve resident job and housing opportunities, health issues, and environmental impacts. We wanted to see to what extent these activities aligned with the current sustainability initiatives being taken on by the government and for-profit organizations.

CDCs promote environmental sustainability through a wide variety of means. I identified fifteen green strategies employed by CDCs through their green projects, programs and initiatives and tallied the number of CDCs employing each of those strategies. These strategies were then grouped into:

Development of green buildings, through new construction or rehabilitation
Green improvements, including energy efficiency improvements to existing homes or businesses
Green space creation and preservation
Green job creation
Green community education and organizing

As the primary author and researcher, it was very interesting and inspiring to see the extent of sustainable activities the member associations were undertaking. Over 80% of the members were found to do take on one type of sustain activity regularly. The findings help to show that being green is not expensive and truly is important for greater quality of life.

Rounder Records Proposal Project Details Client: Oaktree...

Sat, 15 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Rounder Records Proposal

Project Details

Client: Oaktree Development (via Tufts University)
Project Location: Cambridge, MA
Deliverables: Stormwater Management Proposal

For my “Planning for Low Impact Development” course at Tufts University, we each needed to examine a project currently in the design phase. Through our evaluations, we determined how the proposal dealt with stormwater management and then make suggestions for revisions to help the development be less impactful on the local environment.

With the growing focus on smart growth and urban infill development, it’s important for developers and planners to ensure that redevelopment projects are making the most of their situation. In many instances, the land that is being redeveloped has experienced a long-standing negative impact. The redevelopment of that land provides an opportunity to correct the problems while at the same time benefit the surrounding area. The Rounder Records project on North Massachusetts Avenue near Trolley Square is just such an example. The developer, Oaktree Development, is currently in the process to completely redevelop this site, open up a large amount of land currently built upon, and incorporate energy efficient elements. One area that has not been fully considered in the project is stormwater management.

My stormwater management recommendations for the project were broken down into three areas of opportunity: rooftop, greenspace, and parking lot/egress.

Rooftop

I proposed an extensive green roof to be used on all portions of the new structure, except for the three planned roof decks. This type of green roof would require minimal engineering adjustments to the original plan and would be able to manage the rain from a small storm (first 1/2”). Excess rain as well as the rain the falls on the roof decks would be managed by a cistern, detailed in the next area of opportunity.

Greenspace

The current design plan calls for park space along the Linear Park. This area is currently covered by the existing building and will be opened back up through the new development. In addition to creating a new permeable surface for this portion of the site, the park can also be used to manage the excess rainwater from the roof (and neighboring Linear Park). An underground cistern can be buried below the park (the same area the developer is considering for a much larger stormwater storage tank). This suggested cistern would only need to be a 2,000-gallon tank based on the needs from the roof plus additional load. That’s 1/10 the size of the developer’s potential stormwater storage tank. The water from the cistern could be used to water the park as well as landscaped area around the egress. The developer’s storage tank calls for the water to be pumped into the city’s sewer system (after a storm has passed).

Parking Lot / Egress

I proposed three revisions to this area. The first was to used raised decking for the egress, rather than blacktop or concrete as the developer has proposed. By using a raised deck, rainwater will be able to flow between the boards of the deck down to the soil below.

The developer is currently planning to landscape the open space between the parking lot/egress and the residential properties on Massachusetts Avenue. Two rain gardens could be installed during this landscaping process, one closer to the rear entry and the second by the parking lot. Each rain garden would act as a small bioretention area to treat and store/handle the rainwater of the surrounding open space.

The final recommendation for this area is in regards to the parking lot. This parking lot is graded significantly lower than the landscaped area described in the area previous (about 6’ below). Rather than adjust the level of the parking area to allow water to flow from its surface to the landscaped area, permeable pavers could be installed. These permeable pavers would replace the current plan to surface the lot with asphalt. In doing so, the pavers will allow the rain water to be drained directly into ground. The lot could be graded in a manner to drain excess water to a system that would feed the water to the cistern in the park.

Roslindale Village Report Project Details Client: Roslindale...

Sat, 08 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Roslindale Village Report

Project Details

Client: Roslindale Village Main Street
Project Location: Roslindale Village, Boston, MA
Deliverables: Economic development report

As part of the the first year core requirements in the Urban + Environmental Policy + Planning Program at Tufts University, all master of arts graduate students must take part in the Field Projects course. The course is designed to provide students with a real world planning/policy experience, working directly with a local client on a project or study of their choosing.

Groups are made up of four to five students with a professor and teachers assistant as guides. The student groups must perform a literature review on the project topic, determine the issues and needs of the client, create a methodology to illicit data, and analyze the data so as to make recommendations and proposals for the client.

My team of five students worked with the Roslindale Village Main Street (RVMS) program in the neighborhood of Roslindale in Boston, Massachusetts. RVMS is one of the first Main Streets programs in the United States and has been active in the neighborhood for decades to help draw in new business and create a better experience in the Village.

Key Areas of Focus

Access
Business Selection
Identity

Methods Used

Demographic Research
Visitor/Shopper Surveys
Business Owner Surveys
Case Study Research
Community and Public Figure Interviews
Parking Inventory & Observations
Pedestrian Environment Data Scan

The area is currently experiencing a transition encompassing its economic development and physical identity, as well as the demographic makeup of its population. This report examines these shifts using three separate viewpoints (key ares of focus. The first component of this study inventories district transportation and analyzes physical accessibility. Through this assessment it was determined that the area is highly car-dependent, though there is not a lack of available parking. Additionally, it was found that Roslindale Village is very walkable. The identity of the changing area population is also evaluated in this study through interviews and surveys as well as demographic research. An inventory of current Roslindale Village business selection is also collected. In reviewing the identity and business selection of the Village, the report notes differences between the diversity of the population and business and service offerings. The results of these three assessments focused on access, identity and business selection are evaluated to provide recommendations for maintaining and enhancing the vitality of Roslindale Village through the present transition so that the district can best serve both current and future area populations as an active center of the community.

The full report, “Destination: Roslindale Village, A Roadmap For A Vibrant Village,” is available HERE.

Massachusetts Assoc. of CDCs Project Details Client:...

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500

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Massachusetts Assoc. of CDCs

Project Details

Client: MACDC
Deliverables: Website - design, project management
Status: LAUNCHED

Coinciding with the start of my internship at the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC), the group was undertaking a complete redesign and redevelopment of their website. With the programming contracted out to Dan Collis-Puro, I was asked to assist with the project by developing its design and coordinating production.

The new site, launched in December 2009, offers cleaner navigation and consistent layout and font. Utilizing BrowserCMS, the staff now has a much easier, more straight-forward method to updating the site in the future. Google has been heavily integrated: utilizing Google Calendars to manage two calendars (the association, the members), Google Analytics for tracking, and Google Maps for a clear display of all the member organizations within the Commonwealth.

AdaptiveReuse.info Project Details Client: Sean Peter...

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500

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Book Club

AdaptiveReuse.info

Project Details

Client: Sean Peter Kane
Deliverables: Website - design, programming, maintenance
Status: LAUNCHED

The concept of adaptive reuse is what initially drew me to pursue my Masters in Urban + Environmental Policy + Planning. While one aspect of it may draw people to the architectural field, I am more interested in the concept of using adaptive reuse methods as a tool for community and economic development and sustainability.

For my first semester in my Masters program, I had to do a focus study on an aspect of urban planning that interested me. This study would need to include articles, advocacy, policies, and journal articles regarding the topic. Each student then needed to put together an entire portfolio of all of these readings, present a synopsis poster on the topic, and write a reflection/literary review paper. Instead of doing a portfolio, I requested the ability to put together a website. For me a website made more sense as it would easier to search and find as well as offer more flexibility for organization than a binder.

After the course was complete, I decided that I had a lot of material that lent itself to a more complete, open website. So I developed AdaptiveReuse.info. The site focuses on case studies of successful adaptive reuse projects. It also is a portal to news, advocacy, policies, and criticisms/issues regarding the field. I’ve also put together a “book club” of literary on the topic.

The site uses WordPress for content management and is adapted from the Full Screen design template by Graph Paper Press.

Elect Nancy Nickerson Project Details Client: Nancy...

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400

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Elect Nancy Nickerson

Project Details

Client: Nancy Nickerson
Deliverables: Website - design, programming, maintenance

I was asked to help provide an online presence for Nancy Nickerson’s election run in Farmington, CT. As a Town Council candidate, Nancy wanted to provide information about herself and her position while at the same time making it easy for the residents to contact her. Establishing an online presence has allowed her to reach an additional demographic.

The site was run off of WordPress.

UPDATE : Nancy won the Town Council Seat.

The Green Element Project Details Client: Sean Peter...

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

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Article

The Green Element

Project Details

Client: Sean Peter Kane
Deliverables: Website - design, programming, maintenance

The Green Element was developed as a method to not only aggregate articles and links regarding sustainability, but to provide scale to the topic. The articles were broken down into categories dependent on the level of impact the sustainability initiative pertains. The concept was to help individuals better understand at what level action can be taken. This portal also helped to further promote the topic of sustainability.

The site used WordPress for content management and was based off of the Futurosity Smashing Magazine design template.

Built-In Bookshelf Project Details Client: Sean Peter Kane &...

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Built-In Bookshelf

Project Details

Client: Sean Peter Kane & Andrew Nickerson
Project Location: Cambridge, MA
Deliverables: Design, 3D model

We had a lot of books, a lot. From all the literary top books and writing guides to architecture and web design, there was just too many for the simple built-in bookshelf and IKEA shelves we had in the condo. The second bedroom (the White Room) was actually used as more of a study. Rather than simply buying more IKEA shelves like we did for the lounge, we decided a large built-in solution would be best.

To maximize space, I incorporated a secretary’s desk within the design. This allowed us to get rid of the huge glass desk I had and opened up the floor space when the desk is not in use.

I designed the piece using SketchUp, had contractors install it, and then we did the painting.

Homans Building Redevelopment Project Details Client: City of...

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Homans Building Redevelopment

Park View

Section View

Schedule of Uses

Aerial View - Current

Aerial View - Redeveloped

Atrium View

Redevelopment with Neighborhood Context

Homans Building - Current

Homans Building - Redeveloped

Homans Building Redevelopment

Project Details

Client: City of Somerville
Project Location: Gilman Square, Somerville, MA
Deliverables: Redevelopment proposal

This project was developed during my “Green Urban Design and Placemaking” graduate course at Tufts University. The course centered around the US Green Building Council’s LEED for Neighborhood Development Pilot Program. This certification program expands the LEED requirements to ensure that a project considers its impact on the great neighborhood, not just the plot of land being (re)developed. Each group in the class was assigned one project site within Somerville, MA.

There were no cost limitations to the project. The only real requirement was that the design incorporate LEED-ND guidelines. The groups were also offered the chance to add to their development site by including surrounding parcels, however, this would need to be fully reasoned.

In the end, the project finished with a design that would afford a Gold Certification. The proposed development optimized the location to the future Green Line T Station in Gilman Square as well as provided the opportunity to revitalize the neighborhood.

Current Conditions

Four parcels
1.1 acres
Old abandoned warehouse
Gas station
Three loading docks
Parking lot
Historically significant
Unfavorable to pedestrians
Abuts commuter rail line
Close to City Hall & High School

Project Goals

Restore Gilman Square
Incorporate sustainable design
Inspire and teach
Foster community connections
Optimize transit-oriented site
Provided needed services

Design Principles

Integrate site design with existing neighborhood fabric
Enhance transit corridor
Encourage travel by foot / support a car-free lifestyle
Incorporate green space
Develop an identifiable neighborhood center
Provide a “third place” for the neighborhood
Confirm neighborhood completeness
Encourage mix of uses
Create a model for sustainability

LEED-ND Elements

Infill project site
Located next to future Community Path (bike)
Above-ground and garage bike parking
Reduced heat island (underground garage)
10% of parking for carpool and Zipcar
Widened sidewalks to 20 feet
Store entrances set apart only 55 feet
Large percentage of windows on first floor
Shade from trees on sidewalk every 40 feet
Floor to Area Ratio (FAR) is 3.1
New park of 1/5 acre
Trombe/thermal wall on south side
Optimized natural daylighting via cross-atrium
Energy-efficient lighting
Electrochomic windows
Rain barrels to retain 90% of stormwater
PV-panel covered roof

The Bravern Project Details Client: Schnitzer WestProject...

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The Bravern

Project Details

Client: Schnitzer West
Project Location: Bellevue, WA
Deliverables: 3D illustrations, unit animations, interactive sales tool
Employer: Neoscape

The Bravern is a large mixed-use development in downtown Bellevue, Washington. Neoscape was hired by Schnitzer West to help the developer market the residential portion of the of the project. The site includes two ground levels of retail, two office towers, and two 30+ story residential towers. The residential towers also enjoy a large elevated terrace that connects the two and provides additional public space.

For this project, I coordinated the production of: (28) 3D illustrations, four unit animations, and a large interactive sales tool.