Movie Nights at the Studio!

Summer, 2017

Join us every Wednesday @ 5:30pm for a film focused on design.
Hoping to learn about or investigate some form of art and/or the 'process of creating,' our film topics can range widely.
Got an idea for a film, or want to see what's on the schedule?

Give us a call! 978-461-6114

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Mass Cultural Council Podcast Series Guest

Summer, 2017

The Massachusetts Cultural Council brings you Creative Minds Out Loud, a podcast created to give a glimpse into Massachusetts’ cultural capital; to inform, to inspire, and to share the stories of our sector.
Join us for informative and lively conversations in a new episode released later this Summer featuring Tim Hess and other arts and cultural leaders. Listen now.

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Assabet Village Cultural District Earns State Recognition

March 23, 2017

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It's official!
As of today, the Assabet Village Cultural District has won recognition by the Massachusetts Cultural Council! 

The area, which will be known as the Assabet Village Cultural District, encompasses all of downtown, the Mill and Main campus, the community art center, the library, and the Fine Arts Theater Place.
“This designation is a tremendous boost to Maynard’s solid reputation as a cultural destination,” Town Administrator Kevin Sweet said in a press release.
“Maynard is very fortunate to have such an abundance of cultural amenities to build on.’’

The Cultural Council will serve as the board of directors for the District.

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DNE places: Summer Star (we are one)

July / August 2015

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Built around provocative and inspiring quotations from the philanthropist, client, and Master of Philosophy Shalin Liu, William Morgan's story focuses on Liu's aspirations for the earthly virtues and spiritual values to be nurtured at Summer Star. Shaped, first, by the broader principles pursued by the sanctuary, the work of designing the 5200sf building became the central device for exloring questions for the 45-acre sanctuary, like how to pull any of us away from our screens and the persistent pressures of our lives in this agressively commercial American culture? How to enfold us into the gentle rythms of the earth, the seasons, the weather, the day... to nourish the spirit and provoke action - even activism. The place is conceived as a single integrated whole, to enable a coherent and immersive experience of one's own diffusion into nature.

As a Principal at his former firm DSK Architects where he was the principal designer for Summer Star, InSitu Principal and Design Director Tim Hess led the broad and deep team of consultants and collaborators. During construction, Tim launched Studio InSitu Architects Inc and contracted with Summer Star to continue this broad oversight while designing the landscape signage and kiosk, Trailhead House interiors, exhibits, custom and contract furnishings and soft goods. For the sanctuary's Linden Street Gallery, InSitu drafted a plan and a narrative which would evolve to become the Independent Curator Rebecca Smith's show, "Malcolm Wells; Earth Sheltered Architecture".

Plannin', Zonin', Rock and Rollin'

May 7, 2015

Tim was the guest on Town Planner Bill Nemser’s radio hour Planning, Zoning, and Rockin’ and Rollin’. The conversation centered around place-making issues like visual and pedestrian connectivity and cohesion, way-finding and branding in the town center and proposed Assabet Village Cultural District in Maynard, Massachusetts. 

The enduring legacy of Maynard's milltown roots is manifest in the scale and proximity at the core of our vibrant and cohesive “micro-city” village character. Ultimately, the nourishment of the connective tissue here will promote the satisfaction of a fuller and fuller range of Maynard residents’ vocations, pursuits, necessities and diversions.

The Earth’s Climate is Changing; How Can you Live There?

April 23, 2015

Dr. Matthew Shindell’s class in the History of Science department at Harvard University examined environmentalism in the 20th century. Industrial development threatens the earth’s capacity to sustain human life; We’ve "reached the tipping point", Matt has said. If we believe this, how should our convictions influence our buildings; What kinds of places should we be making? Tim presented eight buidling projects which cut against the grain of conventional development in small and larger ways toward more integrative places for a richer, more humane, and more sustainable quality-of-life. Angelica Bunkhouse, Three LIttle Houses, Between the Storms, Piene Farm Artist’s Co-Housing, Slipped-Shed Studio, Broadmeadow Common, and Millbrooktown 2015 projects were shown.  A fuller presentation of the newly-opened Summer Star Wildlife Sanctuary, from earliest aspirations and concepts through execution and performance concluded the talk. 

Tradition with a Twist (Wellesley/Weston Whitewash)

November/December 2014

In Tradition with a Twist, the story centers around Decorator Mally Skok's work with fabrics and furniture in this house which straddles the town line where Wellesley and Weston, MA meet.

InSitu principal Tim Hess designed the addition while with DSK Architects.
The DSK team included Chip Dewing, Matt Emond, and Justin Mello.

Chris Hart of The Hartwright Company was the General Contractor.