Born in 1873 in Waltham MA, Ida Annah Ryan was the first American female architect. She graduated from MIT with a Masters of Science, and a Masters of Architecture in 1907. Ida was attracted to the idea of the study of architecture during her high school years. While practicing initially in Massachusetts, she relocated to Florida because of a lack of work there after the War. At first employed by Frederick H. Trimble in 1918 and 1919, as his designing architect, Ida formed he

VOA Associates, Inc. recently completed architecture, interior, and sustainable design for the Winter Park branch of First GREEN Bank. The Orlando office  provided design services for bank owner to meet his goals. This is one of many boutique-type branches steadily growing across Central Florida. The new 6,360 square foot NetZero building, located on North Orlando Avenue, encourages green efforts through financial principles that reward sustainable practices. This project pre

Orlando-based developer AMP Group is getting ready to start the second phase of the Orlando Crossings shopping center, a project that involves refreshed facades, refurbished shop  spaces and new tenants that cater to the region’s tourist market. A new Banco do Brasil Americas, set to break ground in June, will cater to Brazilian tourists and may boost their visiting experience. Orlando-based Rabits & Romano Architecture Inc. has designed a bank which is bright, contemporary

In Cocoa Beach, the glass bank building has been at the center of a big discussion over demolishing a building that historically hosted stars Like Frank Sinatra and Bob Dylan in lavish parties celebrated each time NASA launched another flight of astronauts into space. It was a big part of people’s memories.  It had a restaurant on the rooftop of the building with views to the Banana River as well. Unfortunately, the building lacked maintenance and with years of continuous wea