Java.June.2017

BRONZE SUMMER
By Robert Sentinery
BUZZ
As we move into the scorching summer months, bronze seems like an
appropriate theme. Not the swimsuit–clad bodies jockeying for pool position, but
rather, larger-than-life bronze sculptures by Phoenix’s own John Tuomisto-Bell.
The earliest example of this material dates back to 4500 BC, and Tuomisto-Bell’s
cool demeanor belies the 1700-degree heat required to melt the mostly copper
alloy to create modern-day masterworks.
The Tuomisto-Bell Studio Foundry is a workshop that the artist operates behind
his Arcadia-neighborhood home. If you’ve never experienced the drama of
molten metal pour, it would be worth a visit; although, summer in Phoenix almost
feels like a glowing crucible itself (see “Metaphysical Bronze: The Life and Work
of John Tuomisto-Bell,” p. 8)
From the alchemy of the art world to the modern-day gold rush of app
development, Roza Ferdowsmakan is a tech lawyer who wrote much of the
code that allows ride-sharing companies like Uber to operate legally in the City
of Phoenix. Roza left her post with the city in order to branch out, and from
her architecturally interesting studio, dubbed “softwarehouse,” she splits her
time between legal consulting and developing her own app that will impact the
Valley’s foodie community.
The Bites app is all about bringing together local farms, chefs and ultimately
diners through a few clicks on a mobile phone. It allows the user to select a meal
to be cooked in his/her own home by any one of a variety of chefs. Unlike fooddelivery
services or traditional catering, Bites provides an opportunity to watch
a meal being created up from start to finish by a skilled professional. Users will
have the opportunity to rate their experience, so that quality work is rewarded.
Look for Bites beta testing in the Phoenix area starting July 1 (see “Roza
Ferdowsmakan: Bites App Brings Chefs to Your Door,” p. 12).
The Phoenix Financial Center, one of this city’s mid-century landmarks, graces
the northeast corner of Osborn and Central Ave. The complex, comprised of
its “punch card” tower and two rotundas, had begun to lose its luster and
without proper attention could have fallen prey to developers salivating over
its prime midtown lot. Fortunately, back in 2014 the 140-year-old Boston-based
architectural firm Shepley Bulfinch leased the 9,000-square-foot south rotunda
for its Phoenix office, which was formed in 2009 when they acquired the awardwinning
upstart merzproject.
The restoration/redesign of the south rotunda is no less than stellar, elevating
the entire complex and seemingly securing its future. Shepley Bulfinch is
responsible for several other high-quality adaptive reuse projects for clients
like Upward Projects, including the Al Beadle-designed bank that now houses
Federal Pizza. But mostly the firm is known for its massive new builds, like a
new residential tower coming soon that will change the Phoenix skyline (see
“Shepley Bulfinch: Renowned Boston Architectural Firm Becomes a Phoenix
Fixture,” p. 34).