ModVic LLC creates Springfield, MA ‘City of Firsts’ wall art and conference table to inspire staff and visitors at the MassHire Department of Career Services’ newest office location
On January 14, 2020 a ribbon cutting was held in which local and state officials unveiled a social services office that ushers in a new decade of hope with job opportunities, training, and placement assistance for Massachusetts residents.
For executive director Kevin Lynn, the project build and department move represented a labor of love that took over three years of persistence, determination, and several iterations to complete.
Bruce Rosenbaum at ModVic was brought in to put the finishing touches on Lynn’s vision. The two had first met when Bruce and Lynn were introduced by a local architect.
Based on ModVic research and past projects celebrating the city’s history, Bruce and Lynn wanted to capitalize on Springfield’s reputation as a city of 50 firsts, including: The world’s first monkey wrench, first commercially viable gas powered vehicle, and first basketball game among many others.
“I have always been inspired by the inventive past of Springfield – where ingenuity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit have clearly been nurtured and encouraged,” said Rosenbaum. “It’s been called the City of Progress, the City of Homes, the City of Trees – we decided to have some fun with that theme and proclaim it also the City of Jobs in honor of MassHire and its efforts to better the local community.”
Interior design forged from the past
The five Springfield ‘City of …’ signs are laser etched on circular brushed aluminum plates – the round frames are repurposed pulleys, foundry molds, punch clock wheels and industrial manufacturing objects from historic local factories and buildings. Each creates a unique and reimagined setting for gallery quality display.
The table was fabricated by local woodworker, Danny Roy in Palmer, MA under Bruce’s guidance. Two 8’ oak windowless antique doors that were salvaged from the Greenfield, MA High School were fastened end-to-end to create the central portion of the conference table surface.
The table dimensions are 16’ x 5’. The antique doors were windowless. Every other inset was cut and inlaid with glass in order to view the industrial machine legs and base.
A solid maple frame was constructed to meet the required dimensions. Modifications were also made for glass insets and shadow boxes that would display post cards and meaningful pictures of Springfield’s history.
The table’s three machine base ‘legs’ were salvaged from a factory and reinforced with a 12’ black steel plumbing pipe for stability and safety.
Added shadow box features and discrete electronic hardware for modern connectivity needs
Sustainable and adaptable artwork
“Bruce is a designer with a really great mind and what he created here for our boardroom is something that everybody comments on how unique and impactful it is,” said Kevin Lynn, Executive Director of MassHire Springfield. “ I think it makes a difference in how people perceive our organization – it’s cutting edge but at the same time it’s retro and it really ‘pops’ in this contemporary office setting.”
Bruce (left) with MassHire Springfield Executive Director Kevin Lynn.
A result of ModVic’s philosophy of the fusion of art + history + technology – it’s a design ethos that is timeless – and therefore suited for many different settings.
Case in point, as the original employment placement firm called FutureWorks evolved into MassHire, the operations grew and subsequently moved from a renovated historic office space at the Springfield Armory, to its new contemporary home in downtown Springfield.
Bruce in a PR photo with Rosalin Acosta, Secretary from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Department of Labor and Workforce Development
While the ModVic pieces were first commissioned and designed to appear in separate locations – the table in a designated boardroom and the wall art to hang in reception – their adaptability and aesthetic work in tandem within the same space to tell a story that gets people talking.
Attractive and versatile – while the surroundings may change, the impact remains.
Repurposed historic objects will be salvaged from local companies and factories. Sculptures of reimagined, fused automobiles, planes, and industrial equipment will be built and constructed from locally sourced artifacts where they are available.
Creative problem solving and collaborative learning are also key themes that will encourage students, young and old alike, to gain a deeper, richer understanding of how combining opposites such as art with science, the familiar with the novel, and form with function can be the building blocks of invention and innovation.
Bruce is also planning to offer Steampunkinetics workshops at the Cybrarium for middle and high school students in South Florida.