The Digest | New Jersey Magazine
Issue link: https://magazines.vuenj.com/i/1408472
H O M E TOW N H E R O E S MODE opened in 2016 in Asbury Park and has built a portfolio of homes and businesses that dot various locations along the shore from the Hamptons to Seaside to their own backyard. Returning to their Jersey roots was never in doubt and opening just as the coast was reeling from the impacts of Hurricane Sandy made the choice that much more poignant. Hanrahan commented, "We knew post-Sandy that new architecture and rebuilding was important. Whole neighborhoods needed to be rebuilt and it was our community so opening here was a way to start helping." Condatore added, "We grew up in the area and we're familiar with the beach and coast and saw the potential for growth in Asbury. We saw long-term benefits of redevelopment with investment coming into the area. To us, there was no better place to open a firm than Asbury Park. We made the right decision." Having that hometown appreciation plays a large role in the projects that MODE undertakes as they relish working on the homes and businesses of their current friends, and those who will become friends as their business is often a place both architects may frequent. This was made clear when they cited their favorite projects as a home and a restaurant they designed for friends. The value was being able to see others appreciate and truly enjoy the spaces MODE created. For Hanrahan, working in close collaboration with a good friend on the design of his house now allows him to experience his work every time he visits. He said each time he feels a sense of pride in seeing the owners enjoy living in what he helped create. Condatore's favorite project was designing a restaurant for his childhood friends. "It's not just architecture, it's the fact I get to see these people experience my work. When I do these local projects, I can go to the place and bump into friends I've known for 20 years and see how everyone enjoys themselves. Knowing we provided that for them is really a special thing," he said. IT'S NOT JUST ARCHITECTURE, IT'S THE FACT I GET TO SEE THESE PEOPLE EXPERIENCE MY WORK.