A MORE FOCUSED LOOK AT A FEW OF OUR PROJECTS

AND AT THE BOTTOM, A QUICK SMATTERING OF WHAT IS COOKING

FARM CREDIT EAST, COOPERSTOWN BRANCH

Location- Springfield, New York
Client – Farm Credit East
Status – Completed 2018
Program – 22,000 SF Office facility

Farm Credit East is a financial institution that lends solely to the agriculture market. Given the strong agricultural traditions of the Cooperstown region, their new facility just north of the village is a welcome addition to the community.

Their new building needed to be resonant with local agricultural building traditions. Three gently sloping shed forms of the building are one of the responses to this tradition. Another is the taller central form, with two subservient flanking forms. Together, the composition is tied directly into the landscape, in the same manner that regional barns are grounded at the earth.

Farm Credit East wanted to take advantage of the great features of their site, which included views of the north end of the lake, a gently sloping lawn to the south, and the trees which frame every vista. Our response was to place very tall windows toward the lake to bring those views inside. A row of clerestory windows the length of the building modulates and controls the south light as the sun crosses the sky. In this manner, FCE associates are given a constant reference to the exterior. And the movement and play of light during the day is just what we all need. At times, it almost feels like you are sitting outside under the trees.

Another response to traditional building methods was the use of a glu lam post and beam structural system. This, of course, is resonant with the way barns were built over 100 years ago. A glu lam wood system is a renewable resource. Other sustainable features include high R value SIPS roof panels, a lighting system that modulates with the daylight intake, heat destratifying fans, overhangs which admit winter light and warmth yet block summer light, etc. The facility is connected to other FCE offices via state of the art AV.

2016 – DESIGN AND APPROVALS

2017 – CONSTRUCTION

2018 – BUILDING OCCUPANCY

WOOLNER – WISE RESIDENCE

Location – Otego, New York
Status – Construction started spring 2020
Program- 1,200 SF addition to single family residence

Narrative – The inefficiency of older houses will become apparent the longer you live in them. This design solution for an addition to an older, post and beam, farmhouse, is sculpted so as to bring in tons of south light, open up the house, for the first time, to the incredible valley views, and just provide a streamlined downsize for the owners.

SEPTEMBER 2021 – CONSTRUCTION

FEBRUARY 2020 – DESIGN

MULTIPLE MODEL STUDIES

We enjoy exploring the potentials of any project that we take. And this propensity can be seen when we combine these physical models into one photo. The three photos below demonstrate a theme and variation approach.

LUHMANN RESIDENCE

Location: Cooperstown, NY
Status: Completed 2014
Program: 2,400 SF addition and complete renovation to 1500 SF existing residence

The Luhmann Residence illustrates how we have sensitively renovated and added to a Village historical residence. With the historical restrictions in place, the exterior needs to be completely sympathetic and resonant. However, the interior can become very dynamic and open. We believe that this project achieves both goals.

HOTEL AT 124 MAIN STREET – COOPERSTOWN

Location: Cooperstown, NY
Status: Not Built
Year: 2015
Program: 30,000 SF boutique hotel

This project was not built. But we wanted to include this as we believe it demonstrates the level of dedication that we apply to all of our projects. The introduction of a new, four story structure onto Cooperstown’s historical Main Street is a challenging proposition. A new structure needs to respond to the current visual landscape as well as the historical traditions. It cannot overwhelm. And it needs to be economically viable for the owner. The images below are a sample of the studies that we undertook to demonstrate how we approached this unique design challenge.

WHAT’S COOKING NOW