elemental

This $150 million dollar project has entailed the reconstruction of a 400,000 SF landmark building that opened on 1907. Shepard Hall was the first building built for public higher education in New York. The reconstruction work has been performed for the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York acting as agent for the City University of New York. Exterior work included rebuilding the entire building shell including replacement of approximately 72,000 different pieces of ornamental terra cotta with new durable thin-shell GFRC. Interior work included restoration of the 14,000 square foot Great Hall, ornate meeting rooms and interior stairs. The project has also restored the five major building entrances. Research, design and construction was begun by The Stein Partnership in 1986. Between 1997 and 2006 Construction Document reorganization and Construction Administration shifted to Stein White Architects and Stein White Nelligan Architects; and since 2006, all work, including the design of the entry restorations, has been by Elemental Architecture. Throughout the project, Carl Stein has been principal-in-charge. This building, now restored to its place as the centerpiece of the City University of New York’s main campus, has received wide recognition including the New York Landmarks Concervancy Lucy G. Moses Award and has been written about extensively. In 2011, the project was the subject of the keynote address at the international GFRC Congress in Istanbul, Turkey
 

Project Data

Client: The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York + City University of New York
Project Size: 400,000 square feet
Construction Cost: $150,000,000 (all phases)
Services: Full Architectural Services

Sited along the Hudson River adjacent to the Old Albany Post Road, this compact residence  consists of four distinct zones each of which can be operated independently. The main block consists of three levels while the triangular “pavilion”, with its expansive Hudson River views, is a single story supported on a storage room volume. The main block and pavilion can function as a continuous space to accommodate larger gatherings. However, except when actually in use, the pavilion is unconditioned, working either as a buffer or a direct-gain solar collector. Sustainable features include high-efficiency zoned radiant heating coupled with direct solar gain and minimal construction waste.
 

Project Data

Client: Private
Project Size: 1,400 square feet
Construction Cost: Private
Services: Full Architectural Services

This new high performance building will provide a regional administrative hub for the state agency charged with protecting and regulating environmental issues. The building is the DEC’s first designed under NYS Executive Order 111 and is projected to achieve a LEED “Gold” rating. The building makes extensive use of daylighting and direct solar gain with automated shading integrated with lighting controls. Materials are renewable, locally produced and make extensive use of recycled content. A pressurized raised floor and modular partition system accommodate future program changes with flexible power, data and HVAC distribution while eliminating most ductwork. DOE2 computer modeling indicates that the building will have energy savings of at least 42 percent when compared to a code-compliant or LEED baseline building.
 

Project Data

Client: NYS Department of Conservation Regional Headquarters
Project Size: 30,000 square feet
Construction Cost: $9,500,000
Services: Full Architectural Services

The first building designed and constructed under the NYC High Performance Building Guidelines, this 14,000 sf, $3.1 million project includes rooftop light-monitors which provide indirect daylighting with automated shading and lighting controls, integrated direct solar gain and gravity exhaust systems.  The project received the  Committee for the Environment Top Ten Award from the national AIA and has been featured by numerous publications as among New York City’s first “green” buildings. Research, design and construction documents were by The Stein Partnership and copnstruction administration was by Stein White Architects, predecessor firms to Elemental Architecture. Carl Stein was principal-in-charge throughout.
 

Project Data

Client: New York City Department of Design & Construction + Queens Borough Public Library
Project Size: 14,000 square feet
Construction Cost: $3,100,000
Services: Full Architectural Services