The American Institute of Architects Long Island Chapter (AIA LI) presented its prestigious 2011 Sustainable Design Award to BBS Architects & Engineers (BBS). AIA LI bestowed the award in recognition of an outstanding use of sustainable design practices during BBS’ work at the Nesconset Public Library Branch. LIPA Long Island Power Authority sponsored the Sustainable Design Award.
AIA LI also recognized BBS with the 2011 ARCHI Award Commendation for the St. Charles Resurrection Cemetery St. Charles Resurrection Cemetery Welcoming and Information Center in Farmingdale, NY.
Located in Nesconset, NY, the 25,000-sf Nesconset Library Branch project encompassed a conversion of a former federal armory structure into a library and technical services center for the entire Smithtown Special Library District. The Nesconset Library is currently undergoing the LEED certification by the US Green Building Council, with the LEED Silver level target.
BBS, a leading Greater New York area architect and designer of green institutional, educational and corporate facilities, served as architect, interior designer and engineer for the library conversion.
“We are tremendously honored to receive the 2011 Sustainable Design Award,” said BBS President and Lead Architect Roger P. Smith, AIA, LEED AP. “The Nesconset Library Branch project presented the BBS design team with an exciting opportunity to redevelop an abandoned structure into an environmentally responsible public use facility that will serve the local community for decades to come.”
The entire library building was fully renovated, including new HVAC, lighting, electrical and plumbing systems. The armory’s “drill room” was converted into a soaring open plan library space with unobstructed clerestory windows that allow natural light into the interiors. The new finishes, millwork, furniture, casework, and lighting created an inviting and fully accessible community environment for library patrons.
Headquartered in Patchogue, NY, BBS Architects & Engineers is a leading Long Island and Tri-state area designer of sustainable commercial, institutional and public facilities. The firm designed the first LEED-certified public school in New York State – the Hampton Bays Middle School in Hampton Bays, NY – which received LEED Silver certification, indicating a very high level of environmental sustainability in design and construction practices. BBS services include architecture and interior design as well as mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering.
The firm’s current and recent work includes the 100-room Hyatt Place East End hotel in Riverhead, NY; the new $28.5-million Life Sciences Building at the Suffolk County Community College Ammerman Campus in Selden, NY; the $78.2-million Riverhead Central School District expansion and capital improvement program in Riverhead, NY; the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery Administrative Building in Coram, NY; and the new Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in North Merrick, NY. BD+C
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Aug 30, 2023
Top 75 Engineering Firms for 2023
Kimley-Horn, WSP, Tetra Tech, Langan, and IMEG head the rankings of the nation's largest engineering firms for nonresidential buildings and multifamily buildings work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Building Team | Aug 28, 2023
Navigating challenges in construction administration
Vessel Architecture's Rebekah Schranck, AIA, shares how the demanding task of construction administration can be challenging, but crucial.
Laboratories | Aug 24, 2023
Net-zero carbon science center breaks ground in Canada
Designed by Diamond Schmitt, the new Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre (ASEC) will provide federal scientists and partners with state-of-the-art space and equipment to collaborate on research opportunities.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 24, 2023
A multifamily design for multigenerational living
KTGY’s Family Flat concept showcases the benefits of multigenerational living through a multifamily design lens.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 23, 2023
Constructing multifamily housing buildings to Passive House standards can be done at cost parity
All-electric multi-family Passive House projects can be built at the same cost or close to the same cost as conventionally designed buildings, according to a report by the Passive House Network. The report included a survey of 45 multi-family Passive House buildings in New York and Massachusetts in recent years.
Regulations | Aug 23, 2023
Gas industry drops legal challenge to heat pump requirement in Washington building code
Gas and construction industry groups recently moved to dismiss a lawsuit they had filed to block new Washington state building codes that require heat pumps in new residential and commercial construction. The lawsuit contended that the codes harm the industry groups’ business, interfere with consumer energy choice, and don’t comply with federal law.
Government Buildings | Aug 23, 2023
White House wants to ‘aggressively’ get federal workers back to the office
The Biden administration wants to “aggressively” get federal workers back in the office by September or October. “We are returning to in-person work because it is critical to the well-being of our teams and will enable us to deliver better results for the American people,” according to an email by White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients. The administration will not eliminate remote work entirely, though.
Building Owners | Aug 23, 2023
Charles Pankow Foundation releases free project delivery selection tool for building owners, developers, and project teams
Building owners and project teams can use the new Building Owner Assessment Tool (BOAT) to better understand how an owner's decision-making profile impacts outcomes for different project delivery methods.
Transportation & Parking Facilities | Aug 23, 2023
California parking garage features wind-activated moving mural
A massive, colorful, moving mural creatively conceals a newly opened parking garage for a global technology company in Mountain View, Calif.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
Top 115 Architecture Engineering Firms for 2023
Stantec, HDR, Page, HOK, and Arcadis North America top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture engineering (AE) firms for nonresidential building and multifamily housing work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.