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
| Dec 7, 2010
Product of the Week: Petersen Aluminum’s column covers used in IBM’S new offices
IBM’s new offices at Dulles Station West in Herndon, Va., utilized Petersen’s PAC-1000 F Flush Series column covers. The columns are within the office’s Mobility Area, which is designed for a mobile workforce looking for quick in-and-out work space. The majority of workspaces in the office are unassigned and intended to be used on a temporary basis.
| Dec 6, 2010
Honeywell survey
Rising energy costs and a tough economic climate have forced the nation’s school districts to defer facility maintenance and delay construction projects, but they have also encouraged districts to pursue green initiatives, according to Honeywell’s second annual “School Energy and Environment Survey.”
| Dec 2, 2010
GKV Architects wins best guest room design award for Park Hyatt Istanbul
Gerner Kronick + Valcarcel, Architects, PC won the prestigious Gold Key Award for Excellence in Hospitality Design for best guest room, Park Hyatt Macka Palas, Istanbul, Turkey. Park Hyatt Maçka Palace marries historic and exotic elements with modern and luxurious, creating a unique space perpetuating Istanbul’s current culture. In addition to the façade restoration, GKV Architects designed 85 guestrooms, five penthouse suites, an ultra-hip rooftop bar, and a first-of-its-kind for Istanbul – a steakhouse, for the luxury hotel.
| Dec 2, 2010
U.S Energy Secretary Chu announces $21 Million to improve energy use in commercial buildings
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that 24 projects are receiving a total of $21 million in technical assistance to dramatically reduce the energy used in their commercial buildings. This initiative will connect commercial building owners and operators with multidisciplinary teams including researchers at DOE's National Laboratories and private sector building experts. The teams will design, construct, measure, and test low-energy building plans, and will help accelerate the deployment of cost-effective energy-saving measures in commercial buildings across the United States.
| Nov 29, 2010
Data Centers: Keeping Energy, Security in Check
Power consumption for data centers doubled from 2000 and 2006, and it is anticipated to double again by 2011, making these mission-critical facilities the nation’s largest commercial user of electric power. Major technology companies, notably Hewlett-Packard, Cisco Systems, and International Business Machines, are investing heavily in new data centers. HP, which acquired technology services provider EDS in 2008, announced in June that it would be closing many of its older data centers and would be building new, more highly optimized centers around the world.
| Nov 29, 2010
New Design Concepts for Elementary and Secondary Schools
Hard hit by the economy, new construction in the K-12 sector has slowed considerably over the past year. Yet innovation has continued, along with renovations and expansions. Today, Building Teams are showing a keener focus on sustainable design, as well as ways to improve indoor environmental quality (IEQ), daylighting, and low-maintenance finishes such as flooring.
| Nov 29, 2010
Renovating for Sustainability
Motivated by the prospect of increased property values, reduced utility bills, and an interest in jumping on the sustainability bandwagon, a noted upturn in green building upgrades is helping designers and real estate developers stay busy while waiting for the economy to recover. In fact, many of the larger property management outfits have set up teams to undertake projects seeking LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (LEED-EBOM, also referred to as LEED-EB), a certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
| Nov 23, 2010
The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which will house the former president’s library
The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which will house the former president’s library and museum, plus the Bush Institute, is aiming for LEED Platinum. The 226,565-sf center, located at Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, was designed by architect Robert A.M. Stern and landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh.
| Nov 23, 2010
Honeywell's School Energy and Environment Survey: 68% of districts delayed or eliminated improvements because of economy
Results of Honeywell's second annual “School Energy and Environment Survey” reveal that almost 90% of school leaders see a direct link between the quality and performance of school facilities, and student achievement. However, districts face several obstacles when it comes to keeping their buildings up to date and well maintained. For example, 68% of school districts have either delayed or eliminated building improvements in response to the economic downturn.
