A Bridge Square Building: This 111-year old, trapezoidal, five-story brick building, formerly used as a factory,

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Sheena Higgins
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1 Bridge Square Building: This 111-year old, trapezoidal, five-story brick building, formerly used as a factory, A adjunct City Hall, and as a trade and high school, was an empty eyesore at the western edge of downtown Rochester. It has been transformed into a mixed-use, sustainable, urban structure with modern office space, retail, and loft-style residential living with underground and outdoor parking. This historic building, artfully renovated and designed, now serves as an anchor for this downtown neighborhood, bringing over 100 professionals to the area to live and work. In its RFP process, the City of Rochester set forth specific criteria for the renovation, requiring creative re-use of the building, the use of green development concepts, a strong mixed-use urban concept, and respect for and utilization of the building s heritage and historic character. This design has achieved all of these goals, with careful attention paid to any opportunity for re-use of original materials, incorporation of historic elements, and maximization of productive use of the space. 76% of the existing building materials have been either recycled, donated, sold, or reused. The existing windows were replaced with energy-efficient windows with historic aesthetics. The retail space, apartments and offices have been designed to take full advantage of the natural light provided by the large windows, reducing the need for artificial lighting and contributing to the beauty of the space. Glass walls throughout the office space allow for an open, modern work environment, which, combined with historic and preserved elements, creates a dynamic contrast between the old and the new. Existing brick work and mill construction were left exposed to enable understanding of the building s history. The area has been designated as an historic district and the building has been restored in accordance with the National Park Service Historic preservation guidelines. LEED certification is being sought. This successful renovation honors the past, present and future of a vital urban area, and truly represents Architecture Unveiled. Building Area: (sf) 67,400 Cost per Square Foot: $ Construction Cost $5,760, Date of Substantial Completion: January 23, 2013 Location of Project: 242 West Main Street Rochester, NY Type of Project: Urban Design, Interior Renovation, and Historic Preservation Construction materials, mechanical systems or other pertinent information: The area has been designated as an historic landmark by the National Park Service as a part of this project. LEED certification is being sought. 1

FRONT ELEVATION HISTORY All professional photography Don

renovated under the guidance of the standards for Historic

The building was originally surrounded by the canal and many

The original window patterns were restored to the façade.

2 FRONT ELEVATION HISTORY All professional photography Don Cochran Photography The Bridge Square Building was carefully renovated under the guidance of the standards for Historic preservation. The building was originally surrounded by the canal and many crossing bridges, hence the name Bridge Square. The original window patterns were restored to the façade. CIRCA 1905 CIRCA 1920 CIRCA 1980 From the Albert R. Stone Negative Collection, Rochester Museum & Science Center, Rochester, NY 2

SITE CONTEXT- The former canal and the current Broad Street fronts the building site. Route 490 provides a concrete boundary to the south and west.

3 SITE CONTEXT- The former canal and the current Broad Street fronts the building site. Route 490 provides a concrete boundary to the south and west. Development of this building provides a significant anchor site to help complete the ongoing renaissance of this area. The building is surrounded by mixed use buildings and neighborhoods, and is located just inside the Western Gateway to Downtown Rochester. The Central Business District (Center City) is directly to the east. The Inner Loop creates a restricted area within which this building resides. 3

3-4 2 BUILDING AND SITE B 1 The site is located at the

and is bordered by the Route 490 bridges.

4 3-4 2 BUILDING AND SITE B 1 The site is located at the western edge of the Rochester Central Business District, and is bordered by the Route 490 bridges. The site plan utilizes the space well, providing ample parking for tenants and visitors. The former building was bounded by vehicle bridges that spanned the canal. The canal was later covered to create Broad Street. The basement was converted to underground parking for the apartment residents. 4

Glass, stainless steel, and natural materials abound in the redevelopment.

5 OLD AND NEW Contemporary design elements are used to heighten awareness of the original old mill construction. The old and new stand in stark contrast to one another, but each element stands on its own. Glass, stainless steel, and natural materials abound in the redevelopment. The foyer area features multiple types of brick that were used during previous renovations, showing the building s history. Pre-renovation, this space was very confining and uninviting. The new, open lobby allows connectivity between the office and residential tenants, while still creating a sense of security. BEFORE NEW LOBBY AND COMMERCIAL SPACE ENTRANCE 5

DESIGN CONCEPTS All the design concepts come together in the Executive Boardroom. Perimeter brick walls were sandblasted carefully and deliberately, leaving paint instead of destroying the brick.

6 DESIGN CONCEPTS All the design concepts come together in the Executive Boardroom. Perimeter brick walls were sandblasted carefully and deliberately, leaving paint instead of destroying the brick. Reclaimed lumber was used as an accent here and in other areas. This material was sourced locally from a vendor in Farmington, New York. The perimeter window wall was furred out to the height of the window sills throughout the building, creating a greater degree of energy conservation, and an accent ledge in all the spaces. The ceilings were left painted, historically correct for this building, and enabling a 25% decrease in area lighting. All accent lighting throughout the building is through the use of track, ceiling, and wall mounted LED fixtures. COMMERCIAL SPACE BOARDROOM 6

LOBBY SHOWING RECLAIMED FLOORING AND STAIR TREADS LOBBY The new intercommunicating

spaces, was custom designed and hung from the structure above so that no columns

The stair treads were milled from salvaged mill beams and locally sourced.

components - Earth, Wind, and Water - together with interior details.

7 LOBBY SHOWING RECLAIMED FLOORING AND STAIR TREADS LOBBY The new intercommunicating stair, providing open connectivity between the first and second floor office spaces, was custom designed and hung from the structure above so that no columns would be required. The stair treads were milled from salvaged mill beams and locally sourced. The Reception desk is accented by a back lighted 3Form panel with the trade name Beargrass. The counter tops are made of recycled stone in deep Azure Blue, tying the design components - Earth, Wind, and Water - together with interior details. This room is round, and off center from the building s structural grid. Driven by the circulation flow within the space, this surrounding is not defined by corners and angles. The acoustic ceiling brings the space down to a more human scale. 7

8 CONNECTIVITY Connectivity between the first and second floors is achieved with glass, allowing the stair railings to disappear from view. The railing stanchions are curved to harmonize with the curved walls. The acoustic cloud ceiling features multi-length light pendants that give the area the feel of giant chandelier or of a starry sky at night. The ceiling serves as a transition into the openness of the office environment, and hides all of the heat pump equipment. Natural wood and plant elements blend with steel, stainless steel, and glass to create a balanced mix of hard and soft surfaces. SECOND FLOOR OPEN AREA 8

GREENWALL The Greenwall was sourced from a local vendor with national and international installations, and creates a link between the interior and exterior of the building.

9 GREENWALL The Greenwall was sourced from a local vendor with national and international installations, and creates a link between the interior and exterior of the building. This living, breathing ecosystem is fed through hidden watering and fertilizing. LED track lights help provide the light necessary for plant life sustainability. Stainless steel trim complements the office environment. Installed on the curved wall of the second floor office space, the Greenwall is visible from and follows the curve of the lobby. The carpeting picks up the curves through the organic patterning and seemingly random design. GREENWALL 9

White ceilings provide the reflectivity needed to minimize artificial lighting. Sensors automatically adjust lighting levels.

10 LIGHT Glass inside office walls with barn style sliding doors make the office open and transparent, in accordance with the Owner s desire. Views and natural light penetrate deeply into the office. Open landscape partitions are low and promote connectivity to other offices. White ceilings provide the reflectivity needed to minimize artificial lighting. Sensors automatically adjust lighting levels. Acoustical privacy is achieved with the glass, which has inherent sound blocking properties due to its density and reflectivity. WALL DETAIL OPEN AND INTERACTIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT 10

The pre-renovation environment, although open in places, did not have the same airiness or brightness that

11 COOPERATIVE WORK SPACES COOPERATIVE WORKING SPACES Central spaces for collaborative work define the core of the office space, fulfilling the company s need for informal space to coordinate their work product. The pre-renovation environment, although open in places, did not have the same airiness or brightness that characterizes the new space. The low panel height enables panoramic views throughout the office space. BEFORE 11

OFFICE ENVIRONMENT Randomized color blocks and glass panels are used in the face forward design of the cubicles, creating an active work environment.

12 OFFICE ENVIRONMENT Randomized color blocks and glass panels are used in the face forward design of the cubicles, creating an active work environment. A neutral naturalistic palette of color was used as the backdrop to these rich earth tone color blocks. Office spaces contain integral seating surfaces of randomized color blocks that are designed within the storage spaces. FACE FORWARD DESIGN WITH DAYLIGHT 12

13 INTERIOR CONCEPTS Openness Light Old/New contrast Contemporary aesthetic CURVE OPEN AND INTERACTIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT BEFORE 13

The corner office furniture, with wood laminate, has a luxurious feel that is complementary to, but distinct from,

14 CORNER OFFICE The ceiling height of the new space is significantly higher than in the pre-renovation building, and the exposure of natural wood and brick elements transforms the space. The corner office furniture, with wood laminate, has a luxurious feel that is complementary to, but distinct from, the open office environment. The windowsill detail can be seen here used as intended, as a display surface for occupants. BEFORE OPEN AND INTERACTIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT 14

LOFT LIVING SPACE APARTMENTS Loft-style apartments are essential spaces in this mixed use project. Expanding options for residential living downtown was a primary goal.

15 Insert your image(s) within this 5 x 9.5 space. All floor and site plans should be oriented in the same direction and should include a north arrow, and all plans, elevations and sections should include a graphic scale. LOFT LIVING SPACE APARTMENTS Loft-style apartments are essential spaces in this mixed use project. Expanding options for residential living downtown was a primary goal. Openness, natural light, connection between the old and the new, and contemporary design are again seen throughout these spaces. This area is served by 10 different bus lines, and is only two blocks from the center of Downtown Rochester. The interior walls are not elevated to the ceiling within the apartments except at the bathrooms. The kitchens are open and part of the living space. BEFORE 15

LOFT LIVING SPACE Open environments with huge window scapes highlight all the apartments. Views of Downtown and the Corn Hill neighborhood are available from most units.

16 LOFT LIVING SPACE Open environments with huge window scapes highlight all the apartments. Views of Downtown and the Corn Hill neighborhood are available from most units. All apartments have indoor parking in the basement, washer and dryer ensuite, access to individual storage units, and a fitness room with weights and cardio equipment. The building also features a large rooftop deck with seating and grilling areas. Construction materials used meet all the standards for Green Building design. Building systems include a central plant for heating and air conditioning. All spaces are fed by heat pumps allowing any unit heat or air conditioning any time of the year. The bathrooms have an enclosed mezzanine that houses the mechanical equipment. LOFT LIVING SPACE 16

All appliances are Energy Star rated. Hardwood floors were used except in the bedrooms and bathrooms.

17 DURABLE AND EFFICIENT All apartments are designed with durable and efficient amenities. Countertops are stone, but a thinner than ordinary type that allows for less material per counter top. All appliances are Energy Star rated. Hardwood floors were used except in the bedrooms and bathrooms. Ceramic tile for the bathrooms was all sourced from Olean Tile, a local manufacturer. BASEMENT INDOOR PARKING LOFT LIVING SPACE 17

18 SPACES Rooms are efficiently sized, and no spaces are overly large. All living spaces are designed to be adapted for full accessibility. LOFT LIVING SPACE FITNESS AREA 18

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