Author Archives: Ashley Higgins

Groundbreaking: Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich

Elected officials, Boys & Girls Club leaders, and several club kids help break ground on the clubhouse project.

The Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich broke ground yesterday marking the beginning of their clubhouse expansion and renovation project. The ceremony, which was attended by Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and several elected officials, highlighted the Town of Greenwich’s commitment to building great futures for the youth of Greenwich. KG+D is proud to be a part of this commitment to community through the development of thoughtful design solution that will allow the clubhouse to more appropriately serve the current and expanding programming.

The 10,000-square-foot addition and expansion of the clubhouse includes an enhanced entry sequence, a new turf with amphitheater style seating, a lobby Welcome Center, an upgraded and expanded Teen Center, a new gym, a dance/fitness and theater space in the old gym, an expanded academic and STEAM instructional space, and several infrastructure improvements.

Exterior rendering of the future Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich Clubhouse.

More:
Renovations Begin on Boys & Girls Club
Boys & Girls Club Breaks Ground

KG+D Project Recognized by Learning by Design

KG+D is proud to announce that Middletown High School’s Learning Commons and Café project has received an Outstanding Project Award from Learning by Design Magazine. The project was recognized by the publication as benchmark facility for its incorporation of next generation learning space design and planning methodologies. We are thrilled to continue to collaborate with local educational institutions to advance education and support their plans for innovation to effectively enable the next generation of problem solvers and problem finders. Congratulations to the Enlarged City School District of Middletown.

Brooklawn Country Club

KG+D Architects collaborated with the Brooklawn Country Club on renovating key event spaces on the main level of their beloved 100-year-old, 40,000 sf, Clubhouse. Brooklawn’s vision for the project was to “honor the past while adapting to the lifestyles of the present” and KG+D worked tirelessly with the Club’s Building Committee to ensure that every detail reflected that idea.

The primary goals of the project were to: improve circulation flow and daylighting within the event rooms, increase the useability of the exterior patio space, and improve the arrival sequence and accessibility, all while creating an updated, yet timeless atmosphere.

Nyack UFSD Elementary + Middle School Global Learning Commons

KG+D began collaborating with Nyack Public Schools on a district wide master plan for their library and media center facilities. Our team then worked with the District to renovate and redesign their district’s libraries into Global Learning Commons. The renovated spaces more purposefully align with the instructional programming, facilitated the appropriate use of technology, provided learning and working space, minimized stacks, and utilized various types of furniture including soft seating.

Dutchess BOCES, Alternative High School @ Salt Point Campus

A 69,000sf Alternative High School will create a permanent and suitable home for a significantly underserved county-wide student body. The programs currently located at the BETA rental site will be relocated and consolidated to the Salt Point Campus. The new facility is conceived as a community asset with a state-of-the-art conference center available to all component Districts and community organizations. Paired renovations of the Career & Technical Institute will address aging facilities and have been planned to maximize space utilization during the day and evening programming opportunities for the Adult Learning Institute. This project is paired with a separate Energy Performance Project.

Valhalla High School/Middle School Library

KG+D collaborated with the Valhalla Union Free School District to renovate their existing High School/Middle School library, flex lab and computer lab into a 21st Century learning environment. The renovated library is open and flexible utilizing low, moveable, stacks and various types of seating and furniture to delineate spaces including collaboration, study, working lounge, work & share, and breakout spaces.

KG+D Announces Team Promotions

KG+D is proud to announce that team members Sarah Davis, AIA, LEED AP and Lisa DelPercio, LEED AP have been named Associates of the firm. Sarah has successfully managed complex projects and has provided outstanding services to KG+D clients including the Croton Harmon Union Free School District and Valhalla Union Free School District. As the Business Manager, Lisa has impactfully contributed to the management of the design practice regularly interfacing with firm clients and managing responsibilities in business, finance, administration, human resources, and operations. The firm’s Principals are proud to recognize Sarah and Lisa’s professional accomplishments and enthusiastically welcome them to their new leadership roles in the firm.

Sarah Davis, AIA, LEED AP of Rye, NY joined KG+D KG+D in 2021 as an Architectural Designer. Early in her career, she worked on projects ranging from multi-family residential in St. Louis and Boston to custom high-end residences on Chicago’s North Shore. Following her passion for design, food and travel, Sarah then moved to Thailand, where she worked on commercial interior projects including the rollout of the Apple Reseller store prototypes throughout Southeast Asia. While there, she was also a lecturer in architecture at several universities in Bangkok, focusing on design studios and architectural history. Sarah holds a Master of Architecture degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Smith College.

Lisa DelPercio, LEED AP of Dutchess County, NY joined KG+D in 2021 as the Business Manager. Lisa brings decades long industry experience to the KG+D team with a unique variety of skills necessary to help manage a design practice. Working closely with the principals of the firm, Lisa has responsibilities in business, finance, administration, human resources, and operations. She is a LEED Accredited Professional, and a long-standing member of the Society for Design Administration. Having studied Art History and Interior Design, Lisa has worked for prominent cultural institutions as well as design firms and has formerly served in roles as Executive Assistant, Contract Administrator, Office Manager, and Operations Manager. Lisa studied Art History at Queens College and Interior Design at the New York School of Interior Design.

Sarah and Lisa’s promotions reflect our firm’s commitment to building a strong and dynamic team, as well as our confidence in their continued ability to deliver the highest quality of service to our clients. We look forward to supporting their continued success at the firm in their new roles as Associates.

Dentistry for Children

KG+D collaborated with Planet Smile Partners/Dentistry for Children to transform the empty building that formerly housed the Elephant’s Trunk clothing store on East Main Street in Mount Kisco into a pediatric dentist’s office. The ground floor consists of a lobby and reception area and a space where children in the waiting room can play. Exam rooms are on the second floor and a lounge, office space, a conference room, storage, and mechanicals are on the third level.

KG+D Project Wins Excelsior Award

KG+D is proud to announce that the Middletown High School Learning Commons + Café Renovation project was honored with the American Institute of Architects New York State Chapter (AIANYS) Excelsior Award of Distinction in Public Architecture. The AIANYS Excelsior Awards highlights the best in publicly funded buildings, outdoor areas, and public art across New York State and the professionals who support and advocate for them.

The Middletown High School Learning Commons and Café project developed an addition to house a Next-Gen Media Center and renovated a former library into a centralized food service café and informal learning center.

The Media Center supports changes in the instructional curriculum and creates a community space. The lower level of the Media Center addition features a fully equipped professional level video production studio with a classroom-sized control room for video production design classes. Exteriorly, the addition features a green roof and the curvilinear design of wraps around the drop off loop. The Café, which was fitted into the former library spaces, supports the after-school meal program provided to students working in the Innovation Labs.

Overall, the project leveraged the district’s opportunity to create the infrastructure required for interdisciplinary learning communities and a school-wide neighborhood learning environment. Congratulations to the Enlarged City School District of Middletown and the Middletown community!

Dutchess BOCES Celebrates New “One Campus”

Matt Metzger, Dutchess BOCES School Business Official and KG+D Architects’ Susan D. Davidson – Director of Interior Design, Russell Davidson, FAIA – President. Brian Mangan, AIA – Principal

Dutchess BOCES celebrated the completion of their new “One Campus” with a ribbon cutting, EXPO, and open houses. The new campus brings together all the district’s schools: Salt Point Center, Career and Technical Institute and Alternative High School – and their students and staff, along with administration. Together, the schools and staff provide students with academics, specialized career training and support for physical, occupational, speech and mental health needs to help them succeed.

Dutchess BOCES Superintendent Jason Schetelick with student representatives from the various BOCES programs.

“It’s wonderful to have all of our schools and programs on one campus and we are grateful to the 13 Dutchess County school districts for their unwavering support through a challenging construction period during the COVID pandemic,” said District Superintendent Jason B. Schetelick.

The new facility was conceived as a community asset with a state-of-the-art conference center available to all component Districts and community organizations. Paired renovations of the Career & Technical Institute addressed aging facilities and were planned to maximize space utilization during the day and evening programming opportunities for the Adult Learning Institute. This project was combined with a separate Energy Performance Project.

Following the ceremony, the buildings were open for tours during which students showcased some of their work and staff were able to talk about their programs and services. Other students were in the Media Center/Library, showing off their musical abilities while others had their artwork on display in the halls. The large conference center hosted a job fair for students and members of the public.

Topping Off of Yonkers Public Schools’ Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School

Yonkers’ Mayor Mike Spano and KG+D Architects President, Russell A. Davidson, FAIA

The City of Yonkers and Yonkers Public Schools held a Topping Off Ceremony celebrating the last beam being set in place on the new Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School (JSSCS), with Mayor Mike Spano, Yonkers School Superintendent Edwin M. Quezada, and Board of Education President Rev. Steve Lopez among those attending.

The JSSCS will be the first new school in the City of Yonkers in over 20 years and is designed with many sustainable features including no carbon-based fuel use for heating and cooling, photovoltaic panels, and green roofs. The new 95,000sf community school will house grades Pre-K through 8th grade and include spaces for art science, special projects, dual language curriculum, and computer science. The school will be a community facility with the physical education wing and a community health clinic designed to function as a stand-alone community resource after school and on the weekends.

The final steel beam for the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School being hoisted into place.

“This school will become the heart of this neighborhood and will be accessible not only for educational enrichment but also be the benefit of all the people that live here and everyone in Yonkers,” Spano said. “We are even more fortunate for the opportunity to dedicate this school in recognition for the positive change Justice Sotomayor represents to our district and our students.”

More:
Sotomayor School in Yonkers Topped Off
Yonkers Gets a New School After 20 Years

KG+D Named AIA NYS Firm of the Year

KG+D Architects, PC has been named the Firm of the Year by the American Institute of Architects New York State Chapter (AIANYS).

The AIA New York State Firm Award was established in 2005 to recognize notable achievements in design, community service, education, and service to the profession and the AIA by an architectural firm in New York State for a period of at least 10 years. KG+D is the first firm to receive this award that does not have an office in New York City.

Over an almost 90-year history, KG+D and its predecessor firms have maintained a foundation of community which begins within our firm, extends to the profession, and out through our community of the Hudson Valley and Fairfield County region.
Our primary interest has always been to create the places you learn, work, play, govern, worship, and socialize. We are proud to have developed a legacy of projects, built in collaboration with our community members and on the foundation of trusted relationships, that have had a longstanding impact.

We are honored to be recognized as Firm of the Year and would like to thank our clients and partners for trusting KG+D with your projects. We look forward to another 90 years of creating engaging, sustainable, and inspiring structures and spaces together!

More:
Award Ceremony
Mount Kisco Architects Behind Landmarks Named ‘Firm of the Year’

Tuckahoe UFSD Passes Capital Project Referendum

Congratulations to the Tuckahoe Union Free School District on the passing of their Capital Bond Referendum. KG+D looks forward to continuing to collaborate with the district and the community to renovate the Cottle Elementary School Cafeteria and addresses key infrastructure projects. Congratulations to the Tuckahoe community!

The Ursuline School Receives AIA WHV Design Award

KG+D is honored to be recognized by the AIA WHV Chapter with a Citation Award for our project with The Ursuline School. The project was recognized for its positive aesthetic and social contribution to the built environment.

Our team partnered with The Ursuline School to create a new front to a complex of buildings that reflected the quality of the educational experience being offered within. The design solution created active learning spaces and community gathering areas that supported the school’s leading-edge teaching. The scope of work included the addition of a welcome center, admissions office, a student commons, a STEAM Center, and the development of a courtyard commons.

Congratulations to The Ursuline School! KG+D is proud to have been your partner on this important project.

Croton Harmon UFSD Passes Capital Project Referendum

Congratulations to the Croton Harmon Union Free School District on the passing of their Capital Bond Referendum. KG+D looks forward to continuing to collaborate with the district and the community to addresses current infrastructure-related items, preserves the integrity of school buildings and property, and create student learning spaces that allow for collaboration, creativity, and future-driven teaching and learning. Congratulations to the Croton Harmon community and the Tigers of today and tomorrow!

Chappaqua Central School District Passes Capital Bond Referendum

Congratulations to the Chappaqua Central School District on the passing of their Capital Bond Referendum #1. KG+D looks forward to collaborating with the district and the community to implement a variety of infrastructure improvement projects that include roof replacements, air conditioning of gyms and cafeterias and security improvements. Congratulations to the Chappaqua community!

Tuckahoe UFSD Celebrates Opening of New William E. Cottle Turf Field

The Tuckahoe UFSD celebrated the opening of the new William E. Cottle turf field with a jubilant ribbon-cutting ceremony. The District and the community sought to create a space that would benefit the school and the entire school community. Cottle students will be able to play on the field at recess, and all of the District’s sports teams will have the opportunity to practice on the field. The school community can also enjoy the walking path for a leisurely stroll or some more vigorous walking exercise. Congratulations to the Tuckahoe UFSD!

Orange Ulster BOCES Passes Capital Bond Referendum

Congratulations to Orange Ulster BOCES on the passing of their capital bond referendum! KG+D looks forward to collaborating with OUB and the communities you serve to complete key infrastructure upgrades, develop additional instructional spaces, and renovate existing spaces to meet 21st Century Learning standards. These projects will allow OUB to better prepare students for college, careers, and life. Congratulations!

KG+D Projects Recognized by Learning by Design

KG+D is proud to announce that The Ursuline School’s addition and renovation project and Putnam Valley CSD’s new High School Wellness Center project have received Outstanding Project Awards from Learning by Design Magazine. Both projects were recognized by the publication as benchmark facilities for their incorporation of next generation learning space design and planning methodologies. We are thrilled to continue to collaborate with local educational institutions to advance education and support their plans for innovation to effectively enable the next generation of problem solvers and problem finders. Congratulations to The Ursuline School and the Putnam Valley Central School District.

Chappaqua CSD Opens New Sustainability Research Center

The Chappaqua Central School District opened its new Sustainability Research Center at Horace Greeley High School. At the public-school level, the Center is the first of its kind in the region: a free-standing, 2,000sf, climate-controlled, multi-zoned, glass research laboratory. The SRC offers all the tools necessary for students to conduct biological and ecological research year-round and provides students the opportunity to explore the impact of climate change on our global community. KG+D is proud to have partnered with the Chappaqua CSD to bring this facility, which had its origins grown in a classroom closet turned hydroponic lab, to life for the students of the Chappaqua community.

KG+D Art Gallery

KG+D hosted their first Employee Art Exhibit which showcased artwork by our distinctly talented staff members. Artwork in all forms of media was welcomed and included painting, sketching, photography, pottery, sculpture, collage and even stone building! The group enjoyed viewing the artistic talents of our fellow teammates and discussing the unique pieces and the individual creative processes.

Ground Breaking: Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Yonkers Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada along with local and state officials officially broke ground on the Yonkers Public School District’s new Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School. To be dedicated to Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor, the new school will serve 675 students from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade and the local community.

Designed as a community school, the Justice School will feature multi-functional spaces that will be accessible evenings and weekends without the need to open the entire school building. Special amenities include a multi-purpose gymnasium and meeting room with stage; a full-sized basketball court and locker rooms; a cafeteria and meeting room with full kitchen; and a health suite with space for two exam rooms and a dental exam room.

“The Justice School is the first of its kind in our District and will be a model moving forward as we continue to rebuild our schools,” said Mayor Spano. “Our local schools are the heart of our neighborhoods and should be made accessible not only for educational enrichment, but also for the benefit of the families who live in the area. We are fortunate for the opportunity to dedicate a new school in recognition of the positive change Justice Sotomayor represents to our students and District.”

Learn More.

KG+D Receives Two Design Awards from the WHV AIA

KG+D is proud to have had two projects recognized at the AIA WHV 2021 Design Awards Program. We believe this award truly honors the communities that supported these dynamic projects. The Ossining Children’s Center a new 28,000sf, 3-story, purpose-built childcare facility was recognized with an Honor Award. The Wilton Family Y whose renovation included reconstruction of the central core of the building and addition a second story health/wellness center, was recognized with a Citation Award. Congratulations to the Ossining Children Center and Wilton Family Y for championing award winning design in your communities.

Inaugural KG+D Day of Service

An inaugural KG+D Day of Service! The KG+D team volunteered our time to give back to our local communities. We volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester to build shelving and organize a storage shed, paint picnic tables and benches, and complete landscaping at their main entrance. We received donations from Sherman Williams in Mount Kisco, Rosedale Nurseries and Ladle of Love. Thank you to our team members for your hard work and thank you to our local businesses for your support!

KG+D Receives Three Design Award from WHV AIA

KG+D is honored to have had three projects recognized by the AIA WHV 2019 Design Awards Program which was held at Le Chateau, a KG+D project and former award recipient. The firm was awarded Special Mention for Excellence in Historic Preservation for our work with SUNY Purchase College, a Citation Award for our planning work for a new Golf Learning Center + Driving Range and an Honor Award for our work with Scarsdale Public Schools. We are honored to have been a part of these award-winning partnerships!

Pelham UFSD Opens the New Hutchinson Elementary School

Dr. Cheryl Champ, Supterintendent, Susan Davidson, KG+D Director of Interior Design, Russell Davidson, KG+D President, and Jessica DeDomenico, School Board President

The KG+D team is proud to have collaborated with the Pelham Union Free School District and the Pelham community to develop this new next generation elementary school.

The 68,0000sf community Hutchinson Elementary School has a central learning commons and MakerSpace surrounded by two floors of flexible classroom space with break out “front porch” space and adjacent small collaboration “pods” that extend learning and collaboration beyond the classroom. The design incorporated playful colors, light fixtures, acoustic panels and recessed nooks to inspire and relate to the young students that will occupy the building. The learning commons, gym and cafeteria are configured together in order to allow for community access after school hours and during the summer without compromising the security of the classroom areas. Outdoor spaces include a kindergarten play area, student garden and outdoor dining and gathering space. On the site of the former elementary school are new athletic fields and a play space.

The building was designed to be equivalent to LEED Silver Standards.

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Putnam Valley CSD Opens New Health and Wellness Center

Congratulations to the Putnam Valley Central School District on the opening of their new Health and Wellness Center at Putnam Valley High School. KG+D is proud to be a part of the team that actualized the 14,000sf flexible learning space that includes (6) collaborative workstations and an indoor turf field. The facility will be used be used by the athletic and academic departments support the District’s goal of providing programs that balance all aspect of learning.

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Greenwich Public Schools Breaks Ground on Cardinal Stadium Project

Congratulations to Greenwich Public Schools for breaking ground yesterday on the new bleacher system for Cardinal Stadium.

Board of Education member Joe Kelly described the existing bleachers as an ‘old friend’ and spoke with excitement about a ‘new friend’ on the horizon. KG+D is proud to be a part of bringing the Greenwich community a ‘new friend’ for many years to come.

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Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School

KG+D in collaboration with Yonkers Public Schools has designed a new 95,000sf community school, the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School. The building, which is currently under construction, will house grades Pre-K through 8th grade and include spaces for art science, special projects, dual language curriculum, and computer science. The physical education wing, which includes a gym and stage, is designed to function as a stand-alone community center after school and on the weekends. The nurse’s office has been specifically enlarged and located near a separate entrance so it can function as a community health clinic after school and on the weekends.

Wolf Conservation Center

KG+D originally started working with the Wolf Conservation Center to develop a detailed Master Plan for campus additions and alterations. Collaboratively, we developed schematic design options for a new visitor’s center, hillside amphitheater, addition to the caretaker’s house and a future maintenance barn. The Master Plan has also developed design solutions for increased parking, improved vehicular and bus traffic and the addition of camping platforms. The overall goal of the project is to improve the visitor experience and better serve the patrons and school districts that utilize the center’s facilities. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts by other firms to execute the new visitor center, KG+D was brought back on to redesign the project and get it back on budget. It is currently moving forward and in the approvals process.

Westchester County, Merestead Mansion

The completed restoration work included slate tile roof and copper Yankee gutter replacement as well as flat seam zinc coated roof repair, all painted wood trim, exterior window and door restoration, balcony balustrade restoration, brick veneer and limestone cleaning and restoration, and terracotta tile patio replacement. The project also included stormwater management around perimeter of the former residence. Design work to restore the interior including floor/wall/ceiling interior finishes as well as mechanical, electrical and fire protection completed for future restoration. Collaborated with Westchester County Parks, DPW, and HPAC.

The Premier Collection, LLC

KG+D planned and designed this new sales and services facility for The Premier Collection/BMW and provided services to outfit two temporary facilities including the company’s Bedford Sales Center and Mount Kisco Service Center. The project included a 12,000sf showroom, 12,000sf corporate offices and 28,000sf service space.

Barile Gallagher Associates

KG+D collaborated with BGA on the adaptive reuse of a former Pizza Hut into a multi-use facility that includes office space on the second floor and a restaurant space, Southern Table, on the first floor. The office space includes open floor plan, conference rooms, kitchen and lounge space and balcony seating. The building also utilizes super-insulated envelope, large north-facing windows for daylighting and views, LED lighting, radiant floors, high-efficiency VRF HVAC, and a single sloped south facing roof with a solar array.

Town of Bedford, Bedford Hills Community House

Following a comprehensive facilities assessment process, KG+D collaborated with the Bedford Hills Community House to complete various capital improvement projects throughout the center. Projects include the addition of an elevator, HVAC improvements, window, doors and roof replacement, site improvements, flooring replacements, new lighting, kitchen and bathroom renovations, renovate conference room, replace stairs and complete electrical system upgrade. The project goal is to assist the Town of Bedford in continuing to maintain and restore the property and facility to allow it to continue to be a distinctive part of the Bedford Hills community.

Nice-Pak Inc. Corporate Headquarters

The goal of the Nice-Pak project was to modernize their corporate headquarters and to translate their innovative approach for manufacturing into the built environment by maximizing natural light, highlighting sustainability and health, and seeking ways to marry their brand and mission within their office space. The project scope renovated key spaces in a contemporary, sophisticated way that created a visually compelling and comfortable work environment for Nice-Pak’s employees and visitors.

Horace Greeley High School, Sustainability Research Center

KG+D worked with the Chappaqua Central School District to develop a Sustainability Research Center on the Horace Greeley High School campus. At the public-school level, the Center is the first of its kind in the region: a free-standing, 2,000sf, climate controlled, multi-zoned, glass research laboratory. The SRC offers all the tools necessary for students to conduct biological and ecological research year-round and provides students the opportunity to explore the impact of climate change.

The Ursuline School

The goal of The Ursuline School project was to create a new front to a complex of buildings that reflected the quality of the educationalvexperience being offered within. The 1960’s wing provided an outdated and inappropriate first impression of this high performing school. It was also critical to provide an accessible gathering space for the arrival and departure of students.

The design solution created active learning spaces and community gathering areas that supported the school’s leading-edge teaching. The scope of work included the addition of a welcome center, admissions office, a student commons, a STEAM Center, and the development of a courtyard commons.

Cottle Elementary School

KG+D has collaborated with the Tuckahoe Union Free School District to develop district-wide phased capital improvement projects. Projects for Cottle Elementary school include a classroom addition, cafeteria renovation/expansion, library renovation, STEAM classroom construction, security upgrades, gymnasium renovations and athletic field upgrades.

Putnam Valley High School, Health & Wellness Center

The Putnam Valley Central School District’s Health and Wellness Center was designed to support and enable active learning opportunities as well as meet the needs of student-athletes and community programs. The Center, the first of its kind in the region, includes a 140×80 turf athletic field with a perimeter area for walking/jogging, a netting system to divide the spaces, batting cages, and an area for digital instruction including wall mounted tables and Kinesiology Wall.

KG+D Architects Expands Firm Leadership

KG+D Architects, PC is proud to announce the elevation of Sarah Weissman Dirsa, AIA LEED AP, BD+C, SEED, Brian Mangan, AIA and Travis Schnell, AIA to Principals of the firm. These talented individuals have and will continue to play a vital role in the firm’s commitment to providing excellent design services and delivering impactful projects within our local communities. Sarah, Brian and Travis will join Walter Hauser, AIA – Principal, Erik Kaeyer, AIA – Vice President and Russell Davidson, FAIA – President in the planning and management of firm operations. Their promotions support the evolution of the next generation of firm leadership. Additionally, the promotion of Sarah Weissman Dirsa marks an important milestone as she is named the first female Principal of KG+D.

Sarah Weissman Dirsa, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C, SEED of Mount Kisco, NY joined KG+D in 2015 as a Project Manager. As an Associate and Associate Principal, Sarah took on a leading role in advancing the firm’s 21st Century educational facility design expertise and expanding the breadth of our corporate office portfolio. Her leadership in some of KG+D’s key projects include the development of the new Pelham UFSD Hutchinson Elementary School as well as award-winning additions and renovations to Brewster CSD’s JFK Elementary School. Sarah has also developed dynamic and collaborative workspaces for Caremount Medical, Chappaqua Crossing and Nice-Pak Products. Sarah was the recipient of a 2015 Young Architects Award from the National component of the American Institute of Architects. Sarah recently represented the firm as an educational facilities design expert for a national program entitled, Re-Imagine America’s Schools where she participated in design workshops to create pilot projects for educational facilities. Sarah earned her Masters in Architecture and Masters in Urban Design degrees from Washington University and a Bachelors of Arts in English from Binghamton University.

Brian O. Mangan, AIA of Briarcliff, NY joined KG+D in 2008 as an Intern Architect and held positions as an Associate and Associate Principal. Brian has led the firm’s work with several local BOCES including the development of a new Alternative High School and the renovation of the Career & Technical Institute at the Salt Point Campus for Dutchess BOCES as well as the adaptive re-use of the former Arden Hill Hospital into a new campus for Orange-Ulster BOCES. Brian’s commitment to design excellence is clear through his contribution and leadership for several of the firm’s award-winning projects including the historical preservation and expansion of the Bronxville UFSD’s 1929 auditorium, a Community Room addition for the Eagle Hill School and transformative renovations to Scarsdale High School that included the addition of a Learning Commons, Design Lab and Fitness Center. Brian’s design and project management skills have also been applied to projects for the Wilton Family Y, Greenwich Public Schools and the Bedford Hills Community House. Brian earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Pennsylvania State.

Travis S. Schnell, AIA of Carmel, NY joined KG+D in 2006 as an Intern Architect and held positions as an Associate and Associate Principal. Travis’ multifaceted experience encompasses a wide range of community centric facilities from religious institutions to recreational clubs from educational facilities to nature centers. Travis is currently leading the development of a sustainable new educational center for the Wolf Conservation Center and a new fieldhouse for the Indian Mountain School. Travis has lent his technical and design expertise and leadership to several of the firm’s award-winning projects that encompassed the complete transformation of existing facilities including the Great Neck Public Library, Shorehaven Golf Club and Rippowam Cisqua School Upper Campus. Travis’ experience also includes the development of the new Ossining Children’s Center, renovations to the Brooklawn Country Club’s main clubhouse and dynamic cafeteria renovations for Darien High School. When he is not working, Travis volunteers with the Jolly Rovers, a Non-Profit trail building organization that specializes in technical stonework. Travis earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Pennsylvania State.

KG+D is proud to recognize these team members who have shaped and supported the firm over their tenures and who will continue to play key leadership roles in both our firm’s long-term growth and present success.