Tag Archives: community

LMC Media: Studio on the Avenue

LMC Media’s Studio on the Avenue brings together a vision for positive community engagement with contemporary design, state of the art engineering, and high-quality construction. One of LMC’s driving forces throughout the design process was to make it easy for community members to engage with the studio from the sidewalk, to witness the technical work taking place in the green room, and to participate in the studio in podcasts being recorded.

The community’s experience of the studio begins at the street, where passersby can see into the space and watch the production staff working in the green room. The audio-visual recording equipment in the green room can be seen through the storefront glass and the space itself includes a built-in workspace and furniture that allows guests to visit and observe. From the green room, one can see clearly into the studio space where the living room-type furniture compliments the existing brick wall to create a cozy, inviting, and intimate space for podcast hosts and their guests. Off camera and along one wall in the studio are editing stations, above which are textured acoustic panels to help control the sound in the space. Close attention was paid to acoustics throughout the project from the design and construction of the glass wall system enclosing the studio, to the acoustic ceiling treatments, to the choice of finishes that shape the ambience.

Studio on the Avenue was designed to support the community. By creating a place where people feel welcome and inspired to tell their stores, in turn, the community is truly helping to support the Studio.

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.

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.

Town of Harrison, Sollazzo Recreation Center

KG+D is currently collaborating with the Town of Harrison on the planning, design and development of a replacement recreation center. The new center will be approximately 42,000sf and feature basketball court space for two games to occur simultaneously, a general multi-purpose room with support pantry, a recreation game room, an arts and crafts room and a computer room. Additional spaces include a fitness center, locker rooms and office space. There will be parking options onsite, under the building and offsite.

Wilton Family YMCA

The Wilton Family YMCA has been a community resource since 1972. Over its almost 50-year history, the needs of the community evolved, and the Y’s physical space required a thoughtful plan for renovation and expansion that would effectively reflect and accommodate that evolution and growth. The design team collaborated with the Wilton Family Y to help them reimagine their existing facility.

The design solution reconstructed the central core of the building creating an addition that unites the gym, pools, and fitness areas. The addition includes a renovated and expanded lobby and reception area, a second story health/wellness center that includes an expanded fitness center, new and renovated early childhood classrooms, a new pool bubble for the outdoor 50M pool, and new administrative spaces. The project also incorporated circulation, parking and drop off improvements.

Chappaqua Library

KG+D collaborated with the Chappaqua Library on an additions and renovations project. Additions include a new children’s area, a new teen activity center and cafe. The renovated spaces include the existing children’s area, office spaces, staff areas and restroom facilities. The new children’s area will utilize flexible furniture and have a computer zone, study spaces, a reading pod and direct access to a grass courtyard. The teen activity center is an open space lined with glass window walls and featuring flexible furniture for small and large group gathering. There is an adjacent café space as well as a small study/presentation/meeting room.

Great Neck Public Library

The Great Neck Public Library main branch facility was transformed—generally within the footprint of the existing building—into a flexible 21st Century Library. The overall project goal for the renovation of the original 1970’s building was to create a more open, user friendly and inviting environment throughout the library, while utilizing views of Udall Pond. To accomplish this goal, the design solution relocated and reconfigured a number of library functions and spaces in order to better facilitate the library’s programming.

The initial phase of the design process explored several design solutions based on the detailed design program developed by the community based Building Advisory Committee. The selected solution reconfigured the main entry, created a larger and more accessible Community Room, converted space for books into areas for patrons, relocated and expanded the Children’s area and improved the buildings systems and infrastructure.

Jacob Burns Film Center, Media Arts Lab

The Media Arts Lab at the Jacob Burns Film Center is a 27,000sf education center offering instructional programs in many forms of filmmaking and multi-media production. The Film Center’s mission is grounded in developing 21st century literacy skills, including critical viewing and production skills which are essential for a generation growing up in a world in which media and technology are increasingly the way we communicate, participate in community and engage in democracy and the global economy. The demand for this program curriculum led the Film Center to launch a Campaign for 21st Century Education to provide for the design and construction of a “center for celebrating the stories that live in each and every person:” The Media Arts Lab.

The U.S. Green Building Council recognized the MAL for process and results in sustainable design by awarding it with LEED Gold certification. Key sustainable features of note include extensive day lighting, geothermal wells, photovoltaic panels, a green roofing system, low/no-flow plumbing fixtures, and local and recycled building materials. The facility was constructed on the site of an existing building which was deconstructed with 85% of the building materials being recycled. The owners were motivated by the concept that a building itself could function as an educational tool and “green fact” signs throughout the building call out sustainable features and elements with explanations and notes on the impact of choices.

Grinton I. Will Library

KG+D collaborated with the Yonkers’ Will Library to restore “in-kind” their mid-century modern facility designed by Eli Rabineau, while keeping the existing aesthetic, improving daylighting and meeting current code requirements. The project replaced failed concrete cladding, replaced outdated window systems, replaced degraded exterior shading systems and replaced related exterior elements including guard rails, doors and signage. The process for the replacement of the exterior shading system involved an extensive solar shading study – vertical sunshades were utilized to allow in more light and protect against ultraviolet rays. The second phase of the project replace the façade’s cement panels with terra-cotta panels that offered insultation and a vapor barrier, which made a huge impact on the sustainability of the building and increased its energy efficiency. The re-envision façade not only upgrades the façade panels and curtain wall but allows for a refreshed appearance that visually re-energizes the building. In addition to the exterior renovations, KG+D is now working with the Will Library on various interior renovations including upgrades to their community room and computer labs.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Canine Development Center

Built using green construction initiatives, the Canine Development Center’s 30-acre new and renovated campus includes a puppy training pavilion, new male and female kennels, open living areas, outdoor areas for off-leash exercise and a new veterinary hospital with state of the art equipment. The Center is utilized for breeding, birthing, socializing and screening dogs. The expansion nearly doubled the size of the original facilities, providing more teaching space for staff and volunteers to work together and have additional opportunities for orientation and training sessions.

Westchester County, Playland Bathhouse Restoration

The project scope for the Playland Bathhouse Restoration included extensive abatement of hazardous materials, complete removal and replacement of roofing systems, replacement of masonry walls, survey of structural conditions, restoration of the building’s foundation, reconstruction and replacement of light monitors and clerestory windows. This project is designed to LEED Silver criteria level.