The City of Yonkers and Yonkers Public Schools will open the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School (JSSCS) to students this week. The JSSCS is the first new school in the City of Yonkers in over 20 years.

The new 95,000sf community school, houses 675 students in grades Pre-K through 8th and includes spaces for art, science, special projects, dual language curriculum, and computer science. Designed to be a community resource, the physical education wing and a community health clinic function as a stand-alone community resource after school and on the weekends.

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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.

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

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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.

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.

“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.

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.

“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 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
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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!

Congratulations to the Pound Ridge Fire Department on the passing of their Bond Referendum! KG+D looks forward to collaborating with the Fire District and the community to create an updated, expanded, and safer firehouse. Congratulations to the Pound Ridge community!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

Congratulations to the Katonah Lewisboro School District on the passing of their capital bond referendum. KG+D looks forward to collaborating with the district and the community to implement a variety of projects that will address teaching and learning environments, sustainability, and security.

The Indian Mountain School celebrated their Centennial Year with a ribbon cutting for their new Centennial Field House. KG+D is proud to be a small part of those 100 years and honored to be your partner in the development of the new Centennial Field and Field House.

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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.

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 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.

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.”

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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 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!

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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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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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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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.

KG+D Architects, PC is proud to announce the elevation of five team members to leadership roles in the firm. Sarah Weissman Dirsa, AIA, Brian Mangan, AIA and Travis Schnell, AIA have all been elevated to Associate Principals. They will now be part of the firm’s leadership structure alongside Susan Davidson, Associate Principal, Walter Hauser, AIA – Principal, Erik Kaeyer, AIA – Vice President and Russell Davidson, FAIA – President. Frederick Wells and Marco Mandra have been named Associates. Further supporting the firm’s next generation of leadership, these team members have consistently distinguished themselves through key contributions to major projects and supporting client relationships.

Sarah Weissman Dirsa, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C, SEED of Mount Kisco, NY joined KG+D in 2015 as a Project Manager, was promoted to Associate in 2018 and has been named Associate Principal. With a passion for sustainable spaces, Sarah has led 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 in K-12 schools.

Brian O. Mangan, AIA of Briarcliff, NY joined KG+D in 2008 as an Intern Architect, was named Associate in 2015 and has been named Associate Principal. 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, the adaptive re-use of the former Arden Hill Hospital into a new campus for Orange-Ulster BOCES, 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 skills and project management also was applied to projects for the Wilton Family Y, Greenwich Public Schools, Bedford Hills Community House and Dutchess BOCES.

Travis S. Schnell, AIA of Carmel, NY joined KG+D in 2006 as an Intern Architect, was named Associate in 2013 and has been named Associate Principal. Travis’ experience encompasses a wide range of community centric facilities from religions institutions to recreational clubs from educational facilities to nature centers. Travis has lent his technical and design expertise and leadership to several of the firm’s award-winning projects that involved 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 a new Ossining Children’s Center, renovations to the Brooklawn Country Club’s main clubhouse and dynamic cafeteria renovations for Darien High School.

Marco Mandra, AIA of Brewster, NY joined KG+D and became licensed in New York State in 2019. As part of the KG+D team, Marco has significantly contributed to the development of new facilities for the Ossining Children’s Center and Dutchess BOCES Salt Point Campus. Marco has also been a key team member involved in the adaptive reuse of the former IBM Campus into an independent school campus.

Frederick P. Wells, RLA of Hopewell Junction, NY joined KG+D in 2019 as a landscape architect and planner and has been named Associate. Fred has over 35 years of landscape design and planning experience in the Hudson Valley Region. As part of the KG+D team, Fred has led the Educational Facilities Plan Update for Yonkers Public Schools as well as collaborating with Yonkers Public schools on the development of a new school. Fred’s landscape design and planning expertise is also being utilized on major projects for Orange Ulster BOCES, Dutchess BOCES and Greenwich Public Schools.

KG+D is proud to recognize these team members who have shaped and supported the firm over their tenures and will each prove to be a significant part of its future bringing renewed vitality and innovation to the firm leadership.

The Ossining Children’s Center held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 24, 2019 marking the beginning of construction on the new Rebecca and Arthur Samberg Building at 32 State Street in Ossining, NY. As the first childcare facility in the region and serving the community for 125 years since 1895, the new facility will allow the Ossining Children’s Center to meet the growing demand for childcare and preschool programs within a single unified facility.

The Ossining Children’s Center program is currently housed in two buildings on South Highland Avenue as well as rented space at a nearby church. The center’s ability to meet the needs of the community has been challenged by the limitations of its current facilities.

The new 27,000sf childcare and education center will be a transformative asset for the Ossining community. It is thoughtfully oriented on the 2.5-acre site to optimize the views of the Hudson River. The Center will include nine classrooms, five toddler and infant rooms, three outdoor play areas, a junior turf athletic field, staff and administrative offices, a multi-purpose room, a conference room and kitchen. The design solution blends traditional and contemporary approaches that creates a modern, progressive and nurturing learning environment while allowing the new building to fit within the aesthetic of the adjacent “cottage-like” office buildings on State Street.

“KG+D is proud to partner with the Ossining Children’s Center to complete this dynamic new childcare and educational facility,” said Erik A. Kaeyer, Vice President of KG+D Architects. “The new Rebecca and Arthur Samberg Building was designed to support and accommodate the Ossining Children’s Center’s excellent programming and to allow the Center to effectively serve more of the families in the Ossining community for another 125 years.”

The construction will commence immediately with the project slated to be complete by September 2020.  

The Tuckahoe Union Free School District held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 27, 2019 marking the beginning of construction for additions and renovations to the William E. Cottle Elementary School. The project includes a second floor and security vestibule addition as well as field and infrastructure upgrades.

The 9,973sf second floor addition adds 6 classrooms and a teacher’s conference room addressing overcrowding and a projected growing enrollment. The new addition also features a Maker Space and the corridor utilizes the opportunity to extend learning beyond the classroom with collaboration “pods,” built in benches and a gathering area with flexible furniture adjacent to one of the new connecting stairwells.

A new 1,548sf security vestibule and security office with increased visibility, will be added at the main entry adjacent to the principal’s office. The project will also address critical infrastructure projects throughout the building.

The Cottle Elementary School project is part of a larger bond referendum that also includes the replacement of the turf athletic field and various infrastructure projects at the High School/Middle School.

“KG+D is proud to partner with the Tuckahoe Union Free School District to complete these important projects,” said Russell Davidson, FAIA President of KG+D Architects, “The new addition will provide next generation learning spaces for a growing student body, enhance school security and address important infrastructure needs.”

The construction will commence immediately with the project slated to be complete by Summer 2020. 

The Ursuline School, an independent Catholic college preparatory school for girls in New Rochelle, NY, held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 20, 2019 marking the beginning of the first phase of their Innovation Campaign. The goal of the campaign, which slogan is  Building on the Tradition of Innovation #TUSTimeIsNow, is to build active learning spaces and community gathering areas so that the school’s leading-edge teaching is matched with outstanding facilities.

The 18-month construction project follows an extensive master planning process that explored multiple design options for building 21st Century learning environments, improving generally campus functionality and enhancing the overall campus security. The project will add a new Lobby, Innovation Hub, High-Tech Conference Room and Student Commons.

The new 2,370sf Lobby will create an iconic entry and a larger gathering space and facilitate in an easier drop-off and pick-up for students. A security booth will enhance student safety and a new admissions office area, Ann Clemente Admissions Suite, will provide a fresh face to prospective and future students. The Lobby will also include more functional administration offices, a bookstore and three conference rooms for student and faculty use.

The new Lobby and the Innovation Hub will frame the inner courtyard and mimic the curvature of the existing landscaping, wrapping the courtyard with a glass front. Not only will the Innovation Hub, a 2,070sf “makerspace,” support the school’s robotics, engineering and computer science programming, the new space will allow students across the curriculum to combine technology with hands-on constructing. The Innovation Hub will be staffed with a STEAM educator and equipped with cutting-edge equipment and capabilities.

Adjacent to the Innovation Hub, a 780sf, 40 seat, high-tech conference room will function as a seminar-style classroom, meeting and rehearsal space. The space will be equipped with leading edge technology and modern furnishings. The space is designed to help prepare Ursuline students for college and the workplace.

The new Student Commons, Christina Jun Murphy Commons, will be a 1650sf bright and open 130-seat modern and comfortable space for eating, doing homework and spending time with friends. The added cafeteria space will be a walk-through space on the other side of the corridor from the existing cafeteria.

“KG+D is proud to partner with The Ursuline School to complete this important project,” said Russell Davidson, FAIA President of KG+D Architects, “The new addition will transform the front of the school and make the school’s exterior match the sophisticated learning on the interior.”

The Innovation Hub is planned to be the first space completed for January 2020 with the entire build complete by December 2020.

The Pelham Union Free School District held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 21, 2019 marking the beginning of construction for the replacement Hutchinson Elementary School. Following a two-year planning process that explored options for renovation vs. replacement, the District and the community elected to develop a next generation elementary school.

The design solution is a balance between a contemporary and traditional approach that creates a modern and progressive learning environment while allowing the new building to fit into the neighborhood and the aesthetic of the older buildings in the community. The 68,0000sf community school will have 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 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. A single main entry located at the circulation loop and adjacent to the main office will have a secure vestibule and a dedicated security booth.

Outdoor spaces include a kindergarten play area, student garden and outdoor dining and gathering space. Following the construction of the new elementary school, athletic fields and a play space will be completed on the site of the former elementary school.

The building has also been designed to LEED Silver Standards and will utilize natural light, LED lighting, a green roof and efficient water and heating systems.

“KG+D is proud to partner with the Pelham Union Free School District to fulfill the promise made to the community,” said Russell Davidson, FAIA President of KG+D Architects, “We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to collaborate on the development of a 21st Century building in a District committed to 21st Century learning.”

The work immediately commencing will include necessary site work which will continue into the fall of 2019 with construction of the building itself anticipated in winter 2019-20 with targeted completion and opening for September 2022.

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KG+D is proud to announce that the Middletown High School Innovation Labs project was honored with the AIANYS Excelsior Award of Distinction in Public Architecture. The AIANYS Excelsior Awards celebrate design and professional excellence in publicly funded buildings in New York State.

KG+D was proud to partner with the Middletown Enlarged City School District to develop these dynamic new learning environments that provide a range of advanced and practical education spaces that allow Middletown students to obtain a competitive edge in the increasingly competitive global marketplace. The Next Generation spaces function as community hubs for next generation learning and collaboration; they are student-centered, and faculty powered and enable community learning, relationship building and the collective development of life-long learning and teamwork skills.

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The American Institute of Architects and Wired Brand Lab explored the new Sandy Hook Elementary School and the power of passive security. As a practitioner for over 30 years in New York state, firm President Russell A. Davidson, FAIA, notes that architects are key players in creating safer school environments.

Read the full article here.

“In order to create a safer school, you have to think holistically about a school — and no one is better situated to do that than an architect.”

Russell A. Davidson FAIA, President

The Brewster Central School District’s JFK Elementary School renovation and addition project was cited as an Outstanding Project by Learning by Design magazine.

The design team collaborated with the Brewster Central School District to complete key renovation and addition projects that transformed the JFK Elementary School into a Next Generation school. The project included a six-classroom addition, a library and cafeteria expansion and the renovation of the auditorium and roundhouse learning spaces.

The project was recognized for the innovative use of the existing roundhouse structure as well as the new connecting classroom addition. The jury also noted the development of collaborative spaces, fun lighting, ceiling treatments, built-ins, sliding boards and color.

See the full article.

Learn more about this project.

KG+D Architects received five design awards from the American Institute of Architects, Westchester Hudson Valley Chapter. The chapter works to achieve a more humane built environment and a higher standard of professionalism for architects throughout Westchester County and the Hudson Valley region of New York State. The firm’s awards included:

AIA WHV High Honor Award for their collaboration with the Trinity Pawling School on the new Smith Field House in Pawling, NY. The Smith Field House project involved an addition that joined multiple disconnected athletic facilities that created a central athletic hub on campus. At approximately 30,000sf, the field house is now the largest building on campus and it houses a gymnasium with two full basketball courts with upper level spectator seating, a half court with workout space, a new main entry and lobby space, a terrace gathering spaces and an Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame Room.

AIA WHV High Honor Award for their collaboration with Rippowam Cisqua School, Upper School Campus in Bedford, NY. KG+D collaborated with The Rippowam Cisqua School to transform their Upper Campus into a next generation educational facility that respected the community’s architectural aesthetic. The project encompassed major additions including a new main entry, media center, dining hall, classroom addition, renovated science labs and art classrooms and an innovation lab that opens into a courtyard amphitheater. The additions mindfully married the past and future creating a “Bedford Barn” front elevation, while the interior expression is open, modern and forward-thinking.

AIA WHV Citation Award for their collaboration with Middletown Enlarged City School District on Middletown High School in Middletown, NY. The Middletown High School project developed a 10,000sf, technology infused, learning commons at the high school’s center in an underutilized interior courtyard. The “Next-Gen” learning space features a large, open innovation lab with a 16-panel viewing screen, digital labs, graphic arts classrooms, a fabrication lab and a lecture/presentation space. A second, 28,000sf addition, created a third-floor innovation lab with break out meeting and small group spaces, a new main entry sequence and connection to a new classroom wing.

AIA WHV Citation Award for their collaboration with the Brewster Central School District on JFK Elementary School in Brewster, NY. KG+D collaborated with the Brewster CSD to complete key projects that transformed the JFK Elementary School into a Next Generation learning environment. The project included a six-classroom addition that created flexible classrooms, a library addition featuring a stepped reading area, an auditorium renovation that incorporated a moveable wall dividing classroom and theater space and the development of the IDEA Center, which features moveable furniture and bi-fold doors that open to an interior courtyard.

AIA WHV Citation Award for their collaboration with Elegant Banquets on the renovation of Le Chateau in North Salem, NY. The Elegant Banquets project encompassed the renovation of the former Le Chateau restaurant into a banquet and catering hall for weddings and events. The project included an addition of a dining room and bar as well as renovations to pre-function spaces in the original building. The Tudor-style mansion was commissioned in 1907 by J.P. Morgan as a gift for Reverend William S. Rainsford. The project sought to preserve the history of the mansion while injecting a modern New York sensibility.

KG+D’s projects were recognized at the AIA WHV Design Awards on Thursday, October 25th, 2018 at the Eagle Hill School in Greenwich, CT. The event included a guided tour of the Eagle Hill School Community Room, which was designed by KG+D Vice President, Erik A. Kaeyer, and received a AIA WHV Honor Award in 2017.

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Scarsdale Union Free School District held ribbon cutting ceremonies on Wednesday, October 23rd, marking the opening of the Edgewood and Heathcote Elementary School projects.

The Edgewood Elementary School project included a new library and security conscious office and main entry. The new library features a cove stepped reading nook, pod seating, nesting tables, mobile bookcases and counter height workstations. Adjacent to the library are a workroom and technology room.

The Heathcote Elementary School project included the addition of a new multi-purpose room with adjacent small group instruction rooms and a new entry space. The new multi-purpose room accommodates a larger number of students for lunchtime and the new entryway provides a shielded space for student pick up/drop off as well as a separate and secure community point of entry.

KG+D is proud to have collaborated with the Scarsdale Union Free School District on these important projects for the elementary school community!

Read more. Edgewood Elementary School library addition time-lapse video. Heathcote Elementary School multi-purpose room time-lapse video.

Trinity Pawling School’s Smith Field House was selected for publication by American School & University in its 2018 Educational Interior Showcase which honors the Nation’s most outstanding learning environments.

The Smith Field House project, which was recognized as an Outstanding Design, developed an addition that joined multiple disconnected athletic facilities-including a gymnasium, wrestling pavilion, squash courts and ice rink-to create an essential athletic hub on campus.

At approximately 30,000sf, the Smith Field House is now the largest building on campus and it houses a gymnasium with two full basketball courts with upper level spectator seating, a half court with workout space, a distinctive main entry and lobby space and an Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame Room with adjacent terrace space that will spotlight awards and school athletic memorabilia. The new field house features curved timber trusses and utilizes large clerestory windows that create a dramatic and light-filled space. The building not only serves as a state-of-the-art athletic facility but is also enjoyed daily as a student social center and gathering space.

See the Full Article. See more about this project.

The Rippowam Cisqua School Upper Campus renovation and addition project was cited as an Outstanding Project by Learning by Design magazine. KG+D Architects partnered with the Rippowam Cisqua School to transform their Upper Campus into a next generation educational facility that effectively supports the independent middle school’s immersive educational programming while remaining in keeping with the community’s “Bedford Barn” architectural tradition.

The project addressed this challenge by creating a front elevation that is reflective of the community’s 350-year barn aesthetic, while the interior expression is open, modern and forward-thinking. The project includes a new main entry, media center, dining hall, classroom wing and an innovation lab that opens to a courtyard amphitheater.

The project was recognized for its architectural and interior design and for having next generation benchmark type design and planning features.

See the full article. See more about this project.

 

The Eastchester Union Free School District held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, October 9th to mark the grand opening of their recently completed High School renovation and expansion project. Voters approved an almost $27 million-dollar bond to expand the high school building in October of 2015 and construction began in June of 2017. KG+D collaborated with the District on the high school project which upgraded and expanded key instructional spaces to meet the academic demands of a 21st Century Education and accommodate a significant increase in enrollment.

A major challenge for the 1927 High School was an increase in student enrollment. As a result, the District created temporary classrooms in an old gymnasium and had to implement four lunch periods in order to serve lunch to the entire student body. To address this challenge, the design solution sought to create additional instructional space, while also creating collaborative, forward-thinking Next Generation learning environments. State-of-the-art STEM labs created designated space for progressive program courses and the cafeteria expansion maximized the opportunity to create a student lounge and learning commons.

“I am so proud of our community and I am so happy for our students, said Dr. Walter Moran, Superintendent of Eastchester Union Free School District, “that they finally have a facility commensurate with the level of achievement and learning that they deserve.”

The final phase of the project will revert temporary classrooms that were created in the gymnasium space over 15 years ago, back into gym space which will increase practice and game space for the District’s 25 athletic teams.

The managing principal and president of KG+D Architects, Russell A. Davidson, FAIA, testified before the Federal Commission on School Safety to advocate for school design strategies and legislation that will support safer schools. The federal commission roundtable was led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen M. Nielsen in Las Vegas, NV at the Miley Achievement Center, a secondary school recognized for providing specialized behavioral, social and emotional support for students.

Along with a security consultant and members of law enforcement, Davidson was one of four individuals invited to testify and the only architect on the panel. KG+D has worked with public and private schools throughout the region on projects ranging in size and scope including planning and implementing school security projects for many local districts including Yonkers, Greenwich, Katonah Lewisboro, Somers, Chappaqua, Tuckahoe and Pelham.

As a practitioner for over 30 years in New York state, which was reported to have on average the oldest school buildings in the country, Davidson notes that a real challenge is retrofitting older buildings to incorporate secure design solutions, “the minimum renovations required for reasonable safety is not easy, funding is not available, and the minimum improvements needed may not even be possible do to the configurations of these very old buildings. Retrofitting schools is a challenge, but I think it represents a social imperative that we cannot ignore.”

KG+D’s design approach seeks to balance vigilance and protection with the openness and inclusiveness that defines productive learning environments. A layered approach, that is customized to each situation and population, helps to detect, deter, delay and defend and make the sanctuary that education should represent harder to breach. Davidson notes that architects are part of the solution as are the design responses to creating school environments where students are connected and known to each other and have access to responsible adults and support staff.

The American Institute of Architects, of which Davidson was the 2016 President, launched legislative initiatives last week that outline the Institute’s commitment for improving school design policies, which includes a bipartisan effort on Capitol Hill focusing on two main goals. The first is to make architectural and design services for schools an allowable use of funds within existing federal grants. The second would establish a federal clearinghouse of resources on school design best practices for school officials, architects and other design professionals to keep them informed.

“While we know that design alone cannot eliminate the threat of violence, there is more we can do, not only to defend, but to deter,” said Davidson. “This is not an either-or proposition but a both-and approach as we seek to promote schools that are more secure, transparent, engaging and conducive to learning.”

View Complete Testimony Here

In response to the Journal News’ recent articles about the Regional Plan Associations plan for rail expansions and a study detailing NYC suburbs’ need for more transit-oriented homes, KG+D’s President, Russ Davidson, calls for the development of social infrastructure.

It is the schools, libraries, parks, town halls, police stations and fire stations that are the core of the social infrastructure that define our communities.

Read the full article here.

KG+D Architects won two design awards from the American Institute of Architects, Westchester Hudson Valley (AIA WHV).

One of the awards they received was an AIA WHV High Honor Award for their collaboration with Great Neck Public Library, in Great Neck, NY. The library’s main branch facility was transformed—generally within the footprint of the existing building—into a flexible 21st Century Library.

The second award received by KG+D Architects is the AIA WHV Honor Award for their collaboration with the Eagle Hill School, in Greenwich, CT. A new community room replaced a limiting theater with a 350-seat multipurpose space that can utilized for assemblies, events and performances as well as indoor recess and athletic activities.

KG+D was recognized at the AIA WHV Design Awards on Wednesday, October 11th, 2017 at the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, NY. The event included a guided tour of the main gallery by the museum’s original architect – Richard E. Kaeyer, former principal of KG+D.

After 15 months of construction, Rippowam Cisqua School’s Upper Campus project is complete! Head of School Colm MacMahon and Board Chair Kirtley Cameron cut the ribbon and officially opened the new facility to the entire RCS community, ushering in Rippowam Cisqua School’s one-hundredth academic year.

Photography: Minush Kraniqi and Peter T. Michaelis

More here.

Violence has a long history in U.S. schools, with recorded incidences dating back to the early-20th century. More recently, the concept of active shooters armed with military-grade weapons has found a permanent home in the American landscape. And that is changing how schools are designed.

Russell Davidson, principal and president of KG+D Architects, in Mount Kisco, NY, and former president of the American Institute of Architects, said that AIA members have been designing for security for some time now. These days, however, lessons learned from military and embassy projects have made their way into planning for K-12 schools and religious facilities, in particular.

As schools increase their security, however, the challenge is to make students feel like they’re still in a school setting rather than a prison or military installation.

See the Full Article.

The Eagle Hill School’s new Community Room was cited as an Outstanding Project by Learning by Design magazine.

The architecture of the community room captures the intimacy of the campus by creating a space that feels appropriate and welcoming for a group as small as 20 or as large as 350. The multi-purpose room was designed in keeping with the architectural aesthetic of the campus and is both dramatic and warm with a circular timber ceiling, clerestory windows and a expansive curved window wall.

See the full article.
See more about this project.

As part of the 2017-2018 Town approved Capital Plan, Greenwich Public Schools (GPS) administration has contracted with KG+D architects to conduct a Cardinal Field Feasibility Study. The purpose of the Feasibility Study is to review possible approaches to repairing and/or improving Cardinal Field and the grounds and facilities surrounding the field. The study will not result in a single plan, but a variety of options for the GPS administration and the Board of Education to consider.

More Information.

It’s no doubt there are many talented people in Wilton, and the work of about 90 of them is on display at Wilton Library’s Summer Show, which opened July 14 and will run through Aug. 23. The show is a celebration of the work of artists from Wilton.

One of the pieces includes a very large charcoal rendering of a vintage Volkswagen Beetle. The Beetle was drawn by Erik Kaeyer, an architect with an office in Mount Kisco, N.Y. The sizeable drawing is the result of his picking up drawing again just six months ago.

“Architecture takes a very long time,” he said. It can be three to five years before a plan comes to fruition, if at all. With art, however, “I can sit down, clear my head, and focus on the design at hand in hours or days and have a product and feel a sense of accomplishment,” he said.

Kaeyer is considering doing a series on iconic vehicles like a vintage Mustang or Harley.

Read More Here.

The Bronxville School’s renovated auditorium was cited as an Outstanding Project by Learning by Design magazine.

Originally built in 1922, the Bronxville School auditorium was urgently in need of reconfiguration and restoration. The design team was tasked with restoring the beauty and functionality of the original auditorium, while incorporating 21st-century design elements. The project redesigned the floor elevation and seating layout and created a fully accessible stage and seating area with a wraparound balcony that provides an intimate theatrical experience.

See the full article.
See more about this project.

A $4.2 million makeover for the Yonkers Public Library’s Will branch will eliminate the multicolored panels on its facade and warm up the main reading room.

Every exterior part of the building except for the roof is going to be changed under this plan,” said library director Edward Falcone. “The building will be insulated for the first time. There is not a lick of insulation in that building, which is unfortunate. It’s not something they did 50 years ago.”

Full Article Here.

In a bid to refresh its appeal — particularly to younger member prospects and organizations considering event space — Shorehaven heads into the golf season’s fallow months with a rebuilt facility, the overhaul led by Mount Kisco, N.Y.-based KG+D Architects and the New Canaan-based landscape architect Wesley Stout Associates.

In addition to the main clubhouse and grounds, the renovations encompassed an enlarged pool pavilion with construction still underway on a new summer youth camp structure. The new facilities were designed in the New England Shingle Style of architecture, according to Erik Kaeyer, a Wilton resident who led the project as design principal and vice president with KG+D.

“Clubs regionally and nationally are seeing a decline in membership, so you are seeing a lot of clubs in the area start to (look) at their infrastructure, at to what they have to do to try and attract new members,” Kaeyer said. “We really wanted to bring the outside in — so big windows. … They wanted to make sure they maxed out on the opportunity (for people) to sit outside, take advantage of the views.”

Dwyer said the redesign is having its intended effect, with nine weddings and six golf outings booked for next year and inquiries coming in daily. For his part, Kaeyer says he will miss his visits to the club to work through the myriad construction challenges of the project, but maintains the members and by extension the city are a better place with a rebuilt Shorehaven along Long Island Sound.

“You look at this club five years ago, the outdoor seating and all that, and you look at it now and it’s an easy sell,” Kaeyer said.

Link to Full Article

Brewster Central School District held a groundbreaking ceremony on September 1, 2016 marking the beginning of renovation and addition projects that are to be completed at JFK Elementary School, CV Star Intermediate School and Brewster High School. The projects are a part of a $40 million dollar bond referendum that was passed in December 2014 of which the overall program is currently under budget and ahead of schedule..

Following a series of capital improvement projects associated with the referendum—including roof repairs, asbestos removal and security upgrades—the larger projects are set to begin immediately. The projects being completed at Brewster High School include extensive locker room and weight room renovations, a reorganized and streamlined cafeteria servery and a flexible and innovative learning commons. CV Star Intermediate School will gain a new two-story four-classroom addition. JFK Elementary School will undergo multiple additions including a six classroom, library and cafeteria addition. Furthermore, the elementary school’s existing roundhouse building will feature a new terrace off the discovery and innovation center with bi-fold doors that open to an interior courtyard providing for indoor and outdoor learning spaces.

“KG+D is committed to our partnership with Brewster Central School District,” said Russell Davidson, FAIA President of KG+D Architects, “we are honored to have the opportunity to build upon our past success together while working toward the future goals that will allow the District to continue to provide flexible, innovative and student-center spaces.”

The various projects will be implemented in phases throughout the 2016-2017 school year and the new additions will be ready for use in September 2017.

The Bronxville School celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated auditorium on Wednesday, December 16, 2015. The celebration featured performances by members of the Bronxville High School Chorus, Orchestra and Band, as well as a special recognition of the PTA, Bronxville School Foundation and private donors who were instrumental in the success of the renovation project.

Originally built in 1922, the Bronxville School auditorium was urgently in need of reconfiguration and restoration. In spite of ongoing work to maintain the facility, by 2012 the auditorium was in a state of disrepair with missing seats, poor lighting, improper sightlines, and non-functional balcony that was no longer in use. Additionally, a 1960s renovation created a false proscenium over the original and closed in the tall windows on both sides of the auditorium. As a result, the renovated proscenium swallowed performance sound and the lack of natural light reduced the auditorium’s flexibility.

KG+D partnered with the Bronxville USFD to collaboratively restore the beauty and functionality of the original auditorium while incorporating 21st Century elements to create a multi-use space for the Bronxville community. The project goals included maximizing seating capacity and performance space, improving sightlines and the overall acoustics of the space and creating a separate space for public access.

The Bronxville Auditorium is a flexible, accessible and technologically advanced theater space that functions as the center of the Bronxville School Community and is an asset to the Village of Bronxville.

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KG+D is proud to announce that the Bronxville Schools Auditorium was honored with the AIANYS Excelsior Award of Distinction in Public Architecture. The AIANYS Excelsior Awards celebrate design and professional excellence in publicly funded buildings in New York State. KG+D was proud to partner with the Bronxville Union Free School District on this dynamic community gathering and performance space:

“KG+D is honored to be recognized by AIANYS for our work with Bronxville Union Free School District on the renovated auditorium,” said Russell A. Davidson, FAIA President of KG+D Architects, PC. “As the majority of our firm’s work is based in publicly funded projects, our team takes pride in partnering with organizations and institutions to provide beautiful spaces for the community. The historically mindful, flexible, community focused, auditorium that developed through a true collaboration with Bronxville Union Free School is a direct reflection of the Bronxville community.” -Russell A. Davidson

While safety and security have always been an important part of school planning and design, the recent increase in violent school tragedies have renewed the sense of urgency and put safety at the forefront of conversations about school buildings. KG+D has worked with many educational facilities throughout the Lower Hudson Valley to address this critical issue and fortify schools without turning them into fortresses.

“Security in schools often comes down to finding the right balance between visibility and the ability to isolate a portion of the population,” said Russell Davidson, one of the firm’s principal architects. “Completely open plans with lots of glass are and completely closed buildings with no visual connections can be equally inappropriate. The ability to see what is going on and to be seen, behind a secure enclosure, by law enforcement can often lead to a safer environment. Of course this needs to be combined with the ability to find a safe refuge where you cannot be seen when there is an active threat. These are the reasons why security planning is an architectural design challenge often completed in active collaboration with building administrators and security specialists. Each solution is a unique approach that is tailored to the population and the specific building configuration.”

As school architects, our goal is to incorporate secure design solutions without detracting from the impression of the learning environment. The goal is to increase the time it takes to get into and out of buildings; the overall strategy to create delay and in turn create more time for administration to react and for first responders to arrive. While schools cannot be designed completely around aggressive intruders, they can incorporate secure design solutions that increase student and teacher safety.

Link to the Full Article

Russell A. Davidson, FAIA, Managing Principal + President of KG+D Architects was inaugurated as the 92nd President of the AIA during ceremonies held on December 4th, 2015 at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. He succeeds the 91st President, Elizabeth Chu Richter, FAIA, in representing nearly 88,000 AIA members.

“Now is the time to move from good to great and to fully realize the potential of one of our country’s oldest professional associations,” said Davidson at his inauguration. “In an election year we will leverage the attention paid to the future of America to point out that architects, along with our partners in the design and construction industry, not only designed the places that define American cities towns and villages, but also are the leading edge of a major economic force.”

Davidson has held a multitude of elected positions within the AIA including serving as president of AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley in 1999 and president of AIA New York State in 2007. He joined the AIA National Board in 2009 and served as AIA Vice President from 2012-2013. Throughout his national leadership tenure, Davidson has maintained a special focus on government and public advocacy for architects and architecture.

Photo Credit: William Stewart Photography

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We are happy to announce that The Post Road School in White Plains was recently honored with the AIA’s (New York) Excelsior Award of Distinction in Public Architecture. Russell Davidson’s reaction provides some insight into the project’s process:

“As the majority of our firm’s work is based in publicly funded projects, our team takes pride in collaborating with our clients to develop a valid concept and exceptional design that is durable and economical for the owners, functional for the users and inspiring to the greater community. The sustainable, community focused, neighborhood school that developed through our collaboration with White Plains Public Schools is a direct reflection of the White Plains community.” —Russell Davidson 

Read more: Mount Kisco Daily Voice Westchester Magazine