John W. Baumgarten Architect, P.C, wins AIA Long Island Chapter‘s Healthcare Award for Renovation

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Long Island Chapter presented its 2011 Archi Award Commendation for Health Care to John W. Baumgarten Architect, P.C., for its renovation of the Glengariff Healthcare Center’s Pratt Pavilion for Rehabilitation and Healing in Glen Cove, N.Y.

The AIA presented the Jericho-based Baumgarten firm with this award for the firm’s work at the one-time Gold Coast manse after a juried competition. The award was presented at the AIA chapter’s 47th Annual Awards Celebration on Oct. 19 at Oheka Castle, an event space in Huntington, N.Y.

The Baumgarten firm, a major player in the design of healthcare facilities throughout the tri-state area for many years, encountered a myriad of challenges in remodeling the mansion.

The original building, which dates to 1912 and sits on12 acres on the shore of the Long Island Sound, was converted to a skilled nursing facility in the 1970s. The property was sold to its current owner, Sanjay Ahuja, in 2008. The project started with the carefully engineered removal of a 2-foot thick brick-bearing wall in order to expand the building’s main lobby. The removal of this circa 1912 construction involved a logistically sophisticated sequence of bracing, shoring and underpinning, along with the threading in of new supporting steel to carry the floors above. The next phase of the project involved the conversion of an underutilized dining room into a physical therapy suite modeled after an upscale health club.

As a result of the renovation, the lobby became a significant focal point with its open and airy feeling inviting residents/patients and their families to a comfortable and warm area to socialize and congregate.

The two-story lobby features inlaid marble floors and wood-paneled wainscoting that pays homage to the building’s history. The existing grand lobby stair with its ornamental railings and ceilings were preserved, as was an original marble fireplace. Capturing abutting office suites and creating distinct seating areas defined by inlaid carpeting, further expanded the lobby footprint.

The AIA Archi Award jury praised the project for creating a “bright environment“ and for its “interesting use of furnishings.” BD+C

Glass is heat-treated for two reasons: the first is to increase its strength to resist external stresses such as wind and snow loads, or thermal loads caused by the sun’s energy. The second is to temper glass so that it meets safety glazing requirements defined by applicable codes or federal standards.

| Feb 27, 2014

Metal Construction Association introduces two Environmental Product Declarations

Two Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), one for Metal Composite Material Panels and one for Roll Formed Steel Panels for Roofs and Walls, are now available free of charge from the Metal Construction Association (MCA) on its website.

| Feb 27, 2014

Bluebeam Software launches Revu 12 for better field-ready document management and project collaboration

The latest version of the company’s flagship solution better enables users in document-intensive industries to digitally collaborate on project documents and more easily connect the office to the field.

PocketCake's VRSCA (for Virtual Reality Simulation Converter Assembly) is three

| Feb 27, 2014

PocketCake lunches CPU designed for virtual reality simulations

The company's Virtual Reality Simulation Converter Assembly is three times more powerful than the average high-performance computer and allows for up to eight people to experience a virtual reality simulation at the same time.

Photos courtesy Blackney Hayes Architects

| Feb 26, 2014

Adaptive reuse project brings school into historic paper mill

The project features nontraditional classrooms for collaborative learning, an arts and music wing, and a technologically sophisticated global resource center.

| Feb 26, 2014

Use this app to streamline safety inspections

Using the iAuditor app, one of our Skanska teams developed electronic reports that make safety inspections more efficient, and that make it easier to address any issues emerging from them.