Design-build renovation project of an existing County’s Office of Senior Resources (OSR) Administration office and Senior Center in Carmel, NY. The existing 6500 Sq Ft building had limitations due to its bi-level floor plan, small rooms, narrow interior corridor, cramped outdated kitchen, and sunken dining room which caused problems for meal services, recreational activities, exercising, and social interaction. Building #1 functionality was limited due to half of the building being used as office space for employees.

Building #1 renovation was developed with help of many County departments including County Executive’s office, Office of Senior Resources (OSR), Purchasing, Law, Health, Information Technology/GIS, etc. The renovation involved two phases. First phase was to relocate majority of the employees to another building to open up Building #1 which included a newly designed administration area within another building. Second phase was to address Building #1 which required major updates in infrastructure such as improved HVAC system and energy efficient LED lighting. The County’s facilities work force did most of the construction except for specific areas such as the kitchen exhaust hood system that was bid out for contractor work. The site update of utilities, road, and landscaping was also done by County work force.

The renovation transformed Building #1 into a bright and airy, state-of-the-art, energy efficient facility which gives the building a hospitality feel instead of the existing stark, institutional feel. The renovation included an improved flow of circulation and improved accessibility that included raising of the sunken dining room. Building #1 now has a large multi-purpose room, improved dining area, updated kitchen facility, and updated accessible bathrooms which allow expanded senior programs into the enlarged exercise area, enlarged arts and crafts room, new interview and counseling rooms, and expanded nutrition counseling office.

Exterior accessibility was enhanced by a new glass foyer that provides easier access from the dining room to the revised bus drop-off area. The foyer matched the campus building materials to develop a more homogeneous connection to the campus. Being a County owned project, the County saved money and continued its unique concept in design and architecture for County municipalities.