Lake Champlain Visitor Center, Crown Point, NY:

Rehabilitation of the former Crown Point Bridge toll collector's house. The building acts as a gateway between Vermont and New York State. The project includes site improvements, exterior and interior rehabilitation.

(2007, 2008 - current, Lake Champlain Visitor Center & Essex County)

Watervliet Shaker Historic District:

Argus in collaboration with Elmore Design Collaborative is developing a Master Plan for America’s first Shaker settlement, starting with the 42 acre Church Family containing 10 Shaker structures. The entire 510 acre historic district, including the South & West Family sites, will be included in Phase 2. Planning scope includes analysis of integrity, conditions and appropriate use of buildings, landscape assessment, vehicle and pedestrian circulation & development potential and conservation safeguards for the district.

(2006 - current, Shaker Heritage Society)

St. Joseph's Academy, Albany, NY:

Conditions assessment, programming, conceptual planning and financial feasibility study for the abandoned 1906 St. Joseph's school in Arbor Hill. Design and feasibility explores alternative scenarios for a combination of housing (upper floors) and a public use for the large ground floor auditorium. Options include a branch of the Albany Public Library, a community café concept, and affordable artists' lofts with studios and performance space.

(2006, Albany Housing Authority)

 

Altamont Public Library, Altamont, NY:

Conversion of the 1897 former D&H train station for use as the community's public library. Project scope includes programming and complete rehabilitation of the National Register Victorian station. The recently completed programming and design concept includes restoration of the original high-ceiling waiting rooms as the main reading rooms, with a new young adult section mezzanine, and outdoor reading & program space incorporating the original platform canopy.

(2006 - 2008, Altamont Free Library)

Crown Point & Valcour Island Lighthouses, Lake Champlain, NY:

Assessments and concept plans for two historic lighthouses. Rehabilitation work for both structures is planned for 2007 and 2008, in anticipation of the 2009 celebration of the quatracenntenial of Samuel de Champlain's arrival on Lake Champlain.

In 1912, the 1858 Crown Point lighthouse was transformed into a granite Neo-Classical memorial to Samuel de Champlain, while remaining an active lighthouse. The completely new 1912 exterior incorporates bronze sculptures by Auguste Rodin and important American sculptor C.A. Heber. Repair and conservation work will encompass the entire structure and include security protection for the Rodin.

The 1874 Valcour Island (Bluff Point) structure is a lighthouse type that originated on Lake Champlain, and the light was recently reactivated. Repair and replacement for the deteriorated building envelope will be the focus of the rehabilitation project. Located on an uninhabited island, the lighthouse presents unusual construction challenges.

(2005 - current, New York State Office of General Services/NYSDEC)

 

Grand Street Community Arts Center, Albany, NY:

The 12,000SF, 1908/1927 former St. Anthony's church is being rehabilitated and converted into an arts center, with flexible performance space, gallery space and classrooms. Argus completed the Existing Conditions Assessment, Program and Concept Plan in 2005, and design for construction is in progress. The scope of the work includes masonry, stone and cast stone repairs, slate roof repair, windows, accessibility, complete new MEP systems and complete interior renovations and rehabilitation.

(2005 - current, Grand Street Community Arts, Inc.)

 

Adirondack Ecological Center, Newcomb, NY:

Concept Plan for restoration and rehabilitation for a camp/conference center on Arbutus Lake which includes William West Durant's 1898 Mossy Camp lodge and Archer Huntington's 1911 lodge. Master Plan includes reorganization of access and parking, landscape restoration, proposed demolition, facilities rehabilitation and expansion for program enhancement, including an educational retreat & conference/distance learning center. Argus has been selected to carry forward design and construction of the first phase of the Concept Plan.

(2004 ,2006 -current, Syracuse University)

Saratoga Springs Train Station, Saratoga Springs, NY

$5.6 million redevelopment of a 1956 Amtrak station & site to accommodate Amtrak, CP Rail traffic and the future Warren County Scenic Rail. Project scope included the Program & Master Plan for the 14.7 -acre site and complete architectural/engineering services for a complete transformation of the station building, rail improvements, new utilities, parking and site improvements. The entire building envelope was rebuilt and exterior materials include granite, brick, wood and curved copper roofs. The project received the Transportation Project of the Year from the American Public Works Association, Capital District Branch in 2006.

(2004, Capital District Transportation Authority)

Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks Research Library & Center for the Forest Preserve, Niskayuna, NY

Rehabilitation of the 1930s home of Adirondack activist Paul Schaefer and 4,000 square foot addition for the Adirondack Research Library, archives and AFPA offices. Old and new structures share common materials and a reception and exhibit space axially linking the iconic Adirondack Room of the Schaefer House with the Library and (visually) with the nature sanctuary beyond. An 8-well geothermal system heats and cools the facility.

(2004, Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks)

State University College at Potsdam, NY

Two projects for the replacement of 529 wood windows in the five National Register Eligible original campus buildings, including 15' high monumental windows and associated masonry repairs. New wood windows were designed to current structural, energy and maintenance standards, as well as visually matching the originals.

(2004, 2006, State University Construction Fund)

Constitution Marsh Boardwalk, Cold Spring, NY

The 900 foot long boardwalk floats above the fragile environment and wildlife habitat, bringing hikers into intimate contact with the 300 acre tidal marsh previously accessible only by boat. Built of FSC certified wood on low-impact helical piles, the boardwalk includes interpretive signage and gathering platforms for education programs. It is fully accessible to the disabled, including a specially designed accessible floating dock. The project received an Honor Award from the American Society of Landscape in 2004 and a Gold Award for Engineering excellence from the New York Association of Consulting Engineers in 2002.

(2001, National Audubon Society and New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation)

Parker Building Feasibility Study, Schenectady, NY

Assessment, conceptual design, and feasibility study for a 1904 eight-story office structure adjacent to Proctor’s Theater. Small floors and 100% site coverage presented unique challenges for feasible reuse and Code compliance. Argus developed several viable concepts for reuse, and the concept for reuse as a boutique hotel was implemented by a private developer.

(2000, City of Schenectady)

State Park at the Fair Pavilion, New York State Fair, Syracuse, NY

Located at the center of the grand Beaux Arts Empire Court of the State Fair Grounds, the pair of Pavilions provide visitors information, merchandising, and staff facilities for the NYS Parks system. The pavilions are formal and transparent befitting their prominent setting, while utilizing the natural materials, stone, wood and glass akin to NYS Parks.

(1998, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation)

Broadway - Waterfront Pedestrian Corridor, Troy, NY:

Redevelopment of the core Broadway Corridor from the RPI Approach to the Hudson River to enhance pedestrian use, public transportation and vehicular traffic patterns. Included was redesign of the City Hall - river interface to improve pedestrian access to the riverfront and boaters access to the City. The scope of work included renovation of existing public spaces, a new City Hall plaza with riverfront connection, a new pedestrian path and staircase to connect downtown with the Approach, new street lighting, sidewalks, crosswalks, street paving, landscaping and pedestrian amenities. The project received a 1999 Community Achievement Award from the Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce.

(1999, City of Troy)

Inlet Island Urban Design Guidelines, Ithaca, NY

Adjacent to downtown Ithaca and bounded by the Cayuga Inlet and the Flood Control Channel, the approximately 43 acre Inlet Island development area was part maritime use, part commercial and mostly vacant land. This project developed a plan and written/graphic guidelines for development to help form an attractive and functional urban waterfront district which maximizes potential for mixed-use private development as well an increased public waterfront access.

(1998, Argus subconsultant to The LA Group)

Hudson River Center, Newburgh, NY

Programming and Schematic Design for proposed Hudson River Center on the site of a junkyard on the waterfront. As the primary research center for the estuarine ecology of the Hudson River, the Center would include laboratories, research vessels, library and resource center, educational facilities, and offices. Major public components would be an indoor-outdoor aquarium and interpretive center, auditorium, gallery spaces, café, shop, pier, park, and waterfront promenade. Argus' design returns the river’s edge to the public domain, builds upon the historic industrial architecture of the area, and connects the urban grid to the riverfront, while presenting to the river traffic a new image for the City

(1996, Palisades Interstate Park Commission)

Whitehall Urban Cultural Park Visitor Center Whitehall, NY

Rehabilitation of 1917 former Champlain Canal ferry terminal for use as the new Visitor Center (including exhibits) and continuing use as an historical museum.

(1991, Whitehall Urban Cultural Park)

McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL

Complete rehabilitation of a four story c.l922 Neo-Gothic former fraternity house as headquarters for the Seminary, including assembly spaces for the Seminary Community, and all administrative and faculty offices. As the building was undersized for the program, one of the major design challenges was to make efficient use of every square foot of space, including the basement, without expanding the building or destroying its historic character. Total accessibility for wheelchair users was also provided (long before the ADA).

(1976, Janet Null, Project Architect for Harry Weese & Associates).

Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL

Public space renovations, totaling $12.5 million and including increasing available space within the confines of the existing building, design of administrative offices, new public entry, exhibit and public education spaces, and a new public cafeteria. As a member of the design team, (for Harry Weese & Assocs.), Janet Null's responsibilities included design and construction documents for the above variety of functions as well as design of a complete new security system for the whole museum.