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  Argus Architecture & Preservation, P.C.   297 River St., Suite 303, Troy, NY 12180
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  Preservation Projects

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)

   

Hills House, Latham, NY:

Relocation & rehabilitation for commercial use of a c.1805 farmhouse & a 1790s timber-framed barn currently in the Albany International Airport runway zone. Services also included negotiations and preparation of the Memorandum of Agreement with SHPO.

(2008, Albany County Airport Authority)

   

 

Watervliet Arsenal Barracks, Watervliet, NY:

Assessment of stone masonry deterioration at the 1843 limestone Barracks, including inspection, analysis, strategies for conservation and repair, and prioritization of work.

(2007- 2008, Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., Army Corps of Engineers)

   

Adirondack Iron Works MacNaughton House and Blast Furnace, Tahawus, Newcomb, NY:

The 1854, 70' high blast furnace and associated remains of the furnace complex, has been abandoned since 1856. The hot blast stove & the wheelhouse blowing cylinders are unique in the U.S. Stabilization of the furnace has been designed to make it self-interpreting. The 1830s MacNaughton House, the last remaining wood structure of the iron works, has been abandoned since the 1960s and was approaching total collapse. Stabilization of the MacNaughton House has been completed, as well as the first phase of stabilization of the furnace. The MacNaughton House stabilization received a 2008 Excellence in Preservation Award from the Preservation League of New York.

(2005 - 2007, Client: The Open Space Institute)

   
Crown Point Lighthouse
Valcour Island Lighthouse

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)

   

White Pines, Byrdcliffe Colony, Woodstock, NY

Master Plan for one of the most significant sites of the Arts & Crafts movement in America, started in 1902. The Plan encompasses the historic core of the Colony, with approximately 30 historic buildings, owned and operated by the Woodstock Guild of Artists. Scope of work includes survey, conditions assessments, conservation policy and actions, facilities use planning for program enhancement, budget, and identifying appropriate development opportunities within the historic context. (2006- 2007)

White Pines was the residence and studios of the founder of Byrdcliffe Colony, one of the most significant sites of the Arts & Crafts movement in America. Argus prepared a Conditions Assessment and Historic Structures Report for the 1903 White Pines complex of four buildings, followed by projects for structural stabilization, exterior rehabilitation, and site rehabilitation.

(1997 - current, The Woodstock Guild)

   

Victoria Pool, Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs, NY

Two projects for complete rehabilitation of the masonry, and associated roofing, for the historic four buildings and arcades enclosing the pool. Scope of work included conservation and rebuilding of monumental limestone steps, repairs to limestone and brick masonry and exterior plaster, rebuilding of failed brick parapets, and LCC and membrane roofing.

(2004, 2005, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation )

   

Gatelodge

Creamery

Camp Santanoni, Newcomb, NY

A National Historic Landmark, Santanoni is the only publicly owned Adirondack Great Camp, with 18 standing buildings and numerous ruins in three separate complexes. Argus, in collaboration with Crawford & Stearns, developed the Conservation Plan for the 5-mile long Santanoni Historic Area. Argus' current project is structural stabilization and exterior rehabilitation of the Gate Lodge and West Cottage buildings, including stone masonry repair & rebuilding, roofing replacement, siding, windows and site work.

(2003 - current, Adirondack Architectural Heritage)

 

   

Main Lodge

Dining Complex Roof

Sagamore Historic Adirondack Great Camp, Raquette Lake, NY

Argus has been working with Sagamore since 1989 on a variety of projects, the goal of which is the long term preservation, interpretation, and upgrading of the thirty building, National Historic Landmark Camp. The most recent project (2003) has been exterior rehabilitation projects on the Dining Hall complex & Wigwam guest lodge, including roofing & restoration of bark siding. The comprehensive Conservation & Facilities plan prepared by Argus is the guiding document for Sagamore, which received an Adirondack Architectural Heritage Award for preservation in 1997.

(1989- current)

   

Chapman Historical Museum, Glens Falls, NY

Exterior rehabilitation of the mid-19th Century & c. 1865 DeLong House, including restoration of the original unpainted brick masonry.

(2004, 2006 Chapman Historical Museum)

   

Town Hall, Town of Moriah, Port Henry, NY

Existing Condition Assessment & Historic Structure Report for an 1872 Second Empire structure on the National Register. Design for exterior restoration. Complete rehabilitation of the ornate slate and metal roof, as well as associated brick masonry and wood components.

(1997 - 2005, Town of Moriah)

 

   
 

Hall of Springs Complex, Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs, NY

Multiple projects at the 193.... Neoclassical bottling plant and baths complex including: Analysis and rehabilitation of severely deteriorated stone masonry of the arcades; stone, brick and entrance rehabilitation at the Little Theater: rehabilitation of the north entrance area and facade of the Hall of Springs; and a new complementary stone and brick enclosure for the Hall of Springs service yard.

(1994-2001, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation)

   

Albany School District Historic Schools, Albany, NY

Evaluation of nine historic schools for condition, historic significance, and prognosis for rehabilitation according to educational standards of the Master Plan. Consultation to the Master Plan team for SHPO review, disposition and design strategies of the District's twelve historic schools.

(2001 ; Albany School district)

   

Wells Memorial Library, Upper Jay, NY

Conditions Assessment, Concept Plan & major addition to a 1907 Shingle Style community library on the Ausable River. To mitigate frequent flooding, Argus devised a strategy of replacing ground floor space with a (FEMA - funded) addition which also solved the library's crowding & accessibility problems, retrieving the pristine original interior & preserving the integrity of the historic building. The project received an Adirondack Architectural Heritage Award in 2003.

(2001, Wells Memorial Library Association)

   

Keene Valley Library, Keene Valley, NY

Conditions Assessment, design, and phased rehabilitation for the conservation and functional upgrading of 1896 Shingle Style library, which as significantly expanded and altered over the years. The first phase of rehabilitation included structural roof repairs, roofing, electrical system upgrading, and restoration in the original Reading Room, including hidden stabilization of the lantern and new lighting.

(1998-2001, Keene Valley Library Association)

   

Action Civill Academy, Coeymans, NY

Argus was the preservation design and technical consultant for conversion of the 1870s National Register former school to senior housing. Argus' scope of work included design consultation for both the exterior and interior, specifications, preparation of the Certified Rehabilitation application, and project coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office. The building presented complex problems of restoration of a wide variety of historic materials from masonry to slate roofing to cast iron and sheet metal components, and received a New York State Historic Preservation Award in 1997.

(1997, Taconic Capital Corporation)

   

The Iron Center, Port Henry, NY

The Iron Center, in the National Register listed former laboratory of the Witherbee Sherman Mining Company, and contiguous park interprets the extraordinary iron mining history of the Port Henry area. The seriously deteriorated laboratory was completely restored and rehabilitated, including slate roofing, masonry restoration, new mechanical and electrical systems, interior restoration, and the provision of access for disabled visitors. The project received an Adirondack Architectural Heritage Award in 1998.

(1997, Town of Moriah)

   

New York State Assembly Accessibility Plan, Albany, NY

Study and plan to achieve creative solutions for complete accessibility for the disabled to the historic Assembly Chamber and related spaces in the New York State Capitol. The Plan was adopted by the Assembly with implementation to take place in phases.

(1997)

   

179 River Street, Troy, NY

Award-winning rehabilitation of a six-story 1869 National Register riverfront warehouse for new apartments and retail use. The complete Certified Rehabilitation included structural work, exterior restoration, and interior rehabilitation complete with new mechanical, electrical, and fire protection systems. The design preserved all the historic fabric and character of the building and was cited by the State Historic Preservation Office for its sensitive and creative solutions for inserting new interventions, including a six-story fire stair and interior partitions. The project received a Better Homes & Gardens Design Award in 1989.

(1988, 179 River Street Partners)

   

Francisco Terrace, Oak Park, IL

Reconstruction of early Frank Lloyd Wright apartment building as 17 townhouses, utilizing parts from the original building and including reconstruction of original exterior configuration and facade.

(Janet Null responsible for design development and construction documents for Harry Weese & Associates, Architects, Chicago, IL)