Photography © Chuck Choi

A regional museum with an outstanding art collection and a historical document archive, the Albany Institute commissioned a masterplan to reflect its vision for the 21st century. To resolve issues with its residence in two unconnected buildings, the masterplan reorganized the museum grouping collections and non collections uses, and linking the buildings. The new design connects the two landmark structures with a new three-level glass lobby, a modern element contrasting with the classically-detailed buildings. The existing structures were fully restored and a 1920s addition removed for a new building housing collections storage and environmental control equipment serving the 65,000 SF Museum.

Honor Award, The Boston Society of Architects; Excellence in Historic Preservation Annual Award, Preservation League of New York State; Mark of Excellence, Capital District Masonry Institute; Build New York Award, General Building Contractors of New York State