Business Center at The Spruces at Anderson Center for Autism - Staatsburg, NY

The Spruces, is one of the oldest buildings and dormitories on campus, built circa 1939. Its double loaded corridors were a poor fit for congenial living, but well suited for adaptive reuse into administrative offices. Even with the construction re-muddling over the years, it still retained it’s stature because of its commanding scale and imposing Bluestone-clad exterior. It sat quietly for many years until recent work began to restore its original grandeur, and reassert its hierarchy and the permanence of the campus.

The existing Bluestone stone building envelope was carefully saved and shored up, while much needed new structural framework was implemented, and new interior was constructed at each level. To break up the spatial monotony, its core was opened up vertically or a two-story atrium, while bringing daylight and a sense of grandeur into the interior; at the same time allowing for visual connection and social interaction between the two floors. It also received a new roof and entry portico, well designed to achieve the balance and harmony of classical proportions.

A new two-story addition was also incorporated at the building rear. Drawing from local context and traditional materials in the nearby historic Hyde Park, the addition was constructed of stucco to complement its existing bluestone predecessor. While continuing the language of the classical form and details, accentuated with its own portico, it now stands as the welcoming gateway to the the campus.