Beardsley Architects + Engineers Wins Prestigious Awards from the APWA and AIA CNY

Auburn, N.Y. - Beardsley Architects + Engineers is pleased to announce that three recently completed projects have received prestigious awards from the American Public Works Association (APWA) and the American Institute of Architects Central New York Chapter (AIA CNY). The APWA Awards recognize outstanding individuals, groups, and chapters representing the best in public works. According to the AIACNY, the purpose of the award program is to “celebrate achievements in design excellence by Architects in the Central New York Region, and honor the architects, clients and consultants who work together to create and enhance our built environment.”

Receiving an Award of Merit in the Adaptive Re-Use category from the AIA CNY is the Wheat Street Workforce Housing project, which brought much needed workforce housing to a rural community. An existing, unused elementary school was converted into a modern housing complex that features a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments that feature an open kitchen, dining, and living area with private bedrooms and baths. Updates to the main entry and overall building forms reference the building’s original design from 1952 that had been changed over time. Three new townhouse buildings were also constructed as part of the project, further expanding affordable housing options in the Village of Cayuga.

The new Cascades Hall multi-purpose building at Delphi Falls County Park received awards from the New York State American Public Works Association (APWA) Award and the Central New York APWA in the Structures category, and a Citation for Design award in the Institutional category from the AIA CNY. Principal and Civil Engineer, Jared Heinl, P.E., R.L.A., of Beardsley Architects + Engineers commends Madison County as an excellent project partner with clear objectives and grounded vision for the recently established Delphi Falls County Park. “Beardsley was privileged to be a part of the process to create this new asset for the public to enjoy, and our in-house design professionals worked in close collaboration with the construction teams to help achieve the County’s goals.” Located at the base of the lower falls, the building features a rentable multi-purpose event space, offices for County staff, large exterior overhangs, and spacious courtyard. Fully accessible, gender-neutral restrooms, located in a separate structure, are available when the main building is closed. Designed to honor the property’s history, the building incorporates elements inspired by the original home, including a stone fireplace and timber frame portico, while providing improved access to the falls and trail network for the community to enjoy.

Another project receiving recognition is the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Generations Park Amphitheater, which received an award from the Central New York APWA in the Structures category. To expand recreational and cultural opportunities at Generations Park, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe sought to construct a state-of-the-art amphitheater with outdoor seating for 500 people that could accommodate music, speaking, theater, and movies. Barry Halperin, AIA, Principal and Architect at Beardsley Architects + Engineers, attributes the project’s success to the vision, support, and creative freedom provided by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe. “We especially appreciate their commitment to advancing the design to create a true ‘sense of place’ and to serving the community.” In addition to shaping the building to enhance acoustics, the building was also raised at the front to improve sightlines. A paved area at the front provides accessible seating and ground-level access is available at the rear of the building for easy event load-in. Also included are accessible restrooms and parking, connecting walkways, sport courts, shade structures, and perimeter benches to support a flexible and welcoming community venue.

Beardsley Architects + Engineers is a full-service architecture, engineering, and landscape architecture design firm that has been a central part of the community for 127 years, with offices in Auburn, Syracuse, Albany, and Malone, NY. The business serves clients in the governmental, parks and recreation, multi-family housing, commercial, residential, and educational sectors.

For more information on Beardsley Architects + Engineers, visit www.beardsley.com.