B50 / High Low Gradient Office
Our restoration of this 1950s building in Lynbrook, Long Island breathes new life into what was once a large bank, to create the new headquarters for a Swiss freight logistics company. The renovation focused on all new and efficient systems alongside insulating the building envelope. New, thermally high-performing windows were installed throughout, with added attention to their sound properties, due to the proximity of the site to the Long Island Railroad.
Offices and conference rooms wrap the perimeter of the space, but are enclosed by glass to ensure natural light still bounces into the central open office. A gradient of soft hues of grey carpet on the floor and felt baffles on the ceilings work to dampen sound and a new travertine stone stair connects to a previously disconnected mezzanine, on which we created a new kitchenette and break room.
During an initial demolition phase, we discovered 16 foot floor plates that had been hidden by 8 foot dropped acoustic ceilings. Our design focused on exposing all the additional space to create an airy and light feeling, even at the center of the deep floor plates.
This project marks one of CO Adaptive’s earlier commercial adaptive reuse projects and serves as an exciting example of discovery during restoration. The range of healthy materials and high-performance improvements in a commercial space was a good test and jumping-off point for other larger scale projects in our practice.
Architecture: CO Adaptive
MEP Engineering: ABS Engineering
Structural Engineering: ADOF Structural Engineers
Furniture: Office Furniture Heaven
Location: Long Island, NY
Type: Commercial
Values: Creative Reuse
Finished Photographs: Peter Dressel