John P. Senisi, AIA, APA, LEED ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL

Professional Experience

Mr. Senisi is one of the founding Principals of Synthesis. He is very active in the firms growing education commissions, and has an excellent relationship with the Board of Education and Administrative personnel at the Schenectady City School District. He assisted the District Superintendent in supervision of the new Charter School that was put into a District-owned vacant building, acting as adviser and code consultant to assure the District that the renovations proposed by the private Charter School did not compromise life safety or the building structure.

Mr. Senisi was intimately involved with 2 major capital projects in Schenectady, a 2004 $30.5 million capital project and a 2007 $48.2 million capital project, which leverages the districts $7.5 million EXCEL allocation.

Mr. Senisi was the designer and principal-in-charge of the award winning Regional Headquarters for the NYS Department of Transportation office building in downtown Schenectady which received the US Green Building Council LEED Certified Silver level “Green Building” designation. This building contributes to the growing number of US buildings that set new standards in energy and resource efficiency.

Mr. Senisi has been involved in many of the firm’s urban revitalization efforts, notably the Downtown Schenectady Master Plan and the Transportation Improvement Program for State Street Streetscape, a $14 million plan to introduce parking on the Main Street and to bring about a pedestrian friendly atmosphere to the Main Street.

Mr. Senisi has detailed knowledge of estimating and cost control required for large scale municipal and public buildings, along with expertise in building codes, life safety, and technical standards. He also has detailed knowledge and interest in energy conservation and environmentally sound design.

Professional Status

• Principal, Synthesis • 1989 – Present
• Registered Architect • State of New York
• LEED Accredited Professional • 2005 – Present
• Member • American Institute of Architects • Eastern New York
• Member • American Planning Association
• President • Downtown Schenectady Special Assessment District (BID) • 1997 – 2003
• Chairman • Schenectady 2000 Motif Committee • 1995 – 2000
• Chair • Schenectady Historic District Commission • 1992 – 1996

Awards and Publications

• 2005 Design Cost Data Featured Project November-December issue • New York State Department of Transportation Office Building, Schenectady, New York
• 2004 Capital District Masonry Institute John J. McManus • Memorial Mark of Excellence Award • NYS Department of Transportation Office Building
• 2003 Award for Outstanding Appearance from The Chamber of Schenectady County • NYS Department of Transportation Office Building
• 2003 USGBC LEED Certified Silver level “Green Building” • NYS Department of Transportation Office Building • Schenectady, New York
• 2000 AIA Eastern New York Architectural Design Honor Award • Schenectady Western Gateway Transportation Center Intermodal Center
• 2000 AIA Eastern New York Architectural Design Merit Award • Park 4 Play • Schenectady Central Park
• 1997 Small Business Person of the Year • Schenectady Chamber of Commerce
• 1996 Small Home Competition • Winning Design • Small House Designs • Elegant Architect-Designed Homes • 34 Award Winning Plans 1250 Square Feet or Less
• 1994 AIA Eastern New York Architectural Design Honor Award • Central Park Pavilion • Schenectady, New York
• 1992 AIA Eastern New York Architectural Design Honor Award • Michelson Real Estate • Albany, New York

Education

• Virginia Polytechnic Institute • Blacksburg, Virginia • Bachelor of Architecture
• Utica College of Syracuse University • Syracuse, New York • Bachelor of Arts, English • Magna Cum Laude
• Oxford University • Oxford, England • Shakespeare Tutorials

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Professional Experience

Mr. Szemansco is one of the founding Principals of Synthesis. He has been instrumental in the firm’s growing regional presence throughout the Northeast. He is Principal-in-Charge for numerous architectural projects within the firm, including urban, historic, corporate, commercial, medical, and civic projects. Mr. Szemansco is known for his attention to detail, and his excellence in interior architecture and design. As one of the founding principals, Mr. Szemansco oversees much of the design and production in the firm, from overall architectural planning to maximizing creative design within a project budget.

Mr. Szemansco is currently the Principal-in-Charge for a new Capital District YMCA facility to be built in Schenectady, New York and the Union College Music Building renovation. For the Schenectady YMCA, he is overseeing architectural and interior design services for the two-story, 60,000 square foot building, which will be a state-of-the-art facility, incorporating the latest trends in fitness center design. The Union College Music Building includes the construction of a new 120-seat multi-purpose hall for lectures and recitals. The addition’s shape and materials are designed to maximize acoustic performance.

Within Synthesis, he has also been actively involved in the firm’s urban planning projects. He has facilitated numerous public meetings for design guidelines, and has been Project Manager for urban planning and design guidelines projects. He is active and interested in the revitalization of small towns and the adaptive reuse of historic buildings.

Recent projects that Mr. Szemansco has managed include design guidelines for Upper Union Street, an Adirondack-style $7 million private residential estate comprised of five buildings on Lake George, renovations to Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid, a 10,000-square-foot addition and renovation to St. Clare’s Hospital in Schenectady, New York, and a 50,000-square-foot Mercedes-Benz facility in Hartford, Connecticut.

Professional Status

• Principal Synthesis • 1989 – Present
• Registered Architect • State of New York
• Registered Architect • State of New Jersey
• Registered Architect • State of Connecticut
• Registered Architect • State of Massachusetts
• Nationally Certified by NCARB
• Member • American Institute of Architects
• Adjunct Professor Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Fall 1991
• Steering Committee Member • Cooperative Living Project • Schenectady, New York • 1996 – 1998
• Commissioner • Historical District Commission • Schenectady, New York

• Adirondack Home by noted author Ralph Kylloe • Adirondack Residence • Lake George, New York
• 1996 Historic Albany Foundation Historic Preservation Award • Residence • Albany, New York
• Homestyle Magazine • Feature Article • May 1993 • Miller Residence • Saratoga, New York
• Remodeling • November 1985 • Passive Solar Residential Addition • Albany, New York
• Better Homes and Gardens • March 1987 • Passive Solar Residential Addition • Albany, New York

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Troy, New York • Bachelor of Architecture • Bachelor of Building Sciences
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Roman Studies Program • Rome, Italy

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Professional Experience

Mr. Eats joined Synthesis as Principal in 1999. He has over 35 years of experience in landscape architecture, urban design and site planning. He is currently Principal-in-Charge of Landscape Architecture and Site Planning services. In this position, he is directly involved with and responsible for overseeing site design, master planning, permit approval coordination, and environmental impact statements, as well as all aspects of construction.

Richard Eats has been Principal-in-Charge for numerous master plans throughout New York State in which he worked very closely with the communities, including the City of Rome Master Plan, Corning Master Plan, City of Auburn Urban Design Plan, Ogdensburg Waterfront Master Plan, City of Kingston Waterfront Plan, and the Port Jervis Waterfront Redevelopment Plan.

He has been involved in many New York Capital District urban revitalization efforts, in which he balances economic development with improvement to quality of life. He was responsible for South Troy Working Waterfront Study, the redesign of the Lark Street Streetscape in Albany, and the Freeman’s Bridge Road Master Plan for Glenville. He is Principal-in-Charge for Master Plans for the Downtown Schenectady State Street Streetscape Improvements, “Little Italy”, a themed retail and housing district, and the Upper Union Street commercial area, as well as the design of a public/private sector streetscape project with Union College and the City of Schenectady. Currently, Mr. Eats is the Principal-in-Charge of the State Street Streetscape project, a $14 million streetscape renovation within the City of Schenectady which includes a new Center City piazza and water feature.

Mr. Eats also has an extensive design resume of parks and recreation facilities, including the Central Park ballfields in Schenectady, a scenic overlook along the Mohawk River, and a greenway along the Hudson River in Troy. Tourism projects under Mr. Eats’ charge include the Natural History of the Adirondacks in assisting HOK with permitting through the Adirondack Park Agency, the Old Saratoga on the Hudson Master Plan, and site planning for a new Hamilton County Visitor Center in the Adirondack Park. Mr. Eats has extensive experience with permitting through the Adirondack Park Agency and in the preparation of State Environmental Quality Review Act environmental impact statements.

He is experienced in managing projects of all scales and bringing together various professional disciplines for the purpose of providing the client with the level of sophistication needed to implement and secure various local, state and federal permits.

Professional Status

• Principal • Synthesis
• Registered Landscape Architect • State of New York
• Member • American Society of Landscape Architects
• Member • American Planning Association
• Nationally Certified CLARB

Awards and Publications

• 2006 Metroland Best of the Capital Region - Best Urban Oasis • Jay Street Pedestrian Area, Schenectady, New York
• 2006 Merit Award - Upstate New York American Society of Landscape Architects • Schenectady/Scotia Waterfront Market and Feasibility Study, Schenectady and Scotia, New York
• 2006 Citation Award - American Institute of Architects New York State • State Street Streetscape, Schenectady, New York
• 2005 Runner-up winner in the National 2005 “Versa-Lok” Concrete Pavers Landscape Design Contest • Lighthouse Restaurant on the Mohawk River, Glenville, New York
• 2005 Merit Award from the Upstate New York American Society of Landscape Architects • State Street Streetscape, Schenectady, New York
• 2005 Community Achievement Award/Downtown Revitalization Projects from the Upstate New York American Society of Landscape Architects • City of Auburn, New York
• 2005 New York Construction Best of 2005 Annual Awards Award of Merit Rehabilitation and Restoration • State Street Streetscape, Schenectady, New York
• 2004 Outstanding Award for a Plan from the Upstate New York American Planning Association • Port Jervis Waterfront Urban Design Plan
• 2003 Award for Outstanding Appearance from The Chamber of Schenectady County State Street Streetscape Phase II
• 2003 Merit Award • Schenectady Heritage Society • North Ferry Street Pump House • Schenectady, New York
• 2000 AIA Eastern New York Architectural Design Merit Award Schenectady • Central Park “Park 4 Play”

Education

• West Virginia University • West Virginia • Bachelor of Science • Landscape Architecture

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James E. Graham, RA, AIA

Professional Experience

Mr. Graham joined Synthesis as a Project Architect in 1997 and was named Principal in January 2003. As principal, he oversees the firm’s Education and Health Care projects. In addition, he provides code compliance review services to Synthesis’ various clients. Currently, Mr. Graham is Principal-in- Charge of the Dietary Services Expansion and medical imaging department consolidation and Emergency Room renovations at St. Clare’s Hospital in Schenectady. He recently completed the facilities modernization and program expansion study for the Schenectady City School District, overseeing the firm’s development of a $48 million EXCEL funded capital project scope.

Mr. Graham has been a Project Architect involved with many of the firm’s renovation and restoration projects. He has overseen the feasibility study, schematic design, construction documents, and construction phases of renovation projects for the City of Schenectady School District, totaling $20 million.

Mr. Graham was the Project Architect for the renovations to the Schenectady Day Nursery in Schenectady, New York which involved expansion and modernization of an existing daycare occupancy in a multi-story downtown structure.

Mr. Graham has a detailed knowledge of life safety, building codes and technical standards required for each of the above project types, and has detailed experience with the Codes and Regulations of New York State Agencies, including the Department of Health, State Education Department, Office of Mental Health, Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, and the Office of Child and Family Services.

Mr. Graham has strong working relationships with individuals in each of these regulatory and permitting agencies.

Other project experience includes the design and documentation of Time Warner Cable’s Albany Regional Headquarters and the Space and Program Master Plan of General Electric’s Global Research Center Campus. Mr. Graham is also Principal-in-Charge of the firm’s third party compliance review of the 20-story facade restoration of One Commerce Plaza, adjacent to the New York State Capitol.

Professional Status

• Principal Synthesis
• Registered Architect • State of New York
• Member • American Institute of Architects • Eastern New York

Education

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Troy, New York • Bachelor of Architecture • Bachelor of Building Sciences • Minor in Historical Archaeology

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