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NYS LOB
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International Pavilion
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GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO

NYS Department of Transportation

NYS Legislative Office Building

Hearing Rooms

Gillette House/Millington House

Visitor’s Center

FEATURED PROJECTS:New York State Department of Transportation | Schenectady, New YorkNew York State Legislative Office Building Hearing Rooms | Albany, New YorkGillette House/Millington House Visitor's Center | Schenectady, New YorkWestern Gateway Transportation Center | Schenectady, New YorkNew York State Fairgrounds International Pavilion-OGS | Syracuse, New YorkWestern Turnpike Rescue Squad Station 1 | Guilderland, New YorkADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE:Albion Correctional-OGS | Albany, New YorkBus Shelter for Capital District Transportation Authority | Troy, New YorkCentral New York Psychiatric Center | Utica, New YorkCentral Park Amphitheater | Schenectady, New YorkCentral Park Pavilion | Schenectady, New YorkDepartment of Corrections Training Academy-OGS | Albany, New YorkGreat Meadows Correctional Facility | Comstock, New YorkHamilton County Visitors Center & Town Offices | Hamilton, New YorkIthaca Housing Authority- Roofs | Ithaca, New YorkJohnstown Area Volunteer Ambulance Facilities | Johnstown, New YorkRochester Psychiatric Center Rochester, New YorkSchenectady County Courthouse | Schenectady, New YorkSchenectady Municipal Parking Garage | Schenectady, New YorkWestern Turnpike Rescue Squad Station 1 Guilderland, New YorkWestern Turnpike Rescue Squad Station 2 Guilderland, New York

Western Gateway

Transportation Center

NYS Fairgrounds

International Pavilion

Western Turnpike

Rescue Squad Station 1

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New York State

Department of Transportation

Schenectady, New York

Awards:

2005 Design Cost Data Featured Project

2003 USGBC LEED Certified “Silver” Green Building

2003 Outstanding Appearance Award Chamber of Schenectady

2004 Capital District Masonry Institute

McManus Memorial award of Excellence

Synthesis was the lead design consultant for the construction of the new $20 million Regional Headquarters for the New York State Department of Transportation in downtown Schenectady. Synthesis worked with the New York State Office of General Services (OGS) team leaders and Turner Construction Company to develop a state-of-the-art “green” design solution that is also an important part of the city fabric. Brick and cast stone in traditional punched-opening arrangements reflect the City’s turn-of-the-century’s Mercantile style of design. The design of the base reflects the first floor retail architecture prevalent in the downtown, significant transparency, large glass openings, steel lintels above glass, and lighting above the storefront bays.The 125,000 square feet, four-story office building is a U.S. Green Building Council L.E.E.D. Certified Silver level “Green Building,” only one point shy of the “Gold” level. The design cuts utility and water usage, improves indoor air quality, uses locally produced construction materials, and contributes to an environmentally-friendly construction effort set forth by the United States.
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New York State Legislative Office Building Hearing Rooms

Albany, New York

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NYS Office of General Services contracted with us to provide design services for the NYS Legislative Hearing Rooms that are shared by the New York State Senate and Assembly. The hearing rooms are located in the Legislative Office Building (LOB) at the north end of the Empire State Plaza in Albany. There are three separate Hearing Rooms accommodating a total of eleven hundred seats. Overall budget for the project was approximately $4 million.The Hearing Rooms have had only minor renewal since their original construction in the late 1960’s and were in need of major interior renovations. One focus of the renovation was modernization of the obsolete audio/visual systems and installation of new lighting and video equipment to respond to the need to broadcast the Hearing Room proceedings. Other focuses included improved acoustics and renewal of finishes. Synthesis incorporated all the design criteria into a unified design of the space. The required equipment and technology was incorporated into the room finishes. Cameras, speakers, and projectors were concealed in built-in consoles and trim so that they are virtually invisible. A new indirect house lighting system was installed creating pleasant ambient lighting and enhancing the original architecture of the space. The overall design has a “contemporary” aesthetic which coordinates with, and complements the classic modern design of the Legislative Office Building and the Empire State Plaza.

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Gillette House/Millington House Visitor’s Center

Schenectady, New York

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Synthesis was commissioned by Schenectady County to assist with the preservation of the Gillette House, through funding from a State grant. A stipulation of that grant required the project to be reviewed and approved by the NYS Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and required adherence to SHPO guidelines. The restoration project entailed creating construction drawings for repair to the historic trim, windows, siding, porch, masonry and brick wall infill, and stabilization of the building to make an appropriate and attractive entry to the historic Stockade District. Historic trim and details were documented to allow for fabrication of replacement details of missing and highly damaged elements. Project also required the design of a new historically compatible porch to provide ADA accessibility, and to provide specifications (which entailed research) for the historical paint colors to enhance Stockade entrance. Subsequent to the restoration and stabilization of the Gillette House, Synthesis was commissioned by the Chamber of Schenectady County to study the feasibility of utilizing the Gillette House in conjunction with the adjacent Millington House, connected by a new wing at the rear of the two buildings. This new wing would house the Welcome Center functions as shown in the plan at right. Plans also included renovation of the Gillette House for a Mohawk Valley Heritage visitor’s center, alterations to the Millington House for Chamber offices and the sympathetic addition mentioned above that accommodates visitor reception and conference facilities. The proposed complex is entered via an ADA compliant walk set in a “pocket-park” in keeping with the neighborhood garden and green space fabric.
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Western Gateway Transportation Center

Schenectady, New York

Award:

2000 The Eastern New York Chapter of The American Institute of Architects Design Honor Award

Synthesis was asked by the City of Schenectady to become part of the design team led by the transportation expert, Edwards and Kelcey. Our role was to create the visions for the redevelopment of the site of the Schenectady Amtrak train station. The project goal was to recreate the characteristics and functions of the former historic train station, add the intermodal functions of the relocated bus station, increase the tax base with a mixed-use office and retail building, and, in doing so, revitalize and enrich the downtown. The plan included a 4story office building with first floor retail along two major streets and a main transportation building to replace the existing 1960’s era train station. The site would include a bus terminal and associated travel offices, a European-style marketplace, and cell phone-clock tower. The new train station design reflects the BeauxArts forms of the longdemolished historic station. A new connecting marketplace, reminiscent of the wroughtiron and glass train shelters of Europe, is an airy public connector from State Street to the station and to a proposed transportation museum on the other side of the tracks.

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The Pepsi International Pavilion

New York State Fairgrounds (OGS)

Syracuse, New York

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Synthesis, working with the NYS Office of General Services under a term contract, provided design for a wine bar and beer pub located within the International Building at the NYS Fairgrounds Expo Center. The project required a fast-track approach to design and construction between Synthesis and the fair staff (who were also the constructors of the project).The wine bar and separate beer pub were designed with a unique and easily identifiable international theme which was carried throughout the building. The design accounted for a need to serve a high volume of patrons and included seating at the bar, seating at adjacent tables and chairs and adequate back bar amenities (ice machine, refrigerators, storage, sinks). With a graphic design consultant, architectural backdrops depicting international places and children was conceived. The backdrops enlivened the space interior of the International Building plus add color and reinforce the name of the destination. Signage and signage design standards was also provided for the exterior of the Expo Center. Awnings, banners, graphics and signage helped to create a unified theme around the 23 food vendors and standardized the appearance of each of the vendor areas.
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Western Turnpike Rescue Squad Station 1 Guilderland, New York

Synthesis designed this 12,000 square foot ambulance facility and site plan to accommodate more personnel, provide easy access, and minimize emergency response times. The brick and stucco exterior insulation system was used to reduce maintenance and enhance the streetscape along the highly traveled Route 20 with an attractive facade. The facility houses eight emergency vehicles, sleeping quarters for twelve volunteers, and public meeting rooms.

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Schenectady, New York 518 370-1576Synthesis, a limited liability partnership ©SynthesisLLP.comSYNTHESIS MASTERARCH PORT MATRIXARCH-AUTO-MAINARCH-EDU-MAINARCH-COMM-OFFICE-ENT-MAINARCH-HISTORICARCH-RESIDENTIALLA PORT MATRIXLA-STREETSCAPE-PORTFOLIOLA-EDUCATIONALLA-MPLAN-UDES-MAINLA-PARKS-RECREATION-MAINSAFEdesignREALvisioningCONTACTABOUTNEWS