Tarrytown, New York, USA
FXCollaborative has been commissioned by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) to readapt a century-old Orangerie into a vibrant multi-disciplinary arts facility, a laboratory for creative production, and a model for sustainable transformation.
The David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center aligns with the Rockefeller Brothers Fund’s (RBF’s) commitment to a more just and sustainable world, and LEED v4 BD+C Platinum and LEED Zero – Net Zero Energy certifications are anticipated for the project.
For its sustainable design, the David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center has recently been awarded a 2023 International Architecture Award and a 2023 Green Good Design Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
The transformation of the Beaux-Arts style Orangerie supports performance events, rehearsal, exhibitions, and education.
The new facility provides studio space for artists-in-residence that enhances the Center’s public programs, advances the vision of a vibrant, multi-disciplinary campus, and encourages collaboration among artists, art presenters, and art patrons.
The sustainable design for the new center was informed by the history and original use of the building, its new role as a home for people and the arts, and RBF’s deep concern for the environment.
Key aspects of the design include repurposing as much of the existing structure as possible, optimizing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, fostering new connections to the site’s natural context, and creating spaces that benefit the health and well-being of its inhabitants.
The energy performance of the building was a significant driving force of the design. The building’s exterior and interior required complete rehabilitation.
All walls, floors, and ceilings received continuous insulation and airtight detailing in addition to new finishes.
A smart vapor retarder paired with insulation on the interior side of the terracotta block wall ensures proper vapor diffusion and ongoing structural integrity of the historic masonry.
Ten large-scale arched windows with a single pane, and divided lites were carefully replicated to match the character of the historic windows.
Modifications to the original design included double glazing with simulated divided lights and improved tie-in to the surrounding vapor retarder.
Existing pyramidal skylights were resealed, and a coating was added to the double glazing to reduce solar gain.
Beneath the skylights, an operable lay light was added to increase thermal performance.
Together, these envelope enhancements increased the energy efficiency of the building while maintaining the historic character of the façade.
The space has been upgraded with energy-efficient all-electric MEP equipment including high-efficiency variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems and dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) with energy recovery.
The efficient design, achieving more than a 50% reduction compared to LEED v4 baseline, helps the project reduce the operational energy, carbon, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The new mechanical equipment has been added to a remote corner of the site and in the existing below-grade cellar, preserving the exterior proportions and allowing for under-slab air delivery that maintains the open, well-lit interior space.
An array of photovoltaic (PV) panels on the south side of the building generate more power than the building uses.
Positioned below the PV array, a rain garden captures one hundred percent of runoff from the site—it manages stormwater and supports the natural environment.
To conserve water, the rain garden was planted with native plants that do not need to be irrigated.
This not only helps to conserve resources but also enhances the appearance of the PVs by making them a natural part of the landscape.
Bird-safe glazing installed in the new entry vestibule protects the site’s avian species.
Pathways have been created around the building, the rain garden, and the PV area to allow visitors to explore and appreciate these sustainable features.
Healthy materials were used throughout the entire building, and the durability of the materials was crucial, especially near the art.
The team prioritized materials with low carbon emissions and third-party verified sustainability certifications, such as Environmental Product Declarations and Healthy Product Declarations, Declare labels, and Cradle to Cradle certifications.
Low VOC materials and FSC sustainably certified wood were used throughout. These materials were chosen to ensure occupant comfort, health, and material transparency.
Before occupancy, a successful air quality test verified the building environment was healthy.
As a retrofit, the project preserved the embodied carbon inherent in the major structure and envelope components.
Waste from demolition and construction activities was separated on-site and recyclable materials were diverted to appropriate reuse facilities.
New construction limited embodied carbon through the use of mass timber (glue lam) structure in the addition, and concrete foundations and floors with very high levels of fly ash as a cement replacement (60% and 40%, respectively).
Project: David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center
Architects: FXCollaborative
Lead Architect: Sylvia Smith
Original Architect: Williams Welles Bosworth (1908)
Landscape Architects: Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, PC.
Construction Management: Yorke Construction Corporation
Owner’s Representative: Envoie Projects LLC.
Client: Rockefeller Brothers Fund
Photographers: David Sundberg/Esto
