GEORGE PATAKI CONFERENCE CENTER

HUDSON VALLEY HOSPITAL CENTER

Cortlandt Manor, New York

This Pataki Center was originally a carriage house accessory to a larger private home built in the 19th Century. Many years later, the property/ buildings were acquired by Hudson Valley Hospital Center.  In 2009, the existing carriage house was transformed into the 2,100sf George Pataki Conference Center for use by the Hospital’s Board of Trustees and other formal events.  The structure contains two conference rooms (725sf and 400sf) in which the larger, double volume room opens to an exterior gathering space by means of a folding glass wall. Three main principles were used in developing the design to modernize the structure yet keep the historic integrity and form.  

Enlarge: Extending the original structure both horizontally and vertically to accommodate the programmatic requirements of the larger conference center at the first floor and the smaller conference room at the second floor.

Subtract: Removing strategic areas of façade to receive new fenestration for framing views, successfully joining the interior with the exterior, and minimize the use of artificial lighting during daytime hours. The openings have a varying degree of translucency and transparency by means of insulated acrylic panels coinciding with energy efficient Low-E clear glazing. 

Contrast: Utilizing traditional materials in a contemporary application launched the old carriage house into 21st Century while not forgetting its heritage as farmhouse vernacular.  Exterior materials include a standing seam roof metal roof, cultured stone accents, white stucco over rigid insulation, and clear anodized aluminum where necessary.  The simplicity of the existing geometries is contrasted by a curved canopy at the main entry to the Conference Center.