New York City Hall, completed in 1812, is one of the oldest government buildings in continuous use in the United States. Numerous renovations and modifications over the years compromised the historic integrity of the landmark building and affected the stability of the structure, necessitating an integrated rehabilitation approach. The NYC Department of Design and Construction engaged Beyer Blinder Belle to develop the preservation design principles needed to restore its significant interiors, repair chronic structural deficiencies, replace historic copper roofing, insert new mechanical and electrical systems, and integrate improvements appropriate to the historic context. The effort unifies a series of individual building projects into a comprehensive building upgrade program that includes life safety and sustainability upgrades such as PV solar arrays and a gas-generated fuel cell. The guiding objective was to integrate critical improvements in a very inconspicuous manner, preserving City Hall’s historic fabric and spaces with as light a touch as possible.
Join the AIANY Interiors Committee for a private tour of City Hall that will cover these extensive interior renovations. The tour will be led by Richard Southwick, FAIA, Partner and Director of Preservation at Beyer Blinder Belle. All attendees are required to bring along a state issued photo ID for security purposes. Please note that all bags will be screened upon entry. Tour will meet at the security kiosk at the gate.
Speaker: Richard Southwick, FAIA, Partner and Director of Preservation, Beyer Blinder Belle
Richard Southwick, FAIA, is Partner and Director of Preservation at Beyer Blinder Belle. For over 30 years, Southwick’s commitment to the practice of architecture has been driven by the potential of finding new life for older structures and by his appreciation of the inherent qualities in historic design, materials, and craftsmanship. His ability to identify relevant uses for obsolete buildings and develop methodologies to revitalize historic structures has led him to focus on the integration of modern technology within historic structures to meet contemporary standards of life safety, environmental conditioning, security, and accessibility.
