Library Media Centers
CONTACT Tom Ritzenthaler AIA Executive Principal tritzenthaler@csarchpc.com 845.561.3179 LOCATION 19 Front Street Newburgh, NY 12250
ABOUT US A premier education design firm since 1991, CSArch provides integrated architecture, engineering, and interior design services to public schools across New York State. Driven to create exceptional, studentcentric spaces, we are recognized for designing lasting buildings that stand the test of time, maximize state building aid, and inspire learners. As a fully integrated architecture and engineering practice, we balance infrastructure and instructional needs to deliver successful and rewarding projects that inspire all users to perform at their best. FIRM RECOGNITION • 2020 Top Design Firm, ENR New York • 2019 Top 300 U.S. Architecture Firms, Architectural Record • 2019 Giants 300 Report, Top 100 Architecture and Engineering Firms, Building Design + Construction Magazine • 2018 #15 Firm on Top 150 K-12 School Architecture + AE Firms Building Design + Construction Magazine • 2017 Top 50 Firm in Business, Architect Magazine • 2018 Circle of Excellence, PSMJ
Consistently ranked among the top architecture and engineering firms in New York State, CSArch focuses on building relationships through a collaborative design process. Over 28 years later, we continue to work with our very first public school client, a testament to our value for long-term relationships.
93 PERCENT
85%
SUCCESS RATE PASSING PROJECT VOTES THE FIRST TIME
YEARS IN BUSINESS
60
28
TOP 50 FIRMS IN BUSINESS
AVERAGE ANNUAL WORKLOAD DEDICATED TO K-12
EMPLOYEES
135
K-12 ARCHITECTURE FIRM NATIONWIDE
#15
The firm begins offering construction management services to educational clients in the Capital Region who prefer sole-source responsibility for design and CM
NUMBER OF NYS PUBLIC SCHOOL CLIENTS
Collins + Scoville Architects rebrands as CSArch
CSArch is awarded a Best Place to Work by the Albany Business Review three years in a row
FIRM HISTORY 1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
Founding principals Randolph Collins and Paul Scoville establish Collins + Scoville Architects in Albany, NY as a full-service educational architecture and planning firm
1997
1998
1999 2000
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Collins + Scoville opens an office in Newburgh, NY.
2010
2011
2012
The firm begins providing in-house MEP engineering
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
CSArch celebrates its 25 year anniversary
2020
As architects and engineers, our work leaves a long-lasting impact. Through integrating disciplines, we deliver thoughtful, well-crafted solutions impacting student and educator engagement.
ARCHITECTURE // ENGINEERING We bring together creative and technical design professionals who share a single commitment to the success of each project.
We apply our multi-discipline engineering expertise to create spaces uniquely integrated with the architecture and surrounding environment.
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Architectural Design Interior Design Master Planning Building Condition Surveys Feasibility Studies Programming and Concept Design Security Assessments Post-Occupancy Evaluation
Mechanical, Plumbing Engineering Electrical Engineering Lighting Design Fire Protection and Life Safety Engineering Telecommunications and Technology Engineering Sustainability and Resiliency Consulting Security Planning and Consulting Energy Performance Contracting
FIRM LEADERSHIP
DANIEL WOODSIDE AIA, LEED AP
RICHARD PECKHAM AIA
THOMAS RITZENTHALER AIA
As Executive Principal, Dan brings nearly 30 years of experience in the design and management of education facilities, corporate, and community projects. He is responsible for facilitating the project scope, conceptual planning, design and quality control. Recognized for his strong leadership and communication skills, Dan contributes to both project and business excellence. Dan has leadership responsibilities in business operations, strategic planning, marketing, and human resources.
Rich’s experience includes overseeing quality control, code reviews, design, construction documentation, specifications, cost estimating, and construction administration. Rich has fostered a relationship with many colleagues at the State Education Department and has deep knowledge of their standards. Rich helps our clients maximize state building aid, and works closely with financial advisors prior to the public vote to determine the maximum cost allowance and projected building aid for each facility.
Tom has over 27 years of experience in the design and project management of educational facilities. Having served with two NYS public school districts as Director of Facilities and Transportation and as an Associate Architect, Tom has first-hand experience of the challenges and issues facing public facilities in the maintenance, operations and expansion of physical plants. His work in private practice, paired with positions as architect in major NY educational systems, gives experience on both sides of design and construction projects.
[CSArch] brings to the table a level of professionalism, humanity, and practical wisdom that my Board of Education and I connected with from the very start.”
-DR. IVAN KATZ, FALLSBURG CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
// Library Media Centers
Queensbury UFSD QUEENSBURY, NY LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER
From 2013 to 2015, Queensbury Union Free School District underwent an extensive, multistep educational planning process. The two-year planning process included Community Education Summits made up of parents, students, community, and industry leaders, school board members, administrators, employees, retirees and non-parent residents. This planning process was informed by a 10-year demographic study that was completed in March 2013 and updated in August 2015. The planning resulted in a creation of a Library Media Center and Community Room The existing gymnasium was renovated into a modern library media center to take advantage of double height space and relocate the space closer to the main entrance of the building. The spacious library features flexible furniture and open spaces for group collaboration and individual study.
ARTS CLASSROOM
LIBRARY ZONES Though the library has evolved into a technology savvy, media-focused learning and lounging space. Zones are still appropriate to support multiple functions, including; circulation, help desk, book stacks, class space, group zones, individual/heads-down study space, computers, project based space, lounge and break-out rooms.
Group zones
Lounge
LIBRARY SUPPORT SPACE Access to the library is critically important as it is often the heart of the school. Queensbury’s library location within the school and adjacent spaces can encourage and increase student use.
QUEENSBURY COMMUNITY ROOM
QUEENSBURY COMMUNITY ROOM The community room at Queensbury High School provides a large gathering space for meetings and special events. Featuring an arched ceiling and large windows, the room is open and transparent. Large video screens and flexible furniture provide a comfortable atmosphere for any large event at the district.
South Glens Falls CSD SOUTH GLENS FALLS, NY ELEMENTARY LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER
South Glens Falls CSD completed the expansion and renovation of its library media centers at Ballard and Tanglewood Elementary School in August 2019. The existing libraries were undersized, outdated, dark, and uninviting for students. A large portion of the existing space was used as a computer lab, which was no longer required due to the district’s 1:1 student tablet plan. Upon completion, the library media centers created an open, centralized, functional, and inspirational space that encourages students to visit the library and improves staff visibility throughout the space. The libraries provide a more appropriate teaching environment with improved lighting, controls, and technology, utilizing multiple points of presentation. A makerspace is also attached to inspire non-traditional learning and interaction. Open for community use and access, the new space offers a stronger connection to the building lobbies for after hours use. The library expansion project is part of a larger district-wide additions and renovations capital project to advance and improve instructional programming, health, safety, ADA compliance, security measures, energy efficiencies, and technology infrastructure at its facilities.
INNOVATION LAB
INNOVATION LAB An innovation lab is located directly adjacent to the Library Media Center. The space offers a separate group learning and collaboration space for hands on learning. The space offers comfortable seating and tables as well as ample storage space for learning materials.
Coxsackie-Athens CSD COXSACKIE, NY LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER
Coxsackie-Athens Central School District’s $15.6 million capital project modernized the school’s facilities to create 21st century learning environments for students. Renovated spaces were needed to more closely match the district’s STEAM instructional programming goals by addressing new student needs, catering to various learning styles, and combining social and educational experiences. At the center of the campus, an existing building was reconstructed and expanded to house a new high school library/media center. Today’s students seek flexibility in space design and gravitate towards space that best suits their immediate study needs. The library is an evolution into a more social, diverse learning area where 21st century learning activities take place. The library/media center is the “living room” of their school, offering comfortable spaces where students can relax, study, or socialize. A large glass exterior wall features perforated screening and solar shades for light control. In addition to building system upgrades, the scope included infrastructure upgrades at both campuses. Phone, P.A., Fire Alarm and Data services were upgraded. Extensive sitework reconfiguration for traffic control, as well as a new running track and field were completed as part of Phase 1 of this project.
AWARDS Merit Award, American Institute of Architects Eastern NY Chapter
MAKERSPACE
LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER
LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER The CASH (Coxsackie-Athens Student Help) Desk located at the center of the library offers tech support and group study for school-issued mobile tablets. A 3D printer located in the library promotes real-world, hands-on learning. Coxsackie-Athen’s new library provides ample space with areas for both individual and collaborative study. Soft, flexible seating, and plenty of power outlets support varied learning modalities in the library. Mobile furniture, whiteboards, and bookcases can be easily reconfigured to accommodate a variety of events and meeting sizes. Makerspaces encourage hands-on creativity and problem solving. Students gather in this space to engage in experiential projects that inspire their natural curiosity and ability to solve problems. Media tables and various table groupings create small group work areas for collaboration on STEAM education projects.
Large Group Meeting Arrangement with Spectators
Large Group Seated at Tables (Study Hall, Testing)
Large Tables Folded for Large Area of 80 Chairs
Folded Tables, Relocated Furniture for Open Floor Area
North Colonie CSD LATHAM, NY LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER
North Colonie is undergoing a $106 million capital project that will create new and flexible learning spaces for hands-on, project-based learning in STEAM. Additional classroom spaces will address continued enrollment growth and security upgrades will strengthen safety at each school. Studies concluded that the district’s enrollment will increase by more than 900 students over the next decade. Additions and renovations at the elementary schools and the conversion of Shaker Junior High School into a 6-8 middle school will accommodate the increase. To accommodate new growth, CSArch provided a gut renovation of the existing library media center at Shaker Middle School. The renovation added substantial shelving space, flexible furniture and comfortable seating, as well as much-needed ceiling and carpet replacements.
LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER INTERIOR
MAKERSPACE
LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER
Albany City School District LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER
ALBANY,, NY
The City School District of Albany faces a criticial need to raise achievement for all students and significantly increase graduation rates. Its high school is in an aging facility on a campus that does not incorporate critical academic programs such as career and technical education, or outdoor facilities for most varsity athletic teams. Driving the project is a mission to improve the student experience, offer new opportunities for learning and engagement, and address the ever-evolving needs of 21st century education. The redesign encompasses renovations to approximately 300,400 sf of existing space and nearly 242,600 sf of new construction to support a projected enrollment increase of 3,000 students. A new Library Media Center is a significant phase 3 project within the capital project. The new Library will have move beyond being primarily “information repositories” by hosting a variety of learning spaces, from small group work rooms, to large common rooms. These spaces support multiple technologies, from traditional print, to internet connections and collaborative audio-visual capabilities. Printed books still play a critical role in supporting learners, but digital technologies offer additional pathways to learning and content acquisition.
MAIN FLOOR The new Library Media Center at Albany High School will provide a welcoming common space that encourages exploration, creation, and collaboration between students, teachers, and a broader community. They bring together the best of the physical and digital to create learning hubs in different areas of the library.
Computer lab Open computer area Circulation Quiet lounge area
Work areas
Stacks Lounge area
Small breakout group rooms Flexible presentation area
COMMUNITY USE The Library can be accessed through the school and from a separate, exterior entrance lobby allowing for the space to be used outside of standard school hours and limiting access to the larger school. Designed for community use, the flexible presentation area supports multiple meeting formats including; lectures, board meetings, PTO and student group meetings.
Common work area
Greater Johnstown CSD JOHNSTOWN, NY LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER
At the Johnstown High School, the science wing, media center, art, and technology rooms were renovated to more adequately accommodate students and programs. Renovations at the junior high school improved space for music, art, science, technology, and home economics. Improvements were made to all three elementary schools, including the creation of a STEM-based learning lab and the construction of an addition to create space for a cafeteria and indoor recess. The Library was renovated to provide improved space for students. A student lounge space is at the core of the library. Situated between major functional spaces including stacks, class space, small group space and the circulation desk, it provides a constant source of life in the library, while students remain aware of their presence. The Library features a seminar, classroom and computer lab. The supporting enclosed instructional space provides for seamless transitioning from the library. Folding glass walls promote transparency and visibility into the classroom. Walls can be opened up to create a bigger space for events and large group gatherings.
Folding glass walls
Book stacks
Circulation Folding glass walls
csarchpc.com
40 Beaver Street, Albany, NY 12207 // 19 Front Street, Newburgh, NY 12550