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Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES Conference Center and Educational Facility

Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES – Newark, NY

Conference Center Design

Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES identified the need for its 25 component school Districts to conduct meetings, seminars, and in-service training sessions at a hospitality grade conference center that would be centrally located to the Districts. A feasibility study determined that the Fillmore, York, and Arcadia buildings could be renovated to accommodate 730 people in conference/meeting spaces of various sizes. Additionally, the study identified the opportunity for a commercial grade kitchen to serve events and provide a capstone work experience for students in the WFLBOCES Culinary Arts program.

Contemporary Learning and Meeting Spaces

While the buildings were initially constructed in the 1930s, the design team wanted to create a contemporary environment for students and staff. The goal was for the spaces to have a hospitality feel rather than a school-like environment. The design team proposed creating break-out spaces for small gatherings outside of the conference areas, as well as outdoor gathering spaces.

Addressing Design Challenges

The renovations presented both opportunities and challenges for re-purposing the buildings. Notably, Arcadia, York, and Fillmore are located on a sloped site, resulting in differing floor levels across the buildings. To connect the buildings, an internal stair was added to address the differing floor levels. Additionally, this stair provides a second means of egress and a passage from the kitchen to the conference rooms, allowing food service to be easily transported.

Increasing Efficiency

The sloped site presented challenges for underground utilities—mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems—especially in coordination with a new ground source heat pump system installed to provide heating and cooling for the facility. The system was not only selected for energy and operational efficiencies, the building’s interior spaces and ceiling heights were minimally impacted. Of paramount importance for meeting room and instructional spaces, good acoustic quality and sound attenuation was achieved.

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