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Community Services Building

Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe – Akwesasne, NY

Adaptive Reuse

In partnership with The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, Beardsley converted a former grocery store into a two-story office building to better serve the community in a central location. The project consolidates multiple Tribal Government departments, including compliance and food distribution, Tribal court, environmental services, economic development, vocational rehabilitation, and social services. In addition, a flexible open office area allows for future expansion, while shared spaces include a reception area, locker room, and restrooms.

A Modern Renovation

What was once an expansive, dated retail space is now a modern community services building designed to serve both staff and the public. Tribal departments are grouped throughout the building to consolidate functions and to make access easier for the public. Each department was configured to accommodate a variety of needs including meeting spaces, offices, secure storage, break rooms, and reception areas. As visitors move toward the center of the building from the main entrance, the space opens into a two-story circulation area, from which each department can then be accessed. Skylights and windows were added to bring light into an otherwise dark interior.

Exterior and Landscape Architecture

In addition to a complete reconfiguration of the interior, the building’s facade was also redesigned to create new entrances and gathering areas. Entirely new exterior finishes were selected modernize and update the building. Site features include updated parking, pedestrian pathways around the building, new plantings, and outdoor courtyards for staff and visitors.

Sustainably Designed

To align with sustainability goals, energy efficiency and ‘Smart Building’ design elements were incorporated. This includes increased insulation at roof and exterior walls, energy efficient windows and doors, new daylight harvesting skylights, rooftop solar PV array, re-use of the existing ground source geothermal well field with new HVAC systems, and computerized mechanical control program.