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CLIENT:
Barry, Bette & Led Duke, Inc. OWNER: LOCATION: |
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| Keystone Architectural Services was approached by Barry, Bette & Led Duke to review the natatorium addition proposed by another architect, and estimated to cost $8 million. After field investigations and redesign, Keystone presented a design which was ultimately constructed for less than one third of the original architect's estimated cost. On one side, the natatorium is connected to the original school, which was built in 1929, and is considered historically valuable. To minimize disruption to the original building fabric, a window opening was converted to the entrance of the connector. Because the connector had to allow firefighting equipment access to the rear of the original building, Keystone Architectural designed a covered pedestrian bridge rather than an at-grade passageway. On the other side, at a different elevation, the natatorium is connected to the physical education building. Both entrances provided much-needed handicapped access to the school complex. The 24,000-square-foot natatorium has masonry bearing walls supported by structural steel, with a brick, marble and glass veneer, to complement the original building without imitating it. Keystone Architectural's design of the pool area incorporates space for the bleachers to retract, maximizing uses to which the pool can be put. Thus, the pool is regularly rented to public and private sports groups, giving the school an additional source of income. Keystone Architectural continues to provide architectural services to the Albany Academy, and has completed several other major renovation projects for the school.
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