Historical
How We Make Structures More Resilient in Historic Preservation Projects
At Patriquin Architects, we do a great deal of work on historic buildings, including many with historic significance to their surrounding area. In order to maximize the lifespan of these unique and interesting structures, and ensure that they are a vital part of the local historic fabric for decades to come, our first question in…
Read MoreHidden Historic Treasures: How to Find and Preserve Them
As our work has shown many times through the years, when renovating an older building there is often an opportunity to find, salvage, and restore elements of historic or architectural significance. We’ve also learned that sometimes we have to choose which part of a building’s history should be preserved, and which areas should be modified…
Read MoreNeed Excellent Thermal Performance? Try These Wall Assemblies
Thermal performance—the degree of energy transfer between a building and its surroundings—is an important consideration for every construction or renovation project. Not surprisingly, exterior wall assemblies play a major role in achieving the desired performance. At Patriquin Architects, we’re continually exploring new wall options to meet specific project conditions. Whether or not a client is…
Read MoreConsidering a Historic Renovation? Be Prepared to Pivot!
Building renovations often reveal unexpected conditions. When the structure being updated is historic and has a long history of alterations and modifications, the findings can be particularly interesting and produce unique challenges. We recommend exploratory demolition prior to starting construction. Sometimes this is not possible, other times the ‘typical’ condition that is exposed is not…
Read MoreTrinity Baptist: 6 Steps to the Optimal Design
We are proud of the exceptionally talented architects and designers on our staff. But it takes more than just talent to produce a design that fully meets a client’s needs. We’ve learned in our many years practicing architecture that the best way to achieve a successful outcome is to follow a thorough initial process for…
Read MoreMore Program Space and a Cohesive Campus for Trinity Baptist
Trinity Baptist Church in New Haven, CT, serves a diverse urban population and has a fast-growing congregation. In fact, the church has flourished to the point that at the time they reached out to us, it had outgrown the multi-purpose program spaces that supplement the main sanctuary. To address this issue, church leaders formed a…
Read MorePatriquin Architects Sees Projects Continue During the Pandemic
While the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way construction work is coordinated and executed, we have a number of projects that are continuing to make great progress. Our team, and the builders we work with, have been able to maintain our momentum in part because adapting and being nimble are second nature to architects and…
Read MoreThe General’s Residences – A New Model for Multi-Family Living
A local builder and developer approached us to develop a conceptual design for a 9-unit, market-rate multi-family housing project in nearby Madison, CT. His vision was to preserve and restore an existing historic home (the “General’s Residence“) on the property, while building 6 new detached single-family units, and two 4-car garages with apartment units above.…
Read MoreHow Your Architecture Firm Can Help with Community Engagement
In many cases, it takes more than an excellent design and quality construction for a new-build or renovation project to succeed. Sometimes success hinges on the owner’s ability to obtain funds or secure support from people who will benefit from or be affected by the project. In those instances, a project may require a community…
Read MoreRoìa Renovation: How We Highlighted Beautiful Hidden Features
One of our areas of expertise is the careful handling of historic structure rehabilitation projects. Designing spaces that have modern functionality and accessibility but also retain key features that help tell their story is no easy task. It requires research into the building’s history, exploratory demolition in many cases, and a knack for the best way…
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