AKF provided comprehensive MEP / FP engineering and technology design services for the restoration and renovation of the Park Avenue Armory. The property is a National Historic Landmark, a New York City Landmark, and in 2000 was listed as one of the 100 Most Endangered Historic Sites in the World by the World Monuments Fund. The Armory was built in 1880 by New York State’s prestigious
Seventh Regiment of the National Guard, the first volunteer militia to respond to President Lincoln’s 1861 call for troops.
The Armory offers a stunning, large scale exhibition and performing arts space and fills a crucial niche in New York’s cultural landscape. The 200’ by 300’ by 80’ Drill Hall is a state-of-the-art flexible venue for visual and performing arts. The design of the Drill Hall combined the restoration of key elements of the Hall with a modern cutting edge aesthetic that complements the planned programming.
AKF designed two new chiller plants for the Armory, one serving the Drill Hall and one for the Administration “Head House” Building. AKF was responsible for the design of the Drill Hall and Head House ventilation and air conditioning, and two high-pressure steam PRV stations that utilize Con Edison steam for mechanical preheating, perimeter heating, and domestic hot water.
AKF’s Low Voltage team designed the telecommunications’ structured cabling infrastructure, electronic security, and mobile AV systems. A diverse layout of copper, fiber optic and coaxial cabling was designed to blend into the historic architecture without damaging aesthetics. Electronic security systems incorporate existing end-user devices to meet budgetary constraints while also incorporating new devices as needed. AV systems were developed to be sensitive to the historical nature of the Armory while providing maximum flexibility to the user and audience.
In addition, AKF completed the Master Plan for MEP/FP upgrades for the entire facility for heating and cooling to serve as a road map for future construction phases. AKF complied with strict architectural and acoustic requirements to complete renovation to two historic company rooms and the Board of Officers Room. AKF also provided Commissioning and Lighting Design services for the
historic restoration project. For their work on the Board of Officers Room, AKF received two awards: the Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award, and the Renaissance Award from Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Directors.
Technical Statistics
