January 2023 Newsletter from MBB Architects

New Workspace for the H.F. Guggenheim Foundation

MBB’s new offices for the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation offer bright open spaces to welcome the Foundation’s staff, and their visitors and grantees. In addition to perimeter offices and support spaces, this contemporary workspace provides a light-filled flexible conference space to hold events and talks, while featuring book-lined walls dedicated to their mission.

Columbia University Space Planning

MBB Architects has completed programming with Columbia University to envision 300,000-400,000 square feet of future space needs in support of transdisciplinary research and learning.  Our planning work included developing a strategic mix of spatial typologies and adjacencies to create a vibrant and flexible environment.  Columbia’s commitment to sustainability leadership informed our approach to planning for healthy and efficient spaces for this future academic work.

Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park Visitors Center

MBB’s new Visitor Center for the Bayard Cutting Arboretum, located on Long Island, is under construction. The $9.3 million project,  including major upgrades to the entrance and all new parking for the historic Arboretum, was announced by Governor Kathy Hochul in a press conference and featured in The Architect’s Newspaper. The Visitor Center is designed for resiliency, with photo voltaic panels on its roof, and will feature exhibits that highlight the trees and plants that make up the arboretum, and the history of the property.

Ascend Charter School Design

MBB has partnered with Ascend Public Charter Schools to design a new elementary school in Brooklyn. Serving 560 students, the design maximizes natural light through large windows and strategically located skylights. As part of MBB’s ongoing collaboration with Ascend, design work includes new interior finish standards for all schools within this thriving network, with particular focus on designing equitable spaces that support joyful learning and student and staff well-being.

University of Virginia Center for Politics

MBB Architects recently completed the concept design for the University of Virginia Center for Politics (CFP) building with a focus on enhancing student engagement. The project includes renovating and greening a historic structure and tripling the size of the CFP to facilitate the display of a political memorabilia collection, teaching, research, and civic engagement events. The building will ultimately be all-electric and meet high thermal performance standards.