Contextual Design
401 West 22nd Street New York, NY
LSA’s design of additions to historic buildings and new buildings within historic districts is based on the careful documentation and analysis of the historic context. Understanding the existing context in terms of historic development, scale, building typologies, construction classification, materials, and detail is key to creating a design that is appropriate to the site. The design process identifies character-defining features of the historic building and/or district and establishes a philosophical approach which is sensitive to the context. Design and construction documents are developed to follow the intent. The process is frequently coordinated with city and state regulatory reviews involving community board review, public hearings and site mock-ups.
LSA’s representative contextual design projects include a new 16,000 square foot police facility for the New York City Harbor Police in the historic Brooklyn Army Terminal; and a multi-story apartment building in the Chelsea Historic District.
