State University of New York at Cobleskill, Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources

0913 Suny Cobleskill 2

State University of New York at Cobleskill, Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources

Establishing a new focal point on campus as well as fostering a sense of pride and identity for both students and faculty, the Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources consolidates previously-dispersed departments of Plant Sciences, Fisheries and Wildlife, and Agricultural Business and Animal Sciences.

0913 Suny Cobleskill 19
0913 06

Pathways weave around the building, leading to three primary entrances on two levels, creating a campus “crossroads.”

0913 03
0913 12

An open double-height space connects two floors with a café overlooking a monumental stair that links these prime public levels. To increase social interaction, computer classrooms and a lecture hall are directly adjacent to public spaces; public corridors, inside and out, are furnished with seating and study tables.

0913 15
0913 14

Along a primary public corridor are large windows into the conservatory greenhouse, the cold water fish hatcheries and meat cutting lab. This transparency, along with exhibits illustrating the current work of each department adjacent the elevator on each floor of the lab tower promote interdepartmental collaboration, mutual respect and shared identity for students and faculty alike.

0913 09
0913 10
0913 Suny Cobleskill 6
0913 01
0913 13

To express the duality of the program – the organic nature of agriculture and plant sciences and the industrial character of production and processing – the building’s materiality combines natural and industrial finishes, such as concrete flooring and corrugated steel on the exterior.

In contrast to the rural campus, the exterior highlights this juxtaposition while the wall assemblies are designed for very high thermal values, advancing the project’s sustainability goals. 

0913 04
0913 02

Details

Year
2014
Location
Cobleskill, NY
Size
100,931 GSF
Program
Classrooms, Laboratories, Conservatory Greenhouse, Conference Rooms, Offices, Lecture Hall, Computer Labs, Café
LEED Silver (pursuing)

Team

Ennead Design Team
Tomas Rossant, Don Weinreich, Anthony Guaraldo, Charles Griffith, Charmian Place, Gary Anderson, Jesica Bello, Billy Erhard, Jeffrey Geisinger, John Lowery, Lindsay McCullough, Aaron Raymond, Maria Rizzolo, Adam Sheraden, Natasha Skogerboe, Fernando Suarez, Dan Walsh, Shawn Whitehorn
Photography
Jeff Goldberg/Esto, Aislinn Weidele/Ennead Architects