2023 Spring Newsletter

THE LAFAYETTE AWARDED $1M IN 3RD ROUND OF BUILDINGS OF EXCELLENCE COMPETITION

C2 Design Group and The Rosenblum Group announced, The Lafayette, a collaborative project in the Capital Region, was selected as a winner in Round Three of New York State’s Buildings of Excellence Competition for the design of a clean and resilient multifamily building. This competition, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) supports Governor Kathy Hochul’s nation-leading climate goals outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act), which place New York state on a path to economy-wide carbon neutrality and mandates an 85 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“While sustainable design goals aren’t new, they’re being realized in a greater number of projects nationwide. Bringing a carbon-neutral project to downtown Schenectady is something I’m passionate about,” said C2 Design Group principal Michael Roman, RA, AIA, NCARB. “The Lafayette was designed through a collaborative process to achieve a low-emission and resilient building that is both transformative and impactful.”

NYSERDA BUILDINGS OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS CEREMONY

March31,2023

C2DesignGroupandourclient,the RosenblumGroupattendedtheBuildings ofExcellenceAwardsCeremonyheldat theAIANewYorkCenterforArchitecture inNewYorkCityonTuesday,March21, 2023.

Theawardscelebratethewinningclimatefriendlyandresilientdesignand constructionprojectsunderRoundThree. This$48+millioncompetitionshowcases clean,beautiful,andaffordablebuildings thataresettingnewstandardsforNew York’slow-carbonbuildingsofthefuture Thewinningprojectssupportthestate’s goaltoreducegreenhousegasemissions 85%by2050andadvanceGovernor Hochul’sgoaltoachievetwomillion climatefriendlyhomesby2030.

Featuredspeakersincluded:

DoreenM.Harris,PresidentandCEO, NYSERDA

JesseLazar,InterimExecutiveDirector, AIANY

IllyaAzaroff,FAIA,AIANationalBoard at-largeDirector,PastPresident,AIA NYS,foundingprincipal+LABarchitect PLLCandProfessor,NewYorkCity CollegeofTechnology(CUNY)

RosalieGenevro,ExecutiveDirector, ArchitecturalLeagueofNewYork

RoryChristian,ChairandCEO,New YorkStatePublicServiceCommission

Pictured (left to right): Michael Roman, Principal, C2 Design Group; Jonathan Rosenblum, Principal/Owner, Rosenblum Group; Rosalie Genevro, Executive Director, Architectural League of New York; Jesse Lazar, Interim Executive Director, American Institute of Architects (AIA), NY; Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority; Rory M. Christian, Chair and CEO, New York State Public Service Commission; Illya Azaroff, FAIA, Board at-large Director, AIA National; Past President, AIA New York State; Founding Principal, +LAB architect PLLC; Professor, New York City College of Technology (CUNY)

C2 ATTENDS RIBBON CUTTING FOR SUNY SCHENECTADY WELCOME CENTER

January 24, 2023

C2 attended the ribbon cutting and open house for the newly renovated Welcome Center within Elston Hall at SUNY Schenectady.

C2 is honored to have been the architect for this transformative project

Design goals centered around enhancing the Student Services Center Our team developed a fresh and welcoming design that met the college's vision to create greater access, and a one-stop student services approach that allows students to move easily between testing, advising, counseling, registration, financial aid, and admissions

The design includes a new reception desk area and an enclosed student services administration area with private offices for staff

CONTINUED RIBBON CUTTING FOR SUNY SCHENECTADY WELCOME CENTER

Two flex meeting spaces were created for staff meetings and/or private consultations with students. In addition to a large waiting area, the reception space includes self-help kiosks to process simple transactions, as well as a dedicated service area.

New and modified mechanical, electrical, data cabling, lighting, and fire protection systems were provided to support the modernized design.

Congratulations, to our friends at SUNY Schenectady and Schenectady County!

CALIFORNIA LIGHTING SHOWROOM VISIT

March 2, 2023

Earlier this month, project manager, Joe Aupperle had the opportunity to attend an inperson tour of the US Pole Lighting's exterior showroom in Palmdale, California with Quality Lighting and other members around the country.

This tour offered a first-hand look at exterior lighting prototypes for Sun Valley Lighting and US Architectural Lighting. A full day training session provided additional details about each product and their design capabilities.

STAFF ATTEND MASONRY EDUCATION DAY

February 10, 2023

At C2, we encourage staff to attend educational sessions to bolster their knowledge, design methods, and skill sets.

C2 team members, Sarah, Jeff, and Scott attended Dagostino Building Blocks, Inc.'s Masonry Education Day held at Rivers Casino. Masonry education day included sessions about pre-insulated CMU, design and detailing, and energy codes. providing attendees with continuing education credits.

Thank you to our friends at Dagostino Building Blocks for hosting this great educational seminar.

C2 VOLUNTEERS AT CITY MISSION OF SCHENECTADY

January 11, 2023

C2 team members volunteered at The City Mission of Schenectady's warehouse to pack bags as part of the Weekend Backpack Program, staving off food insecurity for elementary students in Schenectady County Staff packed 400 bags worth of food in a little over an hour

C2 commits annually to volunteer as part of our C2 Cares program to make a difference within the communities where we live, work, and play

C2 VISITS SCHALMONT CSD TO TALK ABOUT ARCHITECTURE

February 15, 2023

Architectural designers Trey Graham and Deanna Campchero, WELL AP, presented to students in Mrs. Stearn’s civil/architecture class from Schalmont Central School District. The class had completed a unit on residential architecture and was learning more about commercial architecture.

Trey and Deanna talked about the types of commercial work that C2 designs and showcased interior renovations made to a local bank They highlighted design concepts, drawings, and the importance of clear annotated details

Being back in the classroom was fun and enjoyable Getting to connect with students and observe their creativity as they worked on assignments was inspiring

We look forward to serving as judges for the final project later this year

C2 CELEBRATES EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY

March 3, 2023

C2's biggest asset is our employees To show our appreciation, team members enjoyed a happy hour at Daley's on Yates (a C2 project) in downtown Schenectady

C2 renovated the former taxi garage into a new, upscale 120seat restaurant The warehouse space has exposed brick, concrete beams and wood ceilings Functional garage doors were included to pay homage to the building’s original use The doors lead out to an open patio that feature an outside bar and covered canopy with casual seating and fire pits

Staff were also treated to a special lunch celebration catered by Cafe Calabria in Colonie.

As a final surprise, Michael gifted employees with a new, branded notebook.

Thank you for all that you do!