SUNY Cobleskill Mackey Maintenance Complex

Cobleskill, NY

Two years ago, the Mackey Maintenance Facility stood out on the modern, 902-acre campus of SUNY Cobleskill, which is set in the rolling hills of Schoharie County, but for all the wrong reasons. Marked by a “Pizza Hut” roofline, the nondescript building had undergone no improvements since it was built in 1967.

A $6.7 million renovation project set out to elevate the presence and function of the outdated facility for the team that keeps the campus functioning and looking beautiful and to ensure the building better reflected the modern aesthetic of the rest of the campus. This project had three important goals: 1) stabilize the building envelope, 2) replace aging mechanical systems, and 3) improve the layout and function of the complex.

These goals were achieved with a focus on sustainability that started with the decision to reconstruct the existing building, conserving its embodied energy, rather than demolish it and build a new one. The renovation was designed to meet LEED Silver and ASHRAE standards, incorporating a continuously insulated exterior envelope.

The exterior was reskinned in a palette that harmonizes with the campus aesthetic, punctuated with Cobleskill orange. The awkward roofline was redefined. The original tongue-and-groove roof planks were carefully salvaged and reused to infill the shop ceilings.

Today, the primary entrance to the Mackey Facilities Complex is easily located and features a vestibule designed to establish a welcoming entry to the building. The new main entrance is marked by a distinctive lighted metal feature, which is echoed at each shop entrance, defining the facility’s multiple functions. Inside, a new layout provides defined spaces for both maintenance and administrative functions. Large windows throughout the building infuse the spaces with natural daylight and provide similar views.

The project received a 2023 Excelsior Award from the NYS AIA.