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Profile

Bates Masi + Architects LLC, a full-service architectural firm with roots in New York City and the East End of Long Island for over 45 years, responds to each project with extensive research in related architectural fields, material, craft and environment for unique solutions as varied as the individuals or groups for whom they are designed. The focus is neither the size nor the type of project but the opportunity to enrich lives and enhance the environment. The attention to all elements of design has been a constant in the firm’s philosophy. Projects include urban and suburban residences, schools, offices, hotels, restaurants, retail and furniture in the United States, Central America and the Caribbean. The firm has received 43 design awards since 2003 and has been featured in national and international publications including The New York Times, New York Magazine, Architectural Digest, Architectural Record, Metropolitan Home, and Dwell. Residential Architect Magazine selected Bates Masi one of their 50 Architect’s We Love. A gallery exhibition in May 2010 featured the firm’s earlier work from 1960-70.

 

Paul Masi spent childhood summers in Montauk and currently resides in Amagansett. He received a Bachelor of Architecture from Catholic University and a Masters of Architecture from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University. He worked at Richard Meier & Partners before joining this firm in 1998.

Harry Bates, a resident of East Hampton, received a Bachelor of Architecture from North Carolina State University. After ten years with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, he was in private practice in New York City for 17 years before moving the firm to Southampton on the East End in 1980. Our offices are currently located in Sag Harbor with plans to relocate to a new LEED Certified office building of our own design in East Hampton.

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CDCH

Lot size: 10.4 acres

Building size: 20,000 sq. ft.

Location: Wainscott, NY

Photographer: Bates Masi Architects

Contractor: John Hummel

As with many flourishing educational institutions, CDCH began out of desperate need in the basement of its founder. In one of the most affluent communities in the country there were no developmental services for children with disabilities. Over several years she rallied the support of locals who were distressed by this problem. The Town of East Hampton leased CDCH 10 acres of land for one dollar a year. With this hurdle passed, CDCH set an immediate goal to develop a K-8 building with future plans for a Pre-school and life skills High school. The issues they faced were to quickly construct a building for the 120 students whose current lease was ending, to create an appropriate atmosphere for their unique program, and to overcome the problem of “no money”.

Our studio used the term “guerilla architecture” to understand the task at hand. The solution was to design a building using pre-engineered metal building systems in order to save labor costs, reduce construction time, and provide long spans. Most of our time was spent researching and pricing building systems and how they would interface with each other and with the students and faculty.

We worked closely with the manufacturer of the structural system for cost efficiency in volume, roof design, overhangs and

windows to yield a custom form but within prefabricated limits. It was built in Tennessee and assembled by their team at the site.

CDCH’s program changes year to year so a flexible layout is essential. The solution was a panel system of gypsum board laminated on rigid sound insulation. This kit of parts contains interchangeable panels for doors and windows and is pre-wired with electric outlets and switches. The only fixed area is the core of the building that contains the bathrooms, stairs, and mechanical spaces that will be constant throughout the many lives of the adaptable space. The walls of this core bear the names of significant donors to the school. The mechanical system was partially funded by LIPA for a geothermal heating and cooling system.

The ceilings are clear multicell polycarbonate panels in a standard suspended ceiling grid. These panels are translucent and help to diminish the vastness of the open shell while absorbing noise and mixing the artificial and natural lighting.

An integral part of the design was the use of wood and perforated metal shutters. The shutters are used as both hurricane protection, required by NYS Code, and as a bulletin board for school projects. They serve as billboards for upcoming events as well as current activities going on within the school. Students, faculty, visitors and future contributors therefore understand the ideas and teaching methods of the school at first sight. The shutters are a fund-raising tool that draw people into the CDCH community.

The structure is not just a building to accommodate educational space but is an interactive part of CDCH that will develop with the program and its children.

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