We often work with a variety of nonprofits and charitable organizations: public schools, churches, and public libraries. Assisting these types of clients with their buildings allows us to be exposed to the wonderful services they provide their communities with and “live vicariously” through assisting these kind and compassionate caregivers.
Public schools' primary mission is to educate young people, providing them with the schools needed to tackle the world. We are always thrilled to assist in the design and construction of these spaces to accommodate the educational mission. In addition, many of our public school clients also provide a variety of services for the communities of which they are a part. In several districts, we designed auditorium additions which are now being used to provide movie night, community theater, and a space for community lectures. Additionally, we have developed fitness centers that contribute to the district’s physical education program, while being open to the public on non-school hours, and playgrounds that enhance the student’s recess, but are also available to the community during off-school hours. Education remains the most important mission for our public school clients, but these public services enhance the lifestyle of the entire community.
Our religious clients obviously provide regular services for their congregations, but they also provide many vital outreach services as well. One of our recent projects was designing and building the new Divine Mercy Church Building in Central Square. The new worship space is welcoming and comfortable, and has allowed the Parish to grow. In addition to daily and weekly worship, the Parish runs a Food Pantry and Thrift Store which provide vitally needed services to the Central Square area. We recently assisted in the redesign of both the Pantry and the Thrift Store, doubling the size of the Pantry, and providing space where people in need can shower and have their clothes cleaned.
Much like the other categories, a public library’s primary mission is to provide a variety of printed and other media for their patrons. This traditional role has changed in the last few decades. Special spaces for literacy instruction (particularly adult literacy) has become an important service provided. Specific spaces for story time have also become popular, as have study spaces with WiFi access points and charging stations. All of these new services have been incorporated into our projects. In addition, more unexpected, local services such as the fishing rod rental at Cazenovia and Morrisville Public Library; as well as the museum space at Canajoharie and Cazenovia Library all enrich the experiences of living in their respective communities. Designing facilities for all of these services is fascinating and very rewarding because we know how appreciated the services are.
We also are privileged to assist several nonprofit clients whose missions are more directly connected to community outreach services. Our dear friends at Road to Emmaus Ministry provide food for pick-up and on-site meals for those in need. They also provide dental and medical care, clothing for their patrons, as well as bathing and laundry services. We were grateful to help them create their dental facility and work on their current expansion project. The opportunity to work with the wonderful administrators and staff of these organizations is such a privilege, and truly heartwarming to be able to employ our skills to help them accomplish their work.
Teitsch-Kent-Fay Architects, P.C. is delighted to be able to assist these wonderful organizations. Since our days are often spent on design and technical detailing it is often hard to feel like we are making a positive impact on the community.However, by being able to assist these clients we have the opportunity to help them enhance the lives and experiences of their many community members. The chance to visit some of these projects, once they are completed, and observe directly the profound effect they have is extremely rewarding.
