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Northern Westchester Hospital opened two new projects in November 2008, designed by Optimus Architecture.

Joel Seligman, President & CEO, presided over the ribbon cutting and dedications for the new Laurie Bass Sklaver Infusion Center, and a New Women's Imaging Center. Photos here depict the Infusion Center. It was thrilling to hear speakers, medical staff and invited guests exclaim that the new facilities exceeded their hopes and dreams to bring "first-class healing environments" to their Planetree certified hospital. A cancer survivor told us that she felt more like a guest than a patient, and will encourage her friends and relatives to come see what Northern Westchester Hospital is doing in healthcare when they want stress free care.

The Infusion Center is a 10,000 sf out-patient unit. An on-grade canopy entrance opens to a gracious carpeted reception area with a retail image recovery shop. An elevator connects Infusion with the Radiation Unit (also an Optimus project) below for patient and staff convenience. Pods of consult and exam rooms are provided for several physician groups. Infusion includes a 3 chair non-cancer treatment space, 2 private infusion rooms and 12 more infusion chairs, all with generous natural light . Small seating areas and nutrition counters make patients and family more comfortable. All finishes and materials were selected and detailed to create a hospitality quality.

CEO, Joel Seligman and principal architect, David Souers, AIA, ACHA, ASHE took time out in the infusion area to discuss the importance of a job well done.

The Twigs Healing Garden in the Radiation Center at Northern Westchester Hospital was dedicated in November 2008.

A detail from the NWH Women's Imaging Center shows how we used natural materials: stone, wood, marble and pendant lights to create a warm restful interior. Optimus took a former cobalt vault suite and converted it into a quiet thoroughly private women's oasis in the center of a busy and active hospital. Here women are received, change, undergo diagnostics and meet with a physician without ever seeing a male visitor or leaving the privacy of the suite. Radiology Director, David Natoli raves about the success of this facility, explaining that within weeks word got around and their patient volumes increased by 30%.

A new 23,500 sf plus full basement Greenwich Regional Medical Center is under construction designed by Optimus. The project includes a Family Practice Clinic, Physical Therapy, Specialty Physicians, Imaging suite with an MRI and CT, and an Oncology suite. The traditional building design with clapboard siding and gabled roofs is in character with buildings in the village of Greenwich. Roof top mechanical equipment is concealed by the sloped roofs.

Optimus worked with Margaretville Memorial Hospital to master plan their modernization. A small rural hospital, MMH, has an aging 1970's Cannon designed building that no longer served their current needs. A recent skilled nursing facility had been developed. Two freestanding medical buildings house physician, specialty care and administrative offices. We explored two options, a new replacement hospital and a complete gut renovation of the existing hospital. Given very tight hillside site constraints and site engineering challenges for a new hospital, we recommended renovating and expanding the existing building to bring the out building activities under one roof.

To control the project size, efficiency of operation and overall costs, we explored shared facilities and cross trained staff options. The ED and Surgery are planned to be jointly operated.

We provided investigations into all aspects of the proposed planning from state and local approvals, to abatement costs, to project phasing and alternative plans. The staff and hospital board participated in reviewing all options and making all decisions.

Board members were enthusiastic to see a new modern, efficient, understandable and patient friendly plan that would transform their hospital. Located in the Catskills, we promoted a Catskill style design for all new exterior and interior work that would emulate Mohonk and other area historic resorts when the project is further designed.

Ulster Savings Bank

Ulster Savings Bank opened three new branch banks in 2008 that Optimus designed. Our services included support and coordination for site plan approvals right through construction administration.

Photos here depict the new Red Hook branch on Route 9 south of the village, and an interior of the Woodstock branch. The first new branch to open was in Gardner where Optimus converted a two story historic house into a branch bank with a new attached drive through. The Woodstock branch occupies a portion of a larger retail building. The Red Hook branch is a model for future new freestanding buildings.

Optimus and Ulster Savings Bank worked closely with the Red Hook Planning Board to tailor the exterior building and site design to suit the character and expectations of the community.

Central Hudson Energy Group

Central Hudson, a gas and electric utility company serving the Mid-Hudson Valley, was looking for a site to consolidate its Ulster County services facilities. With a leased facility coming up for renewal, time was of the essence. Optimus was retained to help evaluate the reuse of an 18 acre former lumber and building supply facility that had been vacant for years. In one year, Optimus helped take the project through site plan approvals, planning, design and construction. CHEG moved in fall 2008. A 45,000 sf three story retail building was converted to offices and a meter shop. A 100,000 sf warehouse was converted to supply storage, truck repair bays, linemen truck bays, and offices. The balance of the site was re-constructed for new utilities, site lighting, fuel storage, paving, security fencing, storm drainage, sanitary field, and outdoor equipment storage.

Dutchess County Hilltop House

A new private house was completed in Dutchess County this fall. Sited on the top of a ridge overlooking two valleys, east and west, Optimus designed the house to take full advantage of the spectacular views from every room on every floor in this three level house.

A couple planning retirement, engaged us to design a house where they could entertain their grown children and young grandchildren, as well as, their many friends. A gourmet kitchen was essential, along with a media room, library, large open living room, a sun room, master bedroom and bath, and two guest rooms with their own bathrooms and play area. In designing the house for both fun and character, we proposed two covered porches off the guest bedrooms on the third level, one looking east and one looking west. These are special summer time outposts where the owners and their guests can relax outdoors under shelter with a view few ever see. Sunsets will be appreciated for years to come.

The house also includes an emergency generator, an elevator, geothermal heating and cooling, super-insulation, and controls to allow the owner to monitor their house from afar.

Living more than two hours away, and not familiar with builders in the area, the owner wanted an architect who could recommend builders, bid out the work and oversee the construction. The owner wanted to participate in retaining some specialty work directly, but needed an architect to help coordinate. Construction started late in 2007 with site work, and was completed early fall of 2008. Our firm provided very close supervision, providing the owner with digital photos and field reports, as well as, phone calls and email to address every detail.

We are pleased that the owner is now moved in, planning their winter holidays in their new house.