Bette & Cring recently completed the rehabilitation and transformation of historic building (circa-1915) on Lake Placid’s Main Street to provide a downtown presence and “Innovation Hub”, a unique collaborative learning space for the Northwood School, an innovative private boarding school.
A main element of the project was honoring the historic character of the building while transitioning to a modern, efficient facility and preserving and restoring the façade of the building. As a former retail space, the streetside façade was mostly glass with dire need of updating for more energy efficiency.
For the storefront, modern low-maintenance materials were used to meet the demands of Lake Placid’s tough winters, but also blend seamlessly with the historic elements. Using thicker tempered glass panes that can withstand required wind loading, was chosen to replace the original 105-year old copper-framed plate glass glazing system. A medium bronze trim blends with remaining hand-formed copper flashings on the columns and above the storefront.
The signature small-panel transom glass system above – unique to just 5 buildings on Main Street – was considered for replacement, but B&C was able to painstaking clean 50+ years of grime and paint from each fluted glass panel, by hand, and re-secure the original copper framing. Natural light now contributes to the feel of the Main Floor Level during the day, and the transom glass panels are accented at night with LED uplights from inside for a natural glow.
With B&C’s attention to detail, the turn-of-the century building’s front door will welcome visitors for many years to come.
