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Vassar College's Kautz Admission House wins national construction and AIA awards
The renovation of Vassar College's Carol and James Kautz Admission House has garnered awards for renovation and design from leading construction and architectural organizations. Kirchoff Construction of Pleasant Valley has received the Grand Award for the Best Historic Renovation in the Nation from the National Commercial Builders Council in Houston, Texas for its contribution to the restoration of the Kautz Admission House at Vassar College. Architect Linda Yowell, a Vassar graduate from the class of 1973, has won the New York State Association of Architects Merit in Design Award for the project.
The Kautz House was formerly known as the Goodfellowship House and before that as the Maid's Clubhouse. The original arts and crafts style structure was designed by Pilcher & Tachau in 1908 and provided a meeting place for members of the Good Fellowship Club for maids and students at the college. The renovation included an 800 square foot addition, as well as extensive restoration of finishes, a new layout, infrastructure and furnishings, and alterations for handicap accessibility. The building is located behind Vassar's Main Building in a former service area, which was once considered the College's "backyard." The Kautz renovation completes the transformation of this part of campus into a central hub, with adaptive reuse of former service buildings for vital campus functions.
This design and renovation preserves the house-like quality of the building while providing for the current and future program needs of the admissions office. While Kirchhoff Construction relocated most partitions, jacked floor systems back to a level plane, plastered walls and completely updated the infrastructure, the completed renovation restores the building to its original splendor. The building now totals 5,000 square feet. A handi-cap-accessible ramp, detailed to match the rebuilt porch railing, provides access via the porch to the hand-built mahogany front doors.
"On a campus with many architectural styles, by various renowned architects, this building is the only one designed in the arts and crafts style. The building was transformed into a showplace that is a focal point of the campus. As one of the first buildings that prospective students and their parents see, it provides a warm, welcome feeling to the guests," said Richard Cox, Vassar's assistant director of facilities. "The renovation not only retained the original style, but much of the original finishes, such as terra cotta tiles over the fireplace. It was enhanced by the architect's detailing, including the 1908 Vassar College logo stenciled on the frieze in the living room. Linda Yowell's ideas were complimented by the capabilities and meticulous attention to construction by Kirchhoff Construction. It is one of the best working relationships between architect, contractor and owner that I have experienced in 20 years."
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