Client:	St. Luke AME Church
Team:	Lee + Associates Architects pllc
	Blue Sky Structural
	DNV Mechanical Engineers
Budget:	$5 million
Completion:	Estimated 2011

Description:    The Church enlisted our team for full architectural and landscape design. L+aa also spearheaded the historic preservation efforts to secure National Registry listing and performed all LEED related management and submittals. The project called for rehabilitation and adaptive re-use of the historic Storefront Church and building including an ADA upgrade. The new program was inclusive of gallery and medical space on the public floors with high-end residential on the upper floors. A new eco elevator and natural habitat garden were an integral part of the program. The project’s goal is LEED Silver Certification.

Natural Habitat Garden:

The garden is a centerpiece to the sustainable ideas of the project. Because it is accessible from every floor, it is to be used as a community space. Though limited in square footage, the garden will be used year round as a meditative haven and walking space. The L+aa team researched and selected only plantings native to New York State and of this region. The plantings were selected with the intention that there would be color, whether from blooms or stems and leaves, all year round. The garden will be watered with collected rainwater and maintained by a local horticulturalist.