Selected Projects

Center for Advanced Environmental Research | Beacon, NY


Croxton Collaborative Architects was awarded the commission to design The Beacon Institute’s Center for Advanced Environmental Research (CAER) at Denning’s Point to be the seminal center for interdisciplinary research, policy-making and education relating to the protection and restoration of major freshwater, estuarine, and tidal waterways throughout the world. Charged with a specific mission to advance methodologies for the conservation of water resources, enhance water quality and support aquatic and watershed biodiversity through avant-garde sustainable strategies, the center was planned to serve as headquarters to a larger campus of research facilities that support the Institute’s mission and contributes to the River and Estuary Observatory Network (REON).

The project was designed to house a state-of-the-art, major research and development laboratory, teaching and training facilities and a global conference center. With a strong emphasis on the integrated approach to research and education, the design broke down the barriers and established transparency both literally and metaphorically.

Integral to the project is a building design that employed sustainable techniques and ‘green’ technologies to achieve minimum energy consumption and waste production using passive heating and cooling, day-lighting and constructed wetlands. The project was designed to achieve LEED Platinum certification with the US Green Building Council.

Located in the historic Hudson Valley within the Dennings Point State Park, the 34,400 sf center has the river at it’s doorstep. The former brick factory displays the most visual history to the site with it’s structures among the few significant ruins left from the areas key manufacturing industry.