Selected Projects

Iredale Mineral Cosmetics Headquarters | Great Barrington, Massachusetts



Croxton Collaborative Architects provided full architectural and interior design services for the rehabilitation and restoration of the historic 1889 Bryant School which is listed as a ‘Massachussetts Cultural Resource.’ The building is the new office headquarters and center of ‘campus’ for Iredale Mineral Cosmetics in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. The project preserves the historic context and appearance of the beloved local landmark, which still inspires annual pilgrimages from former students, and serves a central role in the revitalization of the Town’s Special Business District as part of the four-acre downtown redevelopment plan, River School, also by Croxton Collaborative Architects. From the start, we developed an approach to channel the Owner’s passion for the Berkshires and the local community while providing a 21st century exemplar of adaptive re-use and a humanistic workplace – sustainability goals going well beyond the objectives of its LEED™ Gold qualities.

By placing the "modern" elevator tower as a free-standing element, all historic facades retain their strong presence. By incorporating the unoccupied attic and basement spaces, the usable area of Bryant School was increased from 12,000 sf to 20,000 sf without expanding the building's historic perimeter walls.

The existing building is now a high performance structure with daylight in every regularly occupied space. Croxton Collaborative Architects went beyond the Town’s stormwater runoff & flooding concerns (site is located less than 400 ft from the nearby Housatonic River) with a creative and comprehensive rain garden system integrated with a new stormwater detention tank system.

Notably, the building will achieve a 46 percent energy reduction than standard construction.