Presbyterian House
Chautauqua Institution, New York·Additions and changes·Heated and cooled from the ground, with rooftop solar
- Where
- Chautauqua Institution, New York
- Building
- Built in 1889, the first brick structure at the Institution
- Work
- Additions and changes for accessibility and group meeting spaces
- Energy
- Heating and cooling drawn from the ground, a system that reuses waste heat, and rooftop solar panels (18 kilowatts)
An 1889 house, updated for its next century.
The Presbyterian House was built in 1889 and was the first brick structure at Chautauqua Institution. It is the Presbyterian denominational house on the grounds.
The project added on to the historic building and changed parts of it. The work added accessibility and group meeting spaces. Care was taken to keep the building’s historic look, and the design also prepares it for many more years of use.
An energy saving upgrade came with it, partly paid for by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the state’s energy agency. It includes energy efficient windows, heavily insulated walls and roof, water saving plumbing fixtures, water pumps that change speed to match demand, a system that reuses waste heat, and a heat pump that draws on the ground for heating, cooling, and hot water.
On the roof is a set of solar panels rated at 18 kilowatts, at the time the largest system in upstate New York. It provides electricity during the 10 to 12 week summer season. In the off-season it powers the heat pumps, which hold the building at 55 degrees. Structural engineering was by Siracuse Engineers of Buffalo.
The first brick building at Chautauqua Institution, built in 1889. Solar panels now help power it.
Updating an old building on the grounds?
Tell us about the building and what it has to do next. A few lines is enough to start, and you will hear back within two business days.