O'Brian Hall, constructed in 1970 as the Law School for the University at Buffalo, was in need of modernization to accommodate a new conference center and faculty lounge. The renovation area contained an existing conference room, kitchenette, library stacks, and a portion of an elevator lobby. The new spaces needed to maintain access to an interior courtyard roof and provide additional access to the public corridor.
Totalling 5,500 s.f., Flynn Battaglia created a conference center for the Baldy Center to conduct seminars, and for the Law School to conduct classes and executive meetings. Adjacent to the conference center is a reception area and full-scale kitchen providing ancillary space for the social aspect of their seminar experiences. A smaller seminar room connects to the reception area and kitchen to provide complimentary services. The adjacent Faculty Lounge expanded onto the courtyard roof to provide much needed interior space and allow natural light to permeate the rooms. Three support offices for scholars, graduate students, and the Law & Policy office were also completed. The rooms were finished in a variety of materials: wood floors, ceramic tile wall and floors, stone tile inlay, resin ceiling clouds, and custom designed wood paneling, wood windows and wood doors.
Client: State University of New York at Buffalo
Location: Buffalo, NY
Completion Date: 2008
