Commercial Architecture September 2017 - 52

windows

PROJECT

Above. Thirteen historic structures on
the campus were preserved, adapted,
and reused.

Left. To achieve the desired fenestration
assembly U-factor, YKK AP America
provided framing solutions that allowed
triple glazing for the Waterbury, VT,
state office complex.

Renovation, Adaptive Reuse Anchor State Complex
Converted hospital survives flooding, preserves rich history.

hen Vermont's former Governor Peter

million, it serves as an innovative example of a successful

ment Agency, the state of Vermont, as well as private in-

Shumlin cut the ribbon to reopen the

adaptive-reuse project.

surance, a huge consideration in this project was the big

Waterbury State Office Complex in

fiscal picture," said Jesse Robbins, project architect at Free-

Dec. 2015, it was more than a run-of-the-mill ribbon-cut-

RESTORATION

man French Freeman Inc. "We wanted to ensure that we

ting ceremony. It was a symbol of perseverance for the

Over the years, the office complex had become central

could provide the best value for the state of Vermont and

community.

to the town of Waterbury's economy. More than 1,400

the taxpayer's dollar."

Originally built in 1890 as the Vermont State Asylum

employees staff the complex, a substantial amount in a

The team looked at several sites and various options

for the Insane, at its highest capacity in the 1950s, the in-

small town with a population near 5,000. Vermont state

for the Waterbury complex before making the decision to

stitution served as home to more than 1,500 patients suf-

officials quickly realized the significance of the flood and

rebuild and restore buildings on the existing site.

fering from mental disabilities, epilepsy, addiction, and

the economic impact it would have on the community.

other issues. Over the years, as treatment methods

Along with the state's Department of Building and Gen-

PRESERVATION AND THE FUTURE

changed, the hospital was gradually converted into state

eral Services, it enlisted Burlington, VT-based architec-

The core vision of the project was simple: Create an en-

offices for the Agency of Human Services and the Agency

ture, planning, and interior design firm, Freeman French

during building and healthy workplace for the Vermont

of Natural Resources.

Freeman Inc. to help lead the reconstruction project.

Agency for Human Services while preserving the rich
history of the Waterbury State Office Complex.

In August 2011, tropical storm Irene hit the Northeast

The firm's first task was to complete an exhaustive

and ravaged Vermont. The small town of Waterbury was

analysis for the site. The main priority was to build a com-

The original plan for the buildings was designed by

among the hardest hit, and the 40 buildings that made up

fortable new home for the state's largest agency, the Agen-

Boston-based architecture firm Rand & Taylor in the

the Waterbury State Office Complex flooded, some with

cy of Human Services. However, with the damage to the

1800s, known for designing hospitals as well as grand,

as much as 8 ft. of water.

buildings and the site's proximity to the Winooski River,

well-recognized hotels. In addition, the hospital had been

it wasn't a given that the existing site was the right place to

an integral part of the Waterbury community for many

construct agency offices.

years. Locals and their family members were treated there

Fast forward and the historic 100-acre campus now
represents one of the State of Vermont's largest construction projects to date. With an estimated total cost of $130
52

COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE

SEPTEMBER 2017

"With funding from the Federal Emergency Manage-

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and went on to lead fulfilling lives and contribute to soci-

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Architecture September 2017