Mackey Maintenance Complex Renovations
Challenge
The Mackey Facilities Complex is home to the team responsible for maintaining SUNY Cobleskill’s 902-acre campus, yet the building itself no longer reflected the importance of their work. Constructed in 1967, the outdated facility suffered from aging systems, an inefficient layout, and a deteriorating building envelope. Rather than replace the building, the college sought a sustainable solution that would modernize the complex, improve operations, and create a workplace that recognized the essential role of its facilities staff.
Results
Reconstructing the existing facility transformed an aging maintenance building into a welcoming, energy-efficient workplace while preserving campus resources. A reorganized interior provides dedicated maintenance and administrative spaces, meeting rooms, training areas, and employee amenities that better support daily operations. Large windows bring natural daylight into workspaces and frame views of the surrounding hills, while a deep energy retrofit significantly improved the building’s long-term performance. The redesigned exterior establishes a stronger campus presence with a welcoming entrance, improved circulation, and materials that reflect SUNY Cobleskill’s identity. More than a facilities renovation, the project demonstrates SUNY Cobleskill’s commitment to the people who keep the campus running—creating a workplace that reflects the pride, professionalism, and essential contributions of its facilities team.
This project that began as a modest work order under a State University Construction Fund term agreement, ended up winning an Excelsior Award from the NYS AIA.