NCA Marks Anniversary

Middletown, CT – This month marks the first anniversary of the merger between Bianco Giolitto Weston Architects, LLC, of Middletown, and Newport Collaborative Architects, Inc. of Newport and Providence, R.I.  The new Northeast Collaborative Architects (NCA) is a growing vital practice with new optimism.
From court houses to museums to sustainable communities, several new historic preservation and adaptive projects distinguish NCA’s horizon list for 2012.
Landmark projects in the municipal and private sectors include the restoration and expansion of Hamden Town Hall in Hamden, Conn.;  the adaptive reuse of Beechwood Mansion designed by Calvert Vaux in the 19th century and later expanded by Richard Morris Hunt in Newport, R.I. to a 30,000sf museum and residence; and the adaptive reuse of 25,000sf 19th century hunting lodge in Lake Bluff, Ill. to a mixed-use condo conversion and athletic club. The historic building designed by Howard Van Doren Shaw will be the centerpiece of a proposed newly designed100-unit New Urbanists’ community.
NCA recently completed the restoration of a stick style residence on Bellevue Avenue in Newport, R. I. that was originally designed by Richard Morris Hunt in 1870.  The 12,000sf project features geothermal heating and cooling systems and a new carriage house based on Hunt’s original design.
The merger between NCA and BGW proved to be a viable business solution during the recession.   Managing Partner Jeffrey Dale Bianco, AIA says, “NCA’s strengths were focused in the private sector and BGW’s strengths were with state and municipal work.  Combining strengths increased the new firm’s potential to expand its client base.”
The company currently employs 25 architects, designers and planners who have designed a wide range of projects including historic preservation, educational, hospitality, commercial, civic, medical, residential, and multi-family.