Glen Lochen / © Anthony Crisafulli
Glastonbury, CT – The Connecticut Chapter of the American Institute of Architects has presented Tyre Studio Architects of New Haven the 2014 Design Award — Honorable Mention Commercial Built Work — for the Glen Lochen Mall renovation in Glastonbury.
Originally built in 1975, the Glen Lochen Mall was once a vibrant local institution, housing first‐class restaurants, shopping, and offices. Tyre Studio Architects was hired to renovate this property and create a re‐invented identity for the site features, building exterior, and interior common spaces.
The existing main façade was comprised of a series of disparate volumes, ad‐hoc additions, leaky, inefficient glazing systems, and decayed wood siding.
Michael Tyre, principal architect for the project, developed a design “to unite the disparate volumes and faces of the existing building” with an undulating zinc armature stretching the entire length of the main façade.
Glen Lochen interior view / © Anthony Crisafulli
The exterior renovation is highlighted by a dramatic new entry. The existing signature element of the building — a triangular volume jetting out towards the street atop slender columns — was re-imagined to preserve the recognizable icon while announcing the property’s transformation with its new transparent glass curtain wall.
Inside the building, the common spaces have been renovated to replace the monotony of dark wood with light materials and clean lines. The main focus of the architect’s interior renovation is the redevelopment of the central atrium and staircase to serve as the hub for occupant interaction and informal activities.
The 66,000sf renovation has helped restore this local cultural landmark and has already proved successful in drawing occupants and visitors back. This project was an architect‐led design-build effort that was conceived, drawn, permitted, procured, constructed, and managed by a single firm of dedicated professionals committed to the synthesis of design and building.
Tara Leibenhaut‐Tyre, AIA, served as the project manager for the renovation. Other members of the project team included Edward Stanley Engineers, Silva Engineering, and Tall Construction Company.
