Farmingdale State College recently broke ground on a $9.4 million transformation of the school’s Campus Commons, as the historic building is being upgraded to an office space that will accommodate the school’s Human Resources and Procurement departments.
The renovation will reconfigure the interior of the building to support its new programmatic needs, reclad the facades and roof to enhance thermal performance and present a welcoming working environment and install new mechanical, plumbing, electric, fire protection, fire alarm and telecommunications systems throughout the building, according to FCA Architects, the firm handling the $9,390,000 renovations.
The school originally dedicated the building as the Agricultural Equipment Building, with its design reminiscent of a traditional barn. It is one of the earliest buildings built on the campus that was originally founded as an agricultural school over 100 years ago.
The building featured a gambrel roof and symmetrical fenestration. FCA said its architecture and interior design vision reimagines the Campus Commons as a modern workplace while preserving and celebrating the institution’s deep agricultural heritage.
“With the new design, we will be able to sense its historic use and meaning while having a modern, efficient workspace,” the school’s website says about the renovation project.
FCA said the project will consolidate multiple administrative departments and free up spaces elsewhere on campus for academic uses.
The school is also currently renovating several other buildings on its campus, including Sinclair, Roosevelt, Laffin and Thompson Hall, and the addition of a new computer science building.
FCA and Farmingdale State College have said the renovated Campus Commons is expected to be complete by August 2027.
