The partnership of Mesick • Cohen • Wilson • Baker • Architects, LLP, located in downtown Albany, New York brings together the expertise of John I Mesick and James A. Cohen with former associates Laurence F. Wilson and M. Jeffrey Baker. For over thirty years, Mr. Mesick and Mr. Cohen have been associated in the completion of hundreds of projects involving the restoration or renovation of historic structures, adaptive use of existing spaces and the design of new buildings and additions. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Baker have participated with them in this work during the past fifteen years and have been partners for five.

The techniques involved in our approach to projects have earned the firm a recognized reputation. The process responds to the need to analyze existing conditions, understand the needs and intent of the owner and to recommend appropriate solutions within the project budget and schedule. Based on the needs of the project schedule, the firm has performed services for projects utilizing the traditional bidding phase and where required prepared multiple bid packages for a design-build process. Our emphasis on working closely with the owner and carefully coordinating the work of our consultants, with whom we have long-term relationships, ensures the best possible environment for the successful completion of a project.

The firm has also established a reputation for the design of new buildings and additions in historic contexts responding to the architectural language of nearby existing structures. An example of which is the addition to and restoration of Blair House (the President's Guesthouse, Washington, D.C.). Furthermore, we have successfully designed new structures of a variety of building types in which the same level of attention to detail and materials is evident, such as the SUNY Albany Field House and the Albany Law School Library addition.

Preparation of a historic structure report or feasibility study is frequently the starting point for a restoration project. Comprised of a survey of existing conditions, a chronology of interventions over the life of the structure, schematic plans for reuse where appropriate, an analysis of pertinent code compliance and preliminary cost estimates, a study of this type is invaluable in prioritizing and phasing a project. Many such reports have been completed by the staff, including the Fort Johnson Historic Structure Report which was reprinted by the National Park Service for use as a standard for reports required for projects receiving substantial National Historic Preservation Act funding.

In all cases involving landmark buildings, we have implemented creative solutions and interpretations to ensure compliance with building and fire codes, Secretary of the Interior's Standards for historic preservation and ADA regulations. Typically, numerous submissions are prepared and monitored during review by commissions and review boards at the local, state and federal levels.

To ensure project quality control and coordination of the work of all consultants, project teams use a consistent digital format. The firm has full CAD capabilities for schematic and contract drawings. Documents, specifications and cost estimates are prepared using formats required by government agencies and private clients. The firm utilizes the Internet for e-mail, for accessing commercial on-line services and for transfer of digital and graphic files.

In September 2003, the firm opened an office in Williamsburg, Virginia, for greater proximity to our several projects in the mid-Atlantic region. At the same time, Mark R. Wenger joined our firm, after 23 years of service on the architectural research staff at Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. During that time he has made significant contributions in the investigation, restoration and reconstruction of numerous important historic structures in the mid-Atlantic states. His writing in the architectural history field has been published extensively. In addition, his skills in building analysis, field documentation, and historic design bring an added, unique dimension to the firm.