Sleek Transformation of Historic Site into Corporate Headquarters

The Client
Greenfield Partners (a leading real estate investment management firm) assumed occupancy of National Hall for its corporate headquarters in 2013. The National Hall Historic District in Westport, CT consists of eleven buildings, including the former First National Bank of Westport, constructed in 1873 and named National Hall. In 1984, National Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Challenge
The challenge of this job was to comprehend and apply the architect’s modern design, use of materials and details in order to engineer, fabricate and install all the complex custom millwork and cabinetry for this project. The DeCarle team worked closely with the construction manager and the architect to maintain scheduling and avoid trade interference. Two of the primary tasks were to engineer, fabricate and install an “L” shaped 2,000 pound reception desk with stone and Corian® cladding, and to apply “Decoustics” acoustical planking and trim in the board room ceiling and TV wall.

The DeCarle Solution
After studying the most effective way to approach the project due to the weight and size of the finished desk, DeCarle Cabinetry decided to construct the desk in place at the jobsite. They used ¼” thick welded 2” x 4” aluminum tube steel members to create a strong, perfectly straight and level lightweight frame to support the weight. The desk was partially mocked up in the DeCarle plant prior to delivery and checked for proper fitting of the intricate parts. The desk was installed in three working days, using a field-constructed clamping system for the Corian® fins.

Working directly with “Decoustics” and the architect, DeCarle established all the trim details necessary to surround the planks and create a recess to house the large flat screen TV. Since the ceiling was floating and 30 feet long, special attention was needed to maintain accuracy from one end to the other.

Result
The final product was near perfection and beyond everyone’s expectations. At the completion of the job, DeCarle Cabinetry was not even mentioned on the 30-page punch list. “Punch lists don’t exist with these guys,” says Carey Ouellette, Director of Construction for R.D. Scinto.

“We were pleased by the quality of your work and by your understanding of our design intent,” says Graham Clegg, AIA Associate Principal STUDIOS architecture. “There were many types of millwork needs, many expectations for different areas of the job, and the budget was tight. You pulled it all together very nicely.”