Under Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York State has undertaken a major revitalization effort in the city of Buffalo. The so-called “Buffalo Billion” is being used to support major building efforts, at the center of which is a renovation of the long abandoned New York State Insane Asylum. The Asylum, designed by H.H. Richardson, sits within a Frederick Law Olmstead park. PRO was invited to submit designs for a proposed Buffalo Architectural Center within the renovated building.

Our role as designer was to plan a structure and framework for a permanent exhibition highlighting Buffalo’s rich architectural and urban history within the context of the city’s economic evolution over time.

Our team designed a narrative path through Richardson’s basement catacombs, from the introduction of the radial street and grid system, to the demolition of American Landmark architecture like the Larkin Building. The space is renovated to feature large scale reconstructed details of seminal Buffalo buildings, highlighting the changing construction methodologies and their unique use of ornament. With these maquettes, visitors can access both the architectural culture that has been lost, while experiencing a hallmark building that remains.