Cooper, Robertson & Partners, the New York-based architecture firm, recently announced the launch of its residential design practice for sustainable renovations and new construction in the home market in the Catskill Mountain Region.

The Catskill practice is led by Andrew Williams, Principal, and Juan Teran Navarro, Senior Associate, with Paul Milana, AIA, Partner and Michel Dionne, AIA, Partner. Each has beautifully renovated their own homes in the Catskills.

CRP’s residential work has been realized on the east end of Long Island and in Westchester County, as well as in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wyoming, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Brazil.

Cooper, Robertson & Partners has executed major commissions for private owners, universities, museums, and real estate developers since 1979. The unifying theme of the firm’s work is the belief that design disciplines are critically interconnected and must be addressed together if lasting quality and value are to be achieved.

There is something about the Catskills—the mountain air, low pastures, old growth trees or time-slowing snowfall—that has brought several senior partners and associates of the renowned architecture firm Cooper, Robertson & Partners on their separate journeys to the Region over the past decade. Whatever it was, the firm has set down roots in the area and is building a locally-grown practice specializing in sustainable residential design and renovations. The partners think the timing couldn’t be better.

“A new architecture venture in this climate might be considered a bit bold,” says Andrew Williams, a principal at Cooper, Robertson and Partners. “But this type of work is in our DNA as professionals and as people.” The effort is to focus on local architectural projects with an emphasis on sustainability and efficiency—not only in construction but also the design process. The architects are convinced they can make small-scale new construction and renovation projects rewarding for clients by using innovative construction techniques, advanced technology and the resources of their main office. So what about “locally-grown”?

Andrew Williams designed, built, and operated the still-popular Public Lounge in Roxbury until selling last year (“running a successful bar like Public is more than a weekend job,” he quipped). Andrew and his partner, Juan Teran Navarro, a senior associate at the firm, have been in Margaretville for five years. Michel Dionne, a partner at the firm, bought a home in Roxbury in 1999 that originally housed the YMCA. A third partner, Paul Milana, moved into his historic Roxbury home in 2005. Each has extensively renovated his own home and understands what it takes to complete a beautiful project using resources in the region.

“We know we can bring our design sensibility, knowledge of craftsmanship and professional experience to our work here,” says Andrew, but admits that this is a more personal endeavor. “Something very interesting happens in design when you understand the history of a place and bring a fresh eye to it. I think this aesthetic has seeped into our work in other parts of the world. It feels right to be able to take some of that influence back to the source and nurture it here.”

Cooper, Robertson & Partners is a design firm well known for its residential work as well as town planning. CRP’s New York State architecture projects include many award-winning houses, small cabanas, garden renovations, horse farms, and even a small, private zoo. They are developing a CRP-designed set of two- and three-bedroom private houses for a factory-built home manufacturer, a relationship they can use to bring costs down even in custom homes. And it’s not just their residential work that has roots in our region. “Our design experiences often focus on creating new places with the scale and intimacy of small villages. Maybe that’s why we were drawn to this area for our own homes—or maybe living here has impacted our work”, says Paul. In either case, the synergy seems to work.

For now, they maintain their links to their downstate office. But commitment to a project is their priority, and being on the spot is vital to getting things done in an efficient and sustainable way. “Let’s just say no one would have to twist my arm to spend most of my time here,” Andrew says. “Even if that means being on a construction site in mud season—it beats Eighth Avenue any day of the week.”

For more information about Cooper Robertson & Partners, call 845 586 1685 or visit www.cooperrobertson.com/catskills.