County of Erie, New York

“For a public building, very nice transparent form, security not compromised. Good for Buffalo, nice recognition to the city.”

“Every aspect of the approach to all key issues was very evident and utilized in every detail. Multiple issues have been addressed and done so with style. The quality of the external facades is indeed a pleasure to behold; this is translated into the interior with the same commitment to detail. The design team faced a tremendous challenge in bringing together multiple agencies under one roof. With each agency having its own agenda and protocols, the design team is to be congratulated on producing a superb building.”

“The building has a very enigmatic presence, probably a necessity for such an occupancy. Perhaps post 9-11 pressure for secrecy precluded the presentation of interior views thus limiting the architect’s communication. The plans do give some idea of how traditional bureaucratic organization of spaces is handled on the various floors. The case for this project was not helped by some rather unfortunate exterior photographs. And yet the harmonic forcefulness of the form itself and its excellent proportions, reminiscent of some of the better works of Golusov, Lissitzky and other Russian Constructivists of the 1920s, were most convincing. It requires great creativity to make a “silk purse out of a sow’s ear” and secure government facilities present an extremely difficult problem to solve in an architecturally satisfying manner. This project advances that frontier.”