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The David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center is an ambitious adaptive reuse project that re-imagines a century old Orangerie as a vibrant multi-disciplinary arts facility. Building on the mission of the Pocantico Center, the new center aligns with the Rockefeller Brothers Fund’s (RBF’s) commitment to a more just and sustainable world. The transformation of the Beaux-Arts style Orangerie supports performance events, rehearsal, exhibitions, and education. The facility provides studio space for artists-in-residence that enhances the Center's public programs, advances the vision of a vibrant, multi-disciplinary campus, and encourages collaboration among artists, presenters, and patrons. The sustainable design for the new center was informed by the history and original use of the building, its new role as a home for people and the arts, and RBF’s deep concern for the environment.  Key aspects of the design include repurposing as much of the existing structure as possible, optimizing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, fostering new connections to the site’s natural context, and creating spaces that benefit the health and well-being of its inhabitants.

Energy performance of the building was a significant driving force of the design. The building's exterior and interior required complete rehabilitation. All walls, floors and ceilings received continuous insulation and airtight detailing in addition to new finishes. A smart vapor retarder paired with insulation on the interior side of the terracotta block wall ensures proper vapor diffusion and ongoing structural integrity of the historic masonry.

The space has been upgraded with energy-efficient all-electric MEP equipment including high-efficiency variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems and dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) with energy recovery. The efficient design, achieving more than 50% reduction compared to LEED v4 baseline, helps the project reduce the operational energy, carbon, and greenhouse gas emissions.

An array of photovoltaic (PV) panels on the south side of the building generate more power than the building uses. A raingarden captures one hundred percent of runoff from the site. To conserve water, the raingarden was planted with native plants that do not need to be irrigated. This not only helps to conserve resources, but also enhances the appearance of the PVs by making them a natural part of the landscape. Bird-safe glazing installed in the new entry vestibule protects the site’s avian species.

Healthy materials were used throughout the building, and the durability of the materials was crucial. The team prioritized materials with low carbon emissions and third party verified sustainability certifications.