Hamlin Design Group

05/27/2026

Before ➝ After: this bridge renovation shows how a focused envelope upgrade can completely improve the users experience moving through campus.

BEFORE - this foot bridge started as a darkened over time structure, very much in step with the university’s "brutalist" style made popular in the 60's and 70's. AFTER - our re-imagined glass foot bridge softens that character with transparency and daylight: it opens views to the landscape, and provides the path with a crisp, cleaner contemporary identity—while still respecting the strength of the existing historical nature of the buildings architecture.

05/22/2026

Let’s talk NATURAL LIGHT. From office buildings to university spaces—we’ve seen how "biophilic design" can meaningfully improve the day-to-day experience of a building. When a decades-old façade is upgraded with a new "CURTAIN WALL SYSTEM", it increases daylight pe*******on into interior zones that were previously limited by small openings or compartmentalized layouts, and it reestablishes visual connection to the outdoors.

On these projects, we expanded existing window openings and installed high-performance, energy-efficient glazing to enhance comfort and efficiency. The impact is immediate: students and staff feel more grounded, more at ease, and more welcomed the moment they walk in.

05/22/2026

We love the skills this organization is teaching youth. Apprentice style, hands-ons. 👏👏👏 https://www.youthfx.org/

Youth FX is designed to empower young people ages 10-25 by teaching them the technical and creative aspects of digital film making and media production. Based in the City of Albany, NY, our primary mission is to work with diverse groups of youth from communities that have been historically under-ser...

05/15/2026

Hamlin Design Group is happy to welcome our newest designer, Kai Martin. Kai specializes in existing conditions surveys, schematic design, and 3D renderings. Welcome to the team, Kai!

05/08/2026

Owners, Thinking About Changing the Use of Your Building? Start Here.

Before getting your heart set on design and construction, do this first:

Step 1: Confirm zoning and permitted use
Check whether your proposed use is allowed by right, conditionally permitted, or may require a special use permit or variance.

Step 2: Collect existing building records
Before meeting with your team, gather the current certificate of occupancy, prior permits, floor plans, surveys, lease restrictions, and any known building issues.

Step 3: Screen for code and approval impacts
Consider what the change of use may affect. Document occupancy classification, accessibility, egress, fire protection, parking, and construction scope.

A change of use can open the door to new opportunities, but it can also trigger requirements you need to plan for. HDG’s feasibility study can help clarify the path before major decisions are made.

Before you move forward, get in the know! See the possibilities.

05/06/2026

Progress update!!! Lincoln Park’s Outdoor Classroom: things are coming together beautifully! The asymmetrical roofline is taking shape with its exposed timber frame and steel joints. A peek inside reveals the Learning Cube, ready to become a dedicated surface for instruction & student presentations.

04/29/2026

Understanding how much your horse can carry before loading the cart will protect you from project stall-out and financial loss. Can your budget carry your vision? Can your vision be executed more affordably while still prioritizing quality & function????

Before the high stake investment of design & construction costs, HDG’s detailed feasibility studies check what’s vital to support your dream-to-reality building project success.

A quality feasibility study should deliver:

1. Existing conditions and site analysis
Review the current building or property, including layout, utilities, access, structure, and physical constraints.

2. Code, zoning, and approval requirements
Identify applicable zoning, building codes, accessibility requirements, permitting needs, and agency approvals.

3. Space needs and conceptual options
Outline required square footage, program needs, layout possibilities, test fits, or early design scenarios.

4. Budget, value, and revenue potential
Provide preliminary cost ranges, cost-per-square-foot assumptions, funding considerations, and potential revenue streams where applicable.

5. Risks, recommendations, and next steps
Summarize major constraints, compare alternatives, identify phasing opportunities, and recommend whether or how the project can move forward.

👉 Contact us at 518-724-5159 and see the possibilities.
👉 Reference “The 6-Step Building Project Planning Guide” blog. https://www.hamlindesigngroup.com/post/the-6-step-building-project-planning-guide-a-complete-roadmap-from-design-to-construction

04/20/2026

The er****on of Lincoln Park’s Outdoor Classroom has begun! Lincoln is Albany’s first public playground est. in 1900 and recently the focus of renewal efforts led by the City. We are privileged to be part of this project. Watch the story behind this structures design here. https://youtu.be/gvSfcNF-1uo?si=AD0sTVuBEQMpZ0JN

03/11/2026

Let’s talk historic masonry repair and century-old buildings. They just don’t build them like this anymore. These structures are epic. Restoring historic façades and grotesques requires a skilled restoration mason, particularly one experienced in stone masonry, historic mortar repointing, and terra cotta repair, under the lead of an architect with preservation knowledge, careful field investigation, and an understanding of how older materials perform over time.

Two major challenges in this process are hidden water pe*******on and matching original materials. One, when deterioration is opened up, deeper structural or moisture issues are often discovered. Two, sourcing the right stone, mortar, or ornamental detailing to match the original construction can be a challenge.

Pictured here are two century-old elementary schools where HDG led the design and restoration of all exterior facades and a complete restoration of a historic grand staircase. HDG also completed full interior renovations, modernizations, ADA upgrades, additions, and space reutilizations, expanding student capacity.

Thinking about restoring a historic building? Let’s talk about how to protect its character while planning for long-term performance. See the possibilities.