MCWB Architects

MCWB Architects Architecture, Preservation, Planning & Digital Documentation since 1941. Mesick Cohen Wilson Baker Architects is the collaborative effort of Laurence F.

Wilson, M. Jeffrey Baker, and Thomas A. Burgess, supported by a dedicated team of professionals passionate about Architecture, Planning, and Historic Preservation. Established in 1965, our firm has evolved over the years and now operates from offices in Albany, NY, and Williamsburg, VA. With over five decades of experience, we’ve had the privilege of working on extraordinary and complex projects,

especially with existing and historic buildings. Our expertise spans conservation, restoration, renovation, adaptive reuse, and the design of both contextual and modern new structures. Our work has gained national recognition, including the restoration of iconic landmarks such as Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and Poplar Forest; James and Dolley Madison’s Montpelier; multiple state capitols, including New York, Tennessee, Vermont, and Maryland; Frank Lloyd Wright’s work at Florida Southern College; and Ferry Farm, the birthplace of George Washington. While these landmarks showcase our high-level preservation expertise, we’re equally proud of the many successful projects we’ve completed on college campuses, in courthouses, museums, libraries, hotels, fitness facilities, and private residences. Central to our practice is a commitment to thorough research, thoughtful planning, and program development. We are skilled in creating designs that are both historically authentic and contemporary, seamlessly integrating period-appropriate details or modern elements as needed. Our goal is to engage in a diverse architectural practice that brings value and vision to each project.

Systems Integration at Hampden-Sydney College’s Venable Hall  At Venable Hall, a 200-year-old dormitory at Hampden-Sydne...
06/03/2026

Systems Integration at Hampden-Sydney College’s Venable Hall 
 
At Venable Hall, a 200-year-old dormitory at Hampden-Sydney College, modernizing the building for contemporary student housing required the careful integration of new building systems while preserving the historic character that has defined the structure for generations.
 
Electrical outlets were discreetly integrated into chair rails, high-efficiency HVAC systems were designed to minimize impacts to historic spaces, and ceiling-recessed VRF units preserved the aesthetics of student rooms. Refrigerant and sprinkler lines were strategically routed through corridors to avoid bulky soffits and maintain the building’s original proportions. Where new insertions were necessary, simplified molding profiles were used to distinguish them from historic fabric while respecting the overall architectural character.
 
These thoughtful interventions allowed Venable Hall to meet the needs of modern campus life without compromising the integrity of the building’s historic architecture.
 
This project exemplifies the balance between preservation and adaptation ensuring that a cherished campus landmark continues to serve future generations while honoring its past.
 
📸 Photographs by Lincoln Barbour Photography

Last week had a chance to review the site drainage and new retaining wall work in progress at Edgewater mansion. The des...
06/01/2026

Last week had a chance to review the site drainage and new retaining wall work in progress at Edgewater mansion. The design and construction crews have been working diligently over the last few weeks to restore the yard and driveway in anticipation of the 200 year birthday celebration of Edgewater on June 13th. ☀️🏡🎉

Pope Villa, we meet again!  Our work continues at Benjamin Henry Latrobe’s Pope Villa, the c.1813 house designed for Ken...
05/28/2026

Pope Villa, we meet again!
 
Our work continues at Benjamin Henry Latrobe’s Pope Villa, the c.1813 house designed for Kentucky Senator John Pope and his wife Eliza. One of only three Latrobe houses remaining in the United States, Pope Villa is often considered his best conceived design.   Following the Pope’s sale of the property in 1829, the house changed ownership several times and underwent a series of alterations that dramatically changed Latrobe’s original design. Suffering a devastating fire in 1987, the Blue Grass Trust acquired the property with the mission of stabilizing and restoring Pope Villa to its historic appearance.
 
Last week, our team was back on site documenting architectural details and elements to incorporate into our construction documents for interior and exterior restoration work. This included a close study of the main stair, dome room, determining the dimensions and location of a lost bake oven and set kettle, along with numerous other small details.
 
It’s always rewarding to return to a place with such a layered history, and we’re grateful to continue working with the as the restoration of Pope Villa moves forward.

We’re honored to be joining the team working to preserve Menokin, the historic Georgian-style mansion located just outsi...
05/22/2026

We’re honored to be joining the team working to preserve Menokin, the historic Georgian-style mansion located just outside of Warsaw, Virginia. Originally owned by Francis Lightfoot Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the house stands as an important piece of early American history.
 
Construction of the mansion began in 1769 and was completed in 1772. After decades of vacancy beginning in the mid-20th century, the house fell into severe disrepair, including significant damage caused by a fallen tree in the 1960s. Since acquiring the property in 1995, the has worked tirelessly to preserve and reimagine this remarkable site.
 
Our team of architects and historians have been engaged to work alongside to provide guidance on historic conditions and preservation considerations as the project advances through its phased restoration. We look forward to contributing to the continued stewardship of this extraordinary landmark.

Florida Southern College’s Polk Science Building, constructed between 1952–1958, is the largest building on campus and t...
05/20/2026

Florida Southern College’s Polk Science Building, constructed between 1952–1958, is the largest building on campus and the final structure completed at Florida Southern College during Frank Lloyd Wright’s lifetime. It is also the only constructed Wright-designed building to include a planetarium, which MCWB restored in 2024.
 
Our work at Polk Science continues as we help improve the functionality of the laboratory classrooms and upgrade the various mechanical systems throughout the building. We recently spent time on campus conducting field investigations and assessing existing conditions as the next phase of work moves forward.
 

We had a wonderful time welcoming students to our Albany office a few weeks ago. During their visit, they toured our sp...
05/13/2026

We had a wonderful time welcoming students to our Albany office a few weeks ago. During their visit, they toured our space, learned more about MCWB, and connected with members of our team to hear about our work and experiences in the field. We always value opportunities to engage with students and discuss the important role historic preservation plays within architecture.





Things have been busy at the .museum lately, as we begin the initial steps towards restoring the back ell and adjacent r...
05/01/2026

Things have been busy at the .museum lately, as we begin the initial steps towards restoring the back ell and adjacent rooms in The Homestead to their appearance during Emily Dickinson’s lifetime.  The museum is currently removing later material to reveal Dickinson-period floors, ceilings and walls.  Through the process of Building Archaeology, Architectural Historian Eric Gradoia has been studying these rooms in an effort to better understand the chronological evolution of the spaces and determine how they appeared during the Dickinsons’ time in the house.
 
The construction team is currently working to remove modern materials to reveal evidence and clues hidden by these later finishes. One detail discovered last week includes skirting boards from a stair reused as subflooring when the house was remodeled in the early decades of the twentieth century.  We know the 1855 ell had a staircase between the two floors and suspect these are remnants of it. Not only do these fragments provide us with important information on the design of the stairs, but paint evidence will eventually allow us to understand colors used on elements and spaces like these. Stay tuned as we uncover more!

A little behind the scenes of what’s been on our drawing board lately. ✍️ 📄
04/15/2026

A little behind the scenes of what’s been on our drawing board lately. ✍️ 📄

For the last few months, we’ve had the opportunity to begin investigating the renowned Frascati. Built by John M. Perry,...
03/25/2026

For the last few months, we’ve had the opportunity to begin investigating the renowned Frascati. Built by John M. Perry, a master builder employed by Thomas Jefferson, and constructed between 1821-23 for Supreme Court justice and statesman Philip Pendleton Barbour.
 
Our team has been documenting existing conditions, studying the building’s chronological development and preparing recommendations for its restoration and repair. Stay tuned as we continue to learn more about this historic gem.
 

Another year of Virginia APPA! Our head of Business Development and Senior Manager, Eric Kuchar will be attending. He ca...
03/18/2026

Another year of Virginia APPA! Our head of Business Development and Senior Manager, Eric Kuchar will be attending. He can't wait to connect with colleagues, peers and new faces throughout the event. If you are attending, be sure to say hello! 🤝

Address

388 Broadway
Albany, NY
12207

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15184339394

Website

https://linktr.ee/mcwbarchitecture

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