Award-Winning Design: Honoring the Vision Behind Wildcliff and Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse
Award-Winning Design: Honoring the Vision Behind Wildcliff and Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse
We are proud to announce that the architectural design team behind the transformation of Wildcliff Mansion and the creation of the Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse has been honored with a prestigious 2024 AIA WHV Design Award in the Municipal/Community category. This recognition, announced during the 2024 Celebration of Architecture by the American Institute of Architects (Westchester + Hudson Valley Chapter), acknowledges the visionary work that turned a fire-ravaged historic structure and an underutilized parcel of land into a vibrant, eco-focused educational and cultural destination.
Originally designed in 1855 by the renowned Gothic Revival architect Alexander Jackson Davis, Wildcliff Mansion sat in disrepair for years after a devastating arson fire in 2018 left only its stone shell intact. The architectural team saw beyond the ruins and envisioned a space where history, community, and sustainability could intersect.
Their solution was both sensitive and bold: preserve and stabilize the landmark ruins to create an open-air seasonal event pavilion, while introducing a brand new 2,730-square-foot greenhouse and education center for Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse—a nonprofit dedicated to nurturing a love of nature and environmental learning among children and families.
The adaptive reuse of Wildcliff included reinforcing the iconic stone walls with a modern internal steel frame, reconstructing key elements like a catering kitchen and restrooms, and laying the groundwork for a future skylight roof. Adjacent to the mansion, the new greenhouse facility was thoughtfully placed to maximize sunlight and connect harmoniously with the historic structure through a shared palette of materials and design elements.
Together, these two buildings—separated by more than 170 years of architectural history—now frame a vibrant outdoor gathering space, creating a hub for public recreation, environmental education, and community engagement.
This award is a testament to the power of design to heal, reimagine, and inspire. We thank the architects for their creativity, care, and commitment to this extraordinary project, and we are honored to see Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse celebrated as part of this remarkable transformation.
đź”— Click here to view the full list of 2024 AIA WHV Award recipients (see page 16)