bld architecture (previously baldassano) developed a new master plan and community center for the first baptist church in riverhead. this project transformed the 12 acre property of the existing church building into a campus consisting of a new 60,000 gsf multi-purpose community life center, together with 135 units of workforce housing and three small business incubator buildings. for thirty-five years the church has stood as a pillar in this community. the project is conceived as a safe haven, fulfilling the spiritual, educational, athletic, health and housing needs of the surrounding community.
working with the town of riverhead, baldassano drafted the planned development district (pdd) zoning ordinance necessary for the project. included in the community life center is a 25m indoor pool, lockers and changing areas, indoor gymnasium for basketball / volleyball and running track, lecture hall, inter-generational daycare and health clinics. the building follows sustainable site and building goals for daylight, irrigation and indoor air quality. the project has been very well received by the surrounding community and has the support of the riverhead town boards.
