CSArch opens Utica–area office

NEW HARTFORD — After working on numerous projects in the region over the years, CSArch decided to make its relationship with the Mohawk Valley a little more permanent. On Aug. 14, the Albany–based architecture and engineering-design firm, opened an office at The Network at 600 French in New Hartford, a new professional shared space created by MPW Marketing. One of the founders of CSArch is a Herkimer County Community College (Herkimer College) graduate and has always made it a point to do business in the Mohawk Valley, CSArch President Daniel Woodside says. “We’ve pursued work out there for years,” he notes. Clients have included Herkimer College, Utica University, and ICAN’s new Family Resource Center, also home to the new Utica Children’s Museum. “A strategic goal of ours was to try to find a way to set roots and establish another office,” Woodside adds. The company chose the Utica area, not just for the great new space at 600 French, but also because it makes sense geographically. On top of that, CSArch considers Utica to be an “up and coming area” and wants to be part of that growth, Woodside says. With current projects in the Binghamton area and a hope to expand its portfolio in Syracuse as development continues around Micron Technology, the New Hartford location is perfectly positioned. The office allows CSArch to be more responsive to the needs of current clients and will serve as home base as the firm works to land new clients, Woodside says. In particular, CSArch is focused on growing in the area of advanced technology — more commonly called advanced manufacturing, he explains. “It’s important for us as that continues to develop as an emerging market for us to have a presence in those areas.” The firm also has a strong portfolio in the education sector — both in K-12 and higher education. “We are focused on workforce development,” Woodside says. That includes creating training space at colleges and also corporate training spaces. The hope is that CSArch’s track record of work at SUNY Albany, including work on the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, will lead to work with other universities in the Mohawk Valley. While the office officially opened on Aug. 14, the firm is still working to finish the space with furnishings. Currently, there is one full-time employee stationed there with support from the Albany office. CSArch is leasing private office space from The Network at 600 French, but also has access to meeting rooms and conference space when needed. “Eventually, we’ll invest in our own space,” Woodside said, but for now, this space was perfect for setting up shop quickly. Once things get rolling, the firm will look to add people to its New Hartford location as projects call for it, he said. Looking at past projects in the area and anticipating future ones as the region continues to grow, Woodside expects good things. “Just in general, it’s really nice to see the transformation in Utica,” he says. “This seemed to be another really important growth opportunity for us.” CSArch is also growing in the western Massachusetts and New England market as well. Headquartered in Albany, CSArch also has an office in Newburgh and employs about 70 people across all three locations. The firm provides architecture, interior design, mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineering, and construction management services to several industries including K-12 schools, colleges and universities, corporate, civic, and institutional clients.