General
How to Adapt: Transforming Historic Architecture for Net-Zero
Our case study of 26 Court Street, presented at Greenbuild Los Angeles, showcases how to adapt historic and aged buildings for modern needs.
Summer Travels: Creative Reset
Summer for CambridgeSeven means local jaunts, exotic excursions and, of course, architectural tours. Here we round up some notable travels by our staff this seasons to places near and far that fuel our design-fire and instill inspiration.
CambridgeSeven Awards 8th Annual STEAM Scholarship to Cambridge Rindge and Latin Graduate, Yamanuel Mulualem
Cambridge Rindge and Latin School graduate, Yamanuel Mulualem, is this year’s winner of CambridgeSeven’s FOCRLS STEAM Scholarship, an annual scholarship supporting college-bound students in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.
Interview with Adam Mitchell of CambridgeSeven
Principal Adam Mitchell shares his architectural philosophy, CambridgeSeven’s sustainability efforts across civic, educational, and cultural projects, as well as the firm’s commitment toward carbon-neutral design with ArchitectureLab.
Building Empathy By Developing an Ethically Sourced Materials Policy
Douglas Flandro examines the complex maze of material sourcing and how museums and cultural institutions can choose ethically sourced, sustainable materials that effectively support their efforts.
Firm Leaves Big Mark on Campus
Timothy Mansfield, a 31-year CambridgeSeven employee, takes the helm at the storied design firm as President and CEO and discusses the big projects and next steps for the firm.
New York’s Seneca Park Zoo unveils $100m expansion plan
Rochester-based Seneca Park Zoo selected CambridgeSeven to design $100 million expansion, including a new entry and Tropics building,
CambridgeSeven selected to design $100m Seneca Park Zoo expansion
Seneca Park Zoo has named the architects for the latest phase of its US$100m expansion, with award-winning design firm CambridgeSeven set to imagine the second phase of the US development project.
By Tom Anstey
Seneca Park Zoo has named the architects for the latest phase of its US$100m (€95.9m, £80.9m) expansion, with award-winning design firm CambridgeSeven imagining the US development project.
The zoo in Rochester, New York, is set to add a new Tropics Exhibit, as well as a Main Entry Building to complete the second phase of the animal attraction’s masterplan.
CambridgeSeven has been selected by Monroe County following a design competition, with the proposal envisioning an improved modern visitor experience, new exhibits and a focus on the institution’s long standing conservation work.
Inspired by the adjacent Genesee River Valley, the new Entry and Tropics Exhibit buildings have been designed to create a valley through which visitors can learn about the local river system, as well as the globally important valley ecosystems in Africa and Asia. In the exhibits, emphasis will be placed upon the similarities of conservation stories in these areas.
CambridgeSeven’s design is composed of sustainable materials, native plantings, and sensitive scale and siting, with the plans aiming to integrate the zoo with the landscape of Seneca Park and the wider Monroe County Parks system.
The new 22,000sq ft (2,000sq m) Entry Plaza will provide new infrastructure for ticketing offices, classroom and education space, event space, administrative offices, and the Zoo Shop.
Meanwhile, the 48,000sq ft (4,500sq m) Tropics Exhibit will feature a multi-level immersive experience with indoor rainforest habitats, outdoor microclimates and aquariums connected with educational and event spaces that offer a gateway to the zoo. A 150,000-gallon Pacific Reef Tank and other tropical habitats will be home to a number of native animal species. Both buildings, says the attraction, will contribute to the Seneca Park Zoo and Monroe County’s larger conservation efforts to save animals from extinction and protect wildlife while providing opportunities for visitors to learn about the dynamic conservation work.
“This important project will help usher in a new chapter for this beloved Rochester institution,” said Adam Mitchell, AIA, principal at CambridgeSeven.
“Our design will not only help to further their mission and conservation efforts but will also help to broaden the zoo’s ability to reach and educate the local community and its visitors.”
Construction work is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026 with an anticipated completion in early 2028.