How H2M architects + engineers brought fresh food to Troy through adaptive reuse
For people living in food deserts, it is common to subsist on prepackaged, ultra-processed foods from convenience stores and fast-food establishments. However, these types of foods have been linked to a higher risk of a wide range of health conditions, including obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. In fact, a 2023 study by the American Cancer Society found that people with little or no access to healthy foods have a shorter lifespan on average than those with greater levels of access.
To address these disparities, which disproportionately affect low-income Americans, developers should be incentivized to locate and operate new supermarkets within food deserts. New York City, for example, administers both the Healthy Food & Healthy Communities (HFHC) Fund and Food Retail Expansion Program to Support Health (FRESH), two programs that offer zoning and financial incentives to encourage the development of grocery stores in underserved areas.
However, in lieu of grants or other public funding sources, adaptive reuse can provide a cost-effective way to provide critical life-improving resources in dense areas with limited open space. Last year, Bargain Grocery, an affordable grocery store operated by the not-for-profit Compassion Coalition, opened its second-ever location in Troy, New York. Compassion Coalition uses the proceeds from both the new Bargain Grocery and the original location in Utica, New York, to fund its mission of providing food, clothing, transportation, and shelter to the underprivileged — raising approximately $20 million dollars in support so far.
Rather than identify a site for a ground-up building construction, the developer First Columbia Real Estate partnered with H2M architects + engineers to reuse a 15,000-square-foot cardboard manufacturing facility built in the mid-1800s. Our adaptive reuse work involved the preparation of historic surveys and architectural designs that respect the character of the edifice, including a new refrigeration area, dual-level loading docks, and an accessible path into the grocery store. The building also received electrical system upgrades, structural fortification, and a brand-new heating, ventilation, and cooling system.
By utilizing the principles of adaptive reuse and paying close attention to historic preservation guidelines, we transformed and reenergized an older but structurally-sound building into a valuable community resource with a completely new purpose. The load-bearing brick-and-timber-frame building features all-new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and technology, but retains its 19th-century aesthetic to help preserve Troy's history as a center for manufacturing. Adaptive reuse also allowed us to complete the work with less construction waste and for less money than traditional design and construction methods.
The technical ingenuity of the store's design and its impact on access to fresh food in the Troy community earned the Bargain Grocery project team a State Historic Preservation Award for Excellence in Non-Profit Achievement from the New York State Historic Preservation Office. The awards, given out annually as part of the New York Statewide Preservation Conference, recognize the most inventive and culturally significant preservation and rejuvenation projects across New York State.
Old factories, banks, schoolhouses, churches, storefronts, and municipal buildings — whether historic or not — still have plenty to offer for those willing to think outside the box and redefine what a grocery store can look like. By collaborating with architecture and engineering consultants well-versed in adaptive reuse, developers and municipalities can make the most of their unused space to transform food deserts into flourishing oases.
H2M architects + engineers is a full-service consulting and design firm offering the expertise of over 580 architects, engineers, planners, designers, inspectors, surveyors, and scientists. Our professionals combine technical experience and specialized market knowledge to meet architectural, engineering, and environmental challenges head-on. H2M offers a practical approach with creative results. For more information, visit h2m.com.
Katrina N. Pacheco, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, MCPPO, has more than 30 years of architectural design experience, including expertise in the production, evaluation, and construction administration of over 100 public safety buildings. Katrina also serves as Director of AIA's Eastern New York chapter and teaches Professional Practice at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
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Newsweek
36 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Is Health Care a Right? Trinity Health CEO weighs in
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The Hill
37 minutes ago
- The Hill
3 in 4 want legally required, publicly disclosed presidential health tests: Survey
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Tom's Guide
an hour ago
- Tom's Guide
Don't let summer solstice steal your sleep this weekend — how to fall asleep fast even when it's still sunny outside
Saturday will be the longest day of the year — but it might do more harm to your sleep than good, according to a recent study. Research conducted by Withings, a health tech company, shows that Americans have lost around 32 minutes of sleep per night over the last five years. The least sleep in a night was recorded during the June 21 summer solstice, which is the day with the most hours of sunlight within a 12 month period. There are a number of reasons sleep time could be reduced over the summer solstice, which we'll explore here. They include excessive exposure to sunlight and irregular meal times, which can throw off your sleep schedule, delay sleep onset (time taken to fall asleep) and stop you from getting the recommended hours of rest you need. 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But before you delay your dinner time, take note that the 2022 Sleep in America Poll , conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, revealed that having regular meal times during the day has a significant positive impact on your sleep. This is, the National Sleep Foundation explains, because of how your meal times are directly linked to your body's internal sleep and wake mechanism, since they "can act as an important cue for the circadian rhythm." Eating at different times on a day or missing meals "can negatively influence the ability to maintain sleep and wake schedules, especially if meals are eaten too close to bedtime." Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Which leads us to why it's better to avoid late-night summer meals. Some foods can increase the body's core temperature (which can suppress the release of melatonin) when metabolized, and the overall process of metabolizing food will also raise your body temperature. Eating late can also cause other issues like bloating, indigestion or heartburn which can keep you awake and sabotage your sleep. It might be tempting to stay awake to see the sunset on the longest day of the year, and perhaps even longer, but this may also lead to having a bad night's sleep. That's because disrupting your normal bedtime will throw off your sleep schedule. Sticking to regular sleep and wake up times helps regulate your circadian rhythm, leading to better quality sleep (and sleep quality is equally as important as quantity), can help you avoid daytime sleepiness and even lead to better health outcomes. While you may be able to pay back the sleep debt you get from a late night on summer solstice during the same weekend, a consistent schedule will help you get a good night's rest, every night. External distractions like light can hinder sleep on any night of the year, but obviously there's going to be more daylight in the evening during the summer solstice. Even if you're inside, sunlight seeping into your bedroom can still confuse your brain into thinking you need to be active. Investing in blackout curtains or an eye mask are great tool to avoid this, especially if you're a light sleeper. Sticking to a regular nighttime routine will also help you winddown in time for bed, even if it's still bright outside. Looking for more sleep accessories to help you fall asleep faster and get restful sleep? Scroll down for our top picks... 1. Kitsch Satin Sleep Mask: was from $17.99 from $14.39 at AmazonGetting a soft to touch sleep mask is a more affordable alternative to installing blackout curtains in your bedroom. This one from Kitsch promises to block out light, and includes light padding for extra comfort, perfect for restful sleep. You can now grab this at 20% off, which drops the MSRP from $17.99 to $14.39 on Amazon. 2. QWH Silicone Ear Plugs for Sleeping: was from $29.99 now from $9.98 at AmazonAmbient noise is yet another distraction to sleep, which is more likely to present when the days are longer and people are up and about later. A simple solution is to pop in a pair of ear plugs. The QWH reusable ear plugs boast noise reduction up to 30dB, are crafted from lightweight silicone and are available in four sizes (XS, S, M and L). These currently have 67% off, which brings down the MSRP from $29.99 to just $9.98 at Amazon. 3. YnM Breathable Weighted Blanket: twin in 15lb $34.99 at AmazonDeep pressure therapy has been proven to reduce anxiety and promote rest and relaxation. The YnM breathable weighted blanket will help you achieve this thanks to its glass beads and fiber fill, while our reviewer was surprised to find it breathable and the cover cool-to-touch, which is great for summer nights. You can now find a gray, 15lb weight in a twin size for $34.99 on Amazon. There are cheaper kids' sizes available, and prices vary for other sizes and weights.
