BETSY IRWIN4 PROJECTS

HARLEM RESIDENCE Private ResidenceManhattan, New York

The renovation and restoration of a recently acquired 4 story single family brownstone in a historic Harlem neighborhood that suffered severe water damage due to a fire in the adjacent build-ing prior to occupancy. Requiring extensive woodwork repair, all floors, walls, stairs, and built-in cabinetry were restored to their original condition except where opportunity arose to repurpose existing materials to create newly designed bathrooms, kitchens, and dressing areas. Necessary mold abatement forced the open-ing of all walls after which the entire building also benefitted from new electrical, central air conditioning, and plumbing upgrades, as well as new dedicated internet service and speaker wiring. All eight existing fireplaces as well as original speaker tube intercom system and dumbwaiter were also returned to working order.

HUNTERSMOON HALLSupport HousingManhattan, New York

A formerly dilapidated SRO located in Manhattans Upper West Side was rehabilitated into a 34,000 square foot residence for formerly homeless individuals living with HIV. The gut rehab provided 136 rooming units on the upper floors and services for the tenants on the lower. Common areas were created from previously rented first floor spaces including a shared kitchen, large dining area, and lounge. The cellar and first floors also contained much needed support services such as nurse exam rooms, social service offices, and support staff offices, 24 hour reception and security. A new elevator was installed and new ADA compliant bathrooms allowed for better mobility. The fa-cade, having been stripped of its decoration was almost en-tirely restored with new fiberglass cornices and trim repair.

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420 EAST 73RD STREET Low Income Housing

Manhattan, New York

The rehabilitation of a run-down 5 story tenement on East 73rd Street in the Upper East Side, converting 20 apartments with shared public hall baths into 20 fully renovated bright and modern studio and one bedroom apartments with own baths and kitch-enettes. This project was completed with tenants-in-occupancy in two consecutive phases requiring careful scheduling and coordi-nation during construction. The building received much needed upgrades including new plumbing, electrical, and mechanical sys-tems, new energy efficient windows, appliances, and bath fixtures. Although the project was low-income the client opted to provide a new entry door and vestibule and restored stoop, allowing the building to better fit in with its tonier upper east side neighbors

552 ACADEMY STREETLow Income Housing

Manhattan, New York

This medium-sized apartment building located in Inwood was in terrible shape after the previous owner let it fall into an extreme state of disrepair. After a full vacate order was issued by the city the job qualified as a full gut rehab, the 5-story plus entry-level basement building with 72 one, two, and three bedroom apartments current-ly under construction, are to be fully renovated within the existing structural framework. Adding a new elevator enabled ADA adapt-ability, Green Communities criteria ensures that green features in-clude the installation of new high-efficiency windows, appliances, heating system, and low VOC emitting paints, finishes and floor-ing. Thanks to a pro-active city council and client this project will also benefit from a new fully tenant accessible intensive green roof.

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

STAIRS, FIREPLACES, SHUTTERS, DRESSING AREAS:Wood paneling, stair railings and balusters, shutters, pocket doors, door and window decorative trim, parquet flooring and marble, tile and wood fireplaces were all completely repaired and restored to their original condition.

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SECOND FLOOR PLAN

HARLEM MASTER BEDROOM:The second floor contains the master bed-room, dressing areas, office, and master bath. The bedroom ceiling, woodwork, fireplace, window surrounds and trim, including pocket shutters, were all damaged and restored. The built-in closets and vanity were reworked to disguise ductwork for the new HVAC systems and included custom millwork.

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HARLEM MASTER BATH:The master bathroom, needing some updating, was completely renovated af-ter it was determined that the existing floor joists had deteriorated and required replacement. The original decorative band of tile was kept and the existing built in cabinetry was converted into a double sink with marble vanity top. The plumbing was rerouted to accommodate the double sink and large glass en-closed walk-in shower with knee wall that serves double purpose as magazine rack and shower bench. Additional upgrades include slender profile radiator, wall mounted towel warmer, and a heated marble mosaic floor.

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THIRD FLOOR PLAN

KIDS BATHROOM AND BEDROOMS: With two small children sharing the 3rd floor, it was determined to convert the center core that contained a small in-law kitchenette and bath-room into a large family friendly spa-like bath with oversize tub and separate shower and sky-light lit walk-through joined closet space. This floor is the kids zone and they were allowed to select their own bedroom colors and finishes. The client opted to house the laundry room in the third floor maids room, with stacked ap-pliances custom built-in to the existing closet.

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BASEMENT:The kitchen was gutted with the exception of the existing built-in cabinetry which was refinished and recreated with new custom millwork, the wood joists at the ceiling were exposed and a new wood floor was added. The existing fireplace was restored and a new wood burning pizza oven was added, providing a rustic centerpiece to the ultramodern custom built German-designed cabinets. A new french door was installed to add light and provide easy access from the kitchen to the rear yard. The bonus room, adjoining bathroom, and fireplace were upgraded, and a new mudroom was created.

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HUNTERSMOON HALL: A full gut rehab, completed in two phases with tenants in oc-cupancy, Huntersmoon Hall provided much needed housing for former drug addicts living with HIV. The cellar and first floors, previously housing a laundromat and junk shop, contain general offices, nurse rooms, and support staff offices, as well as a full kitchen, dining room, lounge, tenant laundry facilities, and 24 hour reception. The living untis with the addition of a new eleva-tor were made ADA compliant and new shared bathrooms in the halls have both tubs and roll in showers, the rooms have custom cabinets with a small kitchenette and sleeping area.

PUBLIC SPACES: The public spaces are located on the lower floors, the cellar offices and new laundry room are accessed by a new stair at the rear of the building. The First floor houses the public kitchen and dining room, lounge, nurse examination rooms, social service offices and 24 hour reception and security.

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RESIDENTIAL AREAS: The living spaces are on the typical floors 2-9, the penthouse was reserved for the build-ing superintendant. Rooming units contain small sink, mini-fridge, and microwave for basic needs and cabinets for storage. Bathrooms are located in the public halls and maintained by building staff members.

420 EAST 73RD STREET: A very old and crumbling tenement in the upper east side with dark hallways and very badly deteriorated apart-ments was transformed into a bright and fresh new building with all new electrical, mechanical, and plumbing, a new face lift at the facade and much appreciated full bathrooms at each apartment to replace the shared hallway facilities. 20 apartments, studios and one bedrooms, were reconfigured to fit within the existing structure with new closets, interior partitions, kitchenettes and baths. Completed in two-phases, tenants-in-occupancy phased construction does pose some unique challenges however with careful planning and construction scheduling, dis-turbances to the existing tenants were minimized and all were delighted with their new homes. This was a simple job with simple upgrades but the results were transformative and the once depressing interiors were replaced by new user-friendly layouts and energy efficient windows, lighting, and appliances. The stoop and entry door were also replaced to provide a new face to the street reflecting the changes inside and a better street appearance.

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552 ACADEMY STREET:Currently under construction, this building was in terrible condition and was taken over by the city ater a full vacate order was issued. Several of the existing tenants will be returning to the benefits of a new elevator, ADA compliant apartments, new energy saving ap-pliances, equipment, and windows, and a green roof funded by the city council. The building also houses a community room with bathrooms, warming kitchen, and bike storage for the tenants.

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BETSY IRWIN ______________________________________________________________________________

EDUCATION

Pratt Institute Brooklyn, NY

B.Arch., January 2005

San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA

B.A. Humanities Area of emphasis:

American Studies

SKILLS

AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite- Photoshop, Illustrator,

InDesign, Microsoft Office Suite-Word, Excel, PowerPoint

ABOUT

A lover of both the natural and built environments, I enjoy exploring

urban and un-urban areas, walking, biking, hiking, and observing.

Lighthearted in life but serious about work and taking pride in delivering

the best possible project for every client, I enjoy working with people to

bring to life a unique and creative vision. Loyal and dedicated and

engaged in the world, I look forward to expanding my architectural

palette and battling new design challenges.

EXPERIENCE

OCV Architects, NYC Junior Architect, February 2005-2007 Project Manager, 2007-Present Project manager for a variety of projects, from single family homes, townhouses, and tenement walk ups to larger multi-family apartment buildings, I have overseen many jobs from schematic design through construction completion. Projects include housing for the elderly, housing for people living with HIV, an RFP for a Panamanian boutique hotel and elevating a bungalow in Long Island to comply with new flood zone requirements. Experience includes every level of the process from conception to completion including schematic design, design development, preparation of construction documents, moderating construction meetings, client relations, and dealings with city agencies. OBRA architects, NYC Intern/Volunteer, 2004 Assisted in preparing, assembling, and installing a modular wall system for exhibition display of collected works of the architects.

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Brooklyn, NY irwin_betsy@yahoo.com

THANK YOU.