camp kaufmann
holmes, ny
13,700 sf
new construction
2024, Learning by Design
Outstanding Project
awards
a dining and activity hall that frames woodland views and supports programmatic learning.
Camp Kaufmann’s new building, known as Girl HQ, provides dining and instructional facilities for the Girl Scouts of New York City in a bucolic setting. The project responds to a desire for an inspiring gathering place that supports varied learning experiences while respecting the existing forest, ponds, and site constraints within the watershed.
The design references the camp’s rustic architecture through modern detailing: clean lines and warm materials are paired with soaring wood arches and strategic glazing that frame views. Prefabricated timber arches and a lightweight stone veneer create a tactile interior that maintains strong visual connections to the landscape.
project narrative
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The client sought an inspiring hall for urban girls that would support dining, instruction, and varied programmatic activities while preserving the camp’s wooded character.
The site sits within New York City’s watershed and contains mature trees, ponds, and complex topography, which required careful erosion control, septic considerations, and siting decisions to avoid disturbance.
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Building on the camp’s vernacular, the concept interprets rustic cabin traditions through a contemporary lens.
Soaring wood arches and a restrained material palette evoke historic camp architecture while prioritizing light and views.
Large openings frame mature trees and ponds so that the natural environment becomes a primary organizing element of experience.
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The approach balances prefabrication and on-site sensitivity: timber arches are fabricated locally and assembled to create an open, vaulted dining space while lightweight concrete stone veneer references traditional materials without heavy construction.
The plan preserves key trees and boulders, routes service elements to minimize site impact, and integrates HVAC and technology infrastructure to support year-round use.
project outcome
An explicit entry sequence clarifies approach and disperses groups into distinct dining and activity zones, reducing congestion during peak use. Clear sightlines and the vaulted volume support intuitive movement between service, seating, and program spaces.
Large openings frame woodland and pond views and bring balanced daylight deep into the hall, reducing reliance on artificial lighting during daytime. The timber arches reinforce vertical spatial order and maintain visual connections to landscape from most positions.
An open plan accommodates dining, instruction, and flexible programming while supporting simple reconfiguration of furnishings and equipment. Durable finishes and prefabricated timber structure accommodate seasonal use and simplify maintenance while retaining material warmth.
let’s continue the conversation
Every project begins with listening. If you’re considering a new campus, building, or landscape, we’d welcome the chance to talk through your goals, challenges, and aspirations. Our team works collaboratively to shape places that feel grounded, connected, and built to serve people well over time.
