Project By: Hatch Design Architecture
Lot size: 0.21 acres
Project size: 6,120 sq. ft.
Location: Boise, ID
Design Team
Jeff Hatch, AIA, LEED AP / Principal-in-Charge
William Thornton / Project Manager
Nick McGarvey / Architectural Staff
Steve Thiessen / Architectural Staff
Rachel Rowe / Architectural Staff
Collaborators
Zach Zollinger, ZZ Construction, LLC / General Contractor
Carl Madsen / City of Boise
David Sansotta PE, Structural Edge Engineering / Structural Engineer
Justin Beaucannon PE, Katchner/Beaucannon Assoc. / Mechanical Engineer
Dan Everhart, Ashley Molloy / Idaho State Historic Preservation Office
James Krause, Pixelfly Creative / Photography
Located less than 1.5 miles to the Northwest of the Idaho State Capitol Building, the beautiful, historic Guernsey Dairy Milk Depot was built and designed by Tourtellotte & Himmel in 1937. The Depot was originally built to house both commercial and light industrial operations — including a retail space under the iconic corner tower.
The current remodel involved restoration of the exterior, adding stucco where a former remodel had installed exposed expanded metal lath. In addition, the previously removed staircase leading to the tower element was redesigned to allow for re-occupancy of the space.
Considerable challenges were faced in restoring the Guernsey Dairy Milk Depot’s historical integrity due to an office remodel that occurred in the 1980s. However, the team at Hatch Design Architecture made great efforts to create a reflection of the past while also bringing the depot into the 21st century as a usable and appealing space. To do so required close collaboration between the architect, the owner, and the state and federal historical agencies.
After extensive site visits, field measurements and As-Built evaluation of the original plans, the owner came up with three objectives to preserve the history of the building while also bringing it into the 21st century: upgrade the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; reestablish the use of the tower; and restore the exterior windows to a more period-specific solution.
Historic preservation was highly regarded throughout the design and renovation process of the Guernsey Milk Dairy Depot. This 85-year-old building was treated with the utmost respect for its history and architectural significance along State Street. This historical community building is now refreshed and ready to stand for another 85 years or more.
