Olana’s New Award-Winning Multi-Million Dollar Building is Almost Invisible

Frederic Church was a 19th century master of landscape painting. At Olana, his home on a bluff outside Hudson, Church achieved something arguably more profound—transforming the landscape itself into a living work of art. To help draw attention to the entire property, not just the eye-catching main house, The Olana Partnership and New York State Parks recently cut the ribbon on the Frederic Church Center for Art and Landscape, a $18 million, environmentally advanced visitors’ center built to support art programming, education, and events. It’s an attractive structure that you can't see from anywhere on the property unless you're standing right next to it.

“It’s a milestone,” reflects Mark Prezorski, senior vice president and landscape curator for The Olana Partnership, who has helped lead the decade-long process of bringing the center to life. “We’ve worked on this for years, and seeing it come together is incredibly rewarding.”

The project was made possible through a combination of public and private funding. Significant contributions included a $1.4 million Empire State Development Market NY Regional Tourism Grant and a $1.8 million Carbon Neutral Economic Development Grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). On October 25, Governor Kathy Hochul officiated the ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the opening of the center. 

Photo by Nick Hubbard

Intentional Design, Quiet Integration

The Frederic Church Center was designed with an ethos of intentional invisibility. “You do not see this building from anywhere in the historic landscape,” Prezorski says proudly. Nestled discreetly into the hillside, the structure respects Olana’s sweeping views and iconic vistas, with a low-slung form and a color palette toned to the estate’s original farm buildings, while interior elements reference Church’s painting studio, blending modern and historic ideas.

This attention to detail highlights Olana’s vibe without outright imitating Church’s signature aesthetic. “Our job was to be a little bit picky,” Prezorski says, “because the details really matter for Olana—and Olana deserves that level of care.” Whether it’s the exact hue of a wall or the strategic placement of windows to frame specific views, every choice was made to reflect Church’s approach.

More than an aesthetic achievement, the Church Center is also designed to be a model in sustainability, built using cross-laminated timber and powered entirely by solar. Features such as bird-friendly glass and bioswales for water management integrate the structure into the surrounding landscape.

Prezorski praised the collaborative efforts of the center’s designers and planners. Architecture Research Office (ARO), a New York City-based firm, led the process which earned ARO the 2020 AIA Architecture Firm Award.

Complementing ARO's architectural vision, Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects (NBW) developed the Strategic Landscape Design Plan for Olana. According to Prezorski the firm’s research-based, collaborative process aims to restore and enhance Frederic Church's originally designed landscape.

The center is also practical, serving as a welcome center and gateway for visitors as they ascend the in-road. It houses a spacious lobby for ticketing and orientation, gender-neutral restrooms, a multipurpose room for community events, and, soon, a café. The outdoor seating area also doubles as an amphitheater. “This entire place of 250 acres is the work of art,” Prezorski says. “The center encourages people to explore the whole site, not just the main house.”

For Prezorski, the new center is a fulfillment of Church’s vision. “Details, details, details,” he repeats. “They all add up, and there was a lot of thought put into this space.” 

Just above the hidden center on a rise shaded by trees, one of Church’s favorite curated views unfolds. A still pond in the foreground gives way to a steeply rising meadow. At the top of the little mountain, a grove of trees perfectly frames the iconic main house. While the new center at Olana behind you is handsome, the access to this one view of the property alone makes all the partnership’s effort and investment feel worth it.

Take A Closer Look

In addition to the new center, Olana is hosting a full slate of activities this winter, including the special exhibition A Closer Look. This program invites visitors to slow down and experience Church’s art up close. Over four months, a rotating series of themed artwork installations will guide participants to explore select pieces from the Olana collection through observation, conversation, and personal reflection.

As part of this initiative, 45-minute guided dialogues provide a chance to learn more about two or three featured works. Through visual analysis and historical context, visitors are encouraged to use their powers of observation to connect with Church’s art on a deeper level.

Olana also offers a variety of programs to enhance daily tours and hikes. The Third Thursday/Tercer Jueves series, a free community day held on the third Thursday of each month, features bilingual (English and Spanish) programs designed to engage new audiences. Activities include the Morning Mindfulness in the Gallery session, encouraging participants to start their day with mindful observation of artwork.

For families, the “A Closer Look” Family Tour Series offers dedicated Saturday sessions on January 18, February 22, and March 22, providing an interactive experience tailored to younger audiences. These programs, along with others such as Drop-In Drawing with Pastels, where visitors can create their own artworks inspired by Olana's landscape are part of Olana's initiative to attract visitors year-round.