General Services Administration
Trout River Land Port of Entry
Constable, NY

As part of an on-call contract with the General Services Administration, the joint venture of Davis Brody Bond | Spacesmith is renovating an existing 13,888 sf operations building and adding a much-needed 6,000 sf expansion to the Trout River Land Port of Entry, which connects Constable, New York, to Athelstan, Quebec. Working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), our team is reimagining the campus to meet functional and security needs while balancing modern operational demands with the integrity of a 1932 Colonial Revival building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The original two-story, gambrel-roofed inspection station and its hipped-roof garage wings retain a unique architectural relationship with the adjacent Canadian border station—one of the few such historic pairings still in use. The design respects this heritage by gut-renovating the interior and converting outdated garage spaces into functional office and public areas. A new, low-profile building is set behind the historic structure, using complementary materials and a minimalist aesthetic to honor the original architecture while modernizing the facility.

The expanded facility addresses CBP’s current and future needs, increasing square footage to accommodate inspection garages, holding areas, staff amenities, and administrative offices.

A new vehicular canopy supports inspections of larger vehicles such as RVs and buses, while site modifications improve traffic flow, turning radii, and safety for rejected vehicles. Flood risk mitigation ensures all mechanical and electrical equipment is elevated above the 100- and 500-year floodplains. The design also incorporates resilience against extreme snow loads, ensuring operational excellence in a challenging climate.

The project targets LEED Gold certification, integrating sustainability into every aspect of the design. A ground-source geothermal heat pump system provides efficient heating and cooling, while photovoltaic panels generate renewable energy. Rainwater harvesting supports graywater use and sprinkler systems, with a 1,000-gallon storage tank ensuring fire protection. Adaptive reuse of materials reduces landfill waste by preserving the historic structure, and low-flow fixtures and energy-efficient lighting systems contribute to a reduced environmental footprint.

 Accessibility and user experience are central to the design. The facility meets all ABA and ADA requirements, with features such as an elevator, double-door mechanical room entrances, and universally accessible spaces.