The Assembly House

The Assembly House The Assembly House is an architectural dreamworld for the building arts, envisioned by artist/architect Dennis Maher

Assembly House 150 (AH150) is an artist-led 501c(3) nonprofit art, design and construction incubator and experiential learning center in Buffalo, NY. Founded and directed by Dennis Maher—a renowned artist and professor of architecture at University at Buffalo. AH150 creates inspiring, wondrous environments for all to experience the art of building. AH150 brings together tradespeople, artists, desi

gners, architects, artisans, planners, preservationists, students, apprentices and others to build awareness of the built environment, teach skills in design and construction, work together on impactful community projects and empower people through creative action. We use the creative fusion of diverse audiences and stakeholders to shape the design and construction of the built environment. We endeavor to build a more artful and equitable city.

It was such an honor and a thrill to receive the Pillar of New York Award from the Preservation League of NYS for The As...
05/24/2026

It was such an honor and a thrill to receive the Pillar of New York Award from the Preservation League of NYS for The Assembly House. What an amazing gathering of people in a spectacular location, the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center. The award was presented by Julia Czerniak, Dean of the University at Buffalo, School of Architecture and Planning. ⁠
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I have wanted to shine an artistic light on the discipline of preservation, illuminating time, the endless movements of material, and the energies of people. These currents are always coursing through our built world, imbuing aliveness to everything that surrounds us. The Assembly House is preserving that aliveness. ⁠
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Many thanks to the Preservation League and all the Buffalo friends and family who joined for this fantastic celebration. Photos here by Alan Barnett Photography.

04/27/2026

Corey McCarthy, a preservationist and painter, reflects on the origins of his involvements with The Assembly House and gleaning the vision through conversations with Dennis Maher. Their earliest dialogs bridging art and construction started with his visit to Maher's installation at the Mattress Factory Art Museum. Corey is one of many finding purpose while participating in a continuous cycle of creation.

04/23/2026

Exploring the intricate layers and mini-universes inside Interfield at the Burchfield Penney Art Center. The installation assembles objects, both found and newly built, to evoke the rebuilt ruins of a garden and living room.

A House of Fragments, Becoming Whole: Amid layers of construction at The Assembly House, visions for living come into vi...
03/30/2026

A House of Fragments, Becoming Whole: Amid layers of construction at The Assembly House, visions for living come into view. Rough framed walls, raw OSB sheathing, and incomplete drywall give way to intricate inlay floors and finished Cabinet Rooms. The Quarter House is a work of construction art; its wondrous interior doubles as a teaching tool for our SACRA students—assembled pieces coming together and moving apart.

03/27/2026

Siobhan Carr shares what it’s like to be surrounded by the building arts and to learn and create within the unique architecture at the The Assembly House.

01/20/2026

The frames within the frame. Buildings within the building. Assembled fragments within assembled fragments. All these layers and scales colliding with collected books, to make a library of many forms.

Excited to share that The Assembly House has been named a 2026 honoree of the Pillar of New York Awards by the Preservat...
01/14/2026

Excited to share that The Assembly House has been named a 2026 honoree of the Pillar of New York Awards by the Preservation League of New York State!

Envisioned by artist and designer Dennis Maher, The Assembly House is an experimental work of art and architecture that transforms a historic former church in Buffalo, NY into a 'dreamworld for the building arts.' Over the last decade, this once abandoned landmark has become a space for imagination, making, and learning—bringing together art, architecture, preservation, and construction under one roof.

Looking forward to celebrating at the Pillar Awards Gala in May, held in the Rainbow Room, NYC!

12/28/2025

What happens when your 40-inch machine meets a 40-inch doorway? A tight squeeze and some impromptu 'decoration.' Dennis Maher explains the unintentional masonry work created by moving heavy equipment in and out of The Assembly House. These are the artful imprints instigated by everyday activities on the site.

12/27/2025

From stripping wires to mounting junction boxes, these students are acquiring basic awareness of electrical systems . Watch as they take their classroom knowledge to the workbench! Would you like to learn more about our SACRA program? Click the link in the bio!

Every threshold is a passage from one realm to another. Some process photos here from a recent installation in the Vesti...
12/25/2025

Every threshold is a passage from one realm to another. Some process photos here from a recent installation in the Vestibule at The Assembly House. The spindle screens were hand-crafted by SACRA students and apprentices.

Join the next SACRA cohort in February. Interviews are underway—apply today!

12/23/2025

The evolution of The Assembly House has happened with many talented builders and industry pros. Corey McCarthy is one of the people who has been here since the very beginning. ⁠Corey has been applying his expertise in painting and preservation carpentry, and is now restoring windows to highlight their original character. He also frequently makes appearances for workshops, sharing his experience and knowledge with our SACRA students. ⁠
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Address

150 Edward Street
Buffalo, NY
14201

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

(716) 560-8170

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