Educational Design for All
Summer is in the air and it’s a great time to spotlight some of our educational projects. As students and staff across the City conclude the school year and prepare for vacation, we take a look at some of our contributions to the educational landscape.
Polishing a Brooklyn Gem:
The Samuel Mills Sprole School. PS 32K
New main entrance on Union Street. © Albert Vecerka / ESTO.
Opened to students in the Fall of 2020, the Samuel Mills Sprole School, PS 32K underwent its first expansion. The new addition to the 1950s-era, H-shaped, brick building accommodates the school’s growing population and replaces outdated temporary classroom units. The 3-story, 54,000 SF addition extends the central corridor spine eastward and allows each grade to cluster in distinct wings. New corridors terminate in glass block walls, creating pleasant, daylight-filled corridors.
New school lobby. © Albert Vecerka / ESTO.
A New Building for PS 508Q.
P.S 508Q site.
We were selected by the New York City School Construction Authority (NYCSCA) for the development of a stand-alone new building for PS 508Q in Long Island City, Queens. Currently in the design phase, the proposed new building, within the Special Long Island City Mixed-Use District, will house a Pre-K through 5th Grade school and a city-wide district 75 special education program. Inspired by the adjacent elevated MTA tracks and spectacular views toward the historic Silvercup Studios sign, the roof top play area faces northward along with the instructional classrooms. To the south of the site, a 67-story mixed-use residential building is under construction, so sun and shadow studies are being conducted to mitigate the impact of the multi-story building. Follow along for design progression on this challenging and exciting project.
First School of its Kind in the Nation: The Earl Monroe New Renaissance Charter Basketball High School.
Rendering of the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School. © ESKW/Architects / Ian Huff.
Past and Future at the Addition
for Philip J. Abinanti School. PS 108X
PS 108X rendering. © ESKW/Architects / Elephant Skin.
Located along Neill Avenue in the Indian Village neighborhood of the Bronx, the existing 3-story school is registered with the State Historic Preservation Office and features cast stone and bronze details from the 1930s.Through a combination of custom and standard form liners, the precast stone panels for the addition at PS 108X take cues from the Art Deco motifs on the existing building. Through a play of light and shadow, the panels will create a rhythmic and elegant façade for the addition. Precast stone panels are a cost-effective alternative to the cavity wall systems predominantly used on our past school projects. The panels are currently being erected and we are excited to see the exterior come together in the coming months.
We are proud to partner with local institutions and government agencies to design educational spaces that support our clients' unique vision for a sustainable and enriching environment for learning.
Thank you for being a part of our community!
