Creating an addition where an adjacent brownstone once stood, we worked to create a fully integrated addition, configuring interiors to blend seamlessly with the existing structure and maintain the feel of a single building.
Located in an early 20th-century tenement building that was converted in the 1970s, the Corlears School had outgrown its space. In spite of piecemeal renovations that had been conducted over the years, the structure still fell short of meeting spatial and programmatic needs. With the opportunity to expand its building into an adjacent site, the school was in need of a major overhaul to improve circulation, unite its fragmented footprint, and bring its building codes up to date. Additional and improved classrooms are now connected by a series of open plazas, rather than corridors, to encourage spontaneous interaction and discovery. Planned in tiered phases, the school was able to remain open during the entire construction process, which integrated high-performance building systems and sustainable materials throughout. The curriculum at Corlears reflects a strongly held belief that young children are natural learners, curious about the world around them. Incorporated as a learning tool for sustainability, the new building embodies the school's educational mission and communicates its ideals.
library
main entry lobby
classroom
project displays
exterior