Unusual in Manhattan, the school is a free-standing building which has a distinctive neighborhood presence that can be appreciated on all sides. The evocative bay window articulation along the front is simplified and flattened across the rear façade. Featuring various cladding systems, including terra cotta rain screen, insulated metal panels, channel glass, and curtain wall, the exterior envelope creatively meets both aesthetic and budgetary requirements. Larger shared spaces, along with administrative areas are located on the lower floors of the building.

The upper three floors are divided in half, creating separate vertical campuses for both the grammar and high schools. Separate academic and specialty classrooms, therapy and counseling spaces, and stair towers for each school allow for the controlled separation of the youngest and oldest students. Classrooms are positioned to take advantage of daylight, and each has its own adjacent break-out room where therapists or teachers can work with individuals or small groups as needed throughout the day.

Photo Credits: © 2021 Francis Dzikowski/OTTO