New York City’s first new public high school in 60 years opened to students on September 19.
Designed by Ennead Architects, East Harlem Scholars Academy High School aligns with the East Harlem Tutorial Program’s (EHTP) goal to familiarize its students with a collegiate-like environment in preparation for their future academic transition.
“We hope this serves as a model for future public schools throughout the city for years to come,” said Steven Chu, a design partner at Ennead, in a prepared statement.
High school encourages study and research
The 70,000-sf building provides students with spaces needed to support a flexible, enhanced academic schedule, and to accommodate programming across all EHTP schools. The building’s six stories include 25 classrooms, an art and music room, and fully equipped labs for biology, chemistry, and physics.
The school also features a college access suite that encourages study and research, and provides college counseling, SAT and Regents test prep, and EHTP’s flagship College Mentoring Program. The building’s design includes break-out and small-group study areas.
To fit the needs of all students, including those who are neurodivergent, the design team incorporated special lighting and sound, as well as ample acoustical absorption within the walls of the school’s lobby and cafeteria. The design of the classrooms and stairwells lets in natural light and takes into account visibility to reinforce openness and transparency.
School features sustainable design
The school’s amenities include a full-sized gym, a Black Box Theater, and cafeteria, with an eye toward making the school a community hub. To the right of the cafeteria is a backyard terrace. And the building’s glass façade offers generous views of the city.
Sustainability is also on display. To mitigate the effects of flooding, the high school, located on 104th Street and First Avenue, is in a designated flood zone. The lobby is lifted three feet above ground level. And a blue roof captures stormwater for easier drainage.
East Harlem Scholars Academy High School consolidates the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades, which had been operating out of temporary buildings at 96th and 106th streets on Second Avenue. The new school serves 326 students, 67% of whom are Hispanic, and 28% are Black.
Related Stories
| Jan 8, 2014
Strengthened sprinkler rules could aid push for mid-rise wood structures in Canada
Strengthened sprinkler regulations proposed for the 2015 National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) could help a movement to allow midrise wood structures.
Smart Buildings | Jan 7, 2014
9 mega redevelopments poised to transform the urban landscape
Slowed by the recession—and often by protracted negotiations—some big redevelopment plans are now moving ahead. Here’s a sampling of nine major mixed-use projects throughout the country.
| Dec 27, 2013
$1 billion 'city within a city' development approved by Coachella, Calif., city council
The mega development includes 7,800 homes, a retail center, office space, and nearly 350 acres of open space.
| Dec 17, 2013
Nation's largest net-zero K-12 school among winners of 2013 Best of Green Schools award
The Lady Bird Johnson Middle School in Irving, Texas, was named a winner of USGBC's annual award, along with nine other schools, individuals and communities working toward the common goal of healthy, high-performing learning places.
| Dec 17, 2013
IBM's five tech-driven innovation predictions for the next five years [infographics]
Smart classrooms, DNA-based medical care, and wired cities are among the technology-related innovations identified by IBM researchers for the company's 5 in 5 report.
| Dec 16, 2013
Irving, Texas building state’s second net-zero school
Lee Elementary School, scheduled to open in fall 2014, will be net-zero-ready, and if the school board decides to sell district bonds and allow the purchase of additional solar panels, will be a true net-zero facility.
| Dec 13, 2013
Safe and sound: 10 solutions for fire and life safety
From a dual fire-CO detector to an aspiration-sensing fire alarm, BD+C editors present a roundup of new fire and life safety products and technologies.
| Dec 10, 2013
16 great solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors
From a crowd-funded smart shovel to a why-didn’t-someone-do-this-sooner scheme for managing traffic in public restrooms, these ideas are noteworthy for creative problem-solving. Here are some of the most intriguing innovations the BD+C community has brought to our attention this year.
| Dec 9, 2013
Tips for designing higher education's newest building type: the learning commons
In this era of scaled-down budgets, maximized efficiencies, new learning methods and social media’s domination of face time, college and university campuses are gravitating toward a new space type: the learning commons.
| Dec 5, 2013
Exclusive BD+C survey shows reaction to Sandy Hook tragedy
More than 60% of AEC professionals surveyed by BD+C said their firms experienced heightened interest in security measures from school districts they worked with.