The New York City Department of Education determined that schools in the Richmond Hill area of Queens, including Public School (P.S.) 66, had experienced substantial overcrowding in the community. P.S. 66 serves a student population of approximately 540 students. To accommodate portions of the overcrowding, temporary classroom units were constructed on-site in 1999 and remained for well over a decade. The addition was planned primarily to address the overpopulated classrooms, but also to improve certain programmatic deficiencies.
The existing school is a classic example of both Victorian Eclectic and Queen Anne styles and as such, was granted city landmark status by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. It was the first elementary school in Queens to gain this significant status. The school is also on the New York State Register of Historic Places. Working closely in consideration of New York’s State Historic Preservation Office design criteria, we developed a contemporary addition respectful of the existing structure and sensitive to both proportions and referential elements.
We provided full architecture and engineering services including construction administration for the addition which included six new classrooms, an exercise room, kitchen and cafeteria spaces, newly created outdoor space and a general office and principal suite. The addition replaced the temporary classroom units and provided a learning environment significantly more suitable to the students it serves, allowing them a robust learning environment in which to thrive and grow.
Client
New York City School Construction Authority
Services
- Full A/E service including construction administration
