An emergency remediation project keeps students and teachers in class
With New York City’s increased focus on reducing greenhouse emissions, the New York City School Construction Authority (NYCSCA) needed help with an emergency façade remediation project at an historic Manhattan middle school—IS143 is located in the Washington Heights neighborhood of upper Manhattan. They asked us to provide a design to remediate spalling concrete, or concrete that was breaking down, on the three-story tall, vertical pre-cast mullions on the façade of this historically significant 1960’s-era school building.
Keeping in line with the goals of Local Law 97 to reduce the emissions produced by New York City’s largest buildings (over 25,000 square feet) and make the City carbon neutral by 2050, we got to work. We designed the replacement façade system to replicate the historic look and character of the existing construction while improving the performance of the thermal envelope through modern materials and assembly.
A key challenge? The school needed to remain open and functioning during the entire construction process, so we developed a detailed phasing plan. A system of temporary exterior walls with temporary heating, cooling, and window ventilation would allow a contractor to complete the work from the exterior as well as at night—allowing students and teachers to carry on with the business of learning without interruption.
At a Glance
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Anne Marie Edden, Principal, Architect
For every problem, I believe there is a design solution that can provide real value to the public realm.
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