It is a sad state of affairs, but often a fact, that many New York architecture practices take public work only as a sideshow to more fashionable and profitable residential and corporate projects. This model of practice is not one that

PS 313
Queens, New York

A new ground-up building, PS 313 opened this month in Sunnyside, Queens, confirming the firm’s research into the historic typology of New York school architecture. The building’s design falls in this idiom, last updated in the 1930s with New Deal federal assistance, but moves it forward in a popular way that ‘fits’ into the Sunnyside streetscape, elevating the architecture of the historic neighborhood. The through-block building is brick faced with large window openings and brings light into the interior public space with a large skylight. It also creates a landmark in the area with a tower and clock.

Truman High School
Bronx, New York

It is hard to imagine how dreary this high school swimming pool was before this colorful and imaginative restoration. The firm’s use of strong and often contrasting color is a major part of many of its projects. The pool area is a double height space that has slim strips of blue mirror set into the glazed walls that reflect light and water, providing a horizontal emphasis accentuating the surface of the pool. Further, two handicap-accessible viewing platforms are emphasized with bright blue mosaics. Colorful bands around the pool itself make the white walls and coffered ceiling seem even more pristinely white.

PS 234 Walkway
New York, New York

This colorful walkway connects PS 234 on Greenwich Street in Tribeca with its annex half a half block away. The brick and stone postmodern architecture of the 1988 building is supposed to be taken from the “day dreams of  kids,” according to the AIA guide book to New York City, but its brick wall is dull and instantly forgettable. Further, the annex is located in the dreariest tower block in the area, so this colorful covered walkway not only connects the two structures, it enlivens the entire street scape and provides a joyful wall and space for the grammar school children. The playful color palate seems as fresh today as when it was built in 2010.

110-120 East 76th Street
New York, New York

The firm is restoring the facades of six Upper eastside townhouses, which were designed in the Neo-Grec style by Augustus Hatfield in 1883. The restoration of the facades includes new entrances appropriate to the scale of the residences, new front yards, fences, steps, and a new one-story penthouse addition on the roof setback, which is not visible from the street. The interiors of the townhouses are completely new, as are the rear facades, which refer to the memory of the original architecture. The townhouses are distinguished from each other by varying amenities and overall style of the interior design.