elemental

This $150 million dollar project has entailed the reconstruction of a 400,000 SF landmark building that opened on 1907. Shepard Hall was the first building built for public higher education in New York. The reconstruction work has been performed for the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York acting as agent for the City University of New York. Exterior work included rebuilding the entire building shell including replacement of approximately 72,000 different pieces of ornamental terra cotta with new durable thin-shell GFRC. Interior work included restoration of the 14,000 square foot Great Hall, ornate meeting rooms and interior stairs. The project has also restored the five major building entrances. Research, design and construction was begun by The Stein Partnership in 1986. Between 1997 and 2006 Construction Document reorganization and Construction Administration shifted to Stein White Architects and Stein White Nelligan Architects; and since 2006, all work, including the design of the entry restorations, has been by Elemental Architecture. Throughout the project, Carl Stein has been principal-in-charge. This building, now restored to its place as the centerpiece of the City University of New York’s main campus, has received wide recognition including the New York Landmarks Concervancy Lucy G. Moses Award and has been written about extensively. In 2011, the project was the subject of the keynote address at the international GFRC Congress in Istanbul, Turkey
 

Project Data

Client: The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York + City University of New York
Project Size: 400,000 square feet
Construction Cost: $150,000,000 (all phases)
Services: Full Architectural Services

The $12.8 million restoration of the 14,000 sf Great Hall was made necessary by deteriorated structural elements, a severely inadequate mechanical system and crumbling floors. The scope of work allowed the introduction of modern, state of the art acoustic and lighting systems which make the grand assembly space available for a wide variety of programs ranging from lectures and musical performances to commercial film and television shoots. The work also included the refurbishment of twelve sixty-foot stained glass windows, extensive repair of the elaborate decorative plaster and woodwork, and newly designed limestone floor and new control booth. The restoration received the Lucy G. Moses Award from the New York Landmarks Conservancy.
 

Project Data

Client: The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York + City University of New York
Project Size: 14,000 square feet
Construction Cost: $12,800,000
Services: Full Architectural Services

The Combined Police and Fire Facility is a new building serving both the New York Police and Fire Departments. The original fire headquarters required the replacement of all brownstone ornament with new cast stone.  Sustainable features include the adaptive reuse of landmark facades and HVAC systems using scheduling controls and occupancy sensors. The project has received several awards including the Lucy G. Moses Award from the New York Landmarks Conservancy and New York City Art Commission.

Project Data

Client: The City of New York Department of Design & Construction + NYPD + FDNY
Construction Cost: $18,000,000
Services: Full Architectural Services