City College of New York South Campus Development

[Kris]

http://www.rvapc.com/Authoring/Images/Projects/147/147_tmp24.jpg
http://www.rvapc.com/Authoring/Images/Projects/147/147_tmp25.jpg

http://www.rvapc.com/ht/HTProject.aspx?Base=Projects&projID=147


An existing, though poorly maintained, modernist glass-block building – designed and built in the early Fifties – has been selected as the new home for the City College School of Architecture, Urban Design and Landscape Architecture which has outgrown its current location in Shepard Hall. Originally conceived as a library, decades of evolving academic and administrative programs have transformed this building, scheduled to contain the new architecture school, into a fractured collection of generally inadequate spaces housing administrative functions for the college as a whole. The RVA master plan for the campus relocates these administrative functions to other structures and calls for a gut renovation of this fine existing building.

On the exterior, a strategy for providing controlled light into studio spaces, involves erecting light stainless steel louvers that respond to the various orientations on the exterior of the building. The rest of the redesign creates two floors of loft studio space, an architecture library, a central exhibit space, offices, and a lecture hall around a large atrium whose system of staircases and bridges facilitate circulation throughout the building. At the top of the atrium, a clerestory introduces natural light into the heart of the plan and a rooftop amphitheater overlooks the campus.

Brooklyn College West Quad (http://www.rvapc.com/ht/HTProject.aspx?Base=Projects&projID=139)

[JonY]

Nice design there for a revamp. Low yet appealing. You can see that the public spaces are in the fractal style of design - very 'now'.

BTW Any pic of the "existing, though poorly maintained" 50's building for comparative reasons?

[Kris]

I think the "fractal style of design" relates to the irregular topography.

[tmg]

I work in this building. "Poorly maintained" is right... "Y Building" (as it is currently known) is a dump. It will be great to watch its transformation.

The building features tremendously high ceilings that will make for magnificent spaces when the building has a more open floor plan.

Also, most of the west face of the building is unusable because it is taken up by large ramps that connect the various floors. These were added to allow large book carts to be moved from floor to floor without elevators. Hopefully these will be removed and converted to usable space.

As of now, no date has been set for us to move out of the building so that construction can begin.

http://www.ccny.cuny.edu/aboutus/campus/ybuildanim/ybldganim250x188.gif

[JonY]

Just from the 2-flasher pic, it looks a bit of a 'bunker' tmg.


I think the "fractal style of design" relates to the irregular topography. Yet the main building's footprint seems to be on a relatively flat surface (key word here being 'relatively').

Interestingly, the formations rising vertically above any irregular topography in the models for the public spaces/access areas are fractal - which wouldn't necessarily relate to the topography itself but (seems to be) purely to a design aesthetic. Unless of course it also has something to do with a stabilizing process including the retainment of the foundations. Killing 2 birds with.....

On having said that, you (in general) are able to interpret the main stepped access plaza area and relate it to a contoured map, which certainly does relate to topography:

http://www.jhlabs.com/maps/doc/contours.jpg

[tmg]

The building actually has a lot of windows and "glass bricks". The side of the building shown in the pictures has no windows because of the useless interior ramps.

[JonY]

Solid 50s glass bricks - from the exterior or interior....yummo!!

http://www.pirieent.com.au/glassbrickshowroom.jpg

[tmg]

This building has long since been gutted, but this week, the useless old library ramps were demolished. Hopefully some additional windows will be cut on the remaining sheerwall on that facade.

Hopefully some actual construction will start soon. Somebody with a camera, now would be a great time for some pictures!

[Gulcrapek]

The addition to the first floor has been built now, in structure at least. A new core has also been installed on the southwest. Between the floors towards the center there are mini-floors that have been formed for offices.

The upperclassmen are a bit disappointed; they thought they'd spend at least a year in the new building. Three years behind schedule now.

[tmg]

Facade is being installed. Not exciting, but oh -- what an improvement over the old one! No glass yet, though.

Here are some updated links:
http://www.rvapc.com/ht/HTProject.aspx?Base=Projects&projID=147
http://www.rvapc.com/Authoring/.%5CImages%5CProjects%5C147%5C147_tmp1021.jpg

[Gulcrapek]

Yeah the facade is now wrapping around the north and east sides after oddly stopping after the full west face and half of the south side. I can't tell what material it is, but it doesn't look too classy. Seems like it will stain easily; there's already a prominent stain on the west side.

Ducts have also been installed.

I have a billion pictures, I'll try to post some.

[BrooklynRider]

Hey Gul!

Welcome back!

[tmg]

Glass installation has begun.

[Gulcrapek]

Yeah but only in one bay, it's been there for a week or so now. It seems like they test things out first before going full on here, good idea.

[Gulcrapek]

7/19/07

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1237/862008788_a1e994fb68_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1114/862008822_8c667a0ae0.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1389/862008860_0806380c31.jpg

[professionalx]

Hey Gulcrapek - any progress on this thing?

I worked occasionally in a neighboring "sick building" (Aaron Davis Hall) and comforted myself every time i walked in & out with "well, at least I'm not in the Y Building." So I was pleased to hear it was being gutted & to see your pics. Is it finished yet?

[Gulcrapek]

A bunch from recent months - it was promised and paraded that summer classes would be held here.

Predictably, they delayed it yet again. Four years late now.

From what I've heard and seen from people who have been in the building, it's basically an insult to the students and faculty - cheap, uninspiring, with technical problems.

Today:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3329/3609597278_f2eae81d4f_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3608782683_e6373d6722_b.jpg

A couple of weeks ago

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3336/3609875794_78be42aa78_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3606/3609061909_e3be28e21f_b.jpg

From the south (ASRC excavation in foreground)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3609875376_caef46bedb_b.jpg

Vertical louvers on the west and horizontal louvers on the south will be installed at some point in the future.

[Gulcrapek]

Can a mod please change this thread title to CCNY South Campus construction? I feel like making a separate thread for the ASRC would be pointless.

Site of the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center a few days ago, south to north:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2632/3740473776_fd010d9777_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/3739679835_7ac2e7d39e_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3526/3739679659_433a3bd823_b.jpg

(School of Arch in background there)

I'll post more info on the ASRC later.

[Hamilton]

^^ What was on the site previously? Was it the track and football field? EDIT: It was the site of the track and football field.

Also, that mound of dirt is gargantuan and can be seen for blocks.

A site plan and some renderings from 2006 are in slides 38-42: http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/facultystaff/provost/upload/Physical%20Plant%20Services%20&%20Capital%20Projects%20March%2021,%202007.pdf

[Gulcrapek]

That site arrangement is old - new plan has the CCNY science building more to the south and Phase 1 being the southern ASRC building, not the northern.

Yeah the Goldman Center field was there, as well as Eisner Hall which was demolished about 6 months ago. Thirty years ago there was also Finley Student Center, Wagner Hall, and Downer Hall on the site.

[Gulcrapek]

Ok..

City College Science Building and CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, Phase 1
Architect: Flad Architects; Kohn Pedersen Fox
Floors: 4 and 6 respectively
Purpose: Replacement of inadequate/dangerous Marshak Building with new facilities containing state-of-the-art labs and classrooms, and advanced research facility drawing researchers from companies as well as academic institutions nationwide, respectively
Completion: 2013

The buildings surround a new "quad" north of the Towers dormitory, south of the Architecture Building, and east of the NY Structural Biology Center.

ASRC from northeast
http://web.cuny.edu/research/Advanced-Science-Research-Center/ASRC-Core-Facilities/ASRC_RGB_trim.jpg
(http://web.cuny.edu/research/Advanced-Science-Research-Center/ASRC-Core-Facilities/ASRC_RGB_trim.jpg)

View from north

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2512/3767130236_d395260831_o.jpg

Site Plan

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2446/3767130246_2c2c4b517f_o.jpg

Lobby/lounge

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/3767130266_2a70dd1814_o.jpg


Last 3 photos originally from:

www.kpf.com (http://www.kpf.com) > Portfolio > By Region > Americas

[NoyokA]

Any word on what's going to replace the Marshak?

[ASchwarz]

The Marshak isn't going anywhere. It's being renovated.

[NoyokA]

That's too bad the Marshak is disgusting. Although the NAC is universally reviled as well, call me weird, I've always liked it, inside and out.

[Gulcrapek]

Yes, Marshak has been undergoing repair and renovation (more technical/emergency than architectural, and somewhat ineffective to a degree) and will house the less hands-on science stuff as well as a new science library and Sophie Davis's (biomed) library afterwards. Anchors are in place for the new facade as well.

Stern... I also kinda like the NAC on the outside, in its shape and quirks, but a lot of the interior is a disaster and the sheer number of windowless rooms is unforgivable. At least they're overhauling its HVAC to make those rooms less smelly/toxic.

[Gulcrapek]

I'm in the library of the School of Architecture now, which is now the Spitzer School of Architecture. Many photos coming Sunday or Monday.

[ablarc]

^ Not THE Spitzer, surely?!

[ZippyTheChimp]

Sort of.

The Anne and Bernard Spitzer School of Architecture. His parents.

Son Eliot will be teaching a course in political science at City College this fall.

Not a joke. You can't make up stuff like this.

[Gulcrapek]

Most of these are kind of low quality, and need to be rotated a bit..

Main access stair from north. The rust colored steel will supposedly be covered by stainless steel slats.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3484/3898641688_219397b94f_b.jpg

Third floor east, between studios and atrium

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/3898637034_24bf537e05_b.jpg

Interior studios facing atrium

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3897858131_7ff54e0b7f_b.jpg

Up the atrium from ground floor gallery - bridges converge

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576/3898640594_83259ec0f5_b.jpg

Library and balcony

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/3897861569_415e6476fe_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3533/3897862645_3811635838_b.jpg

Interior studio, through building

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2668/3897854861_bb0bea0e6a_b.jpg

Midtown from the roof

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3491/3897863521_32e677ba0d_b.jpg

Some of the amphitheatre

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/3898669330_36c83486fa_b.jpg

[ablarc]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576/3898640594_83259ec0f5_b.jpg
I guess nobody will be wearing a skirt. ^

.

[Gulcrapek]

Some have been...

The word is that louvers on the east, west, and south facades will be installed by winter, as well as a canopy over the main entrance.

[Derek2k3]

World Architecture News
Viñoly's school for architecture completes

Article and more photos here:
http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=12385

http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/12385_2_ccny2big.JPG


http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/12385_1_ccny1big.JPG

[phxmania2001]

Wait - students are allowed on the roof now?

[Gulcrapek]

Weekdays until 7 PM.

[gar3th]

found this video..... http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid19936565001?bclid=18291398001&bctid=18414044001

[Gulcrapek]

Thanks.

The two "basement" floors (one and a half are actually above local grade) of the CCNY Science Building and the shared space between it and the CUNY ASRC have been erected, and I must say I never really understood how a four-storey building could be higher than one with eleven, but looking at this thing made it understandable. The floor to floor heights are gigantic, and they're on a pedestal that will be about even with the ground to the north but ~30' higher than the ground to the south.

Also, I should mention the louvers and canopy on Spitzer (the Arch. building) were never installed. Maybe summer.

[Gulcrapek]

Meh shots of the ASRC area... the very edge of the roof on the Spitzer building is not accessible.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4312154129_2fae7d50a0.jpg

Bigger: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4312154129_2fae7d50a0_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4312153285_05ebb7f2dd.jpg

Bigger: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4312153285_05ebb7f2dd_b.jpg

[Gulcrapek]

Mid March

From Spitzer:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4462976518_7a29366a74.jpg
Bigger: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4462976518_7a29366a74_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4462199413_6fb37b526d.jpg
Bigger: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4462199413_6fb37b526d_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4462200331_3e41e8a8f2.jpg
Bigger: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4462200331_3e41e8a8f2_b.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4462977144_d01a4df2ca.jpg
Bigger: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4462977144_d01a4df2ca_b.jpg

From St. Nicholas Terrace:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2717/4462977806_289eec0caa.jpg
Bigger: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2717/4462977806_289eec0caa_b.jpg

From front lawn of the Towers:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4462978786_42781c0d97.jpg
Bigger: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4462978786_42781c0d97_b.jpg

[Gulcrapek]

Louver installation and prep work for the entrance canopy has begun at Spitzer.

Steel is finally coming up on the CUNY ASRC building itself.

[Gulcrapek]

Photo proof of that..

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1329/4600438878_f4af591165_b.jpg

CCNY Science Building; they've basically stopped work on the frame which is puzzling to me.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1257/4599819677_077f823581_b.jpg

[Merry]

Unveiled> Advanced Science Research Center

KPF create glassy twins for new CUNY campus

by Julia Galef

http://www.archpaper.com/uploads/image/EKSQ_CUNY_PLAZA.jpg
The curves of the two research buildings are an abstraction of the CUNY campus grid.

Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox
Client: City University of New York
Location: 133rd Street and St. Nicholas Terrace
Completion: 2013

A new science research center on the City University of New York’s new South Campus at City College in Harlem pulls the existing campus gridlines across 135th Street and twists them into undulating curves. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), the two glass 200,000-square-foot research buildings are set on an elevated rock outcropping along St. Nicholas Park, graciously accommodating the jagged environs.

http://www.archpaper.com/uploads/SUPERVIEW-CCNY-LOBBY.jpg
Inside the lobby of one of the new research buildings.

Though challenging to build on, the rock muffles vibrations that might disturb the labs’ sensitive equipment. With these two buildings and a third scheduled for phase two, the university hopes to attract scientists working in fields like biology, physics, and neurology. KPF tried to build as much flexibility as possible into the design, with each room able to transform easily from a wet lab into a physics lab. Glass-walled communal break rooms positioned just off the main stairway aim to catch the eye of passing scientists and spark interdisciplinary cross-pollination.

http://www.archpaper.com/uploads/LUXIGON-CUNY_PLAZA_VIEW.jpg
The new buildings are meant to encourage transparency and interaction.

Though the buildings mirror each other in size and shape, they’re not identical. “We’ve been talking about them like fraternal twins,” said KPF director Hana Kassem. One will include spaces for students and features bold slashes of color inside, while the second is for research only, and trades its twin’s bold colors for muted tones and textures.

http://www.archpaper.com/e-board_rev.asp?News_ID=4534

[Gulcrapek]

"New campus" - nice journalism fail.

[nykid17]

Both buildings are coming along nicely.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4891970100_3f9b2d9b73_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4891372473_ae29af3744_z.jpg

And, though they haven't demolished Marshak, they have opted for the second best alternative, (a re-clad); though they could have chosen better glass.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4891971812_5c4238f6bd_z.jpg

[Merry]

City College Retools with Research Lab Revival

SOM-designed Marshak Science Building gets facelift amid R&D building boom at Hamilton Heights campus

Robert E. Thomas

http://www.archpaper.com/uploads/image/Marshak_City_College.jpg
A rendering of City College's Marshak Science Building showing the concrete structure reclad with a
new glass-and-aluminum facade. [Courtesy Ahuja Partnership Architects]

The Marshak Science Building, for decades the only laboratory facility at the City College of New York, is getting a major facelift. At the same time, it’s losing pride of place on campus. The 13-story concrete structure, designed by SOM in 1971, is currently undergoing a rehabilitation of its original concrete facade, and receiving a completely new glass curtain wall courtesy of Ahuja Partnership Architects and RSD Engineering.

Meanwhile, a clutch of new research facilities, including the CCNY Advanced Science Research Center, are in the works for the school’s expanded South Campus in Hamilton Heights.

The Marshak curtain wall is 90 percent in place, said Raj Ahuja, the firm’s principal. Ahuja Partnership was originally hired ten years ago to repair shoddy concrete panels, some of which actually fell from the building in 2005. The original concrete, though common at the time of construction, has proven unsuitable for East Coast weather, said Ajay Ghei, an associate at Ahuja Partnership and project manager for the Marshak Building. In some instances, panels were only held in place by glue.

http://www.archpaper.com/uploads/Marshak_City_College_350.jpg
The Marshak building under construction, with aluminum
panels added on the north and south facades.
[COURTESY rsd engineering]

By 2007, the repair work had evolved into a $45 million renovation, including plans for the new facade, the only way to avoid continual concrete repairs. “The new curtain wall has been designed to be the only wall,” Ghei said. This means that upon completion, the new wall, attached to the original by means of metal tubing, will insulate the entire building and protect the remaining substandard concrete, still a major liability. Thanks to this foresight, the wall, which also integrates aluminum panels on the north and south elevations, will allow for the eventual removal of the original single-pane windows, freeing space for new HVAC units.

These changes come in the midst of CUNY’s “Decade of Science,” a refocusing of university funds and attention on research and development in advanced math and science. Though the Marshak Building opened four decades ago, City College spokesman Ellis Simon said that it has remained the sole science building on campus despite a recent explosion of research activity.

In order to accommodate this new emphasis on research, CUNY has initiated a number of projects. These include construction of two graduate research laboratories, as well as a new City College Advanced Science Research Center, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, with Flad & Associates serving as architect of record on the project and designing the labs. These facilities should help alleviate demand on the Marshak Building, which also houses the Nat Holman Gymnasium and the Jeremiah Mahoney Pool.

The new science buildings will join the School of Architecture, Urban Design and Landscape Architecture, recently remodeled by Rafael Viñoly Architects, on CCNY’s ever-expanding South Campus.

The Marshak Building, which will also undergo a series of interior laboratory renovations, will remain open throughout the exterior construction phase scheduled for completion this fall.

http://www.archpaper.com/e-board_rev.asp?News_ID=4865

[Derek2k3]

It looks like a giant air conditioner.

[Gulcrapek]

5/06/11

http://i.imgur.com/SvUF9.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/gjkdb.jpg

There was a stop worker on them for a little while, due to safety lapses on site. They're progressing remarkably slowly.

[BStyles]

Well, at least they topped out.

[Tectonic]

I the distance between them you can see the Mount Sinai Development

[Gulcrapek]

Late August

Entrance of The Spitzer School of Architecture

http://i.imgur.com/St8lYh.jpg

New facade of Marshak Building (north campus) almost finished (with CCNY's Solar Roofpod under construction atop the podium)
http://i.imgur.com/R96aCh.jpg

CCNY Science Building - finally facaded. Disappointing bland outer facade but I think the inner facade will be more interesting.

http://i.imgur.com/57Oo3h.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/R2lwoh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/oIFWyh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/q23vhh.jpg

CUNY ASRC

http://i.imgur.com/H3obFh.jpg

Similarly bland outer facade

http://i.imgur.com/tSOmDh.jpg

[Gulcrapek]

11/07/11 - kind of odd the way the outer facades were installed and the inner ones weren't. I assume it has to do with loading heavy equipment directly into the labs and mechanical spaces.

http://i.imgur.com/b5VXI.jpg

East building (ASRC)

http://i.imgur.com/GsfAI.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/QCxeV.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/E0b6b.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/NCm7r.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Z6l2v.jpg



West building

http://i.imgur.com/HqhVI.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Yy8Zq.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/1Kmlz.jpg


Also, facade replacement at Marshak on the north campus is complete. Looks totally massive.

http://i.imgur.com/MNLB8.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/D0kKN.jpg

The sun was pretty bright

http://i.imgur.com/C6c1g.jpg