Ascend Charter School

What the client asked for

This project had already started when we took it over from the previous architect. At that stage, the core and shell were already finished, but the interior and exterior both needed a lot of work.

Shortly after we took over the project, a tenant was found — Ascend Charter Schools. We worked with Ascend’s design team to help them realize their vision while making sure everything complied with NYC regulations.

The challenges we faced

The biggest challenge was making sure everything was completed for the start of the 2023 school year. (Spoiler alert: We met that challenge, and the administration was happy they could welcome students into the new space with no delays.)

The other challenges we faced were due to us taking over a project someone else had started. In situations like these, you often need to work around frustrating design choices. In this case, they were the staircases and roof access points. But rather than treating them as barriers, or issues, we thought of them as opportunities for creative problem-solving.

And because the building is on a corner lot, we needed to arrange the classrooms to maximize their access to sunlight.

How we overcame the challenges

Completing the building quickly while still meeting the standards of both the developer and the city involved a lot of teamwork and communication.

Fortunately, our team excels in these types of environments. Our project managers know city regulations inside out. And when the school wanted something, the city wouldn’t allow, our architects were crafty enough to meet their needs differently.

We enjoyed making sure the space was comfortable and functional for the students. We adjusted the rooftop access points to make it a safe and spacious place for kids to play. We also installed a gym on the second floor with a double-height ceiling. This became one of our favorite parts of the project, and we’re sure the students will feel the same way.