PS680 Timber Concept

The inherent warmth and biophilic qualities of mass timber construction offer compelling advantages for K-12 educational environments. While the material's sustainable attributes are well-documented, its capacity to foster spaces that resonate with users is also significant. This project demonstrates how mass timber can create an educational facility that not only embodies sustainable principles but also enhances the daily experience of students and educators.

Our conceptual design for a new school in Red Hook, Brooklyn, establishes a strong connection to the surrounding community, extending the adjacent wooded park onto the site. This integration is immediately evident in the prominent timber arcade that defines the building's street frontage. This welcoming threshold serves multiple functions: a protective entry, a transitional space, a community gathering point, a potential venue for events like farmers' markets, and a recognizable neighborhood landmark.

The arcade's rhythm is thoughtfully organized to respond to the existing context, incorporating a preserved section of a low-slung brick warehouse facade along the southeastern edge of the site. This adaptive reuse strategy creates a dialogue between the neighborhood's industrial heritage and the contemporary expression of the new mass timber structure. Behind this preserved facade lies the natatorium, a key programmatic element for this public school. Situated on one side of a central courtyard, the natatorium is visually connected to the classroom wing, which forms the opposite edge.

The western facade, with its masonry detailing, echoes the area's warehouse typology, maintaining a contextual link. In contrast, the southern and eastern elevations of the mass timber structure feature expansive openings that maximize natural light, offer views of the park and surrounding streetscape, and create a lighter, more transparent presence. This considered approach to fenestration and massing underscores the project's commitment to creating a vibrant and engaging learning environment that seamlessly integrates with its urban context while showcasing the inherent benefits of mass timber construction.