SCUP/AIA-CAE Excellence in Architecture for a New Building,
Special Citation

City University of New York, Medgar Evers College for the School of Science, Health and Technology Building with Ennead Architects

  
©Aislinn Weidele/Ennead Architects

 

This new building at the City of New York, Medgar Evers College houses the School of Science, Health and Technology and creates a progressive academic institutional identity. Located in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, formerly the site of a New York City Sanitation Department garage, it is the first new building of the 1995 master plan.

The jury said, “ . . . this does a beautiful job on the corner . . . it is beckoning and uplifting to the community . . . compelling interior space that contributes to engagement of the university with the community . . . commend the institution for paying attention to the neighborhood . . . went beyond just building a box . . .”

The building marks the beginning of a campus quadrangle. A floor-to-ceiling glass pavilion on the east corner emphasizes transparency and community inclusion and helps ensure that Medgar Evers College will be a beacon in the community for years.

Program elements were selected and programs were defined to balance long-term growth. The new facility triples the amount of space previously available, houses 30% of the classrooms and 70% of its laboratories.

The second floor cafeteria is a light-filled, open space for students and faculty interactions between classes and a meeting space for the community. The glass façade allows passersby to see activity within.

“Academic Building 1 provides students with the facilities needed for a high-quality public education, while simultaneously creating a unique and inspiring ‘sense of place’ for the campus and the surrounding community,” says Iris Weinshall, vice chancellor for facilities planning, construction and management. “The building sets an example for other colleges that face similar challenge of creating large facilities in dense urban environments,” she adds.

Project Team: City University of New York, Medgar Evers College with Ennead Architects; also Leslie E. Robertson Associates; Lakhani & Jordan Engineers; Harvey Marshall Berling Associates; Wolf and Company; R.A.Heintges; Construction Specifications, Inc.; Poulin + Morris; Thomas Balsley Associates; Brandston Partnership, Inc.; Leonard Strandberg & Associates; Jacobs Consultancy; Pillori Associates, P.A.; Romano Gatland; Iros Elevator Design Services, Inc.