Grace Church School opens a new $9 million high school; First phase of 51,000 s/f project designed by Alspector Architecture

An independent high school that exemplifies the latest approaches to education has been opened by Grace Church School in spaces designed by Alspector Architecture. The $9 million, 51,000 s/f first phase of this three-phase project showcases a reinvented library, cafeteria, art studios, student commons, classrooms, science labs and administrative offices on the first and second floors and lower level. The high school extends the values and approach of the school's K-8 program, employing experiential, community-based, and multi-sensory methods of teaching and learning that challenge students by drawing on what they know and building their competence and confidence. "Alspector Architecture's design created spaces that fully support our mission and how students actually study, learn and socialize," said George Davison, head of the school. The school is located in the former Hartz Mountain pet food factory and warehouse, located at 46 Cooper Square. The property is made up of seven 19th Century row houses that the company joined together in the 1960s. While Alspector Architecture's design keeps the four-story building's 1960s façade, the interior is being completely renovated to support the openness, community and flexibility required by the school's mission. Visitors immediately encounter the key design elements which support that mission, layered with references to the history of the building. Generous use of glass in all of the interior spaces encourages students and faculty can make visual contact throughout each floor. "Daylight helps people concentrate so we wanted its presence to be pervasive," said Davison, "and Alspector Architecture took advantage of every opportunity to introduce skylights in the rear of the building." Extra wide circulation spaces with ocassional seats and work surfaces throughout the facility encourage communication and interaction. At the center of the school's educational program is the 21st Century digital library. Visible from the street, the two-level atrium offers a variety of areas for congregating enhanced by the extra light pouring in from the enlarged street windows. The learning services surrounding the library accommodate personnel devoted to assisting students in writing, IT, research and related functions in a variety of flexible spaces designed to support individual and group interactions. The library continues on the level below with a seamless connection to the cafeteria and commons area, providing a generous amount of space for students to gather, learn and socialize. Outside, the façade has been completely cleaned and a new aluminum marquee marks the building entrance. In a few years visitors to the school will approach it through a new pedestrian open space, Grace Plaza, planned by the city. The school will then be part of an urban place defined on its three sides by contemporary and historic buildings devoted to collaborative education and progressive culture. Phase 2, geared for completion in 2014, will add classroom and office spaces to the third floor at a cost of $3 million. Phase 3 will provide additional classroom spaces and a new gymnasium on the fourth floor at a cost of $5.1 million. When fully completed in 2018 the school will occupy a model facility supporting 21st Century students and progressive pedagogy.