Loci Architecture has designed science laboratories and a dance studio for the Brooklyn Prospect Charter School (BPCS) in the Windsor Terrace section, and classrooms and administrative offices for Brooklyn Prospect's new elementary school in the borough's downtown district, according to Loci principal David Briggs.
The new biology and chemistry labs, and the dance facility, which is part of the school's gymnasium, are located in a converted Catholic school building into which BPCS moved a year ago, occupying 57,000 s/f. The additions complement the five-year-old charter school's adoption of an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, which is recognized by many leading universities around the world as a superior qualification for admission. The Windsor Terrace building is at 3002 Fort Hamilton Pwy., near Prospect Park.
The new classrooms and administration space supplement BPCS' facilities within St. Joseph's parochial elementary school at 80 Willoughby St. in the downtown area, close to the Metro Tech development. The top three floors of the building were leased by Brooklyn Prospect earlier this year to serve elementary school grades.
Loci has designed other projects for Brooklyn Prospect, and has experience with charter schools and other educational institutions, according to Briggs. "We know how to work quickly under tight budgets without sacrificing quality, which is extremely important to the expanding charter school movement," he said.
Loci was founded in 1993 with a focus on sustainable design. Their completed projects include non-profit community centers, building restorations, single-family private residences, school renovations, and office spaces. Loci's consistent approach across all their work relates to how each of these places is part of the urban fabric and demonstrates a commitment to creating richer, more dynamic places that restore natural and built environments.
Loci's clients include Brooklyn Prospect Charter School, Taconic Investment Partners, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, Volunteers of America, Saint David's School, Global Strategy Group, The Carroll School, Werber Management, and Molloy College. Noted projects include the historic Eastchester Heights complex; the affordable housing development Harlem Townhouse; new Brooklyn Prospect elementary, middle, and high schools; Rose House Residences; the Lincoln Amsterdam restoration; the Lower East Side Harm Reduction Center; 520 Eighth Avenue; and several private residences and offices.
Underscoring his commitment to urban renewal and improved city planning, Mr. Briggs co-founded Gowanus by Design, a non-profit organization that is researching urban planning and development solutions for the neighborhood around the Gowanus Canal Superfund site in Brooklyn. He has organized two design competitions in conjunction with the federal Environmental Protection Agency's clean-up plans and plays a pivotal role in reaching out to public officials on behalf of the community. He is also active on several charter school boards, including Amber Charter School in East Harlem.
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11/04/2013 Tags: