Zaxis Architectural, P.C. designs $10 million Buffalo Public School renovation

On June 14, Buffalo Public School superintendent, Dr. James Williams, presided over the grand re-opening of Buffalo Public School #54, the George E. Blackman School of Excellence. Zaxis Architectural, P.C. in concert with program manager, LPCiminelli, Inc. and the Buffalo Board of Education designed the $10 million renovation and addition project as part of the Buffalo Public Schools Phase IV reconstruction project. The original building, a two-story structure built in 1964, offered 71,000 s/f of academic space. Zaxis architects designed a two-story addition of over 9,000 s/f to the buildings' main entrance which made use of the site's open front yard allowing the building to become prominent and relevant within its neighboring urban context. The existing building was reprogrammed and renovated to incorporate additional classroom and special education spaces as well as a new library, computer room, music room, art room and cafeteria which can accommodate 180 students. The main administrative office was relocated and redesigned to improve accessibility and security which included new surveillance and alarm technologies. In addition, all classrooms were designed to receive technology improvements which included the installation of interactive smart boards, classroom computers and fixturing, which is part of the District Wide Technology improvement program.