There has been a lot of controversy during the construction of the new Harlem Children's Zone building on the public housing grounds at 129th Street but the actual design of the new structure has not been reviewed except for some vague sketches. One might assume that the modernist look of the HCZ building on 125th Street (at top) would carry over to the new location and a released sketch now confirms the direction for the $100 million project. Rendering after the jump.
The new 130,000 square foot building which is rising between FDB/8th and ACP/7th looks to have the same hard edges of the first Harlem structure but with a few variations. Colors are more on the brighter cream hue side of things but there is still an accent of red along with a juxtaposition of extreme window proportions. Once built, the school's presence will also restore 129th Street since it was a cul-de-sac for some times and trees will be planted on both sides of the new path. Read more on the new building at the NYCHA site:
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I prefer the 125th street HCZ building in terms of architectural interest, the new HCZ building at 129th is more of a simple box, but still an improvement over he housing projects. Regardless, I’m pleased to see more education options coming to Harlem.
ReplyDeleteMy concern is less the architectural merit of the physical plant than in providing an environment to promote learning and skills that will enable a generation to NOT live in a housing project.
ReplyDeleteSM, agreed, it should not matter what this building looks like or that is occupying an area once reserved for growing grass, it is the purpose of providing more educational options for the next generation that is most important. However, if it was too ugly, you know the usual dysfunctional individuals supported by elected officials would complain the school was spoiling their view...
ReplyDeleteOh, I’m not saying it shouldn't be attractive. Children should have pride in their school. And no one wants an eyesore sitting in the middle of where they live. But neither am I saying Frank Geary should be called in. . .
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