The Dock Street Educational Complex consists of an Intermediate school serving students in grades 6-8 and an Early Childhood Center for pre-kindergarten students as part of a Mixed-use Development shared with retail and residential tenants located in the historic neighborhood of DUMBO in Brooklyn, NY.

While the entrance is on Dock Street, a quiet cobblestone street, the southwest corner of the building is tucked directly under the Brooklyn Bridge, which presented acoustical, daylighting, and zoning challenges.

Located on the second floor with limited opportunities to bring in natural light, the Intermediate School includes innovative lighting design, wide and open spaces, enlivened with murals and brightly colored accents.

The Pre-K facility is located on the ground floor. The sloping streets provide a variety of window heights, as well as privacy and space to nest various furnishings. Soft paint colors and light wood furnishings provide a bright and airy feel which enhances the space which is partially below grade.

The school is fully air-conditioned and accessible. The intermediate school contains eleven standard classrooms and one district special education classroom. Included in the facility is a science lab, art classroom, gymatorium, music suite with soundproof practice rooms, a library and guidance and medical suites. There is a full kitchen and cafeteria for students, a staff lunchroom and an administrative suite.

Coordination with the developer during construction was essential. When the project originated, the drawings for the school were complete, the developer’s building was under construction and this school project was deemed to be fast tracked. This mandated an evolving program that was fluid, flexible and responsive to the developer’s requirements and constraints. The rapid pace and changing needs of the project necessitated an unusually intense attention to detail. Past experience with the client allowed the firm to deliver designs for the Pre-K within a short time frame (3 ½ months).

As a long-term tenant, the City of New York collaborated with private developers to create beneficial community connections. Located just a block away from Brooklyn Bridge Park, this school and new development is a welcome addition to this evolving neighborhood.

Additional Team Members: Frank Tedesco, AIA, Prinicipal-in-Charge, Arnel Catalan, AIA, CSI, LEED AP BD+C, Rafal Toczko, AIA, Luis Ascensao, Bill Peters