PROJECT NARRARTIVE

Needing more space to serve and educate middle school age children from surrounding low
income communities, Valence College Preparatory Charter School approached our firm to design
their new 35,000 sf home on the first three floors of a new residential development in Rego
Park. On the ground floor a large all purpose room and generously sized activity spaces support
the school’s variety of programs, and a tiered seating area in the main lobby encourages
informal gatherings. The upper floors contain quiet, respectful classrooms flooded with natural
light. Combining multiple tenant spaces into one school required special consideration and
understanding of the school’s functions; working around an existing structural system was a
formidable task. Despite the challenges, Loci designed a variety of flexible gathering spaces and
created an efficient and cost effective urban school environment that is inspiring, welcoming,
and safe.