A former public school building in the East Village was transformed for New York City’s Department of Cultural Affairs to better house four arts groups and a community-service organization. The organizations had been using the building for many years, but it did not meet their program needs or current building codes.

We designed a new five-story addition to create additional public spaces and provide access to all parts of the building. The project includes three new theaters, a production design studio, rehearsal rooms, shop space, painting studios, gallery spaces, a lobby and pre-function gathering area, offices, and an outreach clinic for the community service group.

The perforated metal scrim façade of the new addition contrasts with the historic architecture of the existing building. A new entry courtyard with a glazed canopy forms an inviting gesture to the surrounding neighborhood. A public art installation by artist Monika Goetz animates the building at night with lighting that subtly “breathes” to signal the artistic and creative energy happening within.

Project Bureaux principal Brendan M. Lee was the project manager for Deborah Berke Partners.