Urbahn designed four building retrofits to help implement New York City’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten program. Because of the ambitious size and timeframe of the program, we executed each of these projects on a fast-paced schedule, ranging from 14 to 18 weeks for scoping services through turnover of bid documents. Each facility is a fit-out of existing leased space, requiring an adaptation of the model space program to the idiosyncrasies of the available properties. In addition, we provided support to facilitate the negotiation of terms between the SCA and the landlords. The three Manhattan facilities contribute 324 seats to the Pre-K inventory.
The new Pre-K school in the Bronx accommodates 144 seats within a retrofitted health clinic at 360 East 193rd Street. This project involves a comprehensive gut renovation of the building’s interior. To enliven the exterior without incurring undue cost, our design features facade cleaning and a joyful mural that evokes optimism.