The Stern School is located on the edge of the Greenwich Village
Historic District. Finding new space in such a dense urban environment
has long been a critical issue for the university. The Stern Concourse
Project has found and transformed some of the least desirable spaces in
the university's inventory into some of the most exciting. Unpleasant
and under-utilized underground hallways and classrooms have been
retrofitted to create a vibrant academic community.
Skylights inserted into the grade-level public plaza bring natural
light, transparency and a sense of openness into below-ground
concourses, classrooms, lecture halls, lounges and gathering spaces
promoting interaction among students and faculty. A 3-story atrium and
interconnecting stairs reinforce the sense of spaciousness and foster
connectivity. Phasing was complex and required that the school's
operations be kept ongoing with minimal disruptions during renovation. Our team of architects and specialists in renovation strategies,
interior design and branded environments, worked closely with the
school's constituencies. We held interviews, focus groups and "visual
listening" sessions with students, professors and administrators. From
the information gathered, we developed a design that projects a
confident, energetic and collegial tone that builds upon the school's
unique identity and its diverse mix of programs, students and
activities. The project has reinvented the physical image the school
presents to the city and to the global business community. It has become
a place that students want to engage with one another, learn and
linger. Awards:
Educational Interiors Showcase Collegiate Citation, 2010
American School & University
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