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Educational Alliance
Riverdale Country School
Founded in 1907, Riverdale Country School (RCS) is a nationally-recognized, coeducational K-12 institution with two campuses in the Bronx. To improve the physical functionality of its campuses and support long term planning efforts, RCS embarked on an overall planning process to evaluate how its existing facilities were performing against their current pedagogic goals. As a result of this study, several priority projects were identified to move forward.
The projects in development on the River Campus, which houses the Lower School (Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Five) facilities, include:
- New Perkins Education Center to provide academic classrooms, the campus’s main library, a multi-purpose theater, student center and cafeteria, administrative offices and other flexible meeting spaces
- New Central Plant to serve the new building, as well as the other existing buildings on campus
- Renovation of Existing K-3 Building to provide upgrades to the Pre-K classroom and introduce an early childhood development library
The site has generous views of the Hudson River and is located within a Special Natural Area District (SNAD). The design required careful coordination to improve the physical connectivity of the campus while maintaining the beautiful natural surroundings. The projects faced a series of complex phasing and logistical challenges and required planning to allow the school to maintain its day-to-day operations. The River Campus projects received unanimous Community Board approval.
Clark Art Institute
Dedicated to advancing and extending the public understanding of art, the Clark Art Institute is one of only a handful of institutions globally with a dual mission as both an art museum and a distinguished center for research and higher education. To meet the Institute’s growing demand for exhibition, academic programs, and visitor services, the Clark embarked on an ambitious, $145 million master plan to transform its campus. Designed by a renowned architecture team, the project aimed to create a more integrated physical environment, upgrade site circulation, and improve the overall visitor experience. Underscoring the Clark’s stewardship role for its 140-acre campus, the plan included the adoption of sustainability strategies to significantly reduce energy and water consumption despite an increase in program and overall built area.
The implementation of the master plan was divided into several core phases of work:
- Phase I – Lunder Center at Stone Hill: Development of a new, 32,000 square foot conservation building with Museum gallery space, campus landscape integration
- Phase II –Physical Plant and Clark Center: Development of a new 42,600 square foot visitor exhibition and conference center, as well as a new physical plant that integrates geothermal energy and other sustainable resources
- Phase III – Museum Building and Manton Research Center: Renovation of original museum building and a 110,000 square foot existing research center and gallery space
American Museum of Natural History
A major component of the North Side project, the iconic Rose Center for Earth and Space represents one of the most significant additions to the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)’s historic campus. The project involved the demolition of the landmarked Hayden Planetarium and the construction of a new modern glass structure. The dynamic building plays a vital role in furthering the Museum’s scientific and educational mission, and houses the spectacular Hayden Planetarium and Big Bang Theater, Cosmic Pathway, and Hall of the Universe. The accompanying exhibitions explore the 13-billion-year history of the universe and the dynamic features of the galaxies, stars and planets that make up the ecosystem.
In addition to the Rose Center, the North Side project included the Arthur Ross Terrace built over a new parking garage, the Weston Pavilion and the renovation of the Theodore Roosevelt Park.