Recently, the board of trustees of the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Bronx, N.Y., determined that the school should expand its facilities to support the school's mission.
Part of the three-building middle school project is a 38,200-square-foot building housing a 126-foot by 156-foot athletic gym. The lower level has offices, restrooms, showers and lockers; it also contains classrooms, a trainer's room and a weightroom that feature open glass walls with views over the existing athletic fields. The main gym area features a full-court/half-court configuration option, rollup bleachers for up to 628 spectators and high, well-lighted ceilings.
A 13,900-square-foot building houses a six-lane, 75-foot-long pool with adjacent viewing bleachers. State-of-the-art features include a timing system with touch pads for accurate time recording, and a unique method of using the HVAC system to heat the pool water. Additional facilities include locker rooms and offices.
A new terrace linking the gym and pool facilities would have eliminated four large oak trees, but the project team developed a solution that saved the trees and created a more unique design element. Water-conserving plumbing was used in both buildings. For its many grean features, the school received LEED silver certification.
Architect for the project is Cooper, Robertson & Partners (New York City); Tishman Construction Corporation (New York City) is construction manager.
Client: Ethical Culture Fieldston School
Area: 38,200 sq. ft. (gymnasium); 13,900 sq. ft. (pool)
LEED rating: Silver
