P.S. 40 Manhattan, Rooftop Playground

New York, New York

Firm

Macrae-Gibson Architects, P.C.

Client

New York City School Construction Authority

Area

5,046 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$250,000

Completion Date

11/2001

The roof of P.S. 40, an elementary building for grades K to 5, overlooks the towers of Union Square. This roof has been transformed from a barren space into a miniature city. The school installed play equipment that features three towers integrated into the play structure.
These powder-coated steel play towers have been designed as miniature Manhattan buildings. One is in the shape of the Woolworth Building and is 19 feet tall; one is in the shape of the Chrysler Building and is 20 feet tall; and one is in the shape of the Empire State Building and is 21½ feet tall. The towers are connected by bridges, decks, ladders, slides and other play items, and sit on a safety surface of recycled tires. The play equipment is red, white and blue. The roofs are painted silver-metallic flake for the Chrysler Building, blue-metallic flake for the Empire State Building and green-metallic flake for the Woolworth Building.
The play buildings energize the entire roof. They were completed immediately after the attacks on the World Trade Center, and have given children an intimate and tender way to come to terms with the altered New York skyline.

Additional Information

Capacity

350

Cost per Sq Ft

$49.50

Featured in

2002 Architectural Portfolio

Category

Specialized

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