Thurgood Marshall Academy

New York, New York

Firm

IBI Group

Client

Abyssinian Development Corporation

Area

87,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$28,500,000

Completion Date

02/2004

The architect’s design solution for this 750-student middle school and high school facility involves a six-story structure rising from within an existing three-story shell. Built in 1924, it is the original address of the legendary Harlem jazz club, Small’s Paradise. The project team worked with the New York City Board of Education and residents of Harlem to address their concerns, and adhere to the design guidelines and requirements of both groups.
Classrooms are organized along exterior walls and around a large circulation space (galleria) at the center of each floor. This allows a tight floor area of no more than 89,000 square feet to accommodate a full range of programmatic functions, including 5,000 square feet of retail on the street level.
One of Thurgood Marshall Academy’s primary missions is to help students understand the importance of giving back to the community. Amenities in the new building, including an accessible, high-tech community learning center on the first floor, support students, faculty and administration in this mission.