Brooklyn, N.Y. 

St. Francis Xavier School Lease Conversion

Client: New York City School Construction Authority
Our Role: Architecture and Design

A bright library with yellow walls, wood floors, star tables, blue chairs, colorful books, and big windows for young readers.

The New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) faced a critical challenge to find adequate school building space to meet the long-term needs of Brooklyn’s rapidly growing student population. With a neighboring elementary school operating over capacity, the SCA identified the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn’s St. Francis Xavier School building as a potential solution for the school district.

The existing structure previously served as a private school and sits ideally within Brooklyn. Still, it required extensive renovations to meet current Department of Education (DOE) standards for safety, accessibility, building code compliance, functionality, and enhanced learning environments. Adding to the project’s complexity, the historical structure required preserving key architectural elements and resolving structural challenges, including basement flooding from stormwater infiltration and limited space for infrastructure upgrades. Finally, the diocese required the continued weekend use of the facility during construction.

Our firm first completed a comprehensive assessment of the 70,000-square-foot property, including a main building originally built in 1914 and an annex added in 1927.

Using point-cloud scanning and building information modeling (BIM), the team performed an in-depth analysis of the existing architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical systems to evaluate and address the necessary upgrades. These tools helped stakeholders visualize existing conditions and solutions clearly. The process boosted confidence, accelerated decision-making, and helped establish a budget for construction costs.

To address accessibility requirements, we implemented a front ramp and a wheelchair lift that connect the basement and first floor, making the main entrance and key areas compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Safety improvements included a complete overhaul of the fire alarm system and a new ventilation system in the basement dining area and the combined auditorium/gymnasium.

However, the unique layout and historic design required creative solutions, including rerouting ductwork around existing structural beams to ensure functional and aesthetic harmony. All updates followed New York City building codes and met SCA standards while maintaining historic character.

Key Features

Dedicated Program Spaces: The design incorporated a range of resource rooms, including spaces for art, music, science, special education, and a library, along with public gathering spaces like the first-floor auditorium and a basement dining area.
Historic Preservation: Key architectural elements, such as original wood floors, trims, moldings, doors, and balcony seats in the auditorium, were carefully refurbished to retain historic integrity.
Inclusive Access: School accessibility improvements include an ADA-compliant entrance ramp and a wheelchair lift connecting the basement and first floor, enhancing mobility for students and staff.
Safety and Ventilation Improvements: The team integrated a new fire alarm system and mechanical ventilation for assembly spaces into the building’s infrastructure. Innovative ductwork layouts addressed challenges such as low ceiling heights and structural beams.

Outcomes

Expanded capacity to accommodate 432 students from 3-K through first grade, reducing overcrowding in neighboring public schools.
Improved accessibility and inclusivity with ADA-compliant entrances and pathways, ensuring navigability for all.
Increased safety with new fire alarm and ventilation systems designed specifically for public assembly spaces.
Restored historic features, maintaining the character and architectural integrity of the school while modernizing it to meet educational standards.
Construction phasing allowed the diocese to use the facility uninterrupted on weekends, enabling the community’s dual-use needs.
Achieved on-time project milestones, positioning the transformed facility to open for the 2024-2025 school year and meeting the SCA’s urgent need for additional school seats.