First Green Schools Guide-Certified School Opens Doors at 213 East 63rd Street

After taking effect earlier this year, the New York City Green Schools Guide and Rating System (“GSG”) now applies to all new school construction, modernization, and renovation projects in the five boroughs. The GSG and Rating System is based on LEED, but also incorporates elements from the Collaborative for High Performing Schools Rating System (developed by Washington, Massachusetts, and New York States) and the School Construction Authority’s Best Practices. It’s intended to complement Local Law 86 (which mandates LEED Silver for most public projects in New York City).

Designed by Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects, the first school certified under the program opened for the academic year back on September 2 at 213 East 63rd Street. The building itself is a renovation of the former Manhattan Eye Ear and Throat Hospital Annex (dating from 1917) and will serve as the temporary home of Public School 59 (the Beekman Hill International School) until a new 450-seat neighborhood school takes its place. Green features specified by EE&K include an efficient HVAC system with increased air filtering capacities, low-E windows, and steam heating. The K-5 school also offers a rooftop playground, gymnasium, and extensive laboratory, common area, and classroom space.

The project was conceived as a public-private partnership between the city and developer The World-Wide Group, which built the school as part of its reconstruction of the High School for Art and Design at East 57th Street and Second Avenue.

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