Inside Corporate Commons Three, a mixed-use complex on New York’s Staten Island designed by CetraRuddy Architecture, a new facility from Integration Charter Schools (ICS) is in the works. Occupying three levels of the eight-story building, also designed by the New York firm, the school will cater to 800 K-12 students and join three other ICS institutions—John W. Lavelle Preparatory Charter School, New Ventures Charter School, and Nicotra Early College Charter School—for a holistic campus feel.
“Our goal for the design of the new Integration Charter School was to create an expanded campus that inspires the students and faculty to succeed together as a community,” says CetraRuddy principal Theresa M. Genovese. “The architecture and interior design evolve from our firm’s guiding principles, creating a welcoming, flexible, and highly functional environment that nurtures and supports a range of diverse learning styles and educational needs, and that also enables teachers to do their best work.”
Corporate Commons Three is a dynamic building for learning, impressing students with a mirror-like façade that flaunts vertical fins on the curtainwall framing as a form of daylight control, lush landscaping, and a 40,000-square-foot rooftop farm that will also be utilized in classes. Those who are further interested in the culinary arts may also intern at the Corporate Commons Three nonprofit restaurant.
Entering through a dedicated lobby, students, staff, and visitors are invited into open corridors and classrooms—flexible setups include a large commercial teaching kitchen—that are situated around the building’s perimeter to maximize natural light and are bolstered by durable finishes and a calm, neutral color palette.
Out of respect to other tenants, social spaces like gyms and cafeterias are located on the same level as Lavelle to reduce noise. While central common rooms dedicated to each grade help to foster relationships and a sense of belonging, there are also onsite counseling areas for students and yoga and meditation zones for teachers in need of a respite.
A version of this article was originally published by Hospitality Design.
