Commonpoint Queens Youth Opportunity Hub
Project Type
Interior Renovation
Sector
Not-for-Profit • Social Services
Square Footage
9,000 SF
Location
Queens, NY
SDudio has transformed the former kitchen space of New York City's once pre-eminent Tuberculosis Hospital, into a vibrant, engaging social services center for teens.
The Commonpoint Youth Opportunity Hub occupies 9,000 square foot ground floor space in the former hospital building; a stunning Art Deco era State Landmark that dates back to the 1940's.
SDudio was charged with working design wonders within what is a State Landmarked interior under the jurisdiction of SHPO, (State Historic Preservation Office). SHPO mandated that all existing interior finishes, dating back to its 1940's kitchen origins, not be demolished and that all existing walls be maintained. Most challenging was the need to arrive at design solutions that did not cover up or damage the ubiquitous glazed brick walls. Commonpoint's CEO Danielle Ellman was most concerned that the glazed brick walls not become the focus of the space and remind her of the drab NYC public school classrooms she attended where this was the primary aesthetic.
SDudio's design did not only won over SHPO, receiving their full approval upon first review, the Commonpoint team was likewise thrilled with the design's ability to animate the space with bold colors and intriguing textures that distract the eye from the glazed brick finishes. The millwork "Billboards", supported between the floor and the ceiling soffit are key design elements throughout the space, providing interactive opportunities without engaging the glazed brick walls.
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Soaring angled ceilings and clerestory windows inspired the introduction to a series of playful serpentine pendant light fixtures that weave their way through these angled ceiling features and further animate the space.
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A special programmatic feature from the Youth Opportunity Hub is the fully operational commercial kitchen that sits in the middle of the space as a focal point. The kitchen serves as a teaching kitchen for the teens and also provides the community with meals that are made available through Commonpoint's Food Pantry services. SHPO was particularly pleased that the program included this state-of-the-art kitchen . . . a wonderful nod back to the space's original hospital kitchen roots!
