Serving the Woodlawn neighborhood of the Bronx, NY, Public School 19 had struggled to accommodate a rapidly expanding K-8 student body that had years ago outgrown the capacity of the 40,000sf existing building. With a thoughtful and inspiring design, the recently completed 50,000sf major addition more than doubles the school’s size and floor area.

Referred to as P.S. 19X, the expansion is the latest in a series of K-12 facility upgrades designed by our firm in partnership with our client as both client and construction manager. The project includes modern features and amenities that are rare in New York’s public schools, such as a combined cafeteria and auditorium space. P.S. 19X also includes new administrative offices, replacing those in the existing building. The architects’ scope of work includes renovation of the older school building’s interior, where administrative and assembly spaces have been replaced with new, modern classrooms.

Utilizing state-of-the-art digital tools and construction methods, the project team seamlessly merged the existing and new buildings, matching floor levels to ensure universal accessibility and managing challenges related to integrating new mechanical systems and infrastructure. The project adhered closely to our client’s strict requirements for sustainability, which typically meet or exceed LEED for Schools.

Representing improvements in quality, accessibility, and safety as well as providing an increased capacity, P.S. 19 is now a wellspring of neighborhood pride that is expected to serve as a resource for Woodlawn and Bronx residents for generations. The school enjoys a new entrance with a soaring, airy lobby, and the new assembly space is designed with a meeting room to support after-hours use by community groups. Throughout the interior, tiles on the walls are etched with inspiring quotes from notable historic figures interred at Woodlawn Cemetery, including Irving Berlin, Miles Davis, and Duke Ellington, among others.