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UPPER WEST SIDE'S PRESTIGIOUS Mandell School is set to expand into a new state-of-the-art facility at 795 Columbus Avenue - a 15-story apartment building that is part of Columbus Square, a retail and residential community currently under development between 97th and 100th Streets. Aragon Construction, together with JRS Architect, P.c., has been tapped to lead the 50,000 SF build-out. The school will comprise the building's entire second floor and half of both the first floor and cellar.
"It is a once-and-a-lifetime-opportunity to build a school from a clean shell," stated Gabriella Rowe, Mandell's Head of School. "We have the benefit of designing each classroom around the curriculum, as well as the flexibility to incorporate new technologies throughout the entire school."
Currently with three locations on West 94th, 95th and 96th Streets, the Mandell School can accommodate a total of 300 children, from a Two's Program up to the 2nd grade. When the new facility is complete, total capacity will grow to 650 and Rowe will be able to achieve her vision of matriculating children to the 8th grade.
Aragon will be constructing many exciting features, such as a black box theater - inspired by collaboration among the teachers, the head of the drama department and a theatre consultant – so that students can stage their own drama productions.
Numerous sustainable materials are being utilized in construction and in the long term Mandell School hopes to be LEED certified. For instance, the school will have rubber flooring, which is comprised of tire rubber and other recycled waste materials.
As well as renovating the cellar, first and second floors, Aragon will be building out an 8,000 SF outdoor terrace for the children. A modular design is being employed that will allow the school to create a green roof garden filled with annuals and perennials, a planting garden and a poetry reading space.
Aragon is scheduled to begin work on the school and learning center in March of 2010, when construction is complete on the two buildings.
For more information about Aragon, please visit www.aragonllc.com.
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