By Tom Rogers and Jabin Pu

Nestled in a 1.7-acre mid-block site between Joralemon and Livingston streets in Brooklyn Heights’ Historic District, The Packer Collegiate Institute is an independent K-12 private school in Brooklyn, N.Y., that has served students since 1845. Ìý

Packer’sÌýdiverse community of learners benefitsÌýfrom transformative learning experiences that foster intellectual development and social-emotional growth.ÌýTo be able to best provide an enhanced learning environment, operational efficiency, andÌýenriched programming for staff and a growing student body,ÌýPacker embarked on a 25,000-square-foot, four-storyÌýexpansionÌýthat would addÌýclassrooms and breakout spaces for gradesÌý1-4, as well as administrative offices.ÌýThe projectÌýisÌýunique in that itÌýisÌýthe firstÌýK-12 buildingÌýin New York City to use mass timber construction materials.Ìý

A challenge for many urban schools is availability of space. As the demand for schools to expand in New York City increases, educational institutions that are looking to upgrade facilities and increase their footprints are often faced with difficult realities — zoning laws may prevent or limit upward expansion, or space might not be available for purchase or renovation directly adjacent to existing school buildings. This can lead to disjointed layouts and disruptive paths.ÌýÌý

The design team, led by architecture firm WXY, found a solution in the reimagination of an existing space: Garden House — a four-story, 8,200-square-foot landmarked townhouse situated on the campus’ south edge that had served various purposes over the years – and a large, existing courtyard and play area that had not been renovated for a number of years. A full renovation of the townhouse would serve as a connection to a new, 17,250-square-foot, four-story addition to Garden House. This solution also created a seamless and climate-controlled pathway from one end of the Packer campus to the other.Ìý

The project challenges the status quo when it comes to design. The building’s most notable feature is its mass-timber construction. Its main structural system is comprised of cross-laminated (CLT) and glulam (glue-laminated) timber made from sustainably sourced wood — spruce, pine, and fir — sourced from northern Ontario. Wood environments offer a number of physiological benefits to occupants, such as a reduction in stress levels and an increase in focus.ÌýÌýÌýÌý

Archstone Builders served as the project’s general contractor, working with WXYÌýArchitecture + Urban Design, structural engineerÌýTYLin Group, and the rest of the team to deliverÌýthe project in time for the 2025 academic year.ÌýCreative design and construction and a deep understanding of local building laws and ordinances allow project teams to advise schools on the best next steps to create a unified campus.ÌýÌý

Packer had previously carried out several improvement and expansion projects; prior to the Garden House expansion, the school was comprised of six interconnected buildings. Its location in a historic district makes renovations tricky — the project team needed to work closely with NYC’s Landmarks Preservation Commission to ensure all materials were compliant with guidelines for the district.ÌýÌý

Packer, like many educational institutions, wanted its new building to have certain sustainable elements to ensure the wellness of occupants and contribute to a responsible carbon footprint. The roof of the new four-story addition has two expansive green spaces that help reduce theÌýbuilding’s stormwaterÌýrunoff and helps to enhance the energy efficiency of the envelope. Packer’s newest building fullyÌýoperatesÌýon electricity to support a transition from reliance on fossil fuels.ÌýÌý

The new building’s brick façade matches the diverse masonry palette found in the campus’ existing historical buildings. The bricks were made from 100% recycled clay content that was sourced from 30% post-consumer waste and 70% manufacturing waste. The exterior of the new building also features bird frit glazing,ÌýwhichÌýoffers natural daylight and direct views onto the new garden.ÌýÌý

During construction – which started in summer 2023 — the Packer school was fully in use by students and staff, which presented several challenges. The courtyard project— designed by Starr Whitehouse — was carried out in several phases; the new basketball court was delivered as soon as possible so the students could have access to clear outdoor space. As certain portions of the exterior were completed and handed back over to the school, the team also had to reroute egress paths out of the existing buildings. Ìý

The construction of the new building in the existing courtyard led to several upgrades to Packer’s exterior space, which was fully demolished and redesigned to include a new playground, removal and relocation of existing trees, an extension of the existing patio entryway, new pavement, and new plantings.ÌýÌý

The new courtyard uses permeable surfaces to ensure better water management.ÌýNearly 90 percentÌýof the site’s 40 new trees, 179 shrubs, and more than 1,000 perennials and grasses are regionally native or climate resilient. These plantings complement the relocated mature trees and improve theÌýairÌýand water quality of the site.ÌýÌý

TheÌýcurrent direction in educational facilities focusesÌýon engagingÌýandÌýactive spaces that encourageÌýlearningÌýbothÌýthrough theÌýdesign and setting of a building. Packer’s newÌýbuilding excelsÌýon all frontsÌýwhile creating a unique learning space for years to come. Ìý

TomÌýRogers is aÌýProjectÌýManager at Archstone Builders.ÌýTom hasÌýaÌýMaster’sÌýDegree in Civil Engineering with ArchitectureÌýandÌýhas more thanÌý15 yearsÌýof experience in the education construction sectorÌý

Jabin Pu is a project manager at Archstone Builders.ÌýJabin has a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and is a certified NYS Engineer in Training with more than 5 years of experience in the education construction sector.Ìý

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