De La Salle Academy

Cultural
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New York, NY
De La Salle Academy - interior
A double-height, multi-purpose commons serves as a central gathering where students begin their day. Photography by Nicholas Venezia.
De La Salle Academy - exterior
Restored 1887 façade on West 43rd Street. Photography by Nicholas Venezia.
De La Salle Academy - library
A new library space is central to the school's planning, overlooking the central commons to create a visual connection with communal functioning of the school throughout the day. Photography by Nicholas Venezia.
De La Salle Academy - stairway
With a focus on wellness, the students are encouraged to use the historical, day-lit stairs. Photography by Nicholas Venezia.
De La Salle Academy - classroom
Classrooms were designed with daylight dimming systems to optimize the learning environment. Photography by Nicholas Venezia.
Cultural
New York, NY
De La Salle Academy - interior
A double-height, multi-purpose commons serves as a central gathering where students begin their day. Photography by Nicholas Venezia.
De La Salle Academy - exterior
Restored 1887 façade on West 43rd Street. Photography by Nicholas Venezia.
De La Salle Academy - library
A new library space is central to the school's planning, overlooking the central commons to create a visual connection with communal functioning of the school throughout the day. Photography by Nicholas Venezia.
De La Salle Academy - stairway
With a focus on wellness, the students are encouraged to use the historical, day-lit stairs. Photography by Nicholas Venezia.
De La Salle Academy - classroom
Classrooms were designed with daylight dimming systems to optimize the learning environment. Photography by Nicholas Venezia.
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The De La Salle Academy is the only private, independent school in New York City for academically talented, yet economically disadvantaged boys and girls, grades six through eight. Founded in 1984 by Brother Brian Carty, their goal is to provide a challenging curriculum in a nurturing and supportive environment where each child is asked to be his or her best.

After 30 years of occupying a single floor in the Upper West Side, COOKFOX assisted the school in its relocation to an existing 1887 school building on West 43rd Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. Located near the Times Square Station, the new building will provide greater transportation access for the students who commute from all five boroughs of New York City.

2014
27,200 SF
A majority of the renovation work was focused on improving student safety and performance.
De La Salle Academy - hall
Sustainable strategies included replacing old lighting with new, more efficient methods. Photography by Nicholas Venezia.

Their new six-story home provides the De La Salle Academy with several more classrooms, a dedicated art & music room, and a large commons area. Three cramped office spaces were converted into one large, bright, comfortable library overlooking the commons. A majority of the renovation work was focused on improving student safety and performance. Sustainable strategies included replacing old lighting with new, more efficient methods which include occupancy sensors, and installing window shades and smart controls. Additionally, the heating system was converted from heating oil to natural gas, making the system more efficient and environmentally friendly and improving the air quality in the cafeteria. All of the restrooms, both new and old, were equipped with low-flow and waterless fixtures.

All of the work on the building, as well as the tuition and day-to-day funding is underwritten by corporations, charitable trusts, grants, and individual donors. Major corporations made generous donations of labor, furnishings, fixtures, and equipment to the renovation project.  COOKFOX and De La Salle are grateful for their support to help create a new home for this truly unique school.