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JHPA

Jan Hird Pokorny Associates, Inc.

Main Branches
architecture
planning
preservation

PROJECTS

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New York Academy of Sciences

New York NY

In 1947 the New York Academy of Sciences purchased the former Woolworth mansion at 2 East 63rd Street in Manhattan. In 1994 they engaged JHPA to prepare a Master Plan for that building. Their goal was to increase the size of meeting facilities, improve space utilization for staff, update mechanical and electrical systems, and make the building accessible to people with physical disabilities.

JHPA worked closely with the Academy’s leadership and its Board to generate a facilities space program based on a five-year growth plan and to enhance meeting facilities on site in lieu of leasing space elsewhere. A structural analysis was conducted to determine the existing structure’s ability to accept an addition. The appropriateness of retaining the former residence layout was evaluated against more dramatic space-use proposals. All mechanical and electrical systems were evaluated for useful life expectancy and expansion capacity. Dramatically varied improvement options were generated along with attendant construction cost estimates and implementation schedules.