AIA Bronze Medal Design Award

2020 Bronze Medal, Interior or Featured Element, AIA Newark and Suburban Architects League

The Baruch College Main Vertical Campus Building is located on the corner of Lexington Avenue and 24th Street in Manhattan.  The College houses administrative and academic functions at 17 Lexington Avenue, on the corner of Lexington Avenue and 23rd Street.  The block between the two buildings contains the Historic Art Deco United States Postal Service Madison Square Station.  The College secured a lease for approximately 750 SF of underutilized lobby space from the through-block building’s 24th Street Entrance and 6,500 SF of the vacant basement for their Student Center to accommodate the largely commuter student population.  

The design solution provided an accessible ramp entry from 24th Street, a fire-rated separate and secure glass entry lobby on the first floor and an opening in the floor slab to allow for the elevator and open stair to the lower level Student Center. The space can accommodate approximately 200 students with accessible toilet facilities, study and snack areas, meeting rooms, offices and open lounge space.  

The lower level space’s original concrete structure is expressed and complimented by a recessed perforated metal plank ceiling with random sized LED light fixtures that maintains maximum ceiling height.  Natural light filters down into the lower level from the opening created for the communicating stainless steel-clad and glass rail stair.  The materials selected are durable and low maintenance.