Public School
130,000 sf
$16,000,000
Renovation
Window Addition
Buffalo Board of Education & LP Ciminelli
Completed 2011
Buffalo, NY 

The project scope included reconstruction of Southside Elementary, the districts' largest elementary school, serving 1200 students, with 100 staff. The 1960 vintage building was originally designed as a junior high school, converted to a high school and subsequently changed to its current pre-kindergarten through 8th grade use. The building's configuration, while ideal for secondary education, did not programmatically support its current use. Program needs were carefully studied and an ideal design was developed for the pre-k through 8 curriculum. Additionally, financial aid from the NY State Education Department was maximized by re-configuring instructional spaces to meet current planning standards.

Twenty of the original classrooms were constructed without windows. The classrooms that did have windows failed to comply with minimum area requirements for natural light or ventilation. The newly renovated school now provides windows for all classrooms, creating a more appropriate and desirable learning environment.