When The Gateway School decided to expand in 2007, they asked ABA Studio
to help them find a new location. They settled on 22,000 square feet on two floors
of a converted parking garage at 211 West 61st Street, with storage space in the
basement. The program would remain largely the same, except that the number of
classrooms would grow to fourteen as the school increased the number of students
it would serve, also adding a middle school. Other new learning spaces included two
science labs, a movement room, and a computer lab.

ABA’s design for their new facility further developed their progressive pedagogical
ideas into built form, providing an articulate environment specifically designed for
LD children. Careful acoustical and lighting design modifications were made to allow
teachers and students to use empty corridors and public spaces as instructional space
during class time, which increased programmatic density for the school and provided
opportunities for a variety of stimulating learning environments. A satisfying sense of
community was created by a clear sequence of spaces that connect the entry and
classroom floor with a large stair carved out of the existing building that leads to the
‘Grandstand’ multipurpose space.

This renovation for Gateway was also certified as the first LEED Silver private K-8
school in Manhattan. In addition to the incredibly efficient demand-controlled AC and
lighting systems, the entire space is heated by a radiant floor. Other environmentally
sustainable strategies included sorting/recycling of all demolition debris, daylighting
and daylight-responsive light sensors, use of rapidly renewable or recycled materials,
and limited VOC emissions, among many others.