Project Overview

PS 85, the Judge Charles Vallone School in Astoria, was operating at approximately 140% of its intended capacity, with more than 100 pre-K and kindergarten students housed in temporary Transportable Classroom Units (TCUs). To address the school's overcrowding needs, the New York City School Construction Authority delivered a new standalone annex, replacing the temporary classrooms with a permanent educational facility.

Universal Concrete Products fabricated and supplied the architectural precast concrete enclosure system for the four-story, 451-seat annex, which includes 24 classrooms, a library, a “gymatorium,” a cafeteria, and a kitchen.

Precast Solution

The façade incorporates three distinct finish types—thin brick, sandblast, and custom formliner—creating a visually rich exterior with depth, texture, and scale appropriate for the dense urban context of Astoria. Custom formliner panels feature cast-in lettering integrated directly into the precast concrete surface, providing a durable architectural expression of the school's identity without the need for applied signage or additional materials.

The combination of finishes enables the annex to complement the architectural character of the existing school while establishing a distinct presence along the streetscape.

 

Awards 
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Project Team

Owner

NYC School Construction Authority (SCA)

PCI-Certified Precast Producer

Universal Concrete Products

Architect

NYC School Construction Authority (SCA)

General Contractor

Leon D. DeMatteis Construction Corp.

PCI-Certified Erector

Midwest Steel, Inc.

Key Project Attributes

  • Three-finish architectural precast façade incorporating thin brick, sandblast, and custom formliner finishes to create layered materiality and visual interest.
  • Cast-in lettering integrated through custom formliners, embedding the school's identity directly into the building envelope without applied signage.
  • Four-story, 451-seat educational facility replacing long-standing temporary Transportable Classroom Units.
  • Standalone annex constructed adjacent to an occupied school campus, minimizing disruption to ongoing operations.
  • Design-build delivery by the New York City School Construction Authority on a constrained infill site within a dense urban Queens neighborhood.

Project/Precast Scope

  • 4 Stories
  • 232 Total Precast Panels
  • 35,392 Total SF