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. |