Project Overview

The New York City School Construction Authority replaced the existing PS/MS 47 Chris Galas School in Broad Channel, Queens, with a new facility completed in time for the start of the 2023–2024 school year. Serving a close-knit island community along Jamaica Bay, the building's design reflects the area's waterfront identity. Universal Concrete Products fabricated and supplied the architectural precast concrete enclosure system for the new school.

Precast Solution

The façade incorporates two distinct finishes—light sandblast and cast-in ledgestone—creating a warm, textured exterior that complements the low-scale residential character of Broad Channel. A prominent design feature is the large-scale sailboat motif cast directly into the ledgestone-clad entrance tower panels, serving as both a tribute to the community's maritime heritage and a visual landmark at the school's main entrance. The architectural precast concrete panels were fabricated with 4-inch continuous XPS insulation integrally incorporated into the wall panel system, contributing to the building envelope's thermal performance.

Owner

PCI-Certified Precast Producer

Architect

Architect-of-Record

General Contractor

PCI-Certified Erector

Key Project Attributes

• A challenging project site due to the proximity to Jamaica Bay and oceanfront location
• Dual-finish system: light sandblast field panels with ledgestone accent surfaces; a low-maintenance exterior for a coastal Queens community
• A large-scale sailboat motif cast directly into the ledgestone-clad entrance tower panels
• 4-inch continuous XPS insulation integrally incorporated into the wall panel system

Project/Precast Scope

• 4 Stories
• 215 Total Precast Panels
• 37,888 Total SF
• Completed September 2023