The New York Council of the Society of American Registered Architects (SARA NY) has recognized three SOM projects in this year’s Design Awards program. The U.S. Air Force Center for Character & Leadership Development won an award in the Education category; The Kathleen Grimm School for Leadership and Sustainability at Sandy Ground won in the Sustainability category; and Public Safety Answering Center II won in the Governmental category. Presented annually, the SARA Design Awards recognize outstanding architectural projects completed by SARA NY members in a variety of categories.
The Center for Character & Leadership Development (CCLD) represents a symbolic addition to the historic campus of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. The first building constructed in the Cadet Area since the 1990s, CCLD creates an architectural focal point for the campus and serves as a visual counterpoint to the iconic Cadet Chapel. The most prominent feature of CCLD, a dramatic 105-foot skylight, aligns precisely with the North Star, creating a meaningful architectural interpretation of the Academy’s aspirations and guiding values.
The Kathleen Grimm School for Leadership and Sustainability at Sandy Ground, also known as P.S. 62, is the first net-zero-energy school in New York City and one of the first of its kind worldwide. The 68,000-square-foot, two-story school serves more than 400 pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students. The cutting-edge building harvests as much energy from renewable onsite sources as it uses on an annual basis.
Public Safety Answering Center II strengthens New York City’s ability to maintain communication in the event of a natural disaster or large-scale emergency. Located in the Bronx, the 450,000-square-foot, cubic structure is designed to operate continually under adverse conditions and provide redundancy to the city’s primary call center.