PS 600R, Audio Engineering & Makerspace Labs, Staten Island, New York
At PS 600, Ralph McKee High School, in Staten Island, DMR designed a renovation to an oversized and underutilized machine shop to allow for space that would expand the school’s curriculum to offer audio engineering and makerspace labs.
The large, open space was subdivided into two separate spaces, each having distinct teaching functions. Designed with the goal of preparing students for state certification in the growing field of audio engineering and music production, the audio engineering lab consists of a vocal booth, audio console and student mini-consoles. The design allows for connectivity through windows, while incorporating considerable features as to not sacrifice the needed sound isolation.
The second space is dedicated as a makerspace lab, equipped with technology such as 3D printers, that allow for a hands-on, creative, user-friendly space that is more reflective of modern educational trends that call for “anytime, anyplace” learning.
Completed as part of a contract for Capital Improvement Projects through the New York City School Construction Authority, completion of this project not only called upon DMR’s expertise in working in aging school facilities, but also its expertise in educational trends and how these types of projects can be implemented in facilities that were not originally constructed to meet these types of demands.