SOURCES OF PUBLIC FINANCING The Institute for Community Living (ICL) was awarded $2 million through the NYS DOH DISRP program to enhance health services in underutilized communities. ICL submitted for the award and received funding to supplement the overall construction and design budget of the project for the East New York Health Hub. The $2 million represents just under 10% of the total project budget.
SUBMITTED BY Dattner Architects | New York, New York Photo Credits: © Chris Cooper
Renovation/Addition | Honor Award East New York Health Hub | Brooklyn, New York
PROVIDING HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES IN AN UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOOD
A Neighborhood Beacon for Individual, Family, and Community Wellness.
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ocated on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn’s East New York neighborhood, the transformation of this turn-of-the-century structure allows a growing non-profit to provide essential healthcare and social services in an underserved neighborhood. The addition and gut renovation expanded existing operations from 9,000 to 45,000 square feet, allowing the Institute for Community Living (ICL) to create a one-stop-shop community health facility for mental and physical wellbeing. The design approach creates synergy between programs by consolidating ICL’s extensive existing outreach, mental health service, and family support into one facility and co-locating a new health center operated by non-profit partner Community Healthcare Network. The architecture encourages physical and mental healing through visual connections to both nature and the community. Garden and terrace spaces, framed views,
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and access to light and air reinforce the link to the surrounding environment. The three-story building is composed of two interlocking volumes legible from the exterior. The first is a two-story communal volume, expressed in a corduroy-like red brick pattern. Atop this sits a two-story office volume, distinct from the lower volume by its setback, materiality, and its size and rhythm of fenestration. The approach to East New York Health Hub’s interior is to celebrate the industrial architectural attributes of the existing context and the contrast of the modern addition. Polished concrete floors contrast with bold colors throughout the spaces, creating energetic and inspiring public gathering spaces for the clients and community. The industrial character is the framework for the interior design inspiration — exposed brick and large arched openings enhance the charm of the open office spaces.
