The project: The Samara Community School (PS 320X) is a new, 61,672-sf, five-story grade school in the Bronx. The school serves pre-K through 5th grade and provides classrooms as well as shared and flexible spaces including a project room for art and science classes, a music room, a library, a cafeteria, an indoor exercise room, a gymnasium/auditorium, and a rooftop play area on the 4th floor. The school is the final component of a three-block redevelopment to revitalize the West Farms neighborhood.

The goal: Provide an inspiring and environmentally friendly learning environment.

Challenge: Create a healthy and sustainable environment for students and staff per the aggressive criteria of New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) Green School Guide 2019 (based on LEED v4 and LEED v4.1 and using standards best suited to school buildings in New York).

Solution: The school was designed with a variety of sustainability measures, including abundant natural daylighting, low-VOC materials for healthier air quality, and energy-efficient MEP design.

Design highlights:

• The highly efficient HVAC design features dual energy recovery wheels (enthalpy and sensible), glycol-based hot and chilled water loops for freeze protection, and the ability to fully recirculate air during unoccupied periods—an uncommon energy-efficient feature.
• The HVAC system also has comprehensive zoning and redundancy, including separate hot water loops for better control and dedicated split systems for critical spaces like telecom and food storage, ensuring uninterrupted operation even if the central system fails. The high level of coordination required detailed shop drawings and full integration with a BACnet-based DDC system through coordination with the Facility Management System Integrator.
• The electrical systems support a wide range of low-voltage systems—including data networks, wireless access points, security cameras, PA systems, access control, and smart classroom technologies. These systems require careful coordination and physical separation from high-voltage power infrastructure.
• Advanced lighting controls feature daylight sensors, dimming capabilities, and programmable scheduling.

Outcome: Samara Community School achieved certification as a NYC Green School (receiving a score equivalent to LEED Gold) and met the SCA’s other core mandates of designing and building high quality projects within aggressive timeframes as cost effectively as possible. The school offers a stimulating environment for students to learn in a safe, dynamic, and flexible space immersed in a newly reborn community.