The nationally recognized design and architecture firm Andrew Franz Architect has announced a much-anticipated reimagining of the Washington Houses Community Center in New York City, creating a sunny and art-filled environment for the firmโs repeat client, the successful nonprofit community organization Union Settlement.
Completely transformed from the original structure builtย more than 60 years ago, the new, 11,00-square-foot youth and senior centerย brings together the East Harlem community it servesย in a state-of the-art,ย visually impactful and gracious setting. Modernized classrooms, welcoming offices,ย and bright, open public spaces are fitted out with brand-new infrastructure andย lighting. The enhanced experience epitomizes Union Settlementโs engagingย learning atmosphere and the creativity and warmth essential to its serviceย mission. Funded by the Criminalย Justice Investment Initiative of the Manhattanย District Attorneyโs Office, the new, one-story center delivers on its missionย to serve as a powerful magnet for area teens and seniors alike.
โWe are extremely proud of this collaboration withย Union Settlement and the Manhattan District Attorneyโs Office and grateful forย their support of our vision of a new center andย community touchstone that notย only fulfills their rich program offerings but also creates a welcoming, brightย and open experience for East Harlem residents,โ says architect Andrew Franz,ย AIA, founder of Andrew Franz Architect. โItโs our hope that with this extensiveย redesign and the wonderful works by East Harlem artists, the centerย will offer a source of pride andย inspiration for theย youth and seniors it serves, long into the future.โ![](https://ccr-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/EH-Center-2-020622-300x200.png)
Welcoming all toย the new center, an enlarged glass-clad entry was transformed from a formerly hard-to-find, dark opening into an easily accessible and hospitable invitation to come inside. Through the doors, an expanded reception area full of natural light from new skylights opens to a multiuse space with stepped bleacher-style wood seating with pops of brightly colored art and finish accents, an ideal spot to meet and mingle. This fresh, positive start then extends to various function rooms, including the library, education center, classrooms, and computer lab, plus the senior center by the entry lounge, offices, and services with varied opportunities for Union Settlement to serve its different constituencies. Colorful and exuberant, the community center presents work by local artists, such as East Harlem artist Kristy McCarthyโs mixed-media art installation โWelcome Homeโ which features images and patterns representing the diverse ethnicities and rich history of the neighborhood.
The center offers a new skylight and enlarges windows that draw in natural daylight and creating enhanced views of the trees and greenery outdoors. Throughout the building, glass partition hallways offer ample openness and views between staff members and visitors improving Union Settlementโs team communications and client safety while encouraging friendly interactions. Welcoming new designs for the facilityโs classrooms, conference areas, and workrooms transformed the spaces from cramped quarters into spacious, bright and modern learning zones. All furnished with new light-toned wood tables and desks, along with colorful chairs โ and new electrical and mechanical systems โ the stage is set for community and staff engagement, comfort, and productivity.โUnion Settlement is thrilled to see the Washingtonย Houses Community Center transformed into such an amazing space, and we areย delighted to now welcome children, youth, adultsย and seniors back into thisย wonderful new space,โ said David Nocenti, executive director of Unionย Settlement, when it opened. โWe are grateful to Andrew Franz Architect for theย firmโsย innovative design that will provide an open and airy space for the Eastย Harlem community to enjoy for years to come.โ
![](https://ccr-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/EH-Center-1-200622-300x200.png)