callalillie: Giant Beauties

April 22, 2004

Giant Beauties

I've been scoping out many schools over the past month. Each time that I identify a school that is old enough (pre-1900), I plot it on my trusty map and set out to discover whether a) it still exists, b) what it is currently being used for, and c) how it relates to other schools built during that period.

Above are two of my favorite larger-scale schools (I tend to favor the smaller, school house-like buildings, though not many are left). They are proof that everything deserves a second look…and a little historical digging.

Public School 107 (formerly School No. 10) is a large, very well maintained and fully functional [as a school] building on Eighth Avenue and 17th Street, Park Slope. I’ve been looking at it for a while, mainly because it is across the street from an armory, of which I am equally intrigued. I love the style of 107. Simple yet ornately detailed, it is a symbol of 1890’s grace. It was most likely built as a grammar school, which means that it probably housed students equivalent to first through seventh grade age. PS 107 was built in ~~1894~~ 1870 (I think an addition was put on in '94), post city consolidation and the after the creation of a universal school system in New York City.

Former Public School 160 encompasses an entire city block—edging Suffolk Street (its main entrance), Rivington, and Norfolk Street on the Lower East Side. One probably would not assume, unless they looked closely, that 160 was once a school. It is almost cathedral like in its neo-gothic-ness (Romanesque Revival, I believe). 160 is also fairly decrepit, evidence of the city’s lack of care for its buildings, though currently under construction. It now houses The Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Arts Center. The building is breathtaking. It must have been aesthetically amazing to walk into the school when it opened for the first time, like stepping into an academic castle.

160 was built between 1897-1898 by C.B.J. Snyder, the superintendent for buildings at the Board of Education. Synder was responsible for a good number of large, H or T-model schools throughout the city. I’ll expand on this model in future postings, however in short, these architectural plans created a campus-like atmosphere, attempting to pull in as much air and light as possible. Synder’s schools were gigantic (he is responsible for Erasmus High School, as well as Girls’ and Boys’ high schools) and beautiful. Many of his buildings have since been landmarked, however an equal number have been allowed to crumble. These schools were built during the construction boom of the late 1800’s. Often, vision versus fiscal capacity prevailed, leading to poor maintenance of such large, ornate schools as the new century progressed; many were given up by the Board of Education in the mid-1900’s. 160 is an example of such a building.

When I first visited these schools, I thought that they couldn’t be more different. After a few visits, a bevy of photographs, and some critical thinking, I began to realize that they were quite similar. I’m not an architect, so I’m sure if one is lurking in these pages, they might counter my claims, but aside from the neo-gothic trims of PS 160 and difference in brick, both schools look virtually the same. They utilize similar allocations of space, structure, and some degree of window placement. I’m not sure what the interiors look like as of yet (I’m working on that).

Personally, I prefer the simple red brick. I wish that schools were still built in this style (with proper sized classrooms and amenities, of course). Each time I walk by 107, I wonder why we can’t continue to create such beautiful school buildings. Admittedly, I am not a fan of modern architecture in the slightest--I'm quite biased. When I look at buildings such as Brooklyn’s PS 107, I can’t help but be awed and proud of their beauty.

Posted by callalillie at April 22, 2004 8:50 AM |

COMMENTS

i'm going to go ahead and say that they had the same architect. either that or there was a stylistic reason to build the same type building.

Posted by: tien at April 22, 2004 3:57 PM

it was a function reason...though i guess you could call it stylistic.

the goal was to build something large enough to accommodate the growing number of students attending public school (they had just passed compulsory laws) while at the same time creating structures that let enough light and air through. up until that point, buildings were overcrowded, etc.

gee...that sounds familiar.

Posted by: corie at April 22, 2004 4:00 PM

From the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Feb 23, 1870:

...The building was designed and its erection personally supervised by Mr. Samuel B. Loonard, Superintendent of Public School Buildings [this was before there was a unified school system-- hence the "former School No. 10 vs. PS 107"] and Archtiect to the Board of Education...The total cost of the edifice, including the site, was about $90,000...

Oooh. There's some neat history here. I'll save it for thrilling new post somewhere down the line. Thrilling I tell you, thrilling! This work day needs to end.

Posted by: corie at April 22, 2004 4:12 PM

I went to P.S. 161. The only thing beautiful about it was my 3rd grade teacher.

Posted by: Maine at April 22, 2004 4:20 PM

Yeah, there are some really ugly schools out there.

Posted by: corie at April 22, 2004 4:22 PM

I think school buildings should be designed as a tower with only one room per floor and a staircase. You could save on land cost, kids get exercise and insanity gets credit! Of course, I'd put a fireman's pole in there, too, for quick recess deployment.

Posted by: matt at April 22, 2004 5:36 PM