Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center

Overview

Surrounded by the courts and fields of Nostrand Playground, the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center – named for America’s first Black woman congressperson, who was elected by this community in 1968 – provides a range of amenities. The 74,000-square-foot facility has an indoor swimming pool, basketball court, walking track and fitness rooms, a teaching kitchen, media lab and activity rooms. Outdoor amenities include a green roof and an inviting public plaza. 

We provided integrated structural, façade, waterproofing, civil and geotechnical engineering for the $141 million design-build project.

Prefabricated Façade Panels for Speed and Constructability 

Our façade engineers worked closely with architect Studio Gang to develop a durable façade design that would continue a long legacy of masonry in New York’s parks and capture a feeling of physical movement.

The lower two levels of the building are clad in large, brick-faced architectural precast panels that were prefabricated off-site. The oversized panels minimized the number of joints in the façade and enable uninterrupted glazing for arched windows that turn corners – both aesthetic priorities for the architect. Because they can serve as the primary weather barrier and could be installed quickly, the prefabricated panels sped overall construction and allowed interior work to begin as soon as glazing was installed and the joints between the panels were sealed. 

Our façade engineers designed the panels to stack on top of each other, so they transfer their own weight directly to the foundations. This minimizes the amount of structural steel needed to support the façade at the intermediate and roof levels. 

Our team also designed the waterproofing system for the building’s roof and below-grade components. Tight coordination between envelope systems, MEP and lighting achieved a source-energy reduction of more than 50% and a 34% energy-cost savings.

Engineering Long Span Structures for Gymnasium and Natatorium Spaces 

The recreation center’s pool and its gymnasium/basketball court occupy the lowest level of the building. The double-height gym sits below three levels of occupied space, including weight training and cardio rooms. Our structural team used a long-span steel system to carry these loads and meet vibration-control requirements. 

The roof of the full-height natatorium, which includes landscaping and occupied areas, is supported by 75-foot-long mass timber beams. We conducted extensive research to inform our selection of a mass-timber material that could stand up to a high-humidity environment. 

For the concrete components of the building, our engineers also designed a mix that used cement replacement to reduce the material’s global warming potential (GWP) by 19%, well above the project’s 10% target.

Civil Design for Environmental Protection and Compliance 

Stormwater management was a key challenge for our civil and geotechnical team. Regulation changes by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) went into effect just as design began. The new rules for runoff allowed into city sewers limited volume and set strict water-quality requirements.

We collaborated with the landscape engineers to develop grading changes to the flat site that would channel excess stormwater from the roof, plaza and parking area into two large bioretention areas. An integrated BayFilter™ system removes pollutants from the water before it is released to the sewer system. The project also required design of ~200 linear feet of stormwater and sanitary sewer connections to tie into the nearest city sewer line. 

Additional work included design for underground utilities, ADA-compliant vehicular access and pathways, fire department access and electric-vehicle charging stations. Our team coordinated extensively with several city agencies to ensure compliance with all regulations and gain approvals. 

Delivering on a Legacy of Community 

The Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center is the result of more than 10 years of community advocacy – a fitting tribute to its namesake. Opening in 2026, the Center provides an uplifting environment where children and adults can gather, have fun and learn. The facility is also environmentally friendly; elements of the structural, façade and civil design were critical to the successful pursuit of LEED Platinum certification.