PS 131Q Abigail Adams Elementary School Addition & Renovation

The Abigail Adams School, PS 131Q, faced the challenge of expanding while preserving its historical and architectural charm. The project involved creating a 384-seat classroom addition and upgrading the existing structure to align spaces with evolving educational needs. The school’s 1.7-acre site has long been defined by its traditional masonry edifice, featuring warm brick, limestone, gabled slate roofs, and a cupola. The school’s original two-story facade, featuring connected buildings from various periods, has become a distinctive landmark in the Jamaica Hills neighborhood.

Urbahn’s solution developed respect for the school’s architectural heritage while embracing its future. The new three-story addition maintains the existing cornice line by setting its top floor 25 feet back from the facade, rendering it invisible from street level. A glass entry link serves as a temporal bridge, delineating old from new while fostering unity. The addition’s facade features an artistic installation of faux doors, providing a thoughtful and engaging visual connection between the historical structure and the new construction. The site was completely redeveloped to accommodate updated recreation facilities, and the existing building interior received a range of accessibility upgrades to meet modern standards.

Photo Credit: Ola Wilk