ZETA South Bronx Public Charter is a 75,000SF renovation of a 1929 art deco masonry and iron frame building located in the East Tremont neighborhood facing Tremont Park. The original 9 story building was historically used as a commercial office building and community health center. The structure had been renovated in piecemeal over the years and required various structural interventions to carefully position the outdoor play roof and upper level gymnasium.
This adaptive re-use and renovation project required extensive alterations to accommodate ZETA’s program of use and signature branding elements within the existing building. These renovations include: the installation of all new building systems & services, as well as a new central double communicating/egress stair, the removal of floor structure for the 2 double height gymnatoriums, full food service kitchen/dining, and a rooftop playground. Careful distribution of the building systems was needed to maximize the ceiling heights and access to natural light in the classrooms.
The project was planned to be delivered in phases, with the initial occupancy of the first 3 floors and the second occupancy of the rest of the building to be coordinated with the school year.
Zeta’s brand is reflected throughout the design. The Z-inspired graphics, large geometric patterns and signature bright colors, as well as the characteristic floating discs in the ceilings, were executed in conjunction with Zeta’s interior designer Jean Won Mosler.
