Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center
Construction is underway on the new recreation center named for America’s first black woman congressperson, who was elected in 1968.
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Project Details
Delivering a Community Vision
Construction is underway on the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center – named for America’s first black woman congressperson, who was elected in 1968. Echoing Chisholm’s championing of women and minorities, the East Flatbush community advocated for a new recreation center that provides fitness facilities, an indoor pool, and learning and media centers.
Our scope for the design-build project encompasses structural, façade, civil and geotechnical engineering. A key challenge was the inclusion of long-span timber elements in the natatorium.
Design-build projects have a reputation for focusing on time and cost. We made the extra effort to get the most from our integrated approach and achieve the design quality the community asked for and deserves.
After performing extensive analysis, we worked with the timber engineer and fabricator, contractor, architect and MEP designer to specify and document the durability of timber in the high-humidity setting. Another challenge – a last-minute change to state regulations – required a swift redesign of stormwater drainage systems to meet the ambitious schedule.
Tight collaboration between the structural and façade teams also yielded multiple cost-effective options.
Our Team
