Security Building

This completed project is a substitute for what was an existing dilapidated structure at the main entrance of Pratt Institute’s Brooklyn campus. Situated at a prominent location, and in need of a proper facility, alumnus Juan C. Matiz was commissioned to design a small building that would define the main campus entry point. This structure was also to provide necessary space for equipment and personnel to oversee the security needs of this 25 acre campus.

The campus fabric is primarily composed of masonry buildings with articulated copper roofs. This freestanding rectangular box addresses context with its palette of materials while simultaneously respecting the orthogonal geometry of the campus. The concrete base shifts elevations to promote a more open side while permitting it to relate to the stone base buildings in its immediate context.

The small building is composed of a folding copper roof plane that provides enclosure for a simple volume of concrete and glass. Transparency is maximized due to the Client’s need to monitor the surrounding area. Key security equipment is installed at the only portion of the space where the copper horizontal plane meets its vertical surface. The scupper detail at the South elevation promotes the metal cladding and balances the overall elevation. The cantilevered roof addresses the need for the structure and also acts as a place for students to congregate and meet ground transportation.

The use of exposed, cast in place concrete at the base required a more experienced contractor that could more properly control the vibration of the formwork. The quality is acceptable but this could have been more thoroughly discussed prior to the execution of the work.