41 Cooper Square is the new academic building for The Cooper Union. It strives to reflect the institution's goal of creating a landmark iconic building that speaks to its aspiration to be a center for innovative education in art, architecture and engineering. The boldly articulated form of this LEED Platinum-certified educational center acts as a symbol of the Cooper Union`s spirit of innovation. The building is designed as a vehicle to foster collaboration and cross-disciplinary dialogue. The central vertical piazza serves as a space for informal social and creative exchange. A 20 foot wide stair ascends four stories and is enveloped by an undulating lattice. The building connects to its immediate physical, social and cultural fabric through visual transparencies and accessible public spaces. The transparent façade at street level invites passers-by to partake in the intensity of activity contained within the building. An exhibition gallery, board room and 200-sear auditorium are housed one level below grade.Comprehensive programming, planning, and design services have resulted in a modern academic and student services building for Cooper Union. The new 175,000 sf facility houses the entire Albert Nerken School of Engineering, as well as faculties in the humanities and social sciences. The design supports Cooper Union in promoting interdisciplinary learn- ing between its three schools and between the engineering disciplines. It features areas devoted to instructional and research laboratories for the undergraduate engineering programs, as well as art studios, a gallery and auditorium, classrooms, offices, and lounges. Providing the latter amenities is part of a comprehensive effort to encourage interaction in both social and academic settings among students pursuing degrees in a range of fields. The project required Gruzen Samton's significant master planning expertise for the development of a comprehensive consolidation plan for the Cooper Union campus. We guided the school in determining which key functional spaces would remain in the landmarked historic Foundation Building. Project Highlights • Cutting-edge, high-technology instructional spaces • Ahieved LEEDTM Platinum Certification • Fully integrated building systems • Architecturally expressive design • Campus planning services to conform with requirements of the NYC Planning Commission
