The John A. Paulson Center
New York University
New York, NY

Spacesmith was in charge of the FF&E design for the new John A. Paulson Center – a building that sets a new paradigm for multi-use facilities at NYU, containing an athletic complex, classrooms, theatrical and musical rehearsal and performance spaces, first-year student and faculty residential towers, and a new Commons. It has more classroom spaces than any other building on campus.

In this role, the firm worked closely with the Provost’s office and the building’s architects to help define and design the classroom of the future – one which would accommodate a range of teaching and learning styles. The 58 square classrooms hold 25 students each; a mix of moveable furnishings allows for a variety of lecture, group and seminar configurations, and a mix of high and low technology creates classrooms that enable different learning styles and support multiple pedagogies.

Spacesmith selected and designed furnishings for the entire building, and developed custom fabrics for the project that combine, in modern prints and weaves, NYU’s signature purple with the burnt sienna of the facades in the neighborhood’s architecture. The furnishings in the public areas were curated for flexibility – for a spectrum of activities, both informal and formal. Spacesmith also worked closely with the design team and student life and housing committees on the design and layouts for the 425-bed dormitory.

In addition to the functional and aesthetic aspects, our team was tasked with specifying furniture with low emitting materials and third-party testing to assist with LEED certification. This constraint required us to interact with and educate vendors about the logistics and importance of choosing materials that do not harm the environment. This project is LEED Gold certified.