P.S./I.S. 499
The Queens College School for Math,
Science and Technology, Flushing, New York
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499
 The
850-student primary/intermediate school on the campus of Queens
College is the second constructed by New York School Construction
Authority using a super-structure comprised solely of structural
reinforced concrete. The material was chosen for durability, cost
savings, speed of construction and ability to combine with other
materials to achieve a pleasing architectural presentation. The
concrete frame of the building is inherently fireproof. The architectural
concrete is fully exposed as the finish surface for interior the
walls and ceilings. This 120,000 square-foot school was fast-tracked,
with a total construction duration schedule of 28 months.
The concrete stairways are enclosed in cast-in-place reinforced
concrete walls. All the interior wall and soffit surfaces are smooth
concrete surfaces. The wide piers separating the stairways are articulated
with openings filled with clear glass block creating a heightened
experience for the stair users.
“The unique combination of safety, speed of construction,
and long-term durability is what makes cast-in-place reinforced
concrete the ideal material for a school—or any other public
or commercial building,” says Alfred G. Gerosa, president
of The New York Concrete Alliance, Inc. He also applauds the way
that concrete’s esthetic potential is emphasized by the architects
at Michael Fieldman Associates.
 In
the classrooms and corridors the basic formwork system for the exposed
concrete is round columns and 16” deep long coffers. The round
columns are formed with plastic surfaced form material to present
a very smooth surface. The fiberglass coffer forms present a matching
smooth surface and are laid out symmetrically with the beam/column
grid. Beams at the column lines are formed by separating the coffers
and exposing the plastic coated panel material on the deck formwork.
This kept the beams and the ribs of the ceiling in the same horizontal
plane and by varying the rib and beam widths achieved a unique,
powerful ceiling presentation.
In the auditorium the concrete ceiling system surrounds a lowered
ceiling, curved and shaped to enhance the acoustics. The relationship
of the ribbed concrete ceiling and the white lowered ceiling structure
is a unique use of concrete to enhance the design of the auditorium
space.
 Since
the site is sloped architecturally exposed concrete retaining walls,
ramp and steps are used to make the transition from the building
to the playing fields at the higher part of the site.
Concrete crack control in the stair enclosure and retaining walls
is achieved by using internal crack inducing devices. Water-stop
devices are used at surfaces exposed to the weather. By using internal
crack control devices the concrete surfaces were kept free of revealed
articulation presenting continuous smooth surfaces unbroken by reveals.
The internal crack control devices were located at form panel butt
joints in the formwork. The resulting cracks aligned closely with
the butt joint line and visually related to the architectural presentation.
Concrete was used as the basic architectural material primarily
because it was presentable right after form removal. The concrete
was only lightly cleaned and a clear sealer/anti-graffiti treatment
applied prior to completion of the building.
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