Solar One Environmental Education Center

Client: New York City Economic Development Corporation
Location: New York, NY
Architect: B.I.G. Architecture D.P.C.
Size: 6,500 SF

Innovative, resilient facility to educate and inspire the next generation of environmental leaders

Gilbane is proud to partner with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, Empire State Development, the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, and the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development to build the Solar One Environmental Education Center. This new, two-story, 6,500 SF facility will serve as a dynamic environmental innovation and learning center. The building includes flexible indoor classrooms that can be used for community functions, an outdoor terrace, office facilities, and a café/gallery space.

Project Overview

With advanced sustainable building engineering and design components such as energy generation, battery storage, and flood resistance, the Center will be a model of resiliency for hurricanes, storm surges, and other potential emergency conditions
Solar One is designed to support the ever-evolving landscape of sustainability and clean-energy jobs, driving growth and opportunity in New York’s green workforce
The electricity generated by the PV system will be used to partially power the building
Additional features include a flood-resilient building in addition to sustainable engineering and design components including energy generation via a 25kW solar array with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) approved by FDNY & Con Edison

The new, ground-up 6,500-square-foot flood-resistant building will be a recreational and educational asset contributing to the redevelopment of the East River Waterfront and its surrounding community.