Using the harbor as subject matter
The special-purpose Harbor Middle School offers a unique, hands-on maritime-based curriculum that focuses on resilience, community, and the waterfront of New York’s harbors. Students study marine biology, climate science, and maritime history, develop swimming skills in one of the city’s few school aquatic facilities, and even learn to build sailboats and sustainable gardens.


Water-based themes


The school serves 550 students in Grades 6-8 and includes a New York City District 75 Special Education component. The building is located on an L-shaped site within a flood zone in the industrial Red Hook section of Brooklyn. In addition to general classrooms, art, science, and music classrooms, and shops, the three-story building includes a library, cafeteria, full gymnasium, and a 25-yard short-course indoor swimming pool. Waves and ammonite shells are among the water-based themes built into the exterior façade, building elements, interior walls, and flooring.

Tom Rowe, AIA
Principal, Design Practice Leader
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Kathy Dy, AIA
Principal, Design Practice Leader
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