My first week was not what I was expecting, but I did overall enjoy it. This first week gave me a chance to work on my teamwork skills and to become a better leader. My project is MAOarch retail store design. This project is about coming up with ideas that the space can be used for and how it fits in with the area. Our project is located at 595 Madison Ave in Manhattan.  The most challenging aspect of this project so far was actually trying to get the other members of the group to add their input and their ideas because a few people in the group talk about ideas while others stay quiet and do not add anything. Plus if you ask them what they think, they will just go with what you said.  By participating in this project, I hope to … [Read more...]

This project I have been assigned to an art piece to which I am to get a good look and feel from and use the art piece as inspiration to my creativity. Once I have an idea in my mind, I am to put it on a paper and sketch different forms of our idea based on our art piece, until we are content or are given the sign that our best sketch can move forward to the physical form. We are to make our best model with whatever material we think is best suited to make it come to life. Our mentors check up on us throughout the making of our sketches and models and after which they notify us that we are able to move forward with our project in Rhino and Photoshop till our presentation. This whole project tests our creativity and … [Read more...]

Thank you to Two Trees Managing Director of External Affairs, Mr. David Lombino, for the historical and design insights and the inside look at The Refinery. Amina Clyde, Class of 2025 What was once known as a prominent sugar factory housing many workers during the 1900s, Domino Sugar Factory debuted in 1856 and was operated by Fredrick C. Havemayer Jr. After a fire and several industrial failures, the factory was rebuilt in 1882 by Theodore A. Havemeyer, Thomas Winslow, and J. E. Its revival was short lived as the factory inevitably closed, leaving many without work. The shut down of the factory also left a good portion of the area closed off from the public, leaving a large unused space. For many years, the building remained … [Read more...]

The ACE Mentorship Program of NY has been paired with WHSAD for over 7 years. Within the ACE program itself there are multiple teams from which WHSAD students can select. One of the most innovative and renowned teams is team 6. Although team 6  incorporates fields like engineering, acoustics, mechanical engineering, plumbing, construction management, its main focus is architecture.  Each year a group of WHSAD students end up selecting team 6 and learn to sharpen their skills in drafting and rendering while also gaining new knowledge and connections. In ACE, students get to interact with professionals from various fields. Students like me go to ACE because we get to learn about the intricate and useful parts of architecture that you … [Read more...]

See WHSAD students' Newtown Creek StoryMap and student reflections below: -Derek Ramos Matos, 2024 WHSAD Valedictorian Participating in the Newtown Creek Alliance “Living Dock” project has been a transformative journey, blending art, science, and community activism. This initiative, aimed at revitalizing and sustaining the ecological health of Newtown Creek, has not only been working on reshaping the local environment but also deeply influencing the personal and academic growth of students like myself. The Living Dock, a remarkable synthesis of art and ecology, serves as a floating ecosystem designed to foster marine biodiversity. This initiative stands as a testament to how innovative environmental solutions can rejuvenate … [Read more...]

Thank you to The Freshkills Park Alliance staff for supporting our students in realizing multiple objectives this year. Thank you to Mark Murphy, President of the Freshkills Park Alliance; Christopher Ricker, Freshkills Park Program Coordinator; and Shannon Erickson, Director of Education for the Freshkills Park Alliance. Check out the Fresh Kills project story map here: -Jada Quijano, Sophomore This experiential learning program exemplifies how academic institutions and organizations can work together. The success of this collaboration paves the way for continued partnerships in the future. Students can gain valuable workplace skills while contributing to the park's development, and the Alliance gets valuable data to guide … [Read more...]

This is WHSAD's second year working with CTA architects. According to its website, "CTA's work is rooted in the belief that the careful, appropriate restoration of existing buildings is among the most sustainable activities of any Architecture practice." Students in the mentorship engage in projects that dovetail with this portion of CTA's mission statement and learn both hard and soft skills. Oftentimes students have commented that the CTA mentorship is rigorous and puts students on the spot not only to present ideas to the professionals, but also to accept constructive feedback that lacks sugarcoating. During the mentorship students apply the design process, collaborate with peers and mentors, and gain a greater grasp on software programs … [Read more...]

Thank you to Ms. Heather Butts of H.E.A.L.T.H. for Youths and all the partners who offered support to our students on their projects. Jennifer Segundo Ramirez and Mariah Nieves, WHSAD Seniors What has been your project? I worked on the Corporal Thompson Park Playground Renovation Project on Staten Island.  This project aimed to transform the playground into a fun and inclusive space that involves children of all ages.  A key priority was ensuring the safety of all children using the playground and addressing the primary concern of parents in the community. Additionally, the community involvement was important as the playground serves the local residents and is intended for their enjoyment.  What other students … [Read more...]