Former School Building in Buffalo NY Closed in 2010
Buffalo Public School PS 63, Buffalo New York
Buffalo Public School #63 is an excellent example of this typical standardized plan, designed by city architect Howard L. Beck in 1917 to accommodate a growing population in the northern part of the city. The University of Buffalo had established a new college campus on the grounds of the Erie County Almshouse, located three blocks to the north, in 1910, and the importance of the streetcar along Main Street and rise of the automobile resulted in the city's suburban expansion to this area in the early 1900s. As illustrated by the 1916 Sanborn Map the neighborhood adjacent to the school was growing. Adjacent streets show residential lots laid out and a large number of houses constructed. St. Agnes Training School for Girls had been constructed to the northwest on Main Street.
PS 63 was modern and complied with all of the standards established by contemporary scholars with regards to hygiene, heating and ventilation, lighting and so on. The plan of PS 63 is two stories above the ground floor, giving the appearance of a three-story building. The classrooms are located around the perimeter to maximize light penetration. The auditorium, gymnasium and pool are centrally located within the wings of the H-shaped plan. The construction is fireproof and the finishes are standard. Stylized detailing on the elevations is minimal and reminiscent of the daylight factory, with broad open window bays defined by engaged pilasters and spandrels. The corbelled detailing of the brick masonry suggests a rusticated ground floor, the contrast of red brick and limestone at the simple capitals; pilaster bases and belt course provide the ornamental program. The entrance vestibules are the most highly articulated with limestone surrounds and full entablature; however, even this detailing is minimal.
The school was designed with the intent of allowing the community to use the auditorium, gymnasium, and pool spaces. Beck's design is interesting in that a dental clinic was located in the ground floor, providing a mixed-use function in the building that would serve the community. The design provided accommodations for a kindergarten classroom, girls play room, boys play room and manual training room at the ground floor; six classrooms, a manual training room and sewing room on the first floor, and five classrooms, an open air classroom, and a domestic science classroom on the second floor. Wardrobes and bathrooms were located on each floor. The gymnasium and pool were located on the ground floor and auditorium on the second floor. Interestingly, an apartment was located in the southeast corner of the second floor, likely accommodations for the janitor.
By 1925 the neighborhood around PS 63 was settled and houses built on the vacant lots seen on the 1916 Sanborn Map. The result was an increase in enrollment that necessitated an addition to PS 63. The addition, designed by the Associated Buffalo Architects, added two classrooms and a cafeteria to the ground floor of the west wing and a girl's locker and shower to the northwest corner of the east wing. The dental clinic was renovated into a classroom. Four classrooms and a boy's locker and shower were added to the northeast corner of the east wing, and a classroom to the northwest corner of the west wing on the first floor. At the second floor, four classrooms were added to the west wing and one to the east wing. The only difference in the Associated Buffalo Architects design as compared with Beck's is that the corridors in the basement were finished with terrazzo as opposed to wood, and the wood trim was removed from the windows, which now featured a brick stool. Wardrobes in the addition were moved into the classroom, as opposed to having assigned space off the corridor. The elevation of the addition maintained Beck's design vocabulary, which was already reduced in ornament. PS 63 continued to function as a neighborhood school, becoming known as Campus North. The school closed to new students in 2004 and was a "swing" school for students from other schools during renovation. It closed in 2010.
Buffalo Public School PS 63 was designed in 1917 by the city's Building Bureau architect, Howard L. Beck. An addition, consistent with the material fabric and standardized plan of the 1917 building, was added to the northwest corner and northeast corner of the H-shaped plan in 1925, designed by Associated Buffalo Architects, Inc. In the late nineteenth and first decade of the twentieth century school design standards were increasingly based upon considerations for hygiene and the physical, mental and moral health of the student. Architectural design had been considered to play an important role in the education and health of the student in the late nineteenth century; however, by 1913 this focus on aesthetics was no longer considered to be an important consideration and stylistic ornamentation was essentially removed from the design of schools. The idea of "standardization" was the subject of discussion among architects in early 1920s, as worries that the lack of aesthetic consideration would result in diminutive architecture. In 1920 the Associated Buffalo Architects, in consultation with nationally-noted school architect William B. Itner, was formed. The association was a combination of thirty-five architectural firms contracted to provide professional services for the design and construction supervision of eighteen buildings for the Buffalo Board of Education. The intent was to eliminate duplication of work and reduce the cost of school construction. The association was praised for standardizing the approach to school design with their "typical open plan" typology. Interestingly, Beck's 1917 design for School No. 63 already employed the "typical open plan" typology. Buffalo Public School #63 contributes to the discussion of standardization as an excellent example of the unadorned, standardized school designed using the "open plan" typology.
Building Description
Buffalo Public School #63 (PS 63) is located at 91 Lisbon Avenue on a corner lot bound by Cordova Avenue to the west and Minnesota Avenue to the south, in a residential neighborhood. The red brick school, designed by Howard L. Beck, architect for the city's Bureau of Buildings, in 1917 is two stories above a ground floor, giving the appearance of a three-story building. In 1925 an addition to the northeast and northwest corners of the building was added by Associated Architects of Buffalo, Inc.
PS 63 is located in a residential neighborhood, one block east of Main Street and three blocks to the south of the University at Buffalo south campus. The neighborhood developed in the early twentieth century as a streetcar suburb, located approximately five miles from downtown Buffalo. Grassed lawn surrounds the south half of the school, while the area to the north is asphalt paving. The main entrance elevation faces Minnesota Avenue, with sidewalks accessing the "girls" and "boys" entrances, which are located to the east and west respectively.
The red brick at the ground floor is corbelled to suggest a banded rusticated finish. Above the rusticated lower level is a broad limestone belt course, which continues around the building, unifying the composition horizontally. Brick piers, each with simple limestone capital, sit on top of the belt course, supporting the cornice and parapet, and defining each window bay. The piers are detailed with a header course around the perimeter suggesting an inset panel, although the wall plane does not change. A similar detail at the spandrel panel between the first and second floors also gives the illusion of an inset panel. Typically there is a window triplet in each bay at the ground floor, first and second floor levels. The windows are three-light double-hung wooden sash units with horizontal muntins. The mullions are classically detailed with base and capital. The sills are all precast and the soldier course of the spandrel panel spans the window head. At grade the windows sit on top of the foundation. The effect is similar to the composition of a daylight factory with broad window bays defined by engaged pilasters and spandrel panels between each floor. The cornice and parapet have been covered with metal siding.
The 1925 additions to the northwest and northeast corners maintain the parts and detailing of the 1917 composition. The only indication of the addition is a slightly raised roofline over seven bays to the north along the west elevation and two bays to the north along the east elevation.
The plan is standardized and functionally organized. Beck's 1917 design consisted of classrooms organized in an H-shaped plan, with gymnasium, pool and auditorium centrally located to the north between the wings. The 1925 addition added additional classrooms, a cafeteria and girls shower and locker room to accommodate an increased enrollment. The classrooms are located around the perimeter of the building to maximize sunlight penetration, with the main corridor running east-west parallel to Minnesota Avenue and secondary corridors running north-south at each end of the "H" plan.
The south elevation, facing Minnesota Avenue, is the primary elevation, with the "Girls" entrance located to the east and the "Boys" entrance to the west. The entrances are a single story in height and occupy the intersecting "el" of the H-shaped plan. Paired doors with transom provide entrance to the south, and a one-over-one wooden sash window with transom occupies the side wall of the vestibule. A limestone surround at the window and door supports a continuous, full entablature. Above the surround of the door and window are brackets that support the cornice. Above each single story entrance vestibule is a paired, two-light wooden sash window with horizontal muntin located mid-floor, indicating the location of a stair behind. Between the entrance bays are five bays, each with a window triplet. The center bay is not as wide and consists of a single sash window. The bay is articulated by a broken pediment, supported by bracketed scrolls above the first floor window. Below the window, just above the belt course, is the City of Buffalo seal set in an inset panel noting the construction date as AD 1917.
The projecting wings of the H-shaped plan consist of three bays facing inward and two bays facing south. The bay immediately above the single story student entrance vestibule consists of paired sash windows, while the remaining bays consist of a window triplet. The windows at grade, which maintain the alignment of those above, have all been covered with board for security.
The east elevation consists of nine bays. The third bay from the south is narrow, with a single window, as opposed to the window triplet visible at the other bays. The detailing of the elevation consists of the banded rusticated brickwork at the ground floor, with brick masonry piers defining the bays at the first and second floors. A door, with limestone surround is located at the second bay from the north. The two bays to the north are distinguished from the seven to the south by a raised roof line.
The north elevation, facing a parking lot and Lisbon Avenue, consists of three parts. To the east is the 1925 addition; in the middle is the block containing the auditorium and gymnasium constructed in 1917, and to the west is the 1925 addition.
The only fenestration on this elevation is located in the classroom block to the east and a single sash window at the northwest corner. Masonry piers define the broad expanse of blank wall, and the bay with the single window sash. There are no windows on the west face of this block.
Centrally located are five bays, each with paired, three-light sash with transom above. The cornice and parapet are not covered by the corrugated metal seen elsewhere. The limestone capitals at each pier steps back as a continuous band across the elevation. Above the capital is glazed yellow brick.
The block to the west, added in 1925, is organized and detailed in a manner seen elsewhere in the building. Masonry piers define each bay. The elevation facing north is three bays wide. Window triplets are located in the first two bays, while there is no fenestration at the bay to the west. The face of the block facing west is two bays wide with a single window sash in the bay to the south and no fenestration in the bay to the north.
The west elevation consists of fourteen similar bays. The seven bays to the south are part of the 1917 design and are similar to the east elevation. The six bays to the north were added in 1925 and are distinguished by a raised roof line at the parapet; otherwise they maintain the same design vocabulary as the 1917 design. Each bay is defined by brick piers, and a window triplet. At the third bay from the east is a single window sash. An entrance is located at the third bay from the north. The entry bay steps out slightly from the plane of the wall. Paired doors feature a limestone surround supporting a denticulated cornice that is continuous with the belt course.
There are three main entrances to School 63; boys and girls entrances on the south elevation and a third entrance on the west elevation. Each entrance leads into a vestibule and stairs. The stairs descend approximately five feet (7 risers) to the ground floor and ascend to access the first and second floors. The organization of the H-shaped plan is determined by function and maximized access to natural daylight. There are three corridors on each floor. The main corridor runs east west, while two secondary corridors run north-south at each end forming the "H." The classrooms are located around the perimeter of the building to maximize natural light, while the gymnasium, pool, and auditorium are located within the wings to the north.
Hardwood floors are the primary flooring in the building, although there is terrazzo in some corridor locations in the basement and linoleum tile in the 1925 classrooms. The walls and ceilings are plaster; the ceilings have been covered by dropped acoustical tiles. Water infiltration has damaged the hardwood floors and plaster walls throughout the building. The window sash in both the original 1917 building and 1925 addition are similar.
Wood trim, stool and apron details are located at the 1917 windows, whereas the 1925 windows lack the wood detailing and are set within the plaster wall and feature a brick stool.
The "Boys" and "Girls" entrances to School No. 63 is located on the south elevation, off Minnesota Avenue. A third entrance is located to the north, on the west elevation along Cordova Avenue. At each entrance a stair accesses the ground floor, located approximately five-feet below grade, and continues up, to the first and second floors. The stair at the boys and girls entrances has simple metal baluster rails and newel posts, and oak handrails. The unadorned metal stair has slate treads, and the landings are hardwood. Paired windows are located at each mid-floor landing.
The stairs at the entrance off Cordova Street are concrete with terrazzo stringers, risers, treads and base. The landings are also terrazzo. The newel posts are marble and the baluster solid with an oak cap at the handrail continuous with the newel post cap.
The ground floor is located approximately five feet below grade and is accessed from stairs at each entry. The windows in the basement are a full story above grade. Conduit and piping is exposed in the corridors. The "Girls" and "Boys" entrance enters the main east-west corridor. Offices and a classroom are located to the north and the fan room/boiler room, gymnasium and locker rooms to the north.
Classrooms are located off the corridor in the wing to the west. To the south the corridor floor is wood and to the north it is terrazzo. The classrooms to the south share a wardrobe, while those to the north have a wardrobe within the classroom. A cafeteria is located in the northwest corner of the wing to the west. A bathroom is located to the south, adjacent to the stairs along the west elevation.
Classrooms are located off the corridor in the wing to the east. There is no wardrobe in this wing.
The gymnasium and pool are located within the wings to the north. The gymnasium is accessed from the main corridor running east-west. To the north of the gymnasium is the pool. Windows are located in the upper portion of the north walls of the gymnasium and pool. The walls of the gymnasium are brick and the ceiling is concrete, while the pool area is tile, except for the ceiling which is concrete. To the east of the gymnasium and pool is the girl's locker room and shower, and to the west is the boy's locker room, boiler room and fan room. The boys shower is located on the first floor and is accessed from the locker room.
The first floor is organized in a manner similar to the ground floor. The main corridor runs east-west, accessed by stairs running vertically from the boys and girls entrances. Secondary corridors run north-south at the east and west wings of the H-plan. A third stair, located to the north along the east wing, accesses the corridor to the east. Classrooms are located around the perimeter of the building, accessed by the corridors. Wardrobe rooms are shared between two classrooms, except at the classroom in the northwest corner of the west wing, and those in the north half of the east wing which have wardrobes within the classrooms. The boys' bathroom is located to the north, at the intersection of the main east-west corridor and the corridor along the west wing; the girls' bathroom is located at a similar location to the east. The boys shower is located in the west wing, to the east of the corridor. Bathroom and shower spaces are finished with tile.
To the north, between the wings, is the two-story auditorium. Paired doors to the east and west of the main corridor enter the auditorium. The floor of the auditorium is wood and the walls are plaster. Windows are located along the north wall and the stage is located to the west. The ceiling has been covered with dropped acoustical tile; however, in areas where the tile is missing a coffered plaster ceiling is visible above. The proscenium is relatively ornate, with molded plaster panels and rosettes in relief.
The second floor is organized in a manner similar to the ground and first floors. Classrooms are located around the periphery and wardrobes and bathrooms are stacked.
The classrooms are located around the periphery of the building to maximize daylight. Windows and blackboards and, when present, wardrobes are oriented such that light enters the room, across the student desk from the left to avoid shadows when writing. In the classrooms to the north in the west wing and in the classroom at the northeast corner of the east wing the window stool is brick and the wood sash are set within the plaster opening. Wardrobes are also located within these rooms and the floors are linoleum. In the other classrooms the sill, stool and apron are wood and the window opening is framed with wood trim. The floors in these classrooms are wood. The blackboards remain extant in the classrooms. The classroom ceilings have been covered with dropped, acoustical tiles. Above the tile the ceiling is plaster.
West and partial south elevations looking northeast from the corner of Minnesota and Cordova Avenues. Note change in parapet height distinguishes the 1925 addition (to the north) from the original 1917 school (to the south) (2015)
South elevation looking northeast from Minnesota Avenue (2015)
Looking northwest toward court at entrance showing east and south elevation of west wing, 1917 portion of school (2015)
Looking northeast showing main wing of plan and broken pediment above middle bay window at first floor, 1917 portion of school (2015)
Looking northeast showing plan, 1917 portion of school (2015)
Looking northwest showing east elevation. The change in parapet height at last two bays to the north distinguishes the 1925 addition from the original 1917 school (2015)
Looking southwest showing elevations to the north from Lisbon Avenue (2015)
Detail of cornice at north elevation (2015)
Looking south from Lisbon Avenue showing north elevation. Wings to the east and west were added in 1925. Note middle bay showing windows at 1917 auditorium (2015)
Looking southeast from the corner of Cordova and Lisbon Avenues showing west and partial north elevations (2015)
Looking northeast showing west elevation. Note the change in height at the parapet distinguishes the 1925 addition to the north form the original 1917 school to the south (2015)
Looking west along main corridor, first floor. Note exposed concrete ceilings, hardwood floors and plaster walls (2015)
Looking west along main corridor, second floor, 1917 building (2015)
Detail of stair showing slate newel post and baluster rails; wooden handrail and slate tread (2015)
Detail of typical classroom (2015)
Looking north showing stage and proscenium opening in auditorium (2015)
Looking northeast into gymnasium (2015)
