The Cooper Union New Academic Building

Jonathan Rose Companies was selected by The Cooper Union as their real estate advisor and owner's representative for the design and construction of its new signature, green academic building in Manhattan. Our Owner's Representative (OR) practice created a highly integrated approach to its collaboration with the owner and the project team to manage the building's development from its earliest programming and conceptual design phase through construction. Our goal was always to ensure that the resulting building fulfilled the school's mission while staying within our client's budget and schedule guidelines.

The new nine-story academic building is a cornerstone of Cooper Union's overall strategic plan to position its academic programs for the future and to revitalize the community centered on Cooper Square.

An international search guided by our OR practice led to selection of Morphosis Architects in association with Gruzen Samton as the design team for the building. Having received LEED Platinum certification, the facilities' program combines state-of-the-art laboratories, classrooms, a multi-purpose auditorium and a range of public and social spaces.

High performance, operable stainless steel panels on the exterior of the building provide variable solar shading and reduce heat gain during the day. A combination of screened windows and skylights allow sufficient daylighting to significantly reduce the artificial light needed in offices, classrooms and laboratories. A green roof covering almost one-quarter of the building footprint will reduce run-off, assist with storm water retention and further reduce heat gain. Together, the exterior facade, mechanical system, green roof and other features are estimated to reduce the building's operating cost by $2–$2.50 per square foot annually.