Tapestry School's Big Plans
Joy Pepper School Director of Tapestry Charter is excited about upcoming plans to build a new school on Great Arrow, allowing all of the K through 12 students to be under one roof.
"Presently, we have K-8 at Franklin and Linwood, while the high school is in St. Mary's School for the Deaf on Main Street. We'll be putting a 2-story, 90,000-square foot addition on an existing building at 65 Great Arrow to house K-12," Pepper said. "In terms of culture, teachers and student mentoring, this is so exciting. We'll be able to bring our school community together."
When we spoke, the high school students were finishing up spring conditioning in the elementary school. That trek from St. Mary's to the K-8 school will be remedied in this new building, that will incorporate a host of other amenities. "We'll have the best state-of the-art technology we can afford along with science labs and arts studios including separate spaces for dance and music."
In addition, Pepper said the high school students will--at long last--have a library and a college counselor on staff. "We're a college preparatory high school, and we're one of twenty Expeditionary Learning High Schools in the entire country, funded by the Gates Foundation."
The students in this school of 520 are chosen strictly by lottery, and class sizes are small, with about 25 per classroom in the elementary division and 75 per class in the high school. "This is in keeping with our vision of a small environment where every child is well known. It can be hard to be responsive to every child--we want the ability to cater to everyone. Being small allows us to be close and devise creative programming," Pepper said.
"The architect, Laura Goodwin of Achieve Architecture LLP, is a one-woman show, and she knows us, so was able to reflect our asthetics in her design," according to Pepper. "We're so excited. We'll be bringing new energy into that area." The building that will become the school is directly behind, and facing the back of, the Marshall's Plaza on Delaware Avenue.
Next on the list of Pepper's move toward the June construction date are some serious fundraising events that will also feature naming opportunities for those willing to invest in the school's future.
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sbrof
That's Super Duper!
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Aloha
This section of Buffalo is seeing a lot of exciting development. Kohl's will be building their new department store very near to where this school is going to be built. Keep it coming!
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bison716
HUGE WIN! This is big news for the community! I loving the great improvements that are happening in this area. Keep it moving.
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TownLine
At risk of being an "Elmwood Hipster," would it really cause any issues if they just put the parking behind the building rather than out front? Its a simple concept, accomplishes the same goals - not like this is retail where tenants need parking to be visible.
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BuffaloRox
I was unable to find any information on Ms. Goodwin or Achieve Architecture LLP using a Google search. What other primary and secondary school projects has she worked on? Any information about her credentials?
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ECB
Pepper said that this is Ms. Goodwin's very first independent project.
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sbrof
TownLine, I would normally agree with you 100% and fight for a pedestrian oriented city. But in this case the building already exists. So in order to put the parking behind it would require demolition / new build. Something the school probably can't afford. Plus since the building it there and usable it is more sustainable to use the building than to reconfigure the whole site.
Perhaps where we could make suggestions would be the locations of the new addition and how it is fit on the site. Right now there is no way to knowing where they plan to put it and how they could do so in a way that would benefits the street wall or not.
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BuffaloRox
ECB,
Did Ms. Pepper indicate whether Ms. Goodwin had ever renovated, built or converted a commercial building into a primary or secondary school as part of another architectural firm before she started her own firm? Canon Design, Hamilton Houston Lownie Architects, Flynn Battaglia Architects and Carmina & Wood are local architectural firms that have experience with Buffalo area K-12 schools. I'm trying to understand how Ms. Goodwin was chosen for this project. Doesn't it strike you as odd that on a project critical to the future of a school, a professional would be selected who has never independently handled this type of project?
BR
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Willie1
Ms. Goodwin is highly respected in the Architectural community. She has a long history of significant projects with several very fine firms. I believe that before coming to WNY, she was with one of the finest firms in the country. This is not an amateur, but a very experienced award winning design professional.
There are some individuals that when they start an independent practice, they list many projects that they worked on with other firms. They were part of a team, but still take credit away from their former firms. And others, like Ms Goodwin have too much integrity to play those games.
Everyone in the Architectural community knows that this project is in very good hands. Congratulations to Ms. Goodwin on this significant project.
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BuffalJoe
Are you guys married or something, WIllie1?
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BuffaloRox
Willie1
I will repeat my question for a third time since it has not been answered. Since this is reported to be her first independent project, has Ms. Goodwin ever renovated, built or converted a commercial building into a primary or secondary school while with another architectural firm? If she did so, was it as the project manager or just one of the team of architects & designers under a project manager?
As far as not listing prior projects, I think that is BS. I find it a stretch of the imagination to believe that Ms. Pepper simply took Ms. Goodwin's word that she had worked on significant projects without detailing what they were.
BR
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whitetd
BufflJoe - I am married to her!
BuffaloRox - Laura's credentials include working at major firms in Denver, Chicago, and Philadelphia. As an undergraduate, she attended UB. She returned to Buffalo in the early '90s. She is a designer, project manager on many jobs with other firms, and educational specialist. To expand upon Willie1's comments, everyone knows that she designed and managed the construction of Limestone-Allegeny HS, the renovation of the Grand Island casino, and the terracotta facade and blade sign of Shea's theatre to name a few. She has served as the President of the Buffalo Chapter of the AIA. She is known by the entire architectural community. Her firm's new website should be up and running in a couple of weeks. I hope that this addresses any concerns about Laura's experience or competence.
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RisingDamp666
So why does it look like an airport Ramada Inn?
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ECB
Whitetd:
Beautiful! She's talented and married to a very nice guy. And now she has a wonderful first independent project that will garner Kudos. Very cool.
Joy Pepper did call me back, and her answer to as to why Laura was chosen for the project pointed out all of her attributes in conjunction with stating again that Laura was their best choice. Joy went further to explain that Tapestry is not a Buffalo Public School.
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ArkoWillie
This all sounds great for the the Tapestry School, and for the srea near its new consoloidated facility. Does anyone know what plans there might be , if any, for the very nice building they currently have in Allentown?
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BuffalJoe
It looks like either Marty McFly or Dr. Brown has a child at this school! Aren't they worried about luring the Libyan terrorists so close to the students?
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DJK
The building on North Street is a leased facility. I don't know how Tapestry OR Goodwin can be held responsible for whatever might happen there!
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BuffaloRox
ECB - What attributes were pointed out? Did Joy explain how the selection process was conducted? Did it include reaching out to all the major players via a RFP?
Whitetd - Thank you for the information. Were you or your wife acquaintances of Ms. Pepper's or anyone else on the Tapestry site/architect selection committee prior to her selection?
BR
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HelenGood
BuffaloRox, comfort yourself with the fact that even if you had submitted a successful proposal, you would have been asked to speak at some point, and that's when you would have lost the job.
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BuffaloRox
HelenGood,
I'm not an architect and I have no financial interest at stake in this project other than one who might contribute to its construction. It's sad to see you advocate form (oratory skills) over substance (successful proposal) in chosing an architect. I'm curious how Tapestry, as a public charter school, chose a one-person firm over other local firms who have extensive experience with primary and secondary schools. Why the hostility? Shouldn't the process and Ms. Goodwin's credentials speak for themselves? Turning to personal attacks only raises further questions.
BR
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xosder
Perhaps they have seen what the other local firms produce and expect something different...perhaps they have seen her work...or perhaps they just like her better...it's irrelevent. Architect Goodwin will be doing the same thing she has been doing successfully for numerous clients all over the country for many years.
What's with all the conspiracy theory on the engagement of a design professional ? It seems that if you have no financial interest and you're not a competing Architectural firm you would have little interest in the selection process itself.
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BuffaloRox
xosder,
Good questions. Lots of speculation on both our parts as to why she was selected. I disagree that it's irrelevant why she was selected. My interest, as I mentioned above, is because I expect to be asked to participate in financing this project. The opportunity to select a new school site and design/build it is a very rare opportunity. My concern is that Ms. Goodwin may not be the best person for this project. No conspiracy theories, just trying to get some answers. Since little has been shared publicly on this project, I was hoping that ECB had asked these questions or that Ms. Pepper shared the answers with her.
BR
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xosder
BROX: Why in the world would you question if whether or not Architect Goodwin was the right person for the job here publicly? Especially since you admittedly don't have enough background information to have an opinion one way or the other. If her credentials are really that important to you, your background information probably shouldn't be coming from a blog.
I would love to have a talented seasoned Architect working for me as opposed to having a piece of trace paper dropped on a CAD-desk in a basement cubicle which will be next checked on when I call for a status meeting.
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RisingDamp666
The design speaks for itself. A lot of good intentions can sometimes culminate in a Brazilian rocket.
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whitetd
I think the selection process was much more transparent than people realize. Please realize that Ms. Pepper could not select Laura's firm on her own. The entire school board had to approve the selection of an architect. There is at least one other local architect on the school board. Laura was interviewed and her credentials thoroughly examined. It is not in anyone's interest to have not chosen the best person for the job. It is too important to everyone to give the project to an unqualified individual but this is not the case. If there are any lingering doubts, then consult members of the school board directly. They have worked with Laura for several months now. It is really inappropriate to question Laura's credibility in public without any evidence.
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simcoe
whitey- ahhh, this is an anonymous uncensored (more or less) thread, so anything can be questioned or asked, appropriateness is relative. This isn't someone standing outside the current school with a megaphone & picket sign.
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whitetd
That I understand completely and is part of what I am saying. If BR is indeed participating in the financing of this project, then his concerns are indeed legitimate and he should ask. My point is that this is not the right place. He should consult with the people who actually know about the selection process and Laura's experience.
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whitetd
Buffalo Gal BR maybe you can resolve your concerns if you just talk to the architect; I hear she's very active in our community she serves on a Board with me. I also hear she's been designing schools for over 20 years; designed schools in Buffalo and the southerntier and several renovations of schools and other buildings in our region. Why don't you call the architect and voice your concerns, particularly since you are 'footing the bill' so to say. Perhaps she will walk you through the design? I was able to locate the firm in the Talking Phone Book; don't know why you couldn't? The published tiny little perspective I saw looked pretty cool, a departure from a shoe box. I also know that the current site is a sea of parking and paving. The architect and the school plan to return a large chunck of the paving to green space with landscaping; as she presented at the City-wide Plan Review. Tapestry is one of the most if not the most successful Charter School in the state and the project is a boon for our community. I hope you're not using your annonymity to be mean-spirited; to her or to the school but that you are genuine in your concern. Check out the city-wide plan review process as a way to be informed about projects and their design.
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BuffaloRox
whitetd,
Your suggestion to follow up outside of this forum is a good one as is xosder's to avoid this turning into a mud-sling thread - which is not my intention. I'm out.
BR
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BuffaloSoldier
Is it too much to ask for a picture of the building and not the parking lot? I know what parked cars look like. Show me the new building and its grounds!
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