Design-Build in Action: Project Tour of the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center (July 31, 2025)
July 31 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join DBIA’s NYC Metro Chapter and the NYC Department of Design & Construction, and Consigli Construction Co., Inc. for an exclusive site tour of the new Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center, a public recreational facility redefining sustainable and inclusive community design in Central Brooklyn. Nestled within Nostrand Playground, this high-performance building features an all-electric mechanical system, a mass timber structure optimized for humid environments, and a vibrant mix of athletic, educational and cultural spaces. With a focus on achieving LEED-NC Gold certification, the center exemplifies how public architecture can support health, equity, and environmental goals.
As one of DDC’s Design-Build Pilot Projects, this tour provides insight into the benefits of integrated project delivery. Members will explore how the Design-Build approach enabled greater collaboration, faster timelines, and flexibility during ongoing design development. The tour will also examine how communitycentered design strategies shaped both the building’s programming and architecture — from the wraparound green roof to active spaces that reflect neighborhood needs. This is a unique opportunity to learn from project leaders about delivering this important civic project for East Flatbush.
Please note this event is for DBIA members only.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze how the Design-Build delivery method enhanced collaboration, expedited project timelines, and supported design flexibility during the development of the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center.
- Evaluate sustainable building strategies—including the use of mass timber, an all-electric mechanical system, and green roof integration—and their role in achieving LEED-NC Gold certification.
- Examine how community engagement and equity-driven planning shaped the facility’s programming and architectural design to reflect the needs and values of the Central Brooklyn neighborhood.
- Discuss the technical and operational challenges addressed through integrated project delivery on a high performance civic project, and how lessons from this Design-Build pilot can inform future public infrastructure initiatives.
Speakers:
Daphne Lasky, DBIA
Deputy Director, Cultural Institutions
Public Buildings DDC
Sam Hodgkinson, DBIA
Senior Project Design Manager
Consigli