Location
61 St. James Place, Brooklyn
Completion
2005
Client
Pratt Institute
Square Footage
26,000 SF
Architect
Steven Holl Architects
Rogers Marvel Architects
Pratt Institute School of Architecture - Higgins Hall Center Section
Sciame was the Construction Manager responsible for the renovation of The Higgins Hall Center Section for the Pratt Institute’s School of Architecture. It is the first building in New York designed by architect Steven Holl in collaboration with Rogers Marvel Architects. The separate structural components of the building can be read from both inside and out, making it an ideal teaching tool. As a result, the Center Wing is more than just an addition to the architecture school- it is an integral part of the curriculum for teachers and students alike.
By working closely with the design team, Sciame was able to reduce construction costs by 20% without affecting the key architectural features of the building. Once the project moved into construction, the challenge was to build the new Wing between two existing, continuously functioning buildings, join them structurally, mechanically, and aesthetically, and do all this without disturbing classes and in time for the Center Wing to open for the 2005-2006 school year.
This unusual structure is comprised of a pre-cast concrete moment frame on which hollow core concrete planks are set for floor slabs. Because the pre-cast elements were designed to be exposed as finish surfaces, extra care and caution had to be taken during construction. In addition, the open cores of the floor plans were used as electrical chases, requiring a high degree of trade coordination and prep work. The finished product is a clean space in which the MEP backbone is hidden but the underlying structure is clearly expressed.
Project Awards
AIA New York Chapter
Architecture Honor Award
Concrete Industry Board
Roger H. Corbetta Award
New York Landmarks Conservancy
Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award
Buy Low, Build Tall – At Sciame Construction and Sciame Development, we took on one of our most ambitious concepts with the visionary 80 South Street Tower, designed in partnership with world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. This striking 835-foot-tall residential tower was imagined for the East River waterfront, just steps from the World Trade Center. The design featured twelve modular “Townhouses in the Sky”, each a 45-foot cube cantilevered from the tower’s slender vertical axis, offering residents a one-of-a-kind living experience with breathtaking views and expansive terrace gardens. At Sciame, we have always embraced the challenge of pushing the boundaries of design and construction in New York City.
What a night! A huge thank you to everyone who came out on Wednesday to represent Team Sciame at the 2025 J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge in Central Park!
Despite the weather, the Sciame team showed up strong, lacing up and powering through the 3½-mile course!
We’re proud of the determination, camaraderie, and good humor everyone brought to a soggy evening in the park.
#jpmcc
New York Construction’s Contractor of the Year – Looking back, 2006 was a standout year for Sciame Construction. We were honored as Contractor of the Year, a testament to our growing reputation for delivering some of New York City’s most architecturally daring and culturally significant projects.
In April 2006, Sciame Construction completed the Morgan Library and Museum Expansion, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop and BBB Architects. The project was led by then EVP/Division Head Joseph Mizzi, who began his career at Sciame 11 years earlier in 1995.
The following month, our founder, Frank Sciame, passed the torch of day-to-day leadership by promoting Joseph Mizzi to President of Sciame Construction, while continuing to serve as Chairman and CEO.
This leadership transition helped shape the next chapter of our story, and was memorialized in the cover photo of New York Construction, and the firm’s Contractor of the Year honor.
Thanks a Half-Billion! – At Sciame Construction, we proudly led the effort to reimagine the WTC Memorial and Museum, a project of national significance. Frank Sciame, our founder, was tasked with creating a design that honored the original vision while staying within a $500 million budget. Working closely with Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Pataki, and a team of 13 advisers, including notable figures like Jack Rudin and Robert Douglass, we developed cost-effective design options, ultimately reducing the budget from nearly $1 billion to $510 million. Our approach preserved key elements like the voids, waterfalls, and pools while optimizing infrastructure and resizing the museum. Sciame’s commitment to excellence ensured a memorial that balances beauty, dignity, and sustainability.
