Location
3-5 Washington Place
Completion
2008
Client
New York University
Square Footage
25,000 SF
Architect
Steven Holl
New York University - School of Philosophy
Sciame was the Construction Manager responsible for the NYU School of Philosophy‘s renovation of a 25,000 SF landmark building within the NYU Washington Square campus. The project was designed to provide new undergraduate student offices, faculty and support staff offices, periodicals library as well as a modern 120 seat lecture hall for the Philosophy Department.
The design by Steven Holl Architecture is highlighted by open floor plans that capitalize on natural lighting from the numerous windows. A new porous stair, changing its direction slightly at each floor, vertically connects the six-level building through shifting light and shadow and is designed to encourage social interaction.
The unique design is continued on the ground floor with the removal of structural columns to enhance the open space necessary to create the architecturally challenging lecture hall.
Project Awards
AIA New York Building Type – Educational Facility Design Honor Award
Educational Facility Design
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.
