Cooper Union Portfolio
New York, NY
DBI Projects is proud to be providing a broad range of advisory and management services to The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art regarding its distinctive portfolio of real estate in the East Village. We were initially engaged in 2019 to manage the meticulous restoration of Cooper's flagship academic center at 41 Cooper Square. Designed by Morphosis, the captivating building represents a major investment by Cooper. DBI oversaw the methodical removal, transportation, restoration, and reinstallation of over 100 customized panels that span the 9-story undulating central atrium, the showcase feature of the building’s interior. Since the successful completion of the restoration, DBI has continued working alongside Cooper’s facilities leadership to develop portfolio optimization strategies and oversee related capital improvements to their owned assets.
Most recently, DBI managed the construction of a brand-new state-of-the-art fabrication laboratory called the “Art, Architecture, Construction and Engineering Laboratory” or “AACE Lab” within the Foundation Building at 7 East 7th Street. Built in 1859, the building is a historic landmark in Manhattan’s East Village and stands as a symbol of Cooper’s presence in New York City and dedication to its principles of advancing science and art. The new AACE Lab features a wide variety of digital fabrication tools that students can use to create all things from product prototypes to architectural models to cut stone and glass elements and custom embroidered textiles.
DBI has since been engaged to provide our full range of project management services on multiple projects across Cooper’s East Village properties, including overseeing the inspection and subsequent restoration of the façade of the Foundation Building as required by the New York City Façade Inspection & Safety Program (FISP or Local Law 11).
As part of DBI’s ongoing facilities support services, we assist Cooper’s in-house facilities management team in: developing problem solving and risk mitigating solutions for unique public agency and/or maintenance work; procuring qualified and reputable vendors, including leveling bids and proposals; obtaining building assessment reports and identifying capital expenditure projects; and preparing preliminary budgets and projections for capital expenditure projects.