Riverside Health Center

1100 Architect led the renovation and expansion of Riverside Health Center, transforming a deteriorated mid-century facility into a vibrant, sustainable community resource. Located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the building now includes updated clinical spaces, a food safety demonstration kitchen, and flexible classrooms to support public health programming. Circulation, natural light, and accessibility were all significantly improved, while outdated systems were replaced with energy-efficient alternatives—earning the project LEED Gold certification. The project was the pilot for the development and implementation of the NYC Active Design Guidelines and the creation of an innovation LEED credit. A standout feature is a custom terracotta tile installation by artist Richard Artschwager, completed as part of NYC’s Percent for Art Program. The previous white terracotta cladding of the staircase tower was replaced with a bright orange terracotta tiles, reinforcing the building’s identity as a community anchor. The design repositions the health center as a welcoming and high-performing civic institution.