Center III, LaGuardia Community College

Melida Marte, Principal of M Marte Studio, assisted Mitchell Giurgola Architects in the transformation of the 100-year-old, one million square-foot Center III Building in Long Island City. Interior renovations, exterior restoration, and utility infrastructure replacement were conducted in phases while the building remained occupied.

The project encompassed two major scopes: replacing the exterior cladding and reinventing the entrance sequence and lobby. The deteriorating exterior, marked by neglect and poor repairs, necessitated a new cladding solution that honored the building's historic terra cotta while integrating a modern unitized curtainwall system. The redesign consolidated multiple confusing entrances into a single, canopied primary entrance, enhancing clarity, security, and flow. This change also opened interior space in the well-lit corner for casual meetings, study, and dining. A two-story signature stair was also introduced, providing direct access to the second-floor public spaces.