South Beach Psychiatric Center

South Beach Psychiatric Center provides intermediate level inpatient services to western

Brooklyn, southern Staten Island, and southern Manhattan. The South Beach Psychiatric

Center is constructing a new $42 million Central Services Building on its property. The

Central Services Building replaces infrastructure destroyed by a 16 foot storm surge

associated with Superstorm Sandy.

Dirtworks’ approach considers the role of nature and design in promoting health at

all scales: individual, community, and environmental. The site design provides a long-term

vision for resiliency, informed by the goals and best practices outlined in the NYC

Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency. The design of landform, built form, and

planting will create a cohesive scheme, with fluid forms that create a comfortable and

relaxing setting.

Stormwater management design applies the lessons and best practices of the Bluebelt,

Staten Island’s innovative stormwater management program. The landform and

plantings will be designed to withstand periodic saltwater flooding. On a smaller scale,

the design includes carefully crafted areas for high-frequency use around the buildings,

with accessible and secure outdoor environments that incorporate views of the larger

landscape whenever possible. All of these spaces prioritize an atmosphere conducive

to healing and respite.

Location
Staten Island, NY

Size
228 acres

Completion
2020

Collaborators
STV Inc. Architectural Resources