NYU Paulson Center, 181 Mercer St

Occupying a full city block, the LEED Gold-certified John A. Paulson Center at NYU fosters community and connectivity while incorporating advanced energy and water systems that surpass the university’s ambitious climate action goals.

The Paulson Center functions as a micro-city, housing classrooms, study spaces, performing arts theatres, varsity and recreational sports facilities, a café, and residential space for faculty and first-year students. These diverse programs are organized into “neighborhoods,” all connected by a central commons. Atelier Ten suggested the design to be enhanced by the existing open space networks through curbside green infrastructure, green and accessible roofs, and seamless connections to bike routes, transit stops, and community parks.

Its location across from NYU’s central plant heavily influenced the project’s systems design. The most impactful energy strategy was the use of waste heat from the cogeneration plant for space heating, domestic hot water, and the regeneration cycles of the desiccant dehumidification system. This and additional Atelier Ten strategies—including displacement ventilation, decoupled systems, and enthalpy recovery—contributed to a 46% reduction in energy costs.

Atelier Ten also conducted a comprehensive assessment of water use, achieving a 40% reduction in indoor water consumption. Site-level strategies were implemented to reduce wastewater and sewage conveyance to the Hudson River. A stormwater detention tank was introduced to redirect collected stormwater to the central plant’s cooling tower, saving over 2 million gallons of potable water annually.