We transformed a former industrial site into a vibrant workshop and lab for Rocking the Boat, an organization empowering youth to build boats, restore urban waterways, and develop life skills. This facility connects students to the waterfront in a neighborhood with limited access, helping reshape their relationship with the environment.

Located in a community where industry has long restricted waterfront access, Rocking the Boat sought to transform an old industrial site and adjacent park into a hub for teaching boatbuilding and environmental science. Our challenge was to design a facility that overcame the site's physical constraints and provided easier water access for youth in the South Bronx

Transparency was the heart of WXY’s approach to the Rocking the Boat design. A glass façade opens the facility to the surrounding neighborhood and creates a seamless flow between the street and the workshop. This openness lets passersby see that the industrial space houses boatbuilding, not warehousing.     

Natural light bathes the interior of the workshop. The marine labs and student lounges connect to a central workshop space. A rainwater recycling system enhances sustainability. Most importantly, the building provides a point of access to the nearby waterfront.  

We created a multifunctional space that fosters hands-on learning and environmental stewardship by incorporating feedback from Rocking the Boat's leadership and the local community. The result is a boathouse and workshop that seamlessly integrates educational spaces with a resilient design, supporting both maritime skills and community development. 

Rocking the Boat has changed the surrounding area by creating access to the waterfront. A request to have a traffic light installed on the street has made crossing it much safer for students and residents. The workshop and laboratory space now support hands-on boat building, water quality testing, and leadership training for over 2,000 students and community members annually. 96% of participants in the program graduate from high school—compared to 57% in the surrounding area. Beyond high school, Rocking the Boat drives long-term success with 90% of graduates moving on to college or technical schools.