TEACHERS VILLAGETEACHERS AS AGENTS OF CHANGECan a community of education act as a catalyst forurban revitalization? Can where teachers live affectthe relevance and vibrancy of a neighborhood?Without capes, masks or super-powers, theteachers of Newark, New Jersey are transformingboth the broad horizon of education and the moreintimate future of their community. As residentsof the newly constructed Teachers Village, theseeducators proudly teach in the City’s public,private, and charter schools, patronize local shopsand eateries, and live in purpose-built, teacheroriented residential towers. These buildings serveas a foundation of support for the teachers—fostering an exchange of experiences and ideas,and affording the opportunity to put down rootsand rise to the occasion of Newark’s urban renewal.THE PARTNERSHIPWhile the concept of charter schools has becomereality, the new idea of teachers and education-based communities as purveyors of urbanrenaissance requires a new incarnation of a public-private partnership—such as the one developedby Ron Beit, CEO of the RBH Group, Newark. Tofulfill its vision and mission, RBH—as leaders in realestate financing, development, and managementservices—acquired 77 different parcels of land along11 blighted blocks of Halsey and William Streets.In a complex, virtually one of a kind public-privatepartnership, development assistance and financialbacking came from a wide variety of financialand lending institutions, individual investors, andcity, state, and federal governments. The projectalso received one of the largest residential UrbanTransit Hub Tax Credit allocations in the State ofNew Jersey. The amalgamation of these financialarrangements resulted in the $150 million neededfor the eight-building project. 51 |
$150M THE COMMUNITY The Great Oaks Charter School has been specifically designed to support a curriculum of general classRAISED THROUGH The Halsey Street corridor and neighborhood, time in the morning followed by robust tutoringPUBLIC-PRIVATE also known as an enclave for galleries and artists, sessions in the afternoons. A multi-purpose roomPARTNERSHIP FOR is surrounded by five universities and is in close transforms into a Tutoring Hall, complimented by aTEACHERS VILLAGE proximity to public transportation. To be ideally Commons Area, which is better suited for lower ratio situated in an area conducive to creativity and tutor/student break-out sessions. The Chen School,214 higher education, RBH proposed a built solution to providing daycare for infants, toddlers and Pre-K add re-vamped primary education to the mix—with students has also been specifically designed to meetUNITS OF AFFORDABLE the addition of one big, previously overlooked the needs of an urban daycare center. Common AreasRENTAL HOUSING component—the community of teachers needed to support group play and assemblies, considerationWITHIN TEACHERS not just sustain the schools, but to both anchor and has been given to safety concerns, and a rooftop playVILLAGE drive the surrounding community forward. area has been created for outdoor play in a limited footprint building. KSS has also completed design Research conducted by The RBH Group showed that work on another residential building, which will begin just 19 percent of Newark teachers live in the city construction in the near future. proper; 29 percent live in the New Jersey suburbs; 19 percent live in New York City; and 10 percent live THE RESULT in Jersey City. But when surveyed, Newark teachers were enthusiastic about housing options with shorter Public-private partnerships, by nature of shared- commute times and proximity to restaurants, movie goal, are also well-suited to professional-creative theaters, bars, museums and shopping. partnerships: a collection of individually talented people coming together to design and build not just THE PROPOSAL: Teachers Village—a mixed use a complex of buildings, but a community of learning, educational, residential and retail environment to imagining and achievement. We can conglomerate include three charter schools, a private daycare the finances and create the buildings, but it is not center, 214 units of affordable rental housing until the students, and their teachers, enter and marketed to teachers, and 65,000 sf of high quality use the buildings—bringing them to life, fostering retail in over 20 different businesses. community and bringing forth change—that we can call the project a success. Success can be found in65K sf THE STRATEGY: by investing in the needs and wants Newark’s Teachers Village. of the teachers, the teachers become invested inOF HIGH QUALITY not just their students, but in their surroundingRETAIL WITHIN community as well.TEACHERS VILLAGE THE ELEMENTS Richard Meier, Newark-born and world-renowned architect, designed the community’s master plan. KSS Architects was invited to the project to lend their expertise in charter school understanding and design, utilize their experience with mixed-use properties, and share their passionate commitment to urban renewal through meaningful architecture. KSS began work on the interior of the TEAM charter school, serving students K-4, and the Discovery Charter School, serving middle school students 5th through 8th grades. Making the most of their building’s assets, these two schools, who share the building, also share a common gymnasium and exercise room which is also opened to the residential community by membership after school hours.| 52
RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY HAHNE & CO. EXPRESS NEWARK The adaptive reuse of the vacated Hahne & Co. city museum, and local professional artists. Open department store provides Rutgers with a unique, programs range from weekly Print Club sessions for mission-driven opportunity to strengthen its printmarkers of all ages to rotating Art Break lessons relationship with Newark’s citizenry and the State that help visitors unwind, explore, and experiment of New Jersey. The development of this historic with different forms of artmaking. The center landmark as a center for the creation, exhibition, and is a beacon of diversity and cultural enrichment, conversation of Arts and Communications enhances drawing together people of all ages, ethnicities, and the city’s “Arts Triangle”— the downtown area under occupations—utilizing the Arts as a common bond. development to reignite the vibrancy of the city core. For Rutgers University, as an anchor institution Rutgers developed 50,000 sf of the 500,000 in Newark, it is through the thoughtfully crafted sf building as a distinctive, community-based relationship between architecture and community educational program that includes an art incubator, that the fabric of its urban neighborhood will be community media center, portrait studio, design strengthened and revitalized. A great place, such as consortium, and letterpress studio. Community the renovated and re-purposed Hahne & Co. Building, partnerships are numerous, including charter schools, will not only bring a community of students and county and city colleges, boys and girls clubs, the neighbors together, but inspire it to do great things. Location: Newark, New Jersey Size: 50,000 sf Features: Art incubator, 3D print shop, gallery spaces, production studio, community media center, portrait studio, design consortium, lecture hall, lobby, lounges, resource library, and letterpress studio.| 54
BANCROFT NEW CAMPUS “One world. For everyone.” For nearly 130 years, linked by views and pathways. These buildings and Bancroft has been a leader in breaking down a sensory trail will form natural protective edges boundaries for individuals with neurological to the pedestrian campus, with vehicular traffic challenges, autism, and intellectual and and parking located along the perimeter. Key to developmental disabilities. To progress with its the success of the campus is the introduction innovative continuum of care and to unlock each of a commons building that creates synergies person’s full potential for lifelong learning and between the education and housing programs and fulfillment, Bancroft is relocating programs on their provides nodes of interaction with the surrounding 16 acre Haddonfield campus to a new 30 acre campus. community. With a focus on life skills and job training, the new The Commons houses a clinic and medical/dental campus will provide state-of-the-art facilities for center providing both in- and outpatient services. the Bancroft School, the Lindens, and Transitional Caring for the students’ well-being is paramount, Housing in 178,000 square feet of space. Its buildings and the on-site clinic offers an environment where will be organized around a series of outdoor rooms participants can access necessary services in a safe, which will serve a variety of scales and purposes, comfortable setting. Location: New Jersey Size: 178,000 sf; 90 acres Features: Clinic, Medical/Dental Center, Classrooms, Housing, Pool, Early education and intervention, Elementary school, High school, Commons, Sensory space/therapy rooms, Food Service, Gym/motor rooms, Wawa, Welcome center, Lindens Crisis Housing, Transitional step-down housing Contact: Dennis Morgan, 856.524.7514| 56
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EDEN AUTISM CENTER EDUCATION AND OUTREACH CENTER The Eden Institute, the founding program of KSS collaborated with Eden to design the new the private nonprofit organization Eden Family school, which incorporates “best practices” including of Services, provides families and their children a sensory motor room and weight room. The affected by autism with year-round educational school centers on its vocational and therapy areas, and outreach services. Impressed with the envisioned as a house and an office. The house, a organization’s mission and role in the community, space for students to learn routine activities such KSS was honored to help Eden find a new home. as making their bed, also has lounge areas. The office serves as a vocational resource for learning Determined to give Eden the best location and design, how to perform administrative work. A school store, KSS identified and analyzed many sites and eventually in partnership with Wawa, gives older students selected a site on the periphery of Princeton Forrestal experience in retail and public interaction. The Village, a mixed-use development. The environment L-shaped building is configured around a central provides teachers and students a strong sense of courtyard for younger students to play and explore. community, shared athletic and event resources, as well as ample open space and walking trails. Location: Princeton, New Jersey Size: 38,300 sf (25,400 sf new construction; 12,900 sf rennovation) Features: Classrooms with kitchens, Restrooms, Offices, Observation rooms, Multipurpose room, Gymnasium, Weight room, Occupational physical therapy sensory room, Vocational and educational centers, School store, Butterfly-shaped roof Recognition: AIA New Jersey Design Merit Award 2013| 58
“The building has a comfortable residential scale but with an inherent gesture in the design signifying a civic purpose.”
WHYY PUBLIC MEDIA DORRANCE H. HAMILTON PUBLIC MEDIA COMMONS The Hamilton Public Media Commons at WHYY programmable LED lighting that create colorful, presents exciting opportunities to educate dynamic displays reflective of ongoing activity communities about digital media while enlivening a inside—the first installation of this kind in the major streetscape in Center City Philadelphia. The U.S. Cast stone finishes lead visitors inside to the 7th Street corridor, utilitarian in form, previously “Portal,” an open reception space and video gallery comprised parking lots and the backs of buildings. showcasing student work. A window on 7th Street A solid and enclosed space, though fitting for the allows the public to view the programming inside studio program, would have been counterproductive The Lincoln Financial Digital Education Studio for to the project’s mission of outreach. large-scale student productions. Through innovation and technology, KSS Architects The Public Media Commons has become a popular designed a learning lab that addresses the project’s destination on the existing Technology Center’s multifaceted goals. Outside, the building skin is “Main Street,” an open public space that leads to composed of translucent white panels featuring major functions. Location: Philadelphia, PA Size: 7,500 sf new construction; 4,000 sf renovation Features: Digital production studio, Community center, Multipurpose space, Classrooms, Mural in partnership with the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program Recognition: American Institute of Architects New Jersey, Design Merit Award, 2010. First Place, 3form Best Installation Contest, 2010.| 60
WIDENER UNIVERSITY WIDENER PARTNERSHIP CHARTER SCHOOL In an urban setting with limited educational After reviewing the solutions, the university options, Widener University partnered with decided an addition to the existing building would community leaders and residents to create a maximize its investment, eliminate duplications charter school. Beginning with just one incoming in staffing, and create a cohesive single learning class in 2006, the charter school was thriving and environment for the whole of the school. The ready to add a middle school component as part of project provides spacious amenities for students its continual expansion and growth. to learn and grow such as a large gymnasium and assembly space. Located close to the university, KSS Architects worked together with the the school continues to bring more families to the partnership to determine the space program campus and strengthen town and gown relations. and requirements for a middle school that would The connection also allows for resource sharing: become a beacon of the university’s partnership Classrooms used by middle school students with the local community. We evaluated multiple during the day can also accommodate university solutions, including addition to the existing building, students at night. a standalone middle school on an alternative property, and the economics of leasing or buying. Location: Chester, Pennsylvania Size: 30,000 sf existing, 21,000 sf addition Features: Classrooms, Multipurpose room, Gymnasium Design Schedule: 2010 Budget: $4.5 Million Completion Date: 2012| 62
WHO WE ARE
Guidance • Relationships • Innovation • Design
KSS ARCHITECTSFIRM HISTORY RELATIONSHIPS that are lastingKSS Architects is a full-service architecture, We believe that deep human relationships are theplanning, and interior design firm in Princeton, heart of all great architecture. We value buildingNew Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since those relationships as much as the building ofour founding in Princeton in 1983, KSS Architects stone and steel. We are experts at building bondshas matured, growing in size, abilities, and between people and project, client and community.ambitions. KSS today has a staff of 60 talented Our firm creates design solutions that facilitateand dedicated design professionals passionate and celebrate these interwoven relationships,about creating built environments that stimulate creating rich and rewarding communities.commerce, learning, and community. DESIGN that inspiresGUIDANCE through the process Architecture, when steeped in expertiseOur clients are leaders in the fields of business, and insight, can affect meaningful change—industry, education, development, cultural and transforming the heart of the matter beyondsocial impact. They call us their trusted advisor metal and mortar, into empowerment, creativity,because we have honed a process of ideation, knowledge and achievement. Thoughtful detailbuilt upon intensive listening, deep research, and embedded in a structure cultivates change -collaborative imagining. We think like owners, meaningful and lasting change.stewarding all the resources of the project to thegreatest return. We have earned the trust of our A COMMUNITY-CENTRIC cultureclients to lead them through challenges, managethe process, and exceed their goals with design KSS employees are personally committed tothat inspires and execution that delivers. supporting local communities and mentoring the next generation of learners, thinkers, andINNOVATION in the intersections leaders for a brighter tomorrow. Professionals with purpose, our employees selflessly dedicateWe consistently use creativity to turn opportunity personal time to inspire and inform the communityinto reality. We are relentless and fearless in about the field of architecture and design, as wellour reimagining of what places can be, creating as work on pro-bono campaigns to enrich andmeaningful innovation that realizes many goals brighten existing neighborhoods. Our dedicationat once. Although we face a world more complex to community programs is one of KSS’s avenues tothan ever before, our inquisitive minds and deep creating meaningful and lasting change, spreadingexpertise provide the unique ability to solve our passion for design.challenges with elegant, effective solutions that gobeyond single paradigm design. 67 |
MERILEE MEACOCK AIA, PP, LEED AP KSS ARCHITECTS | PARTNERPROFESSIONAL MERITS Merilee is a design leader in the education community. She has assisted large and small organizations find new building sites, made recommendations forLeading Woman Intrapreneur of New Jersey Finalist, 2016. planning new campuses, and designed improvements to make current buildings“Gottesman RTW Academy Tour,“ AIA NJ State Convention, more functional and dynamic. An excellent communicator, she often organizes and leads a team approach to the design and construction of buildings and 2015. campuses. Her broad-minded yet pragmatic ideas pave the way to handle“Community Revitalization: The Restorative Properties of challenges related to the planning, design, and construction of many project types adeptly. She helps clients realize their highest potential by creating a Schools,” Planning for Higher Education Journal. Vol. 43 legacy of places that is inspirational, comfortable and functional for all. Num. 4, July-September 2015.“Across the Generations: Addressing the Elephants Still RELEVANT EXPERIENCE in the Room,” Panelist: Groundbreaking Women in Construction, 2015. Bancroft, New CampusAIA-New Jersey, Architect of the Year, 2014. Beeber School, The Inquiry School at BeeberNJBIZ 50 Best Women in Business, Honoree, 2012. Build with Purpose, Golden Door Charter School; Obama Green Charter School“Bringing Education into the Mix.” School Construction Canyon-Agassi Charter School Facilities Fund, KIPP Philadelphia, KIPP News. 2010.“Transforming Lives and Communities: Successful Planning Philadelphia Elementary Academy, Addition and Renovation Strategies for Starting a Charter School.” National Civic Builders, Hyde Leadership Charter High School Alliance for Public Charter Schools conference. 2009. Cranbury K-8 School, Gymnasium, Classrooms and Entry, Addition and Renovation“The Good Neighbor: Looking to Mission-Based Initiatives to Eden Autism Services, Eden Institute, Special Needs School Develop Programs for the Future.” SCUP Mid Atlantic. 2008. Gottesman RTW Academy, Addition and Renovations“How Design Works for You.” http://howdesignworks.aia. Inquiry School, Master Plan and Renovation; Science Classroom org/casestudy-school.asp. Kean University, Human Rights Institute, AdditionYoung Architect of the Year, AIA New Jersey, 2003 KIPP Philadelphia, Fitzsimons Test Fit; Stanton Renovations; WestmorelandArchitectural Consultant, LEED for Schools; National KIPP NJ, KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy Committee, U.S. Green Building Council New Jersey City University, University Academy Charter High School; WestPrinceton FutureChair, Zoning Board, Cranbury Township Campus Master Plan; West Side Theatre, Renovation New Jersey Schools Development Authority, Barnegat Board of Education, Lillian M. Dunfee Elementary School, West State Street Office Pennington Borough, Municipal Building and Public Library P.S. 55, Jonathan Rose Green Bronx Machine RBH Group, Makers Village & AeroFarms RBH Group, Teachers Village, Chen School; Discovery Charter School; Great Oaks Charter School; TEAM Charter Schools; SPARK Academy Rutgers University, 15 Washington Arts Space; Hahne & Co. Building Adaptive Re-use ; Biomedical Engineering Building, Information Science & Technology Building, Master Plan, Center for Adult Autism Services The Calais School, Addition and Renovation The Harmony Schools, Daycare Center The Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School, Renovation & Addition Uncommon Schools, 15th Avenue; 310 Sherman Avenue; 377 Washintgon; Haddon Avenue K-8; Mt. Ephraim; North Star Academy Charter School, Addition and Renovation Widener Partnership, Charter School EDUCATION Bachelor of Architecture & Bachelor of Science, The Pennsylvania State University| 68
MAYVA DONNON AIA, LEED AP KSS ARCHITECTS | PRINCIPALPROFESSIONAL MERITS Drawn to architecture because it presents opportunities to tackle a range of challenges that demand practical and creative solutions, Mayva thrivesGuest Juror, University of Pennsylvania, Dept. of Architecture in problem-solving through design. Her love for the design process and theGuest Juror, Philadelphia University, Dept.of Architecture rigors of architectural practice make her adept at balancing the technicalSouth Street West Civic Association, Board Member aspects with the human side of design. Mayva has experience on projects fromModerator, “Elevating Minds by Expanding the Classroom large-scale institutional master planning to detailed design documentation. A leader in integrating building information modeling (BIM) into daily practice, and Engaging the Community”, SCUP Mid-Atlantic 2014 Mayva coordinated the implementation of BIM technology on one of the firm’sModerator & Speaker, “Students of the Future: Thinkers, largest projects, a new campus center for Lawrence University. As a principal, Mayva leads project teams in translating the needs and desires of clients into Doers, and Makers”, Pennsylvania Association for thoughtful architecture that empowers learning and community. Independant Schools, 2016 RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Bancroft, New Campus Beeber School, The Inquiry School at Beeber Campbells Soup Company, Family Center Canyon-Agassi Charter School Facilities Fund, KIPP Philadelphia, KIPP Philadelphia Westmoreland Academy, Addition and Renovation Civic Builders, Hyde Leadership Charter High School First Round Capital, Offices and Technology Incubator Space, Interior Renovation Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Scandling Campus Center, Add. and Renovation Kean University, Institute for Human Rights, Addition KIPP Philadelphia, Fitzsimons Test Fit KIPP Philadelphia, Stanton Renovations KIPP Philadelphia, Westmoreland Academy, Addition and Renovation Lafayette College, Film and Media Studies William C. Buck Hall Lawrence University, Richard and Margot Warch Campus Center The Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School, Renovation and Addition RBH Group, Teachers Village, Discovery Charter School RBH Group, Teachers Village, TEAM Charter Schools, SPARK Academy Rutgers University, Center for Adult Autism Services The Community School, Alterations Uncommon Schools, 15th Avenue School Uncommon Schools, Haddon Ave. School Addition and Renovation Uncommon Schools, Mt. Ephraim School Addition and Renovation Uncommon Schools, North Star Academy Charter School, Addition and Renovation Virginia Commonwealth University, Academic Learning Commons Widener Partnership Charter School, Widener University EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, Cum Laude, University of California, Berkeley Regents & Chancellor’s Scholarship, University of California, Berkeley Master of Architecture, University of Pennsylvania Arthur Spayd Brooke Bronze Medal, Department of Architecture, University of Pennsylvania, for excellence in Architectural Design E. Lewis Dales Traveling Fellowship, University of Pennsylvania Lewis Davis Merit Scholarship, University of Pennsylvania 69 |
PROFESSIONAL MERITS MATTHEW H. MCCHESNEY AIA, LEED APChair of the Lawrenceville Main Street Organization KSS ARCHITECTS | PARTNER | 70 Clients know Matt for his ability to listen to their needs, understand their values, and create spaces where they can maximize their potential. As he leads projects from design to construction, he strives to balance the client’s objectives with the demands of budgets, site restrictions, and scheduling. Matt is a powerful force in the K-12 community—he is a trusted advisor to many, helping to build community and facilitate education pedagogy, thereby empowering students to succeed and neighborhoods to flourish. With all projects, he strives to integrate both simple and complex systems that minimize architecture’s impact on the environment and help preserve resources for future generations. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Bancroft, New Campus Campbell Soup Company, Family Center Canyon-Agassi Charter School Facilities Fund, University Heights Civic Builders, Hyde Leadership Charter High School Cranbury K-8 School, Gymnasium, Classrooms and Entry, Addition and Renovation Denville Township, Town Hall Fairfield Township, Public Safety Building Gottesman RTW Academy, New K-8 School Inquiry School, Master Plan and Renovation; Science Classroom Kean University, Center for Academic Success, Academic Building Kean University, Eugene and Shelley Enlow Recital Hall, Renovation KIPP NJ, KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy New Jersey Schools Development Authority and Barnegat Board of Education, Lillian M. Dunfee Elementary School New Jersey Schools Development Authority and Vineland Board of Education, Vineland Middle School #2 Princeton University, Lewis Center for the Arts, Dance and Visual Arts Departments, Addition and Renovation Princeton University, West College Admissions Department, Renovation RBH Group, AeroFarms RBH Group, Teachers Village, Chen School RBH Group, Teachers Village, Discovery Charter School RBH Group, Teachers Village, Great Oaks Charter School RBH Group, Teachers Village, TEAM Charter Schools, SPARK Academy Rutgers University, 15 Washington Arts Space Rutgers University, Biomedical Engineering Building Rutgers University, Hahne & Co. Building Adaptive Reuse Rutgers University, Zimmerli Art Museum, Dodge Collection Addition TEAM, 18th Avenue Historic Renovation Uncommon Schools, 15th Avenue; 310 Sherman Avenue; 377 Washintgon; Haddon Avenue K-8; Mt. Ephraim; North Star Academy Charter School, Addition and Renovation EDUCATION Bachelor of Architecture, Syracuse University
KSS ARCHITECTS LLP PRINCETON 337 Witherspoon Street Princeton, New Jersey 08542 T 609.921.1131 | F 609.921.9414 PHILADELPHIA Public Ledger Building 150 South Independence Mall West Suite 944 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106 T 215.320.3000 | F 215.351.5374 www.kssarchitects.com
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