Architecture for Social Impact

PROJECT EXPERIENCEARCHITECTURE FOR SOCIAL IMPACT OCTOBER 13, 2015

TEACHERS AS AGENT

TS OF CHANGE RBH GROUP TEACHERS VILLAGE Can a community of education act as a catalyst for urban revitalization? Can where teachers live affect the relevance and vibrancy of a neighborhood? Without capes, masks or super-powers, the teachers of Newark, New Jersey are transforming both the broad horizon of education and the more intimate future of their community. As residents of the newly constructed Teachers Village, these educators proudly teach in the City’s public, private, and charter schools, patronize local shops and eateries, and live in purpose-built, teacher oriented residential towers. These buildings serve as a foundation of support for the teachers— fostering an exchange of experiences and ideas, and affording the opportunity to put down roots and rise to the occasion of Newark’s urban renewal. THE PARTNERSHIP While the concept of charter schools has become reality, the new idea of teachers and education- based communities as purveyors of urban renaissance requires a new incarnation of a public- private partnership—such as the one developed by Ron Beit, CEO of the RBH Group, Newark. To fulfill its vision and mission, RBH—as leaders in real estate financing, development, and management services—acquired 77 different parcels of land along 11 blighted blocks of Halsey and William Streets. In a complex, virtually one of a kind public-private partnership, development assistance and financial backing came from a wide variety of financial and lending institutions, individual investors, and city, state, and federal governments. The project also received one of the largest residential Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit allocations in the State of New Jersey. The amalgamation of these financial arrangements resulted in the $150 million needed for the eight-building project.

$150M THE COMMUNITY who share the building, also share a common gymnasium and exercise room which is also openedRAISED THROUGH The Halsey Street corridor and neighborhood, to the residential community by membership afterPUBLIC-PRIVATE also known as an enclave for galleries and artists, school hours.PARTNERSHIP FOR is surrounded by five universities and is in close The Great Oaks Charter School has been specificallyTEACHERS VILLAGE proximity to public transportation. To be ideally designed to support a curriculum of general class situated in an area conducive to creativity and time in the morning followed by robust tutoring214 higher education, RBH proposed a built solution to sessions in the afternoons. A multi-purpose room add re-vamped primary education to the mix—with transforms into a Tutoring Hall, complimented by a the addition of one big, previously overlooked Commons Area, which is better suited for lower ratio component—the community of teachers needed to tutor/student break-out sessions. The Chen School, not just sustain the schools, but to both anchor and providing daycare for infants, toddlers and Pre-K drive the surrounding community forward. students has also been specifically designed to meet the needs of an urban daycare center. Common Areas Research conducted by The RBH Group showed that support group play and assemblies, consideration just 19 percent of Newark teachers live in the city has been given to safety concerns, and a rooftop play proper; 29 percent live in the New Jersey suburbs; area has been created for outdoor play in a limited 19 percent live in New York City; and 10 percent live footprint building. KSS has also completed design in Jersey City. But when surveyed, Newark teachers work on another residential building, which will begin were enthusiastic about housing options with shorter construction in the near future. commute times and proximity to restaurants, movie theaters, bars, museums and shopping. THE RESULTUNITS OF AFFORDABLE THE PROPOSAL: Teachers Village—a mixed use Public-private partnerships, by nature of shared-RENTAL HOUSING educational, residential and retail environment to goal, are also well-suited to professional-creativeWITHIN TEACHERS include three charter schools, a private daycare partnerships: a collection of individually talentedVILLAGE center, 214 units of affordable rental housing people coming together to design and build not just marketed to teachers, and 65,000 sf of high quality a complex of buildings, but a community of learning, retail in over 20 different businesses. imagining and achievement. We can conglomerate the finances and create the buildings, but it is not65K sf THE STRATEGY: by investing in the needs and wants until the students, and their teachers, enter and of the teachers, the teachers become invested in use the buildings—bringing them to life, fosteringOF HIGH QUALITY not just their students, but in their surrounding community and bringing forth change—that we canRETAIL WITHIN community as well. call the project a success. Success can be found inTEACHERS VILLAGE Newark’s 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 education expertise in understanding design, utilizing their experience with mixed-use properties, and share their passionate commitment to urban renewal through meaningful architecture. KSS began work on the interior of Spark, a TEAM charter school, serving students K-4, and the Discovery Charter School, serving middle school students 5th through 8th grades with project-based learning. Making the most of their building’s assets, these two schools,



AEROFARMSTURNING A CITY GREEN WITH URBAN AGRICULTUREAt 212 Rome Street in the Ironbound neighborhood KSS is designing the flagship headquarters forof Newark, New Jersey, growth is taking place. Aerofarms, and the aeroponic urban farm. TheAeroFarms is the reason for that growth. As a leader farm will be completed in phases, culminatingin urban agriculture, the company utilizes state-of- in three independent buildings. Building 1 willthe-art technology to grow leafy greens, herbs and be processing, shipping and receiving, and farmmicro greens in a process called “aeroponics”. In this related support areas; Building 2 will be comprisedprocess the seeds are placed on a cloth material of growing and cooling space and a laboratory;and placed onto 5’-0” growing trays where they are Building 3 will contain additional growing space,misted with nutrient rich water. The trays are placed germination, event space and corporate offices.on growing racks under integrated LED lighting. Oncethe seeds have germinated and reached maturity, the The facility will operate on a 24 hours a day, 7 daystrays are removed from the racks and taken by carts a week schedule. Local delivery of the produce willto the harvester. The harvesting machine removes occur 4 times a week to local food markets andthe greens from the cloth and packages the product restaurants throughout Newark.into plastic containers. From here, the greens arepackaged for shipment.Location: Newark, New JerseySize: 77,000 sf of renovation and additionFeatures: Processing area, Shipping and receiving, Farm related support and growing areas, Cooling space, Laboratory, Shop, Event space, Corporate office space



JONATHAN ROSE COMPANIES P.S. 55 GREEN BRONX MACHINEStephen Ritz is growing a Green Bronx Machine learning. Students come to understand the sciencein an old library at PS 55 in the Bronx. He fully of growing food, as well as its nutritional benefitsexpects the underutilized library to become the and methods for preparation and cooking. TheNational Health and Wellness Center at Public former library cum classroom will offer toolsSchool 55. Stephen’s machine utilizes the new for the measurement of electricity, lighting andconcept in urban farming known as “aeroponics”; water, a computer station to conduct research anda plant-cultivation technique whereby plants are analyze data, and a mobile kitchen to practice foodgrown vertically (to maximize growing space), and preparation techniques.their roots receive nutrients via a rich mist insteadof soil. This method of urban farming is still heavily The Green Bronx Machine is expected to be fullyhands-on -- and brains-on for skillful cultivation operational in the coming months. Fresh saladsand exponential growth. and vegetables, will appear in PS 55’s school cafeteria, student’s home kitchens, and ultimatelyMore than just farming equipment, the Green across the neighborhood all while generatingBronx Machine is a sophisticated engine of outstanding academic performance in school.Location: Bronx, New YorkSize: 1,500 sf renovationsFeatures: Meeting spaces, Dining facilities, Bookstore, Retail destinations, Theater, Informal hang out spaces, Admissions, Dean of Students, Student servicesDesign Schedule: 2015Budget: TBDCompletion Date: 2015

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RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY15 WASHINGTON ARTS SPACE“15 Washington” stands 16 stories tall on displays, coffee breaks, and lunchtime food forWashington Park in Newark, New Jersey. For almost thought. Organically shaped tables and stackable85 years the former American Insurance Building chairs enable a variety of communal and singularhas been a symbol of pride and progress in the city settings. An abundance of daylight easily convertsof “New Work.” Rutgers University, in keeping with to pinpoint theatrical lighting via the ceiling-hungits role as a world-class, urban, public research light grid designed to mesh with the historicuniversity that is not just in Newark but of Newark, architecture while providing structure for lighting,is poised to carry forward the mantle of New Work, rigging, and even sculpture.by giving to the City a place for New Art—thehistoric yet re-defined space of the Great Hall within Rutgers University partners with the scholars,the renovated environs of “15 Washington.” artists, citizens, and students of Newark to offer a forum for artistic expression, fostering new dialogueAn innovative, highly flexible arts events space, and understanding. “15 Washington” is wherethe Great Hall rises 30 feet to the ceiling and heritage meets innovation; where history is rich—uses expansive vision and creative modularity to and forward thinking, priceless.showcase performances and cross-curricular eventsfrom concert, dance, and theater to sculpturalLocation: Newark, New JerseySize: Approx. 25,000 sfFeatures: Amphitheater, Flexible arts events space, Faculty lounge, Art library, Rehearsal rooms, Control booth and recording studio.



RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEYHAHNE & CO. BUILDING ADAPTIVE REUSEThe adaptive reuse of portions of the vacated partnerships are numerous, including charter schools,Hahne & Co. department store provides Rutgers county and city colleges, boys and girls clubs, the cityUniversity with a unique, mission-driven opportunity museum, and local professional artists. Ultimately,to strengthen its relationship with the community the center will become a beacon of diversity,of Newark and the State of New Jersey. The drawing together people of all ages, ethnicities, anddevelopment of this historic landmark as a center for occupations—utilizing the Arts as a common bond.the creation, exhibition, and conversation of Arts andCommunications enhances the city’s “Arts Triangle”— For Rutgers University, as an anchor institutionthe downtown area under development to reignite in Newark, it is through the thoughtfully craftedthe vibrancy of Newark’s city core. relationship between architecture and community that the fabric of its urban neighborhood will beRutgers is developing approximately 38,594 sf of the strengthened and revitalized. A great place, such as441,000 sf building as a distinctive, community-based the renovated and re-purposed Hahne & Co. Building,educational program that includes an art incubator, will not only bring a community of students andcommunity media center, portrait studio, design neighbors together, but inspire it to do great things.consortium, and letterpress studio. Community4COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER 3ARTS INCUBATOR PORTRAIT STUDIOS DESIGN CONSORTIUM 2LECTURE Location: Newark, New Jersey Size: Approx. 38,594 sf Features: Art incubator, Community media center, Portrait studio, Design consortium, and Letterpress studio.



AIA 2016 SPEAKER SUBMISSION THE TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT OF URBAN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ABSTRACT Urbanism, breaking down physical and emotional barriers, and connecting a city’s burgeoning To convey how urban educational institutions are population of innovative, entrepreneurial thinkers and transforming their communities, KSS Architects will doers. present three case studies of urban education-based clients creating powerful intersections of learning, LEARNING OUTCOMES commerce and community. The next evolution in education supports under-served students both to Attendees will learn how Urban Educational and through college, and beyond. From mentoring Institutions are impacting and transforming their host programs supporting K20 education and the fostering cities by purposefully blurring the line between the of lifetime learners, to outreach programs utilizing school or university and its surrounding community The Arts to build community beyond campus borders, -- an approach through which architects bring added Urban Educational Institutions are impacting and value to the table by employing insightful, well- transforming their host cities by purposefully blurring informed programming and design to the project’s the line between the school or university and its internal focus, any by applying applicable principles surrounding community. Education-based Urban of New Urbanism to the project’s exterior reach. Via Villages are ideal places to live, work, learn and play three case studies, architects will come to appreciate because they honor a city’s heritage while engaging how thinking beyond a project’s perimeter serves to in its future by embracing the principles of New create Education-based Urban Villages: ideal placesast and North Facades 13

to live, work, learn and play – and to honor a city’s thought and deed lies in the purposeful amalgamationheritage while engaging in its future. of students, professors and professionals -- whose differing disciplines find commonality in missionParticipants will gain an understanding of education’s and determination. They also achieve success, duere-emerging “cohort model,” and how architecture in part, to an architectural environment supportivecan support this approach to learning for urban, K12 of “what if” inquisitiveness. Highly diverse andstudents. Design for the “cohort” or “posse” model customized work spaces are balanced by multiplecreates opportunities for student bonding and family and varied collaborative spaces to enable innovativeengagement, promotes identity and ownership, and research and development while promoting theprovides a safe, resource-rich environment – critical fruitful cross-pollination of ideas.elements which when layered together, contribute tothe stewardship of students “to and through” college. POST CONVENTION VALUEAttendees will learn how an urban University’s Post session, participants will appreciate that urbancommunity outreach program, presented as The schools and universities are in a unique position toArts in historic, iconic environs, can bring together leverage their assets in real-estate, intellect, anda collection of learners and “makers” and foster heart, in order to holistically affect and empowertheir collaboration through thoughtful architecture community beyond their traditional campus border.and insightful programming. Spatial diagrams and Architects will be more aware of such opportunitiesextensive community input reveal designs which and better informed of diverse methodologies byincorporate numerous and wide-ranging resources for which to extend their Institution’s reach, whilecreativity, modular flexible venues for multi-media incorporating principles of New Urbanism to breakexpression and a singular grand forum for the fluid down a city’s physical and emotional barriers left byand robust exchange of arts knowledge. past urban decline. The session will convey to the attendees the paradigm of Education-based UrbanParticipants will comprehend and appreciate that for Villages: what makes a community stronger makesan urban University and its host city, opportunity for the Institution stronger. For today’s cities, schools andintellectual and economic growth in entrepreneurial architects in partnership can become harbingers of meaningful change.

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