RSC Architects of Hackensack, N.J., was the architect of record on the project, with the Wayne, N.J.-based Dobco Group serving as the general contractor. The Arris Engineering Group of Plains, Pa., provided MEP and IT services, while Harrison-Hamnett of Pennington, N.J., completed structural services. The overall project budget came out to $17.2 million.

The curriculum of the academy is to monitor and assess individual student physiologies in both an academic and practical manner that will help prepare the participants for future studies in physical therapy and related fields while promoting individual good health. The new Applied Science Academy at the Jersey City campus was designed and constructed to meet those curriculum standards.

The new 54,000-square-foot addition accommodates 150 students and 10 faculty members and support staff. The facility also includes a gymnasium, a wellness room, a fitness training room and 11 academic classrooms.

Since the curriculum of the academy is to teach the science and biology of physical fitness, there are three specialty lab spaces for a nursing lab, a bio-dynamics lab and a body composition lab. These lab spaces provide for real applications of physical therapy, nursing healthcare and physiology. The nursing lab contains individual nursing beds with a simulated hospital bed-wall for medical air, oxygen and vacuum. The physiology lab allows for students to measure and monitor the physiological impacts of exercise on the human body.

The project was an addition to the school that was originally designed in 1977 by RSC Architects. RSC in collaboration with the Hudson County Schools of Technology in North Bergen prepared an educational specifications and program of needs and space requirement for an applied science academy and gymnasium annex at the Jersey City Campus in 2013. The report outlined and described the types of spaces and requirements needed to support the curriculum and the associated staffing and services proposed. The recently completed facility is a direct reflection and achievement of those efforts.

While the project was originally expected to be complete in October of 2016, it was delayed by close to a year as result of the unforeseen conditions, according to Jeff Schlecht, AIA, senior project manager at RSC. “It was a pile-supported building — which meant we had to drive piles into the ground to support our foundations,” said Schlecht. “What was discovered is that when the site had previously been a county facility, they had never removed all the underlying structures, and nobody knew that until we started hitting piles while starting construction.”

The design incorporated translucent insulated panels to provide natural, diffused light into the gymnasium and atrium lobby, which contributed to the facility being a sustainable one. Low-VOC finishes, LED lighting, and energy-efficient plumbing and electrical fixtures were used throughout.  

Brick masonry, aluminum insulated panels and the translucent panels were used as building materials for the complex. “We didn’t replicate the unique design of recessed windows that we created in the original design in 1977, but we tried to reflect that design with the use of the translucent and metal panels and brick,” said Schlecht.

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JERSEY CITY, N.J — The new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) facility for the Hudson County Community College in Jersey City will have a grand opening ceremony on Sept. 19. The new facility will feature 10 science labs, including microbiology, genetics and engineering, as well as general classrooms, computer labs, a stepped lecture hall, multi-purpose room, lobby and outdoor patio space.

The six-story 74,000-square-foot STEM facility had an overall project budget of $25 million. RSC Architects in Hackensack, N.J., was the lead architect on the project, with Brockwell & Carrington in Towaco, N.J., as the general contractor. A&J Consulting Engineers in Clifton, N.J., handled MEP, and Remington-Vernick Engineers in Haddonfield, N.J., handled site and structural elements of the project. Work on the project began in fall 2015.

In addition to creating a state-of-the-art STEM facility, the goal of the project was to consolidate and centralize the college’s STEM programs into one stand-alone location, while connecting to the adjacent science building. Additionally, the college wanted to foster collaboration among the disciplines and to provide more classroom space for the growing educational programs to attract students with a strong interest in STEM education, according to Ken Mihalik, project manager at RSC.

“The building is a nice addition to the Journal Square neighborhood as it provides an attractive and contemporary appearance signifying that something special is happening inside,” said Mihalik. “At the same time, through the use of masonry and brick-colored panels, the building seems to easily work with the existing context of the area.”

Fully accessible by public transportation, the building will serve as a beacon to welcome students entering the facility. The new facility has a light-filled lobby that also serves as a cyber cafe, with an adjacent outdoor courtyard, intended to foster collaboration amongst students. The main level has a multipurpose room used for hosting lectures and science demonstrations. Enclosed in a glass storefront system, students can view the new state-of-the-art laboratories from the central common areas. The labs will be equipped with audiovisual and information technology (AV/IT) tools, and are intended to allow for simultaneous activities and group collaboration.

The building has been designed as a LEED-certified building, which includes a mechanical system that allows for more individualized zone controls. Recycled materials were used in the construction of the new facility. Installation of ultra low-flow plumbing fixtures will save the facility on water use, and the use of daylighting will reduce energy use for lighting. Additionally, room occupancy sensors have been installed to reduce use of lighting when the building is unoccupied or for spaces that are not currently in use.

The biggest challenge of the project was to fit the building onto a very tight urban site, according to Mihalik. “This was accomplished through a delicate balance of maximizing floor plate, while at the same time providing adequate building setbacks to allow for windows and some limited outdoor space,” said Mihalik. “We also accomplished this through a very efficient floor plan, which minimized circulation space.”

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NEWARK, N.J. — Essex County College in downtown Newark will open its new state-of-the-art media center and student lounge at the college’s main campus during the last week of August — just in time for the beginning of the fall semester.

The project was designed by RSC Architects of Hackensack, N.J., to create an atmosphere that will encourage collaboration, creativity and relaxation. The new space replaces the former Martin Luther King, Jr. Media Center and is located on the fourth floor of the Zachary Yamba building.

Construction on the 18,800-square-foot “information commons” began in January of 2016 and was completed in July of 2017. DLB Associates of Eatontown, N.J., was the MEP Engineer, and H&S Construction of Elizabeth, N.J., was the general contractor on the project. The goal of the project was to transform the existing out-of-date library into a state-of-the-art technology electronic multi-disciplinary library. The media center has 140 computer workstations, seven classrooms, breakout rooms, open lounges and a computer lab. The budget of the entire project was $4 million.

The new media center will consolidate reference information and technological needs as well as provide student and faculty collaboration space. The space includes a service desk that is staffed by library and information technology personnel where students can receive help with a wide range of problems, including technological and informational needs, as well as support in multimedia production — capabilities that the new media center now possesses.

The new media center offers more than a typical library by providing a range of services broader than the traditional library, according to Kenneth P. Mihalik, senior project manager at RSC Architects. “Whereas a ‘traditional’ library focuses on providing quiet space for individual study, this information commons is configured for use by small groups of students, reflecting students’ desire for collaborative learning and combining social interaction — all of which allows students to work together efficiently on projects,” said Mihalik.

Additionally, the project contains a unique aesthetic and provides ambience not often found — a live “green” wall and a water feature that enhances the physical environment by providing a softer, quieting atmosphere to contrast the campus’ “hectic urban location.” The water wall uses synthetic oil between two pieces of glass to create the look of flowing water in the middle of the bustling media center. The living wall comprises a unique pattern of regenerative plants and will be maintained by an automated watering system and campus staff. This space will become the new student commons on campus due to its multifunctional nature and the attractiveness of the design.

“We saw an opportunity here to create a space that provides more than a place to study; it provides inspiration and serenity at the same time,” said Dr. Joyce Wilson Harley, vice president of administration and finance for Essex County College, in a recent statement. “Having an open space with a forward-thinking design encourages our students to do their best work while the incorporation of natural elements creates an interesting and engaging setting.”

The biggest challenge of the project was performing construction work while keeping the other portions of the library in operation, according to Mihalik. Phasing was an important aspect of the project where book stacks needed to be relocated, pipe penetrations needed to be added and mechanical systems needed to be installed — all while keeping the library in operation for students.

“This project provides for a very unique set of activities to occur in a single space on campus that has never occurred before,” Mihalik said. “Here, students can conduct extensive research for information, access electronic multimedia equipment and software, collaborate on projects with other students and faculty, access instructional spaces and have access to a quiet place to work independently.”

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