 |
|
Students gather at the entrance to the new high school, which incorporates both new construction (above) and adaptive reuse of three vacant buildings. |
The story of the Trenton Daylight/Twilight High School is one of renewal and rebirth—both of the classic buildings that symbolize the city's past and the youth that represent its future.
The $39 million, 101,000-sf urban infill project locates the high school—which serves recent dropouts and students who are at risk of dropping out—within three existing vacant buildings. Twin, five-story structures that date to the early 20th century serve as bookends for the new campus, which also takes in a new three-story building and an open plaza in a secured courtyard.
The Building Team, led by general contractor Joseph Jingoli & Son and architect USA Architects, had to deal with existing buildings found to be structurally unstable and “squeezing” mechanical systems into the historic buildings. Working closely with the city and residents led to the inclusion of amenities like a 9,000-sf community room. The project also achieved a high level of community participation: 56% of construction dollars were awarded to minority- and women-owned companies, small business enterprises, or local companies.
“This high school project is very impressive,” said Walker C. Johnson, FAIA, principal with Johnson Lasky Architects, Chicago, and honorary chair of BD+C's Reconstruction Awards judging panel. “With Trenton being in a severely disadvantaged part of the country, the strong emphasis on high school education and rehabilitation of community buildings is extremely valuable.” —Dave Barista, Managing Editor
Related Stories
K-12 Schools | Jan 22, 2018
Innovative learning environments and our ‘Heschong Mahone moment’
An education market think tank proposes a radical research concept for evaluating learning environments.
K-12 Schools | Dec 6, 2017
Designing K-12 schools from the inside out
A step-by-step process finds better answers, saves money, and produces measurable results.
K-12 Schools | Nov 16, 2017
Future-proofing higher education: Understanding generation Z
There are three driving issues behind this next generation: demographic change, behavioral change, and the power to choose.
Engineers | Nov 2, 2017
CannonDesign expands its presence in Colorado with BWG acquisition
Future mergers could be in the offing.
K-12 Schools | Oct 31, 2017
Exploring empathy in architecture: Put yourself in your student’s shoes
People are enigmatic and inherently complex, which can make it difficult to design for a larger population.
K-12 Schools | Oct 28, 2017
A new elementary school in Cambridge, Mass., aims at being a pilot for that city’s NZE commitment
The building’s programming will provide more access to the community at large.
Higher Education | Oct 26, 2017
Where campus meets corporate design
A building is much more than its appearance; it’s how the user will behave inside of it that determines its adaptability.
Giants 400 | Oct 9, 2017
Job-ready learning: The newest K-12 schools nudge students toward careers
Some long-term K-12 trends—like beefing up safety and security, and designing for more natural light and outdoor learning space—are still in vogue.
Giants 400 | Oct 9, 2017
Top 80 K-12 construction firms
Gilbane Building Co., Balfour Beatty US, and Skanska USA top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest K-12 sector contractors and construction management firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Oct 6, 2017
Top 40 K-12 engineering firms
AECOM, IMEG/KJWW/TTG, and STV top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest K-12 sector engineering and EA firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
