Project Description

Donnelly Construction built this inner-city, LEED Silver elementary school from the ground up. The 20,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art facility serves the Newark community and houses the model program for early childhood education in Essex County, NJ. Located within the Ironbound neighborhood of the city of Newark, this early learning and child care center is a welcoming oasis for children and adults alike. New programming was configured around the site perimeter to create an enclosed two-story playscape that is visible and accessible from all new classroom spaces. The upper level features administrative offices, a multipurpose room and a roof garden playscape. The lobby includes a playful composition of switchbacks and tunnels (doubling as a handicapped-accessible ramp) leading to an integrated, welcoming space for both existing preschool and new infant-toddler programs.