Boston-Based Firm’s Design Gives Children Refuge from City
The New Jersey Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) has recognized Boston–based architecture firm D.W. Arthur Associates Architecture with a merit award in the built open category in recognition of its work expanding the Ironbound Community Children’s Center in Newark, New Jersey.
The Center was founded in 1969 and is Newark’s first community-based, accredited child care and early education program, helping neighborhood children develop vocabulary and social skills, and instilling them with a love of learning.
“Reflecting the importance of mastering day-to-day spatial transitions to a child’s development, we were deliberate in creating a built environment that gives form to particular places where important transitions occur, including drop-off and pick-up points,” said Dogan W. Arthur, Principal of D.W. Arthur Associates Architecture. “In designing this facility, we strove to give these children a refuge from the city and a connection to nature, through the introduction of a central “oasis” play space and the use of daylighting and other design elements.”
The center is located within Newark’s Ironbound section and incorporates children’s facilities, including classrooms and play areas, with those that can be used by the broader community, including a multi-purpose room for communal gatherings. The structure includes a two-story courtyard that is visible and accessible from all new classroom spaces. The building’s upper level incorporates administrative rooms, a multipurpose room and a roof garden playscape.
Located in the heart of one of Newark’s most vibrant and active neighborhoods, the building design was carefully developed so that each classroom is provided with natural light and views, as a result of their arrangement around a central courtyard. From the spacious multi-purpose area to the naturalized outdoor spaces, the children’s center has a continuity of environments for a child to experience.
“D.W. Arthur’s design is worthy of accolade because of its creation of a nature-focused refuge for children in the heart of this dense urban environment,” said Justin Mihalik, AIA, president of AIA-NJ. “With its innovative approach, the firm successfully highlighted the outdoors and garden facilities, while exhibiting a commitment to environmental sustainability by using existing materials and salvaged resources in construction.”
About the AIA New Jersey Design Awards Program
The AIA-NJ Annual Design Awards program recognizes architectural projects that exhibit design excellence in one of four categories: open (meant for any building type), residential, historic preservation and interior architecture. Projects are further designated as either “built” or “un-built.” To be eligible, projects must be either located in New Jersey or designed by an AIA-NJ architect. Submitted projects are evaluated during the organization’s annual Design Conference by a group of distinguished architects from throughout the country.
About AIA and AIA New Jersey
Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional organization that helps architects serve the public’s needs and builds awareness of the role of architects and architecture in American society. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., its 300 plus local chapters represent 87,000 licensed architects and allied professionals. The organization’s local chapter, AIA New Jersey, has served as the voice of the architecture profession in the Garden State since 1900. Based in Trenton, AIA New Jersey has 2,000 members in six local sections. For more information, please visit www.aia-nj.org.
