University Academy Charter School STEAM Expansion

The Opportunity

University Academy Charter High School (UACHS) enlisted KSS to expand their school program at 275 West Side Avenue in Jersey City. The project transformed an existing office space into an exciting state-of-the-art high school STEAM suite with teaching labs that support an innovative, entrepreneurial educational model, engages students and staff, and attracts high-caliber prospective students. KSS built upon our ongoing relationship with UACHS and our work together that converted a commercial laundromat facility into UACHS’s home and NJCU’s business incubator space in the early 2000s. The renovation of the business incubator space is a unique opportunity to design a forward-thinking STEAM suite, preparing students for the next generation of innovation. 

Our Approach

The project is mindful of resources with selective demolition and strategies that emphasize re-use by honoring the existing building’s rich material palette. Existing building elements such as large shaft spaces and existing exposed structure are seen as assets, not obstacles. Developing the design around the building’s unique character led to the idea of the Makerspace as a “Toolbox,” with one side of the space an active Create Zone and the other a quieter student Focus Zone. A variety of formal and informal and open and enclosed learning environments provide students with independence and choice in how they collaborate and learn. Progressive programs such as a media and recording studio, shop space, technology lab, and a makerspace can directly cross pollinate with biology, chemistry, physics, and music creating opportunities for co-curricular learning.

Program

STEAM suite including makerspace, robotics arena, shop space, technology lab, media lab, and recording studio, wet and dry lab classrooms for chemistry, biology, and physics, music room, student collaboration and study spaces

Partners

The Reynolds Group, Civil
MPP Engineers, Structural
Wick Fisher White (MEP/FP)
Molba Construction, Contractor

Photography

Edward Caruso