Arup celebrates official opening of Teachers Village in Newark

Arup, a multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm with a reputation for delivering innovative and sustainable designs, revealed the opening of new school buildings housing three charter schools and a daycare center at Teachers Village in the downtown. The buildings, delivered on budget and on schedule, allowed the schools to open for the start of the new school year at Teachers Village, a mixed-use development featuring school buildings, residential buildings, and street-level retail. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held September 25th to commemorate the school openings. "Teachers Village is a shining example of what happens when an ambitious vision and big plans meet a group of committed leaders, partners and community members," said Newark Mayor Cory Booker. "From classrooms for students and apartments for teachers, to shopping for residents and business opportunities for entrepreneurs, this historic development will transform the neighborhood and empower our community. Today I'm proud to celebrate the completion of four new Newark schools, where the promise of Newark's future will be nurtured and the next generation of leaders will discover their potential." Arup provided structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering, as well as civil engineering, acoustical consulting, and lighting design for the schools. The entire master plan includes sustainable design features such as new landscaping and streetscape improvements, including a new green street with stormwater planters and porous pavement that are integral to the design. The project is aiming for LEED Neighborhood Development accreditation and the charter schools are aiming for LEED New Construction accreditation. One of the new schools is designed to be LEED silver, including lighting efficiency and water reduction measures, and HVAC systems that are significantly more efficient than conventional systems. "Eighteen months ago, this was a vacant parking lot. Today, two brand new buildings, with more on the way, have already begun to breathe life back into this neighborhood," said Ron Beit, CEO of developer RBH Group. "With the help of all the professionals who worked on this, Teachers Village is infusing the area with vitality and energy." Working from its New Jersey office, Arup collaborated with RBH Group, Richard Meier and Partners, Architects LLP, KSS Architects, Phelps Construction Group, and Hollister Construction Services to build this $150 M, 365,000 s/f mixed use complex that will offer pre-marketed housing for Newark-based educators. The project will ultimately accommodate about 200 apartments, nearly 70,000 SF of retail, 100,000 s/f of educational facilities, and a 14,000 s/f day care center. It will also attract pedestrian traffic to the area, and further develop a stronger community by integrating students, parents, and teachers into a 'work, live, play' lifestyle. It is anticipated that 1,000 students will attend the charter schools in grades pre-k through 8.