BROOKLYN, N.Y.—DIGroup Architecture (DIG) is celebrating the completion of its first New York City School project, located in the borough of Brooklyn. P.S. 748, the Albee Square Campus, was constructed in conjunction with Nehal Contracting of Nanuet, N.Y., as well as the New York City School Construction Authority.��

The Albee Square Campus takes up six floors of a new 34-story office tower, known as 1WSQ, which was designed by FXCollaborative. DIG’s project mandate included placing the elementary school within the FXCollaborative-designed office tower. While the elementary school was in progress, the office space also served as the home of Design Works High School for the 2023-24 school year.����

Sited at One Willoughby Square, the Albee Square Campus occupies 80,000 square feet of 1WSQ. The school includes a kitchen, cafeteria, assembly room, “gymatorium” and 14 total classrooms including for special education.����

“This project is a true reflection of the work we are committed to at DIG, and we are privileged to be a part of SCA’s investment in New York City Schools,” Jeff Venezia, chief executive officer of DIG, said of the project. “The temporary use of the Albee Square Campus by Design Works High School also demonstrated the flexibility of the space as well as the adaptability and commitment of NYC SCA to remain nimble in accommodating student needs.”��

In a subsequent statement emailed to �鶹������, DIG Director of Construction Brian Duddy noted that DIG worked closely with the SCA on the school’s program requirements while simultaneously coordinating with FXCollaborative, who designed the core and shell of the building.����

“One of the unique challenges in designing the Albee Square Campus was that DIG’s design of the school was being done concurrently with another architect, who was designing the 37-story office building the school was going to occupy,” said Duddy. “As a tenant in the lower six floors of the building, the location of major building components such as elevators, exit stairs, the lobby and two-story-height gym were dictated by the base building. In addition, the ‘T-shaped’ site and floor plate required careful consideration of room layout and adjacencies.����

“DIG’s ability to quickly respond to changes in the base building during both design and construction helped DIG meet those challenges head on and deliver to the SCA and the public-school students of New York City an important project thoughtfully designed and successfully implemented.”��

DIG was formed in New Brunswick, N.J., in 2006, as a consortium of several smaller architectural houses, and is a certified Minority-Owned, Disadvantaged and Small Business Enterprise (MBE/DBE/SBE). The firm provides design and architecture in such fields as healthcare, senior living as well as education. Their school-related construction work accounts for over a half-billion dollars in project work to date.��

The post Towering Setting for New Brooklyn K-5 School appeared first on �鶹������.

The post Towering Setting for New Brooklyn K-5 School appeared first on �鶹������.

�ʱ�������ٷ����ʱ����—Architecture, interior and graphic design firm DIGroup Architecture (DIG) completed the redesign of Edwin Forrest Elementary School, located in the Mayfair neighborhood of Philadelphia. The $22 million renovation project was the first major redesign work for DIG in connection with the School District of Philadelphia.����

Among the work completed to bring the century-old school up to contemporary use were work on the exterior envelope as well as the interior. DIG’s work included renovating Edwin Forrest’s art rooms as well as providing an update to the school’s auditorium. The designers conjured a new computer lab and created modern classrooms dedicated to science and art. Mechanical upgrades included a new commercial kitchen and HVAC system, low-voltage electrical systems, as well as ADA-compliant restrooms.����

DIG’s collaborators on the project included general contractor Smith Construction Company, mechanical and plumbing engineer Five Star Inc., and electrician specialist Mulhern Electric Company. All of those firms are Pennsylvania-based.������

��“DIG has been serving the school market since our inception, and our team is keenly aware of how renovated spaces can be—and are—a complete game-changer for student success,” said Vince Myers, president of the design firm. “Throughout our history, we have been extremely active across New Jersey and New York City and are pleased to expand our regional expertise to now include Philadelphia.”����

��LoriAnne Jones, DIG senior project manager, praised her firm’s collaboration with the School District of Philadelphia. All key players were focused on the students’ present and future needs while simultaneously respecting the district’s history.����

“Schools are community spaces where teachers and administrators partner with parents to shape the minds, hearts and character of their young people. Students and staff deserve physical spaces that are safe, functional and provide an uplifting environment where learning can take place,” said Jones.��

When reached to discuss some of the challenges that the designers faced at Edwin Forrest, DIG Senior Project Manager Manny Coimbra said that the team had to be careful to preserve the historical aspect of the older building while bringing it up to modern requirements.����

“One of the more interesting/challenging aspects of the project was renovating an Art Deco building originally built in 1929,” Forrest said. “DIG and its consultants worked with the owner and the contractors to preserve the past while integrating modern functionality that honored the original craftsmanship and created spaces that meet today’s educational needs.”��

DIG, which was founded in New Brunswick, New Jersey, two decades ago, came to the City of Brotherly Love a few years ago. The firm is a certified Minority-Owned, Disadvantaged and Small Business Enterprise (MBE/DBE/SBE). The company’s previous work in the educational sector includes the Rose M. Lopez Dual-Language Elementary School in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.��

The post DIGroup Delivers Renovated Philadelphia K-5 School appeared first on �鶹������.

The post DIGroup Delivers Renovated Philadelphia K-5 School appeared first on �鶹������.