LAN is pleased to have been selected out of a highly competitive field of 21 architectural firms, as the architect and engineer for the James Monroe Elementary School in Edison, NJ. One of the reasons LAN was chosen to lead this effort is because of our full-service capabilities. Additionally, we have a staff capable of fast tracking the design process. The new two-story, 67,000 SF school will be constructed on the site of the former school which was destroyed in a fire last March. Since then, students have occupied classrooms at Middlesex County College and now at St. Ceclia’s in Iselin. Returning students back to their own school is a top priority for the District and LAN.
The new educational facility is designed to provide modern classrooms filled with daylight and will utilize LED light fixtures with daylight harvesting and motion sensors to provide energy efficiency. This facility will provide specialized instructional spaces that were missing from the original structure. In addition, the school will have a community wing for after-school programs and the surrounding neighborhood.
In terms of site placement, the footprint of the school is similar to that of the former facility, in order to take advantage of existing utility connections, site improvements, and lessen the impact on its neighbors. However, various deficiencies in the overall site layout will be addressed, including lack of parking, emergency access, and deficient drainage.
Our team is completing Construction Documents and expects to have the project out to bid later this year.