LAN was recently recognized by the national publication American School & University (AS&U) for its design of the Aerospace Classroom located in Bergen County Technical Schools (BCTS) in Teterboro, NJ. The 1.1M dollar project was completed in May of 2019 and has been selected for the publication’s 2019 Educational Interiors Showcase. The classroom is featured in the August 2019 edition of the magazine and online at SchoolDesigns.com.
LAN converted an outdated autobody shop into a new state-of-the-art aerospace classroom. The space includes an engineering lab, assembly studio, and a prototype workshop that follows the “design thinking” process from early concepts to working models. With docking stations for tablets, large whiteboard walls, and collaborative seating, students can easily work together on a variety of designs. In the assembly studio, designs come together on the large worktables and a flexible soldering bench is available for small individual projects. This room also contains 3D printers and a vertical lift storage system, so any tool can be retrieved with a push of a button. In the back of the space, the prototype workshop is a dust-controlled work environment for bigger builds and more complicated construction.
“The Aerospace Classroom designed by LAN Associates at the Bergen County Technical High School is a collaborative and technology-infused learning community,” said the school’s Business Administrator, John Susino. “The engineering lab, assembly studio, and prototype workshop engage students in the design-thinking process, exploring human-centered concepts and digital drawings to constructing full-size working models. LAN has provided a state-of-the-art learning environment that fosters creativity and innovation, facilitating advanced studies and careers for the District’s students immediately after graduation.”
The project is located directly across from an airport and the classroom was designed to incorporate a style that reflects that airport’s history. Early aviation images and representations of significant moments can be found throughout the space.
“We are proud to share this award together with BCTS,” said Matthew Fink, LAN Project Architect. “We created a space that reflects the local history of Teterboro and sparks the imagination and ingenuity of the next generation of aerospace engineers.”
Every year a jury of American Institute of Architects (AIA) members and education administrators evaluate submissions from architectural firms, schools and universities across the country. Projects are chosen for publication based on 8 criteria; student-centered, community focused, solves a problem, demonstrates vision, sense of place, innovative, flexible/adaptable, and healthy. With this issue, AS&U reaches 57,000 facility planners, school and university administrators, and architects.
This is the 29th year the competition has been held. LAN previously took home the AS&U award for outstanding design in 2018 for renovations completed at Mamaroneck High School in New York . That project was centered on physical education.
