As part of a $22 million referendum, Di Cara | Rubino Architects designed a 33,400 SF addition at Chatham (NJ) Middle School. The project encompassed the design and construction of a new classroom wing built atop an existing area, which accommodates four new general classrooms and three new science classrooms. Other new spaces included a full-size gymnasium with locker rooms and a 5,400 SF state-of-the-art Media Center. Existing areas of the middle school were renovated to create new instruction areas including the conversion of the existing media center into classrooms and small group instructional spaces. Additionally, an undersized science lab and classroom were converted into a new music room, and an existing weight room was also converted into administrative spaces.

Outdoors, the existing grass field was resurfaced with an all-weather turf surface to accommodate the district’s girls’ lacrosse, soccer, and field hockey programs. The scope of the project (and portion of construction cost) extended to include the design and construction of an all-weather turf surface, a new 400-meter track and 80-locker field house at Chatham High School.

It was the district’s goal, through the design of a new addition and the reconfiguration of existing spaces, to retain a neighborhood school atmosphere and maintain its “Blue Ribbon” curriculum.

Chatham Middle School was a success in terms of on-time delivery, successful completion of the project, and effective management of our team and project costs. As is the case in most of our projects, our methodology involved the careful definition of building needs, preparation of creative and functional design, and cost effective construction solutions. Continual meetings with sub-consultants and project stakeholders kept us in line with project schedules and budgets.  Our team measured its progress against pre-established milestone dates and budgets, and relied on past experience to gauge the team’s effectiveness and results. Our effective communication throughout the team yielded a clear and complete set of design documents that ultimately led to a first-class learning environment.