News

East Brunswick Opens New Multi-Purpose Ice Arena, Creating a Year-Round Community Destination

East Brunswick Opens New Multi-Purpose Ice Arena, Creating a Year-Round Community Destination 789 444 DMR Architects

East Brunswick officially opened its new multi-purpose ice arena on February 2, delivering a modern recreational facility that will serve as a year-round community hub.

The rink was designed to support recreational skating and youth hockey while also accommodating public events, private parties and fundraisers. By expanding beyond traditional ice programming, the facility is expected to become a central gathering place for residents and a destination for families and teams from across the region. In addition to promoting active lifestyles, the rink creates new revenue opportunities for the township.

The project reflects a growing understanding among municipalities that recreational infrastructure has long-term value. Facilities like ice rinks and athletic centers are increasingly viewed as essential civic spaces that bring people together and strengthen community identity.

The 84,000 SF, twin-rink arena is equipped with a rental area, multi-purpose room, party room, concession stand and locker rooms. Both rinks include bleacher seating and a second-floor balcony marked with details on the floor designating center ice, goalie creases and the blue lines. At rink one, a raised viewing platform adjacent to the lobby and concessions area, provides a third viewing experience through large glass windows. The symbolic lobby is marked by a Kalwall-enclosure intended to represent an ice cube.

DMR Awarded Two New Design-Build School Projects Following Two Successful Openings

DMR Awarded Two New Design-Build School Projects Following Two Successful Openings 789 444 DMR Architects

DMR has been awarded two new school design-build projects in West New York and Elizabeth, marking another major milestone in the firm’s expanding design-build portfolio.  DMR was selected in partnership with the Terminal Construction Corporation for both of these projects and is working under the oversight of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (NJSDA), which manages the program. The news comes after the successful September openings of DMR’s most recent design-build projects in Wood-Ridge and Bayonne.

The new Elizabeth school is a $76.8 million investment and will serve more than 900 students throughout 142,000 SF and is one of the largest of its kind in the city. The new facility will include seven pre-kindergarten classrooms; six kindergarten classrooms; six self-contained special education classrooms; 22 general classrooms for grades 1-5; nine general classrooms for grades 6-8; one resource room; five small group instruction rooms; three science classrooms; and dedicated space for vocal music, art and a media center with a makerspace. The project is expected to be completed in 2028.

The new West New York project is 162,000 SF middle school for grades 6–8, representing a $92 million investment that will serve approximately 875 students. The new facility will include 30 general classrooms, six science labs, multiple science prep rooms, dedicated art rooms, and a wide range of specialized learning and student-support spaces designed to offer a modern, flexible, and technology-forward educational environment.  The project is expected to be completed in 2028.

This project follows two successful design-build school completions by DMR, both of which opened in September 2025.

  • The Hudson County Schools of Technology Craig Guy Center at Bayonne High School, a 20,000 SF, $24 million vocational center with culinary labs and fabrication shops tailored for career and technical education.
  • Highland Avenue Learning Annex & Recreation Center in Wood-Ridge, a 56,500 SF addition and 44,000 SF renovation to the existing Doyle School that addressed enrollment growth with new classrooms, flexible learning spaces, and support facilities.

Together, these four projects reflect how the design-build model is being used to reduce delays, improve cost certainty, and unify design and construction under a single contract.

“Design-build allows us to accelerate the entire process in ways traditional delivery can’t,” said Pradeep Kapoor, AIA. “With tight timelines, we’re often able to begin critical-path construction months earlier because design and construction happen in parallel. That level of coordination and responsiveness is key when you’re building schools for growing communities.”

“Our priority was to deliver a high-quality facility on a timeline that aligned with our community’s needs,” said Mayor Paul Sarlo of Wood-Ridge. “The design-build approach allowed us to move faster and stay coordinated throughout the process, which was essential for a project of this scale. The new Highland Avenue Learning Annex and Recreation Center has already had a positive impact on our district.”

“The design-build process is efficient because everyone is working toward the same goal from the start,” said Donald N. Dinallo, President & CEO of Terminal Construction Corporation. “When you are side by side with an architect like DMR, the workflow becomes even smoother. Decisions are faster, challenges are resolved quickly, and the whole project benefits.”

Design-build was made more accessible to public agencies in New Jersey following the Design-Build Construction Services Procurement Act of 2021, which allows municipalities and other government bodies to pursue this model for projects over $5 million. The legislation has helped create more flexibility to help meet tight timelines and evolving student needs.

How Smarter Library Spaces Are Shaping Smarter Communities

How Smarter Library Spaces Are Shaping Smarter Communities 789 444 DMR Architects

Libraries don’t just hold knowledge—they help build it. Across New Jersey, DMR is leading a wave of library redesigns that are making communities smarter, more connected, and better prepared for the future. From the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library & Learning Center at Essex County College in Newark to the newly transformed Middletown Township Public Library, DMR’s work is redefining what a library can be: a place where history, technology, and community intersect to inspire lifelong learning and growth.

Redesigned libraries do more than update infrastructure. According to national data, renovated libraries see attendance increases of 30–80%, program participation more than double, and measurable gains in student literacy and digital access. “These aren’t just renovations—they’re reinventions shaped by a deep understanding of how these communities use public space,” said Kurt Vierheilig, AIA, LEED AP BD+C. “A modern library is a civic engine, a technology hub, and a cultural connector.”

Middletown Township Public Library
DMR transformed 15,000 SF of dated space into a dynamic multi-generational hub. A former computer lab became a teen innovation zone and makerspace, now home to 3D printers, textile equipment, and creative technology. The expanded History Room celebrates Middletown’s Revolutionary War legacy, now four times its original size and enhanced with interactive displays and curated artifacts.

The renovation also added four private study rooms, an inviting fireplace lounge, and a more open, naturally lit floor plan with flexible seating for all ages.

“The new design was created to meet the needs of our ever-growing Middletown community so we can better serve them,” said Business Manager, Wendy LaTona “This library isn’t just for reading—it’s where neighbors connect, where teens explore new ideas, and where our town’s deep rooted past is honored in a space built for its future.”

Essex County College – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library & Learning Center
In Newark, DMR’s design repositioned the 18,000 SF library as the heart of campus life. The project relocated the Learning Center into the space, integrating AI-enabled academic tools, collaborative tutoring zones, and a custom bookcase honoring Dr. King as a visual and emotional anchor. Clerestory windows were re-opened to flood the space with light, while floor-to-ceiling glass storefronts created a transparent and welcoming entry.

“We wanted students to walk in and feel that this was their space,” said Essex County College President Dr. Augustine Boakye. “This library gives students a sense of belonging. It reflects the diversity, resilience, and ambition of Essex County College—and it honors the legacy of Dr. King by creating a space where opportunity, learning, and equity come together.”

“The new design has brought a real energy to the space—it’s being used more consistently throughout the day by students and faculty,” said Mohammed Seddiki, Executive Dean & Chief Information Officer of Essex County College “The layout and openness make it easier for people to focus, collaborate, and feel comfortable using the library in different ways.”

Real-World Results Back the Design Strategy
According to a Federal Reserve study, public library renovations are linked to:

  • A 21% increase in children’s book checkouts
  • An 18% increase in children’s attendance at programs
  • A steady rise in reading test scores over seven years

Additional case studies show circulation often increases by more than 50%, with new users engaging in programs for the first time. “Design is what transforms a library into a vital part of the community,” said Pradeep Kapoor, AIA. “The way a space is laid out—how it invites people to gather, study, or simply spend time—directly impacts how it’s used. Our goal is to create environments that support how people learn, connect, and grow today.”

These projects build on DMR’s continued work across New Jersey, including the Montgomery branch of the Somerset County Library System, and showcase the firm’s leadership in public infrastructure that is responsive, inclusive and forward-thinking.

 

Headshots of nine hires at DMR Architects in the last year.

DMR Showcases Commitment to Talent Development in a Competitive Hiring Environment

DMR Showcases Commitment to Talent Development in a Competitive Hiring Environment 1633 925 DMR Architects

Amid a challenging hiring landscape for architecture and engineering firms, DMR has welcomed nine new team members over the past year, reflecting our long-term commitment to mentorship, career development and cultivating talent from within.

The new hires span departments including architecture, interiors, construction administration, marketing and operations – showcasing a mix of seasoned professionals and early-career talent.

“We believe great design starts with great teams,” Pradeep Kapoor, AIA said.  “We’re proud to be growing – not just in size, but in the quality and character of the people joining our firm. Providing mentorship and opportunity has always been central to our culture, and it continues to bring fresh energy and ideas into our work.”

Congratulations to the following team members on their hiring at DMR:

  • Rey Aponte, Construction Manager
  • Robert Federico, Senior Interior Designer
  • Salome Idrovo, Designer
  • Zara Khan, Designer
  • Scott Layton, Designer
  • Sarah Nassery, Administrative Assistant
  • Emily Nix, Marketing Coordinator
  • Changbum Park, Designer
  • Elizabeth Rochette, Accounting Manager
A gym addition at New Brunswick High School provides additional space for physical education and sports.

In PreK-12 Design, The Right Architectural Partner Completes the Team

In PreK-12 Design, The Right Architectural Partner Completes the Team 789 444 DMR Architects

Of the more than 1,000 educational projects completed by DMR Architects, more than 80% can be categorized as reinvestment relationships that have spanned decades, touched most of the districts’ buildings and guided the community through major moments.

DMR has supported at least 30 districts through 25 projects each, a window into the role that an architect plays in the process of providing modern, safe and stimulating infrastructure for learning.

While our architects are also the visionaries behind celebrated new construction, most preK-12 school needs fall into the category of essential building upgrades, additions, health and safety concerns and other facility maintenance needs.

In addition to choosing a capable designer, choosing the right architectural partner for these projects means choosing a firm that can identify unique funding sources, comprehend pragmatic functions of the building, consider how construction projects will disrupt the existing ecosystem and examine every opportunity for a chance to improve functionality.

A sampling of some of these holistic stories include:

20 Years Later, DMR Returns

Between 2000 and 2005, DMR provided extensive services for the Tenafly Board of Education, helping to pass two referendums totaling $44 million to fund projects at all schools. In 2022, DMR was retained for the second time as the district sought to again bring all of their facilities up to modern standards.

DMR was tasked with the process of identifying hundreds of needs, consolidating needs gathered by administrators, previous professionals and DMR’s own surveys; developing a cost estimate for hundreds of projects; and identifying how projects could be organized to maximize funding sources, including through an Energy Savings Improvement Plan (ESIP); Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding; the district’s capital reserve; and what became a $76 million public referendum, which passed in September 2024.

A Relationship Delivers Projects for 15 Straight Years

As Architect of Record since 2008, DMR has provided professional services for nearly 50 projects in New Brunswick, projects that range from plans and assessments that have required the examination of every square foot of every building, to working on the development team that delivered the new Blanquita B. Valenti Community School. In between these projects have been HVAC and mechanical upgrades, fields, masonry repairs, a $9 million renovation of a former parochial school into Board of Education offices and a $6 million gym addition that was championed for more than a decade.

30 Projects Delivered Without Taxpayer Increase

DMR first began working with the Hackensack Board of Education in the early 2010s, completing a number of major projects such as an emergency reconstruction when a portion of Fanny Meyer Hillers School was deemed unsafe for occupancy.

Years later, DMR was retained again by the Hackensack Board of Education, this time following a failed $170 million referendum by a previous team. While the referendum did not receive the funding that would have made it possible, upgrades across the district were still desperately needed. Since 2019, DMR has supported the district through more than 30 projects valued at more than $45 million. Many of these projects were initially part of the failed referendum, but were able to be delivered through creative funding mechanisms including an ESIP and ESSER funding.

A rendering shows what the new Middlesex College Student Center will look like. The metal exterior includes an iridescent coating that changes hues. Another notable feature is the large exterior terrace.

DMR to Deliver Space for Expanding Culinary Program at Middlesex College

DMR to Deliver Space for Expanding Culinary Program at Middlesex College 2560 1450 DMR Architects

The transformation at Middlesex College continues with a new 30,000 square foot Student Center, signaling its momentum in an education market that is responding to new demands from students, new technology, and lifestyle and career cycles.

Together with a Multipurpose Community Venue and the new Middlesex County Magnet School, the Student Center is part of the County’s Community, Innovation, and Opportunity Strategic Investment Plan.  DMR Architects is the Architect of Record for the Student Center while AECOM is the Design Architect for the Student Center and the Architect for the Multipurpose Community Venue.

In addition to featuring student meeting and study spaces, a game room, and a restaurant, the new facility will house an expanded culinary arts program that will offer two new labs—doubling the capacity of the program—as well as adding a terrace for events.  It will also give students hands-on service experience at its restaurant with indoor seating as well as the Multipurpose Community Venue, a 6,500 capacity sports and event facility, that is expected to break ground this fall.

A rendering shows what the main lobby of the Middlesex County student center will look like.

“The CIO Plan isn’t merely an aspiration or a ‘hope’ of ours, it’s a reality,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “For all of us who call Middlesex County home, the CIO strategy will be a game-changer in our economy and the quality of our lives – this includes improving the lives of students, faculty, and staff that work and attend Middlesex College.”

“This is our fifth project with Middlesex College,” said Pradeep Kapoor, AIA, LEED AP BD+C.  “Middlesex County’s investment in higher learning exemplifies that education is a robust development area in New Jersey’s landscape to entice local students to stay in-state with unique offerings in engaging spaces.”

DMR’s work at Middlesex College also included the 2016 design of West Hall and the 2011 design of David B. Crabiel Hall totaling more than $20 million in construction value.

The 32,000 square foot West Hall was designed to support the school’s complete change to its business model into a student services model and became the central event space on campus.

The 36,000 square foot Crabiel Hall was the first new construction building in the prior decade, kicking off the tremendous proceeding development of the campus, while adding functional, social and educational space.  It was also the first of green building on campus and served as a place maker, creating a new gateway onto campus.

A green roof.

How DMR Services Can Help You Reach New Sustainable Heights

How DMR Services Can Help You Reach New Sustainable Heights 789 444 DMR Architects

Today is Earth Day, a yearly reminder of the importance of sustainability and our environmental impacts.

When it comes to architecture and planning, working with a firm that champions sustainability may be the key to funding, resiliency, cost savings, superior interior spaces and more.

At DMR, we have been a sustainable champion since the early 2000s. What began 20 years ago is more active than ever, as both architectural and planning clients turn to DMR to provide a wide range of sustainable services.

1. Biophilic Design 

Biophilic design, which seeks to connect building design to nature, provides aesthetic, emotional and environmental benefits. At 15 branches of Blue Foundry Bank, DMR’s design called for moss art, which provides the same benefit as plants, but requires no care, water usage or replacement. And for a residential project in Fort Lee, despite its location in an urban environment, the design connected to nature through a window wall.

2. Community Energy Planning

DMR-developed community energy plans have been adopted in four New Jersey municipalities, including in Prospect Park, which was the first plan to be adopted under the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and Sustainable Jersey Clean Energy Grant Program.

State-level grants, tax credits from the Federal Inflation Reduction Act, and incentives through utility companies remain available, making it the ideal time for municipalities to address energy conservation through a Community Energy Plan.

3. Climate Resiliency Planning

DMR wrote what is believed to be the first stand-alone Climate Resiliency Plan following Governor Murphy’s 2021 amendment to the Municipal Land Use Law. Similar assessments – which address municipalities’ susceptibility to flooding and other global warming hazards – are now required as part of municipalities’ already existing obligation to update their master plan every 10 years.

4. Energy Savings Improvement Plans

Projects through the Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP) are ongoing in three preK-12 districts. A cumulative total of projects valued at $45 million are estimated to result in a total reduction in CO2 emissions by 20 million pounds annually. Through the ESIP program, energy-related projects, such as HVAC upgrades and solar panels, are funded using the value of the energy savings that result from the projects, so school boards do not have to utilize capital reserves or taxpayer dollars.

5. Sustainable Buildings & LEED Certification

Since 2003, when DMR pitched the vision for what would become the first LEED Silver public school in New Jersey, seven buildings have received LEED Certification, a celebrated symbol of high-performing and sustainable infrastructure. But DMR’s commitment to sustainability is not limited to only LEED certified projects. The use of sustainable building components is implemented as a standard, regardless of a client’s desire to seek certification.

An architects' organized desk.

In Honor of Architecture Week, DMR Minds Reflect on Profession

In Honor of Architecture Week, DMR Minds Reflect on Profession 2560 1450 DMR Architects

In honor of Architecture Week, we asked the creative minds at DMR to share more on their experiences as architects and designers. Here is what they said.

Headshots of the four new employees who joined the DMR team.

DMR Expands Practice to Address $300 Million Educational Project Pipeline

DMR Expands Practice to Address $300 Million Educational Project Pipeline 2560 1450 DMR Architects

DMR Architects’ legacy in New Jersey’s education landscape continues with additions to its education practice that address needs for elementary, specialty high school, and higher learning spaces and facilities, and a current pipeline that includes more than $300 million in education projects throughout the state.

“We pride ourselves on the ability to offer our clients access to some of the best architectural minds available in New Jersey,” said Pradeep Kapoor, AIA.  “It is a testament to our team that we can take the visions of our board of education and higher education clients and turn them into tangible successful solutions.”

Shyam Perangur, AIA comes back to DMR with more than 30 years of experience including his work at DMR from 1997-2000 focusing on new construction, addition, renovation, and capital improvements projects in preK-12 districts.

His previous work with DMR includes new schools in Sparta and Lacey, as well as upgrade projects in Teaneck, Hasbrouck Heights, Nutley and statewide for the NJSDA (previously the NJEDA). Coming back to the role of Sr. Project Manager, he has been playing an integral role in DMR’s work for the Edison Board of Education, valued at $100 million.

He earned a Master of Architecture from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, a Master of Science in Architecture (History, Theory & Criticism) from the University of Cincinnati, and a Bachelor of Architecture from Bhopal University in Bhopal, India.

Hyunjin Jang joined DMR as a Job Captain with more than 15 years of experience.

His current projects include the Highland Avenue Learning Annex & Recreation Center in Wood-Ridge, a $32 million design-build project that will include new construction of 49,000 SF in addition to interior renovations to 12,000 SF of existing space at the Doyle Elementary School. The new construction portion is primarily classrooms to address the growing population, as well as a gym, kitchen, and new offices, and the renovation scope will add a security vestibule and provide upgrades to classrooms, the media center and the art room.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Hanyan University in Seoul, Korea, a Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute and a Master of Science in Architecture from Columbia University.

Juliana Moreno joined the Construction Administration department as a Designer with more than five years of experience, which she is applying to her work at the Hudson County Vocational High School at Bayonne High School. The project is being completed through a design-build approach and will support vocational and career technical education in mechanics, construction, carpentry, plumbing, electrics, finance, digital communications, criminal justice, cosmetology, and medicine.

She earned a Bachelor of Architecture from New York Institute of Technology.

Brianne Aveta also joined the firm as a Designer with more than five years of experience. She is working with Mr. Perangur in Edison, including on the 48,000 SF addition to J.P. Stevens High School which will add 30 new classrooms, as well as several other projects at Thomas Jefferson and Woodrow Wilson Middle Schools.

She earned a Bachelor of Architecture from The Pennsylvania State University.

34 Eden River Park exterior.

DMR-Designed 34 Eden River Park Offers Renters Luxury, Nature and Proximity to Commerce

DMR-Designed 34 Eden River Park Offers Renters Luxury, Nature and Proximity to Commerce 789 444 DMR Architects

Robust leasing activity at 34 Eden River Park in the Whippany section of Hanover is an indication that DMR Architects’ design for the 81-unit boutique rental community has hit the right chord in a housing market that mostly consists of larger single-family homes.

DMR planned the community’s one-, two- and three-bedroom as well as one- and two-bedroom plus den units to be some of the most spacious available in Morris County and appointed them with high-end finishes and appliance packages complemented with large windows to take in the community’s natural surroundings.

“As the latest new residential rental product available in Morris County, it was important for it to stand out through its amenities package that includes spacious interior common areas, along with the luxurious outdoor communal plaza spaces,” said Kurt Vierheilig.  “Today’s rentals need to be designed as immersive experiences that feel like a vacation getaway. The location is close to amazing restaurants, work, and shopping, a critical benefit.”

34 Eden River Park’s opulent gathering spaces that include a lobby level residents lounge and clubroom, an outdoor lounge with sundeck, pergola, water feature and fireplace are complemented by an outdoor pool with hot tub and a 1,000 SF, state-of-the-art fitness center.

34 Eden River Park connects directly to Route 10 and 287/80 making it convenient to travel via car or public transportation.

34 Eden River Park is the latest DMR multi-family project to open, following The Vale earlier this month and The Residences at Upper Saddle River and the Ted R. Green Senior Residences in 2023. The Mural in Orange, NJ is expected to open later in 2024.

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