News

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 60 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.

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.

“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.

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.