The city of Elizabeth, New Jersey has been experiencing a rapid growth in student enrollment. To help relieve the overcrowding felt at all of its many schools, a new 70,000 square foot facility was designed to accommodate 550 pre-K through eighth grade students, with two classes per grade level.

Since land is a scarce commodity, the design incorporates a three-story classroom wing to minimize the footprint. The design incorporates a single-story cafeteria/kitchen, music room, and multipurpose room equipped with a stage. A library/media center is on the second story, stacked above the first floor administration suite.

Also incorporated into the classroom wing is an art room, a second music room, and a science room for the upper grade levels.

The classroom wing offers a traditional facade along the residential Westminster Avenue, contrasting the courtyard elevation, which has more playful elements.

The cafeteria and music room are colorful objects against the white of the three-story classroom corridor, which is single loaded with lots of glass and bright yellow exposed columns and cross-bracing.

The first floor houses the younger students, with each classroom having a door directly to the enclosed exterior play area.