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DIGroup Architecture (DIG), along with the City of Newark and four of its community partners, has been named a 2023 Smart Growth Award winner for its Clinton Hill Early Learning Center project, a newly constructed two-story, 40,000-SF Early Head Start and pre-school in the city’s South Ward. The center, which was designed by New Brunswick-based DIG, welcomed its first students in June, 2022.
The brainchild of four local-area non-profit groups – The Maher Charitable Foundation, La Casa de Don Pedro, Clinton Hill Community & Early Childhood Center, Inc. and Clinton Hill (Newark) Community Action – and a concept 20 years in the making, the center fills a vital need for a quality early childhood education facility in Newark’s Clinton Hill neighborhood.
“A once-vacant, blighted land parcel, the Clinton Hill Early Learning Center now stands as a thriving and vibrant destination for the neighborhood’s youngest members and families,” said Rich Alderiso, DIG Principal in Charge of the firm’s PreK – 12 Studio who spearheaded the project. “Time spent with the partner teams as well as parents, educators, children and residents inspired and influenced the programming, layout and design of the center, which resulted in a modern space for learning and early childhood development as well as access to quality childcare services and community-use space.”
Charged with creating spaces that would meet the far-reaching needs of youngsters aged 6 months to 4 years old as well as teachers and families, DIG embraced the opportunity to transform what had become an underutilized parcel into a new ground-up, two-story community destination.
Home to Early Head Start and Pre-school programming, the Clinton Hill Early Learning Center serves as a visual landmark and source of community pride with six toddler rooms and 10 Pre-K classrooms organized in pairs for easy connectivity to shared spaces. Additional features include indoor play areas, a family center, play-therapy suite and open circulation spaces wrapping the building perimeter. Large windows allow for abundant natural light and serve as a visual gateway to the sky, courtyards and an adjacent community garden.
Intentionally designed for flexibility and multi-use, the center also features a 200-person all-purpose room for school functions, services and community use as well as a commercial-grade kitchen. The building is cohabitated by La Casa de Don Pedro Early Head Start and Clinton Hill’s Pre-K programs.
“The Clinton Hill Early Learning Center was borne out of a commitment to equalize educational options and future academic success,” added Alderiso, who noted DIG – a certified MBE/DBE/SBE firm – recognizes the impact of architecture and design on individuals and groups within a community, particularly those that have been historically underserved. “The center’s success was made possible thanks to the involvement of officials with the City of Newark, local civic-group leaders, parents, educators and children, all of whom collaborated to inspire and influence its layout and design.”
Awarded annually by New Jersey Future, the Smart Growth Awards recognize the latest and most-innovative in planning, development and redevelopment in the Garden State. DIG and its community partners are being honored on Tues., October 3 at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center along with six other projects being recognized for their groundbreaking contributions toward making New Jersey communities sustainable and strong.
Read more:
Clinton ELC Smart Growth Promotional Video | New Jersey Future
Hinchliffe Stadium, Westfield downtown among 2023 Smart Growth Award winners | Real Estate NJ
DIGroup Architecture & Community-Group Partners honored with 2023 Smart Growth Award | Mid-Atlantic
DIGroup Architecture named 2023 Smart Growth Award Recipient for Clinton Hill Early Learning Center in Newark | ROI-NJ
‘Smart Growth’ In Newark: Early Learning Center Earns Award | Newark, NJ Patch
DIGroupArchitecture is an award-winning, mid-sized architecture, interior design and graphic design firm with studios specializing in various areas of concentration: education, healthcare, senior housing and community-civic. A minority-owned business with a philosophy that everyone deserves great architecture, DIG is currently staffed with approximately 30 professionals and looking to expand our team and to fill the Architect III/Architectural Staff III position.
Desired Qualifications
Compensation & Benefits
Interested candidates please send your cover letter, resume and portfolio to: [email protected].
At DIG, we welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.Architect III
Barbara graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute’s Architecture program. She has spent over a decade in marketing, where her understanding of architecture uniquely enhances her ability to inform the firm’s proposal development and marketing communication strategies and to position the firm as an industry leader. Barbara leverages the team’s knowledge and expertise into compelling content that reinforces brand identity and builds recognition among our clients and peers.
She handles the rigors of her role with determination and adapts quickly to challenges, which stems from an adventurous spirit. When not fine-tuning workflow efficiencies, Barbara is out and about with her family enjoying the outdoors; from ski slopes to local trails to playgrounds to CrossFit.
Emily graduated with a Business Degree from TCNJ and has worked in the Accounting and Finance departments for software, manufacturing and construction companies. Her professional strengths in accounts receivable, process improvement and account analysis are well suited for the complex nature of architectural project billing.
Emily loves to bake, but don’t ask her to make dinner – cooking is not her forte! Her husband is the family chef, and their two young daughters love to “help” in the kitchen. Some of Emily’s favorite things to do include riding bikes with her older daughter Layla, reading with her younger daughter Evelyn, going out to dinner with her husband and friends, and drinking a cup of coffee in peace and quiet.
Chris A’Hearn comes to DIG with over 20 years of experience in corporate financial management across several industries. Along with a BS in Accounting from Rutgers University’s School of Business and an MBA from Monmouth University, Chris has a keen interest in sustainable building solutions and earned the LEED AP Certification. With his experience in engineering and commercial construction, Chris helps DIG to achieve its financial growth initiatives. He brings his passion for sustainable construction and design to the firm as well as contributing his financial expertise to the DIG team focusing on future success.
Away from the office, Chris and his wife, Anne, stay busy with 2 children. Emily studies at Bucknell University and is interested in life sciences. Andy is a gifted and talented student as well as a competitive YMCA swimmer.
DIGroupArchitecture is an award-winning, mid-sized architecture, interior design and graphic design firm with studios specializing in various areas of concentration: education, healthcare, senior housing and community-civic. A minority-owned business with a philosophy that everyone deserves great architecture, DIG is currently staffed with approximately 30 professionals and looking to expand our team and to fill the Architect I/Architectural Staff I position.
Desired Qualifications
Compensation & Benefits
Interested candidates please send your cover letter, resume and portfolio to: [email protected].
At DIG, we welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.