New Phillipsburg High School

Higher Education High on a Hill

On Jun 29, 2017

Phillipsburg was once a thriving industrial town, but over the last two decades, times changed and its former economic base disappeared, seriously affecting the town’s overall vitality. But today, with plans introduced for development of an industrial park center, the town is in the early stage of a renaissance that will dramatically impact its economic well-being.

Recognizing that a quality education system is critical to any community’s rebirth and overall image, a key component of Phillipsburg’s economic renaissance has been the completion of the New Phillipsburg High School. The facility, serving 1,700 students, grades 9-12, from Phillipsburg, Alpha, Bloomsbury, Lopatcong, Pohatcong and Stewartsville, would help attract new businesses and corporations since they would be able to ensure employees of quality educational facilities for their children.

Situated on a 121-acre site off Belvidere Road in Lopatcong Township, just outside of Phillipsburg, the 326,000-square-foot school’s design takes advantage of the site’s elevation, visually connects the school with the community and includes features that can be used by the community. The lower portion of the site contains ball fields utilized by both the school and this athletic-focused community. The upper part of the site enjoys a panoramic view of the surrounding communities, the Lehigh Valley and the Delaware Water Gap. The sloped topography on the upper portion enabled the placement of two distinct entrances for the building: the high school entrance on the first floor, providing access to administrative offices, and a community entrance further up the hill, providing second floor access to shared school and community facilities, including the 1,000-seat auditorium, the media center and adjacent computer rooms, cafeteria with its outdoor patio, bookstore with ticket window and 2,500-seat gym.

The successful completion of the project for the entire community was punctuated by an open house in October attended by more than 3,000 people.

ARCHITECT
DIGroup Architecture
New Brunswick

BUILDER
Epic Management, Inc.
Piscataway

FINANCE ENTITY
NJ Schools Development Authority (NJSDA)
Trenton

NOMINATOR
The Honorable
Stephen R. Ellis
Mayor, Town of Phillipsburg

Charles McKenna
Executive Director
New Jersey Schools Development Authority
Trenton

 

Related Articles: