Principal Tapped for Feature Article on Rethinking Educational Spaces

Principal Richard Alderiso, AIA, a leading school designer, was recently featured in an ROI-NJ article discussing how architecture firms are reimagining vital educational spaces, while highlighting the recently completed, award-winning Clinton Hill Early Learning Center, in Newark, NJ.

In the article, Alderiso discusses how far the transformation of educational buildings have come through Architecture. Previously, school buildings lacked a sense of creativity in relation to its physical appearance. Alderiso recollects the architectural state of the school buildings of his youth. “There’s a long hallway, with solid walls and doors flanking the empty middle in perfectly symmetric order. There’s a decaying, dead-end wall down the dark hallway, with no windows along the way to let in daylight.”

As the Principal in Charge of Design of the Clinton Hill Early Learning Center, Alderiso describes how his team was tasked to provide a modern design in a community where architecture was not necessarily a priority. What resulted was a spacious, light-filled, two-story, 40,000 square foot facility conducive to learning and early childhood development, with extended childcare services for nearly 200 children from birth to age five for qualifying local families. 

At the Center’s grand opening in June, Alderiso saw firsthand how an intentionally designed built environment helps contribute to the development and engagement of the students, staff, and community. “Kids had already started in school, so, we were seeing the building in use, the smiling faces. It’s just a great experience. And the people who run those schools really do the best they can with whatever they have. So, we really wanted their vision to shine in that setting,” said Alderiso. 

The center is an example of improved school architecture; with connecting corridors and expansive windows for natural sunlight and a flexible environment in which to operate.