“Built in 1913 to educate Camden’s African American children, the cherished Whittier School lied vacant since 2014. City Invincible Architecture led the design of a major renovation and expansion of the facility which reopened in 2017 to praise of the Governor, local officials and the community.”
The Process
City Invincible provided full land use approval, architectural and interior design professional services. The project was challenged by a tight budget, short schedule and unforeseen conditions yet successfully opened for the 2017 school year. To meet the budget, the gymnasium and cafeteria are housed in a new prefabricated metal structure that was enhanced with windows and brick design accents.
Expertise
- 71,815 sq ft
- $15 million
- $209 per sq ft
- Renovated: “Smart” Classrooms, auditorium, support spaces and administration
- New: Gymnasium, cafeteria and kitchen (13,312 sq. ft.) and outdoor turf fields
Outcome
The school educates children in grades 5 to 8 and will house 440 students at capacity. The modern-styled new gym / cafeteria building is designed to both harmonize with the historic school and add a contemporary flair. The renovation and reopening of the Whittier school is having a positive impact on the character and real estate values in the challenged neighborhood.