Design minimizes costs to transform underused library into in-demand STEM makerspace in less than two months
Newark High School’s old library had plenty of bookstacks and bulky wood furniture. What it didn’t have was students. Newark City Schools wanted to revive the space based on today’s students’ needs, but it didn’t have the budget for a full-scale gut and rehab.
When the space was cleared, students taped off zones showing their vision of the renewed space. The Legat team tweaked those ideas to create a flexible makerspace with minimal intrusion to the existing space — construction was completed in less than two months.
Now students can quickly rearrange the space to create zones for large and small groups, as well as individuals. Makerspace activities range from robotics competitions and 3D printing to textiles projects and digital media explorations.
Over three years of building, not one day of school was lost because of construction issues. Additionally, the project finished on time and under budget.
We turned an underused area into 21st-century spaces with instructional tools, equipment, and materials that provide opportunities for students in ways we were never able to provide before.
Maura Horgan Assistant Superintendent, Newark City Schools
Many students tell me that the Innovation Center is a place where they feel comfortable being themselves. They have the ability to get involved with a lot more activities that they didn’t think would be available to them at a high school.
Alison Charpie English teacher, Newark High School
