the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Seven architecture firms were invited to present an overview of their firm and services to the Ridgewood Board of Education. Following each presentation, the BOE had the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters from each firm.
ENV Group Architects
ENV Group Architects, formerly Environetics, has been in business for ten years is located in Englewood Cliffs. The firm has received numerous awards and public recognitions. The firm focuses heavily on sustainability in their approach to architecture, interior design, and engineering. The presenters discussed examples of their work in relation to some of the needs of the Ridgewood Public Schools.
Paulus, Sokolowski & Sartor Architecture and Engineering, PC (PS&S)
PS&S has been in business for over 56 years, and they have a staff of over 250 employees with 25 architects. The firm outlined the architectural services they provide to school districts, including in-house engineering services. The presenters reviewed some of the needs of the district, project execution, and facilities strategies related to COVID-19.
LAN Associates
LAN Associates was formed in 1965 and is located in Midland Park with three additional offices. The firm has worked with the Ridgewood Public Schools for most of the last 40 years and has completed over 300 jobs for the district. The firm assisted the district with two referendums, and the presenters reviewed some of the projects they completed within the district including capital improvement projects and additions to seven schools.
FKA Architects
FKA Architects was established in 1977 and is located in Oakland. Most of their clients have had long-term relationships with the firm, and about ninety-percent of their projects are for the education sector ranging from the pre-kindergarten level through higher education. The presenters shared examples of their work with other school districts and explained their history of successful referendums.
Solutions Architecture
Solutions Architecture is a multi-disciplinary architectural and interior design firm located in Verona. The firm is experienced with long-range facilities and referendum planning, QSAC preparation, and facilities design and maintenance. The presenters discussed how the facilities needs of the district are linked to the governance goal of the Vision 2024 Strategic Plan.
RSC Architects
RCS Architects is a 50-person firm located in Hackensack that was established in 1971. The firm has experience with new schools, additions, renovations, long-range facilities plans, and capital improvements. The presenters described some of the work they have done throughout the Village of Ridgewood. The firm does some of the largest projects in the state, and they are currently in the pre-referendum process with multiple districts.
DiCara Rubino Architects
DiCara Rubino Architects is a full-service firm with an experienced team of school architects, planners, and interior designers About ninety-percent of their assignments are school facilities in New Jersey. The firm has a proven track record of successful referendums. DeCara Rubino Architects serves as the Architect of Record for 53 school districts with 23 of those in Bergen County.
LAN associates are good guys but they started working for Fishbein instead of working for the district.
Whenever the professional services team start working for a person instead of the institution, it’s time to replace them.
Let’s hire a new firm that values the district’s interest.
Why are we interviewing architects?
What are we building?
I’m curious, evidence that LAN works for Fishbein not the district. What does that really mean? Please provide examples.
I don’t know why you fire the at group that knows your old buildings and start anew. oh wait, yes I do. Moronic.
Knows your old buildings is the weakest argument. Any professional architect would know the building or is capable to learn about it quickly.
Let’s get something clear here. LAN does not work for the district. LAN sure does not work for Fishbein. LAN works for the Ridgewood residents – the taxpayers!
I had the opportunity to meet with a senior representative of LAN at one of the school “road show” events last year. I found the guy to be very evasive when answering questions.
Yes, interview competitors and demonstrate to LAN that they’re not the only game in town…
Yes we told you fools that they’re going to spend every single penny, plus borrow as much as they can. And all of our taxes are going to just keep on going up so stupid that some of you voted yes on the vote.
No take your. Thumb jam it up your ass.