DIGroup Architecture (DIG), a New Brunswick-based minority-owned business enterprise (MBE), has officially entered the Lehigh Valley market with a landmark project that mirrors New Jersey’s own push for “community-centric” school design.
The firm joined the Allentown School District this week to break ground on a new Family & Community Resource Center. The $11 million, 13,750-square-foot facility is designed to serve as a holistic “one-stop shop,” centralizing student registration alongside workforce development and critical health services.
For DIGroup, this project represents the first major school-related “Architect-of-Record” assignment in the Lehigh Valley, bringing the firm’s signature “Architecture for Change” philosophy across the Delaware River. The firm is well-known in the Garden State for its work on major educational and civic projects, including the Trenton Central High School and Camden High School revitalizations.
“DIG was founded on the premise that great architecture is a right, not a privilege,” Swarupa Samant, principal at DIG said. “This building is designed to bridge the gap between education and essential human services, creating a welcoming and compassionate ‘front door’ for every family.”
The center, located on the campus of Bridgeview Academy, aims to eliminate the systemic barriers that often hinder student achievement. Key features of the two-story hub include:
-
Integrated health services: On-site suites for physical, dental, and mental health, including immunizations and telehealth capabilities.
-
Workforce development: Dedicated spaces for ESL classes, career counseling, and resume building in partnership with regional workforce boards.
-
Supportive enrollment: A community-centered environment for central registration, moving administrative tasks out of traditional offices and into a service-rich hub.
The project is partially funded by a Multi-Purpose Community Facilities grant and is slated for completion in December 2026. As a New Jersey-based “regional powerhouse,” DIG’s expansion into Allentown underscores a growing trend in the tri-state area: reimagining school buildings not just as places of learning, but as essential pillars of urban infrastructure.
By utilizing modern, light-filled spaces and prioritizing accessibility, DIG is continuing the legacy of high-impact design that earned it the AIA-NJ “Firm of the Year” title in 2022.
