O’Donnell & Naccarato (O&N), an employee-owned structural engineering firm, is celebrating the grand opening of the new Paul Robeson Charter School in Trenton. The completion of the $35 million, 55,000-square-foot campus transforms a previously vacant lot into a world-class educational environment for approximately 750 students in grades K-8.
O&N was brought onto the project to evaluate prior conceptual designs and recommend a structural system that would meet the school’s needs while staying within budget constraints. The firm ultimately leveraged its deep experience in educational facilities to implement a cost-effective approach.
The project utilizes hollow-core precast concrete planks spanning between masonry bearing walls. This durable and proven system is particularly well-suited for school environments due to its strong vertical load-carrying capacity and lateral resistance, optimizing material efficiency for long-term performance.
“O&N’s detailed knowledge of educational facilities enabled us to implement a cost-effective structural approach to meet the school’s programmatic needs while respecting budget constraints,” Kyle Terry, principal at O&N said. “Our extensive portfolio helps us collaborate effectively with architects to create structures that support learning for generations.”
The two-story school features flexible learning spaces, including 38 classrooms, science labs, elective spaces, and administrative offices. The campus design also incorporates:
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A shared cafeteria-gymnasium.
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An open atrium at the entrance.
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Dynamic outdoor amenities with sculpted berms designed for outdoor play and learning.
The O&N team, including Kyle Terry, Daryl Fennell, Matthew Vandersall, and Joshua Gordon, provided comprehensive structural engineering support throughout the project, from system selection and Revit modeling to construction administration. Key project partners included Atkin Olshin Schade Architects Inc., Aegis Property Group, Torcon Inc., and Bala Consulting Engineers.
