Project File: Flexible design

The Franklin High School project, Somerset County, N.J., is the largest new school construction project underway in the state.

The school will be divided into sections. Classrooms will be clustered in different wings on multiple floors. Administrative offices, the guidance department, and support and security staff who interact with students on a daily basis will be situated near the classroom clusters.

Classrooms, laboratories and studios are designed for layout flexibility and will feature multimedia equipment and other state-of-the-art learning tools. The auditorium, gymnasiums and the cafeteria can be subdivided to accommodate smaller groups.

Based on the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act of 2000, the State of New Jersey provided about $16.6 million in funding for the project — 27 percent of the $61 million design and construction costs. The school is scheduled to open in 2005.

The Franklin Township School District also is working on several other projects including expansions or renovations at Sampson G. Smith Middle School, Franklin Park Elementary School, Pine Grove Manor Elementary School and Elizabeth Avenue Elementary School.

The architect for this project is Faridy Veisz Fraytak, PC. (Trenton, N.J.) The construction manager is Jay Shapiro & Associates, Inc. (Bernardsville, N.J.)