Current Projects
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Franklin Square
Metuchen, New Jersey
A True Public/Private Partnership
The developer and the municipality shared
a common vision: to increase the downtown population and create a high-quality
community by applying design criteria traditionally applied to single-family
homes. The Borough (owner of the property) sought proposals for redevelopment
of the site, a former public school that could not be rehabilitated.
Neighborhood Design Concepts That Work
- Public Fronts, Private Backs
- The project utilizes familiar design patterns
of traditional single-family homes: public fronts/private backs. The entrance
and more public rooms of the units face the street, with the more private
rooms and a private outdoor deck overlook a quiet green area at the rear.
- Minimize the Appearance of Density
- From the street, Franklin Square appears
to be a community of townhouses, rather than stacked flats, which reduces
the perceived density by about half. A traditionally detailed entrance
porch serves each pair of apartments.
- Traditional Materials and Detailing
- To be consistent with local precedent:
deep red brick matched to tinted mortar; traditional wood detailing for
entrance porches and exterior trim; consistent use of well-proportioned
windows (six-over-one muntin pattern) and door openings.
- Clearly Defined Public and Private Spaces
- The public space of the street
is enhanced by the continuity of the building faŤades, just as the private
space is supported by a continuity of building that insulates the private
space from the street.
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Project Info
2002 Winner of the Best
Smart Growth Community/ Best in American Living Award (BALA)
from the National Association of Home Builders and Builder Magazine
 2002
Achievement in Planning Winner from the New Jersey Planning
Officials (NJPO) |
