Photo courtesy of Erin Pellegrino, Ray Sama, and Pete Labrozzi. NJIT

(NEWARK, NJ) -- On May 22, 2025, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced that Director of Recreation, Cultural Affairs & Senior Services Donnell Redding, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), and Prologis unveiled five new cabanas at municipal pools. The cabanas, designed by NJIT second-year architecture students, were delivered poolside with the support of Prologis.

The Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Senior Services, in partnership with NJIT’s Hillier College of Architecture and Design (HCAD) and corporate sponsor Prologis, completed the project to design, build and deliver custom cabanas for Newark public pools. This ambitious project represents a unique intersection of architectural education, corporate support and insight on the part of the City of Newark to leverage design for community benefit.

“With this project, the NJIT students and their mentors have demonstrated the full scope of education,” said Mayor Baraka. “Knowledge and learning meets its highest purpose when it is used to uplift others, and society as a whole. “It is heartwarming to know that these young architects are embarking on their careers with acts of service that will bring comfort and joy to residents of all ages who visit our city pools.”

Photo courtesy of Erin Pellegrino, Ray Sama and Pete Labrozzi

“These kinds of partnerships can lead to better or expanded public services that enhance the quality of life. This collaborations provides excellent design services and materials at a tremendous cost savings for both the City of Newark and the residents, which translates into joy and relaxation on hot afternoons and evenings, with residents always wanting to come back for a great pool experience,” said Director Redding.

“Prologis is proud to support this collaboration between NJIT and the City of Newark. As longstanding members of the New Jersey community, we invest in initiatives that have lasting, positive impact. This project exemplifies how public-private partnerships can empower the next generation of designers while directly enhancing public spaces for Newark residents to enjoy,” said Mike Sacro, Senior Vice President and Market Officer, Prologis.

Mark Bess, coordinator of undergraduate architecture studios and Director of the Newark Design Collaborative noted that, “Combining the expertise of our faculty and the innovation of our dynamic students with the dedication of our partners and city officials, the goal of this project is to realize a future where collective efforts result in shared experiences that benefit everyone.”

This hands-on initiative showcases how strategic partnerships can enhance both educational outcomes and community infrastructure, establishing a model for future city agency-university-industry partnerships focused on tangible public benefit. The collaboration with city offices and the final design-build and delivery demonstrates the power of partnerships for meaningful community impact.

“The studio is rooted in collaboration, where students learn to work with each other, their communities, and the materials themselves to bring their ideas to life,” said NJIT Professor of Practice Erin Pellegrino, the studio coordinator. “We believe in learning by making and growing by doing — developing not just technical abilities but also nurturing an innate sense of professionalism and community service.”

Photo courtesy of Erin Pellegrino, Ray Sama and Pete Labrozzi

HCAD students worked with sustainable materials while learning to navigate real-world constraints of budget, time and constructability. Beyond technical skills, this hands-on experience taught students about community engagement, as each cabana must respond thoughtfully to the needs of pool staff and visitors. Through this process, students gained invaluable construction experience while creating lasting improvements to Newark’s public spaces.