Architect Sin-U Nam’s design of the Auten Road Elementary School placed him among 250 architects nationwide chosen to appear in the 2000 American School and University Architectural Portfolio magazine for design excellence.
By: Laura Toto
Mr. Nam, 59, came to the United States in 1968 from Korea. He has been working on schools in New Jersey since 1970.
Mr. Nam was in grade school in Korea during the Korean War. Mr. Nam knew he wanted to be an architect, because "you have to build instead of bomb," Mr. Nam said.
"My brothers were Korean soldiers," Mr. Nam said. "The military destroyed buildings, and I build them."
Mr. Nam, partner of the architectural and construction management firm Nam Kim Park (NKP), based in Woodbridge, specializes in school buildings.
Mr. Nam has been working on Hillsborough schools since 1985. He has helped design and alter every school building in the district.
"It’s an unusual relationship," Mr. Nam said.
"We do not design buildings to win awards," Mr. Nam said. "Some architects have big egos. We are practical designers."
When Auten Road was completed in 1999, "everyone raved about the building," Mr. Nam said.
"All of the schools have to be open in September (Labor Day weekend)," Mr. Nam said. Everything has to be completed on time."
Auten Road Elementary School was the only elementary school selected from New Jersey to be included with the 250 buildings recognized in the Architectural Portfolio.
"Winning an award is the cream on the cake," Mr. Nam said.
The elementary school is designed in what is called "a school within a school." A central core houses the gymnasium, library, and cafeteria. Two hallways connect the central part of the school to separate wings: One houses grades kindergarten through second grade. The other houses grades third through fifth grades.
"Each grade can assemble to those core facilities conveniently from each wing," Mr. Nam said.
Auten Road was designed to accommodate 600 students. But its water, electric and sewerage facilities were built to permit additions so the school could serve 1,300 students.
"The board knew at some time they would need more classrooms in the district," Mr. Nam said.
Mr. Nam also will be working on the addition to Auten Road Elementary School in Phase I and II over the summer of 2001 and 2002.
Mr. Nam said the most challenging important aspect of school design and construction is working with a budget and building within a certain time frame.
"It is really a labor of love, because I enjoy what I do designing buildings," Mr. Nam said.
Though there may be aggravation and headaches in working with contractors and inspectors, Mr. Nam said, he always finds the psychological reward.
"In the end, you have something feasible and tangible," he said. "People think when you work in a job for 30 years you get sick of it. But every new project is a challenge."