In a milestone said to signal a new era of community-centric school design in the region, DIGroup Architecture (DIG) and the Allentown School District (ASD) have officially broken ground on a first-of-its-kind Family & Community Resource Center.

Located at 265 Lehigh St., Allentown, on the campus of Bridgeview Academy of Health, Science, Innovation and Technology, the project marks DIG’s first school-related architect-of-record assignment in the Lehigh Valley region, stated a Jan. 21 press release.

The 13,750-square-foot, two-story community hub is designed to be a “one-stop shop” for students and families. By centralizing student enrollment alongside health, workforce development and educational services, the center aims to eliminate one-time systemic barriers to facilitate and support family success and student achievement.

According to the ASD, The Family & Community Resource Center will allow the district to focus on its commitment to empowering families in alignment with the goals outlined in its Strategic Plan. One of the goals is to transform community engagement by cultivating and expanding opportunities for communication, collaboration and connection among families, students, schools and community.

Founded in 2006 to transform educational infrastructure in under-served urban areas, DIG has spent two decades refining a design approach that champions educational equity at its core.

The firm’s entry into the Lehigh Valley brings its “Architecture for Change” philosophy to one of Pennsylvania’s most diverse and fastest-growing cities.

The firm is a certified Minority-Owned Business Enterprise and a leader in creating sustainable, high-impact environments in the PK-12 and higher education, healthcare, community and civic, senior living and aviation sectors.

“DIG was founded on the premise that great architecture is a right, not a privilege, and should profoundly impact community equity and wellness,” said DIG’s Principal Swarupa Samant.

“To have our first major assignment in the Lehigh Valley be a project as visionary as the Allentown School District’s Family & Community Resource Center is a privilege,” Samant said.

“This building is designed to bridge the gap between education and essential human services, creating a welcoming and compassionate ‘front door’ for every family entering the district.”

Designed to respond directly to the holistic needs of the surrounding community, the facility’s key features include:

• Integrated Health Services: The center will be a resource for physical, dental and mental health services, immunizations and telehealth.

• Workforce and Adult Education: In collaboration with the Workforce Board Lehigh Valley, the facility offers dedicated space for ESL classes, resume building and career resources.

• Streamlined Enrollment: The center will house the district’s central registration staff, relocating the administrative function into a supportive, community-centered environment.

Partially funded through a Multi-Purpose Community Facilities grant, the $11-million project is slated for completion in December.

DIGroup Architecture LLC is an award-winning certified MBE and SBE architecture, interior design and graphics, sign and wayfinding design firm headquartered in New Brunswick, N.J., with offices in Philadelphia and Queens, N.Y.

Formed in 2006, DIG specializes in the PK-12 and higher education, healthcare, senior living, civic and aviation sectors.

The Allentown School District serves more than 16,000 students in the city of Allentown. Through its “Lighting the Way” strategic plan, the district is committed to innovation, equity and the total well-being of its students and families.