DIG Architecture Officially Adds SRDS to its Completed K-12 School Projects

Photo Caption: Pictured at the opening of the 32,000-square-foot Dr. Kristen Walsh Hall of Science & Entrepreneurship at Saddle River Day School are Bryan Hekemian, head of the building and grounds committee of the Board of Trustees, with DIG Architecture's Jeff Venezia, CEO; Laura Masters, interior designer; and Paul Graebener, senior project manager.

~ Photo Credit: DIG Architecture 

SADDLE RIVER, N.J. [September 8, 2026] – As Saddle River Day School (SRDS) welcomes students back for the new academic year, DIG Architecture (DIG) adds a new chapter to its educational portfolio: the completed 32,000-square-foot Dr. Kristen Walsh Hall of Science & Entrepreneurship. Spearheaded from initial concepts to completion by DIG's CEO and Principal Jeffrey Venezia, the transformative facility – the central centerpiece of SRDS's Building the Future Campaign – was successfully delivered within an ambitious 17-month construction timeline. 

“Good school design comes down to function, adaptability and how well a space brings people together,” said Venezia. “At Saddle River Day School, we intentionally designed a modern STEM and business hub that respects the school's most-historic landmark while giving students the tools they need to succeed. By deploying an intensive 'boots-on-the-ground' approach, we were able to pay strict attention to quality at every step and deliver this magnificent building in time for the start of the 2026-2027 academic year.” 

This latest assignment highlights DIG's academic projects across independent schools like SRDS, as well as public K-12 districts and regional vocational-technical institutions. The new multi-disciplinary building introduces 15 state-of-the-art classrooms, four small-group instruction rooms, four advanced science labs and dedicated flexible spaces for robotics, engineering, and business education.   

Designed to cultivate fluency in the latest technology and real-world skills, classrooms feature flexible layouts and live Bloomberg terminals and tickers, anchored by a 6-foot-by-12-foot common-area video wall. 

One key priority was positioning this modern academic building in balance with SRDS's historic North Hall. DIG thoughtfully aligned the exterior aesthetics, building materials and color selections to complement and elevate the original structure without overpowering the founding pillar of the SRDS campus.  

Recognizing SRDS' unique identity as a vibrant commuter school, DIG incorporated a 3,000-square-foot open common space and flexible collaboration hubs to foster daily social interaction and community connection. The facility also houses a new admissions center to support student recruitment, alongside outdoor campus enhancements including new tennis courts, a synthetic turf field, expanded parking and site landscaping. 

Delivering a complex facility on a strict 17-month turnaround required precision in execution and active field leadership. Driven by Venezia's hands-on oversight, the DIG multi-disciplinary team maintained a constant availability both through state-of-the-art technology and on-site presence throughout the construction phase to facilitate open communication across all contractors and trades. This included inspecting every detail during the push to prepare for the opening, including concrete scoring, millwork installation and donor recognition and signage, to guarantee flawless execution in time for arriving students and families. 

The successful completion of Dr. Kristen Walsh Hall reaffirms DIG's core mission of delivering groundbreaking architecture and demonstrating how specialized expertise in school design can seamlessly align educational goals, historic preservation and aggressive delivery schedules. 

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About DIG Architecture  
DIG is an award-winning, certified MBE architecture, interior design and environmental graphics firm with offices in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. Over two decades, the firm has grown into one of the region's largest majority Black-owned architecture and design practices, serving public- and private-sector clients across the education, civic, transportation, healthcare and senior living sectors. Driven by one instinct – to go deeper – DIG uncovers potential, challenges convention and expands what's possible through design. 

Media Contact: CMM Strategic Communications | 973.513.9580 Carin McDonald ([email protected]) & Kayla Bennett ([email protected])