NJPAC:

Designed to Anchor, Built to Belong

Chambers Plaza transforms NJPAC’s forecourt into Newark’s “front yard,” a civic space that blends cultural heritage with modern design.

Location: New Jersey, USA

Designer: Future Green Studio

Year Completed: 2024

Westmount HD² Smooth pavers at the NJPAC forecourt, framing the entrance with a herringbone layout for a modern cultural plaza.

Parks & Public Spaces

Designing Newark’s Front Yard

Chambers Plaza, the outdoor forecourt of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), marked the first phase of a $336 million campus redevelopment. The goal: to transform the site into Newark’s “front yard”, a welcoming civic threshold for everyday gathering, large events, and cultural expression.

To bring that vision to life, the design team selected Techo‑Bloc’s Westmount HD² Smooth in Shale Grey and a custom Charcoal tone. The hardscape design draws from Newark’s legacy as the “Brick City,” layering contemporary materials with a red Merlot gradient that nods to the past. Inlaid in a timeless herringbone brick pattern, the surface feels like a woven civic carpet — designed to hold community, programs, and place.

The result is a plaza that proves that in the right hands, hardscape designs can become a stage for culture, community, and civic life.

Pedestrian Plaza

Residential/Pedestrian

ADA

Overhead view of NJPAC’s outdoor space featuring Westmount HD² Smooth pavers in a patterned layout for cultural and community events.

The Challenge

Balancing Durability with Design Discipline

Freeze-Thaw Resilience

Polymeric sand joints and a compacted base manage freeze–thaw cycles, directing runoff to drains and rain gardens to prevent swelling, shifting, or cracking.

Road-Rated Load Performance

The paving system met Class D and H load ratings to support events, vehicles, and heavy public use while maintaining precise layout and visual consistency.

Architectural Alignment

As the arts center’s entry, the plaza ensures clear sightlines, echoes the building’s materials, and aligns with the district’s visual rhythm.

Visual Quiet & Cohesion

The paving pattern adds visual interest without clutter, creating a unified surface that anchors fountains and seating while keeping sightlines calm and consistent.

The Solution

Westmount HD² Smooth

To meet the project’s technical and design demands, the team selected Techo‑Bloc’s Westmount HD² Smooth in Shale Grey, custom Charcoal, and Merlot, installed in a double herringbone pattern. The layout distributes loads evenly and evokes the look of woven threads, reinforcing the concept of a “carpet.”

Commercial Load Performance

Chevron paving patterns and alternating tones reinforce the park’s triangular site layout, creating visual rhythm and organizing circulation.

HD² Technology

Long-lasting, salt-resistant, and low wear. Refined texture and strength ensure reliability through seasonal shifts and meet sustainability standards.

Color Flexibility

Six standard colors plus custom options. Charcoal grey adds contrast to Shale Grey while keeping a cohesive look.

The Result

A Front Yard That Embodies Design Discipline

Chambers Plaza now serves as Newark’s civic stage. Whether hosting concerts, community events, or casual meetups, the space blends hardscape design with cultural vibrancy. As redevelopment continues, the plaza will be joined by new homes, shops, restaurants, and gathering spaces, solidifying its role as a vibrant urban hub.

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Westmount HD² Smooth pavers in a double herringbone layout create a patterned public plaza at NJPAC’s main entrance.

Pattern with Purpose

The double herringbone brick layout was selected not only for its load-distributing properties but also for its visual effect, a stitched surface that locks together under use and reads as a quiet, unified field.

Overhead view of Westmount HD² Smooth pavers in a woven double herringbone design integrated with greenery and planters.

Edge Control

Concealed restraints were integrated where the plaza transitions to grass and planting beds, preventing lateral movement and long-term settlement. This detail keeps the surface clean, aligned, and low-maintenance over time.

Curved wooden bench set above contrasting Westmount HD² Smooth pavers in a red-and-grey double herringbone pattern at NJPAC.

Legacy in the Making

Rooted in Newark’s identity and built for the future, Chambers Plaza proves how thoughtful hardscape design can support culture, movement, and memory — one patterned surface at a time.

Quote from Designer

Where Culture and Community Gather

“The goal was to give the Newark community a new outdoor living room — a civic surface designed for year-round programming, gathering, and cultural life.”

Stefan Molinaro | Future Green Studio

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