Alicia Heinsen
Becker Raab
Ben Poulin
Beth Emig
Jason Chmura
Jessica Mangin
Kyle Rendall
Matthew McChesney
Mayva Donnon
Merilee Meacock
Michael Shatken
Petar Mattioni
Scot Murdoch
As Architect of Record, KSS Architects in collaboration with Ennead Architects (Design Architect) officially unveiled designs for the highly anticipated Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park Museum of Rowan University. Over the weekend, the groundbreaking for the $73 million world-class facility took place at the project site in Mantua Township, New Jersey with leading paleontologist Dr. Kenneth Lacovara, executive director of the Fossil Park, U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, and donors Jean and Ric Edelman.
Sited within the 65-acre fossil park, the museum will perch above a four-acre former marl quarry where 66-million-year-old marine and terrestrial fossils record the last moments of the dinosaur world. Centered around exploration, preservation, and education, the 44,000-square-foot museum will feature an integrated design filled with immersive exhibits, surrounded by a network of nature trails and the quarry, where visitors can actively dig for fossils, alongside researchers working to uncover new information about the events that led to the world’s fifth mass extinction.
The Edelman Fossil Park Museum will be the largest public net zero emissions building in New Jersey and the first largest Living Building Challenge (LBC) building to achieve net zero energy in the state. The design team for the project is a collaboration between Ennead Architects, led by Ennead Design Partner Thomas J. Wong, together with KSS Architects, led by KSS Partner Matthew McChesney, along with exhibit designers Gallagher & Associates and landscape designers SEED Design/Yaki Miodovnik.
“As an extension of the Rowan campus, Edelman Fossil Park will further the University’s mission to become a new model for higher education and increase its impact as an economic engine for South Jersey. We are pleased to continue our partnership with Rowan on this landmark project, which will serve an important role in educating and inspiring citizens to create a better shared future.” Matthew McChesney, Partner at KSS Architects.
Click here to view renderings of Edelman Fossil Park Museum. For photos and videos of the groundbreaking event, click here.