Author: admin
Catching up with the SCHRADERGROUP Pittsburgh Team: PASBO Conference
Last month, the SCHRADERGROUP team traveled to Pittsburgh for the Annual Spring PASBO Conference.
The Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO) is a professional association supporting individuals working in K–12 public education across Pennsylvania in a wide range of operational roles. Its spring conference is one of two major PK–12 events for the Pennsylvania Education studio each year.
As an annual exhibitor, the team spent the week reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting new ones at the booth—strengthening relationships with Pennsylvania schools. In between conference activities, the team also explored some of Pittsburgh’s historic spaces, gaining inspiration from the city’s rich architectural character.
The experience left us energized and inspired, and we look forward to continuing these conversations on how SCHRADERGROUP can benefit these school’s vision and goals.
Alvernia University: American House Press Release and Wall Breaking Ceremony
HCM’s SCHRADERGROUP Studio (SG) is excited to have celebrated Alvernia University’s Wall Breaking Ceremony for the American House rehabilitation and renovation project in Reading, PA, last month in February.
Photo by Sarah Matarella.
The American House, a historic landmark in downtown Reading, PA, was originally constructed in 1856 as a premier 4-story hotel and later converted to office space in the 20th century. After years of neglect, the building was acquired by Alvernia University for redevelopment into a multi-purpose facility serving the university and its affiliate tenants.
SG was entrusted with revitalizing the building, balancing historical preservation with modern functionality. The project included restoring lost hotel features, such as repurposing original entry doors to create a donor wall, and addressing critical architectural updates.
Key improvements included:
• Roof and window replacement, matching historical trim and muntin patterns
• Façade restoration and documentation of collapsed elements
• Upgrades to ADA accessibility, security systems, and elevators
• Enhanced building envelope for energy efficiency
SG executed a full interior demolition to assess and address structural damage, followed by a comprehensive fit-out to accommodate diverse uses, including a medical suite, office spaces, a display kitchen, community room, café, lecture halls, and a business incubator for the O’Pake Institute’s expansion. New elements included custom millwork, upgraded finishes, and advanced technology integration.
As the owner’s representative, SG guided all façade alterations through the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) to ensure compliance with preservation standards. The design aimed to honor the building’s historical significance while creating a vibrant space for community and educational engagement. Working closely with a consultant team, SG developed detailed budgets to bring the university’s vision to life.
Below is the Press Release Alvernia University publicly released last month on the project.
###
Alvernia selects design and build team for American House at Reading CollegeTowne project
Advancing historic rehabilitation and phased interior renovations at 354 Penn St.
Reading, Pa. (Feb. 11, 2026)— Alvernia University selects SCHRADERGROUP Studio architect and Heim Construction Co. as general contractor for the American House at Reading CollegeTowne project, a phased rehabilitation of the historic, 45,000-square-foot building at 354 Penn St.
“American House is a key part of our CollegeTowne footprint and showcases our commitment to serving the Reading community through access, opportunity and partnerships,” said Alvernia University President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. “With SCHRADERGROUP and Heim Construction on board, we’re moving this project forward in a way that honors a historic building while creating welcoming, modern spaces for community health and student learning.”
Construction is underway, with demo work beginning in late 2025. Phase 1 exterior rehabilitation and the John Paul II Center for Special Learning tenant space are scheduled for completion in May 2026, followed by first- and second-floor work planned through December 2026 and overall occupancy anticipated in March 2027.
SCHRADERGROUP Principal Harry Pettoni will lead design for the project with construction administration led by Marcie Sorber. Heim Construction Co. President Roy Heim will oversee construction, supported by Project Manager Rory Donly. Alvernia invited seven general contractors to bid on the project.
“American House is a special project because it blends careful historic rehabilitation with spaces that will serve people every day,” said SCHRADERGROUP Principal Harry Pettoni. “Our team is focused on honoring the building’s character while creating welcoming, functional environments that support health, learning and community connection.”
The phased scope includes:
• Phase 1: exterior rehabilitation, restoration and conservation and the John Paul II Center for Special Learning tenant space.
• Phase 2: first- and second-floor renovations including the Berks Community Health Center, community room, healthy eating space, Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy room, and other retail spaces.
• Final phase: O’Pake Institute space and future tenant areas.
The building is located in Reading’s Callowhill Historic District and plans were reviewed and approved by the city’s Historical Architectural Review Board.
“This project is complex, phased and mission-driven, and we’re proud to partner with Alvernia on a build that strengthens downtown Reading,” said Heim Construction Co. President Roy Heim. “We’re committed to quality workmanship, clear coordination and responsible scheduling so the university and its partners can begin serving the community in these new spaces.”
American House will include a state-of-the-art community-based health center in partnership with Berks Community Health Center, offering primary care and wrap-around services such as mental health services, nutrition and wellness education, financial literacy education, social services assistance and warm hand-off referrals. The site will also host clinical experiential learning for Alvernia students, with BCHC projected to serve more than 2,000 unduplicated individuals during the first year of operation. The American House project is part of Phase III of Alvernia’s CollegeTowne initiative, which is designed to drive economic growth and community revitalization through strategic downtown investment. Alvernia launched the CollegeTowne initiative in Reading in late 2019. Since its launch, Alvernia has completed two phases of Reading CollegeTowne, investing a total of $60+ million into the City of Reading by purchasing and renovating the John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne, a 250,000-square-foot living and learning facility at 401 Penn Street.
A wall-breaking event is scheduled for February 25, 2026.
###
About Alvernia University
Founded in 1958, Alvernia University is a Catholic comprehensive university known for its mission-driven, community-engaged education that prepares students for high-impact, high-earning careers. Its SOLAR culture of care supports student success across eastern Pennsylvania through flexible program offerings, including an online presence, and strong partnerships. More than 18,000 Alvernia alumni create a network of ethical leaders and engaged citizens. For more information, visit www.alvernia.edu
SCHRADERGROUP Welcomes Our Summer Interns!
The SCHRADERGROUP Studio is excited to welcome our summer 2025 interns! This year’s interns are Tim Figueroa, Gavin Gallagher, Eladia Crowell, and Cooper Schrader. The interns will shadow our team members and assist with projects throughout the course of their internships in order to immerse themselves within the architecture world and gain a clearer sense of what the career path may hold. The members of our Internal Mentorship Committee have assigned each intern an overarching project to be completed throughout the course of the summer as well as various smaller tasks in an effort to foster individual growth and bolster industry knowledge.
Tim is a fifth-year student at Thomas Jefferson University studying Architecture with a minor in Sustainable Design. Tim is also a part of various organizations at school including American Institute of Architecture Students, Latin American Student Organization, and National Organization of Minority Architecture Students. Additionally, he was recently awarded the CMAA Mid-Atlantic Conference Rising Star Scholarship in addition to the American Airlines Education Scholarship that he has held for the past four years.
Gavin is a fifth-year student at the Pennsylvania State University studying Architectural Engineering, specializing in the structural option. This upcoming school year he plans on obtaining a minor in Japanese Language Studies. At school, Gavin is involved in AE teams as well as the Engineering Peer Advisor program.
Eladia is a fourth-year student at Thomas Jefferson University studying Interior Design with a minor in Photography. Eladia is involved in her school’s American Institute of Architecture Students chapter as well as their International Interior Design Association chapter where she has been able to attend multiple meetings and firm tours to enhance her knowledge of the industry. Eladia has also had the privilege of being a mentor to other design students at school which has allowed her to develop crucial skills necessary in company culture.
Cooper is a fourth-year student at the Pennsylvania State University studying Finance with a certificate in Real Estate Analysis and Development. In addition to his business studies, Cooper is actively involved on campus through the Business Fraternity, Phi Gamma Nu, as well as Smeal Student Mentors. This past spring he studied abroad in Prague, Czech Republic where he was able to gain valuable experience in the realm of intercultural communication and its relation to business.
We look forward to passing on a wide variety of knowledge and experience to our interns as well as seeing the new and exciting ideas that they will bring to the firm.
Happy New Year from All of Us at SCHRADERGROUP!
2024 marked SCHRADERGROUP’s (SG) twentieth anniversary, and with that, we look back on the year with gratitude for achieving major milestones. This past year, SG expanded our project portfolio, received awards for our achievements, stayed active in our community, and grew our team, which now exceeds fifty dedicated professionals. We are humbled by our progress and look forward to what lies ahead. We recognize that the support of our clients, colleagues, friends, and family, has contributed to our success in creating state-of-the-art, sustainable projects for future generations.
We at SG would like to express our appreciation to everyone involved with our team this past year. We are thrilled to recap our year below and we look forward to what 2025 holds!
SG’s current projects continue to progress from groundbreaking events to ribbon cutting ceremonies.
SG has been constructing buildings for twenty years. Current new construction projects include Keith Valley Middle School, Hares Hill Elementary School, and the Reading STEM Academy. Current addition and renovation projects are underway in many school districts including Council Rock, Coatesville Area, and North Hills School Districts. As for new construction in Higher Education, we are thrilled to see the Penn State Harrisburg Academic Learning Center begin its construction process in early 2025.
In the municipal market, the Public Works Facility in West Whiteland Township is rapidly approaching completion, with a targeted end date of January 2025. Public safety projects under construction include the Aldan Borough Admin/Police facility which is progressing smoothly and construction for Knightdale’s Police Department will begin in January 2025.
Great Valley School District officials hosted a dedication ceremony when the new 5/6 Center opened its doors this fall. The local community had the opportunity to tour the facility for the first time and to see the advancements in facility design offered by the new school. Additionally, Willistown Township hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of its renovated Administration Building.
Chatham County Emergency Management and 911 Communications Center celebrated its first anniversary of operations. The new facility provides additional space, upgraded systems and technology, accessible features, and effective workstations necessary for the growing County.
The people we design for are the driving force behind our inspiration, and as a result, we stay involved in the communities with which we collaborate. Over this past year, our team attended conferences, dinners, career fairs, fundraisers, and other social events.
SG had the opportunity to attend several career fairs in 2024. Several of our Penn State alumni returned to their alma mater for the annual Stuckeman Career Day, which specifically caters to students in architecture, landscape architecture, and graphic design fields. Additionally, the SG team attended career fairs for Penn College of Technology, Thomas Jefferson University, and Kent State University to inform students about our projects, internship opportunities, and the industry at large.
In addition to promoting our mentorship program at career fairs, the SG team attended many conferences this year. We traveled to several regional PA conferences: PASA PSBA in the Poconos, ERAPPA in Valley Forge, SCUP in Philadelphia, and PASBO in Hershey. But it doesn’t stop there; we also attended IACP in Boston, A4LE’s LearningSCAPES in Portland, OR, NENA/APCO and NCACP in North Carolina, and SCUP Mid-Atlantic in Arlington.
Beyond conferences, our team attended various fundraising events, including Community Design Collaborative’s Leverage Event and additional DVASBO-sponsored golf outings that benefit students in local districts.
SG has not only experienced growth in projects and the community, but we have expanded internally in several ways too. April kicked off our firm’s twentieth anniversary which coincided with our Philadelphia office move. The move was bittersweet, as we said goodbye to the Manayunk office that had been the home base for two decades and relocated to Conshohocken. This change provided an inviting and spacious office to accommodate our growing team and projects. Later in the year, we hosted an Open House for our friends, colleagues, and clients to tour the new space and to catch up. Additionally, this year, we established a new office in State College, PA.
Our team expanded and we’ve now surpassed fifty employees. Our summer interns included Alissa Kinney, Isaac Buxton, and Shubh Savani, who all contributed immensely during one of our busiest seasons. Additionally, Colleen Deluca, part of our Interiors department, was promoted to Senior Interior Designer/Project Manager. We’ve hired the following people this year and are pleased with their contributions already:
- Allison Mason – Project Manager
- Allyson Everlof – Architectural Designer
- Carlyssa Pierre – Office Administrative Team
- Craig Schulz – Mission Critical Facility Expert
- Eleni Katsas – Architectural Designer
- Gianna DeLorenzo – Jr. Interior Designer
- John Evans – Project Manager
- Omar Abdulrahman – Architectural Designer
- Pat McFeely – Public Safety Market Segment Leader
We are proud of the team’s growth and look forward to furthering our expansion in the future.
The SG team is honored to have received numerous accolades and awards in 2024. Learning by Design magazine showcased the Community College of Philadelphia’s Career and Advanced Technology Center on the cover of its Fall 2024 issue and recognized the project with a Citation of Excellence. Additionally, the Career and Advanced Technology Center earned a Specialized Facility Citation in American School & University magazine’s 2024 Architectural Portfolio issue.
The American Council of Engineering Companies’ Pennsylvania sect awarded PennDOT District 6-0’s Regional Traffic Management Center a Diamond Award in the Building/Technology Systems category. The team consisted of Heim Construction, Jacobs, and Bala Consulting Engineers. AIA Pennsylvania’s Emerging Professionals Committee recognized SG as an EPiC firm as we continue our commitment to emerging professionals’ development.
As for rankings, Building Design + Construction ranked SG #51 in their Top K12 Firms list and #161 in the Higher Education Firms list. SG also placed in the Top 150 Local Government Buildings Sector, and Engineering News-Record’s Mid-Atlantic region ranked SG as a Top Design Firm, placed us at #83 on a list of Outstanding Firms, and recognized Hatboro Horsham School District’s Keith Valley Middle School as our largest project to break ground in 2023.
This summer, Learning by Design magazine launched a new ICON in Education Award, honoring leaders in design who go above and beyond to improve educational spaces. Managing Partner David Schrader was one of the first five recipients of this honor. We have long known of his skills, talents, and creativity in the K12 market and appreciate that he and his efforts are being recognized by others as well.
At SG, we are incredibly humbled by these accolades and use this recognition to stay motivated.
This past year was a time of tremendous growth, opportunity, and achievement. As we close out our twentieth year, we reflect on how far we’ve come with gratitude. We could not be more appreciative of our supportive clients, colleagues, friends, and families who remind us daily of why we do what we do.
We are excited about the opportunities and connections the new year will hold. We wish you and your families a terrific holiday and a fantastic 2025!
From all of us at:
SCHRADERGROUP Places in Two Building Design + Construction Top Architecture Firm Rankings
Building Design + Construction (BD+C) released their 2024 Giants 400 Rankings for K-12 School and University Building Architecture Firms. In the K-12 School ranking, SCHRADERGROUP (SG) placed 52 out of 160, and in the University Building ranking, SG placed 161 out of 180. We are honored to earn this recognition knowing we are in great company amongst other esteemed firms across the nation.
The Giants 400 Rankings Report celebrates architectural firms across the country every year, recognizing design and construction firms in multiple sectors.
BD+C is a media platform dedicated to sharing the latest news about design and construction processes in the commercial, institutional, industrial, and multifamily building industries across all design and construction professions.
Learn more about SG’s projects here.
To view BD+C’s Giants 400 Top K-12 School Architecture Firms of 2024, click here and for the Top University Building Architecture Firms of 2024, click here.
Cover Story: Community College of Philadelphia Career and Advanced Technology Center Recognized by Learning by Design Magazine
In collaboration with Lavallee Brensinger Architects, SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is proud to announce that Learning by Design magazine has recognized our project, the Community College of Philadelphia’s Career and Advanced Technology Center (CATC) with a Citation of Excellence and has elected to feature the project on the cover of the Fall 2024 issue. We are thrilled to have another project recognized for its innovative approach to next-generation learning space design and planning.
Learning By Design is a prestigious publication highlighting exemplary educational design and construction projects. Facilities are evaluated based on innovation, responsiveness to community needs, interior design, sustainability, functionality, and support for next-generation learning. Published three times a year, the magazine features outstanding K-12 and higher education projects and the architecture firms behind them.
The CATC project was designed to provide students with high-quality academic, career, and technical programs tailored to support individuals entering the region’s workforce. Our primary objective was to create a dynamic, identity-driven center that offers an ideal environment for mastering the latest technologies in rapidly evolving industries such as healthcare and technical trades. This three-story, 75,000-square-foot facility houses state-of-the-art adaptive technologies for instructional spaces, study areas, and laboratory service bays for automobiles, large vehicles, and stationary/small engine equipment.
You can explore the Fall 2024 issue of Learning by Design here, with the CCP CATC project featured on the cover and page 158.
For more information on the Community College of Philadelphia – Career and Advanced Technology Center project, click here.
SCHRADERGROUP Ranks in the ENR Mid-Atlantic’s Top Design Firms of 2024
The Mid-Atlantic region of Engineering News-Record (ENR) ranks the largest US-based design firms annually on their Top Design Firms list. This past June, SCHRADERGROUP (SG) ranked as a Top Design Firm and placed #83 on the list of outstanding firms. Additionally, they recognized SG’s Hatboro Horsham School District’s Keith Valley Middle School as the firm’s largest project to break ground in the prior year. We at SG are honored to receive these recognitions!
SCHRADERGROUP’S Colleen Deluca, NCIDQ, ASID, Promoted to Senior Interior Designer/Project Manager
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is proud to announce the promotion of Colleen Deluca, NCIDQ, ASID, to Senior Interior Designer/Project Manager. With over a decade of interior design experience across numerous project types, Colleen’s approach has contributed to SG’s overall success since her hire in 2023. We at SG are inspired by her hard work, dedication, and professional growth. Colleen’s rigorous attention to detail and keen design sense have helped her maintain strong relationships with clients and translate into creating interior environments that exceed goals and expectations.
Colleen’s new role includes managing projects, participating in regular senior leadership meetings, retaining clients, and recruiting staff. Her approach fosters a sense of collaboration within the SG interior design team as well as with outside consultants and vendors. We are proud of her accomplishments to date and look forward to her future impact on the firm’s projects and client relationships. Congratulations Colleen!
Managing Partner, David Schrader: Learning by Design’s 2024 ICON In Educational Design Award Recipient
Learning by Design recently released its inaugural ICON in Education Awards honoring leaders in educational design. Rather than focusing on building projects, this award recognizes people who go “beyond the norm” in their demonstrated leadership and quest to improve educational experiences. SCHRADERGROUP’s Founder and Managing Partner, David Schrader, is one of the 2024 recipients.
The ICON Jury selected five individuals this year, all of whom exceeded their judging criteria for innovative visionaries, demonstrating their dedication to the built environment as a critical educational component. They incite change and continuously inspire new modes of learning. Above all else, the recipients believe in the betterment of mankind through education ensuring that young minds of today develop into leaders of tomorrow.
SCHRADERGROUP’s recently completed Upper Merion Area High School is a clear example of David’s influential work. The project began in earnest more than a decade ago by building relationships and trust with School District personnel, the staff, and administrators directly responsible for the day-to-day education of their students. Years of planning and preparation, working together with these educators, is what ultimately led to the new high school project.
This team envisioned a new facility equipped with the latest technology, an environment built to increase instructional opportunities and foster success. Pushing beyond traditional school configurations, cues from high-tech industry workspaces and contemporary higher-education facilities brought the district’s career-focused vision of secondary education to fruition. Its spaces are multifaceted and lend themselves to variety, creativity, student communication, and an array of collaboration styles.
Critical to the success of any educational design project is fostering the engagement of educators, administrators, the community, and, most importantly, the students throughout the planning and design processes. With David’s leadership, the firm’s output reflects thoughtful and community-centric influences, focused on the students, faculty, and staff who utilize the buildings daily. Designs incorporating a sharp awareness between people and their environment set SCHRADERGROUP apart from “the norm.” We at the firm are honored by David’s recognition and continued commitment to improving educational facility design.
Pat McFeely, Public Safety Market Segment Leader for SCHRADERGROUP, Featured in Facility Executive Magazine
The June 2024 issue of Facility Executive Magazine features an interview with Pat McFeely, SCHRADERGROUP’s Public Safety Market Segment Leader, and Steve Devon, RMF Engineering’s Sr. Project Manager. The article, Preparing for Disaster: Designing the Last Building Standing, unpacks the planning and design process behind resilient mission-critical facilities.
Mr. McFeely expounds upon the pivotal factors to consider when designing these structures: “Our job as designers is to ensure that the architecture responds to those risks while still being contextually relevant and welcoming to the community.” The designers behind these facilities must create a balance between building resilience and user ergonomics. This fine line is crucial to the efficiency of emergency responders and to the well-being of the community.
Pat also notes that “emergency services are stressful, demanding, and sometimes tragic, so everything we design is in support of the people performing that work.” Every facility SCHRADERGROUP designs positions the individuals who utilize these spaces 24/7 to be safe and comfortable. While no two emergency response facilities are the same, each one provides tailored results for the community’s needs.
To read the full interview, click here.