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Early Learning Center and Elementary School Project Receives Citation from American School & University Architectural Portfolio
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is pleased to announce that our Early Learning Center and Elementary School new facility design for Phoenixville Area School District, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, is the recipient of a Citation for Work in Progress by American School & University Architectural Portfolio, the premier showcase celebrating the best in education design.
One of 127 projects selected to be featured in the Architectural Portfolio issue, the Early Learning Center and Elementary School project was recognized by the jury for its “excellent expression of small learning communities balanced with heart of school,” as well as the “unique focus on food and nutrition as part of learning experience.”
Main entry.
The new 152,000 SF Early Learning Center and Elementary School is designed to support two specific grade structures in a “school within a school” format: K-1 in an Early Learning Center, and 2-5 as an Elementary School. The building design promotes essentially every space in the facility as learning space.
Small group area outside of learning studios.
A primary goal for the facility is to create a focus on literacy and learning in a non-standard learning environment. In response, the design places the media and technology center at the core of the facility with all other functions radiating from it.
View of the Learning Resource Center from the second floor.
To learn more about our Early Learning Center and Elementary School project, please visit our website.
SCHRADERGROUP Principal Published in School Planning & Management
An article authored by SCHRADERGROUP (SG) managing principal David Schrader was featured in the August 2014 issues of School Planning & Management magazine. The article, entitled “The Real Question,” brings to light the question of what 21st century learning environments will encompass. David, both locally- and nationally-recognized for his contributions to planning and design for education, and a leader in the Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI), discusses the differences between the educational models developed at the beginning of the 20th century and those required for today’s learner.
21st Century Learning Environments: (left) Team project spaces following the lead of high-tech firms; (right) a learning studio cluster with integral project, maker and presentation spaces. [Renderings by SG]
SCHRADERGROUP Exhibits at APCO 2014
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is pleased to be exhibiting at APCO 2014, the 80th Annual Conference and Expo for the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, August 3-6 in New Orleans, Louisiana. APCO is an international organization committed to providing complete public safety communications expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy, and outreach to benefit their members and the public.
SCHRADERGROUP proudly exhibits at APCO 2014
Firm principal Harry Pettoni noted that the conference is well-attended and includes public safety professionals from all around the world. SG, exhibiting for the fifth time at APCO, brings over two decades of public safety programming, planning and design experience, and is excited to have the opportunity to share our expertise with the public safety professional community.
At SG, the familiarity of process and the knowledge base that comes from having designed numerous facilities throughout the United States provides us with an excellent starting point for public safety projects and allows us to devote more time to developing a creative design solution that not only guarantees a secure facility, but also provides an efficient and pleasing environment for employees, visitors, and the community as a whole. Firm principal David Schrader is nationally-recognized for the planning and design of public safety and mission critical facilities, and is a frequent presenter and speaker on topics relevant to this particular project type. For additional information about public safety and mission critical projects completed by SG, please visit our website.
SCHRADERGROUP Project to be Featured in 2014 Justice Facilities Review
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is pleased to announce that one of the firm’s recent projects, the new Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) State Emergency Operations Center, will be featured in the 2014 Justice Facilities Review (JFR), published each fall by the AIA Academy of Architecture for Justice. The new facility, designed by SG in a joint venture with AECOM, was chosen as an example of best practices in planning and design in Emergency Management and Operations Facilities.
New State Emergency Operations Center – Public Entry
The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), located in Susquehanna Township, Pennsylvania, provides dedicated emergency services and disaster assistance for the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with the ability to sustain uninterrupted operations during activations. The 145,000 SF facility additionally houses the administrative functions for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) as well as partner organizations and integrated functions such as the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Traffic Management, a Tier 3 data center, media briefing, training facilities, and protected storage for PEMA operations vehicles.
State Emergency Operations Center Interior
Firm managing partner and lead designer for the project, David Schrader, commented, “Designing a building that meets all security and survivability requirements for a facility of this type, while at the same time providing sufficient space and functionality for all users along with an attractive interior and exterior, undeniably was a challenge. We are pleased with the outcome and extremely proud of the recognition by the AIA Academy of Architecture for Justice.”
Recently featured on a local news station, the new facility presently is under construction, with completion slated for spring of 2015.
SCHRADERGROUP Principal Presents at NENA Conference
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) firm principal, David Schrader, presented at NENA (National Emergency Number Association) 2014 Conference and Expo in Nashville, TN, along with Brian Bark from Mission Critical Partners, on “Planning and Designing Your New PSAP or EOC Facility and Technology Integration.” David, nationally-recognized for the planning and design of public safety and mission critical facilities, is a frequent presenter and speaker on topics relevant to this particular project type. For additional information about public safety and mission critical projects completed by SG, please visit our website.
David Schrader of SG co-presents with Brian Bark of Mission Critical Partners at NENA 2014
SCHRADERGROUP Attends Groundbreaking for Two New Elementary Schools
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) was pleased to be in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremonies for two new elementary schools to be constructed in the Bristol Township School District (BTSD). In 2012, SG was engaged by BTSD to complete a District-Wide Feasibility Study that included existing facility assessments of nine elementary schools, three middle schools, and a high school. After extensive evaluation of options and District cost impacts, it was determined that three new elementary schools would be developed to replace the nine existing and aging elementary structures.
Since then, SG developed designs for the three new elementary schools. The recent groundbreaking ceremonies kicked off construction for the new James Buchanan Elementary School and the new Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary Schools. Construction on the third new school, Mary Devine Elementary, is slated to begin in later this summer.
The existing District school facilities have been in service for over sixty years. All were originally established as part of the post-war development founded by Bill Levitt as part of the accordingly named Levittown. Long overdue for facility updates, the District now will have the ability to offer 21st century learning environments to the population to support their 21st century education program.
“It’s been an incredibly exciting experience to contribute to this next generation of school facilities for the District,” says firm principal David Schrader. “This is what we are all about – creating the best learning environments possible to meet the needs of today’s students. We are thrilled to see this happening in Bristol Township School District.”
SGA principals Bruce Bachtle and David Schrader, along with Project Architect Dan D’Amico (far right of photo), join administration, faculty, and staff of Bristol Township School District at the groundbreaking.
SCHRADERGROUP Principal Selected to Judge NCMA Unit Design Competition
David Schrader, Managing Principal of SCHRADERGROUP (SG), joined Will Bruder (will bruder architects), Jury Chair, at Penn State University’s Stuckeman School to judge Penn State’s submissions to this year’s National Concrete Masonry Association Unit Design Competition. The competition requires participants to understand the relationship between a specific material and a form made using that material. Emphasis is placed on understanding the implications of making a series of related decisions about a form and its material. By exploring alternatives, participants can begin to understand the tradeoffs of each decision and how results ultimately are affected.
“The quality of the work in each entry as well as the level of innovation are truly impressive,“ commented David, who was pleased and honored to be invited to sit on the Jury by the Stuckeman School, his alma mater.
SCHRADERGROUP Principal Takes Part in ‘Building for Achievement’ Charrette
SCHRADERGROUP (SG)’s Managing Principal, David Schrader, was invited by Tacoma Public Schools to participate in their ‘Building for Achievement’ Guiding Principles Charrette. Tacoma Public Schools, Tacoma, Washington, is a progressive and innovative school system that sets goals high for both their students as well as the leaders of the school system itself. A $500 million bond issue in 2013 is allowing the District to focus on a number of modernization, new construction and smaller capital projects for their schools. Although winners over the past decade of numerous design awards for their facilities, Tacoma Public Schools wants to continuously challenge their approach to how they teach and how they operate their facilities, as well as to better understand how their students want and need to learn. To do this, they regularly conduct events such as the Guiding Principles Charrette – an intense two-day design workshop involving representation from various segments of the District as well as members of the professional community such as architects, engineers and industry partners.
‘Building for Achievement’ Guiding Principles Charrette
SG Managing Principal David Schrader, nationally-recognized for his contributions to design for education and a leader in the Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI), was honored to participate. Greatly inspired by the event, David said, “In this process, everybody gets together and is actually open to the discussion. All of these designers are letting their cats out of the bag, so to speak. They’re talking about their thought process which, in the end, will turn into learning environments for the kids. This is really exciting to be a part of it.”
Congratulations to David for being invited to take part in such an exciting event!
SCHRADERGROUP Celebrates Tenth Anniversary
April 2014 marks the ten year anniversary of SCHRADERGROUP (SG). Presently headquartered a few doors down from their original location in Manayunk, just outside of Center City Philadelphia, the firm has expanded over the decade to include offices in Lancaster, Baltimore, and Wilmington.
Delivering customized solutions to clients using their distinctive process of consensus-based planning, SG continues to build an award-winning portfolio showcasing their work with public, private and independent K-12 schools; institutions of higher education; and public safety entities.
SG maintains a focus on their original vision and, as a result, is recognized both locally and nationally for design that offers the highest degree of service to the user, responds to and respects both the built and natural environment, and demonstrates inspired aesthetics.
Says SG Managing Partner, David Schrader, “We thank our employees, clients, and colleagues for being part of the firm’s success.” Partner Bruce Bachtle adds, “We can’t wait to see what the next decade brings!” Congratulations to everyone at SG!
SCHRADERGROUP exhibits at PASBO Annual Conference
We were pleased to once again exhibit at the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO) Annual Conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania, on March 12-13. For a number of years, we watched school administrators face reduced spending and then, later, a state moratorium on funding projects. We knew Districts were challenged to maintain schools at desired levels, and frustrated by the inability to do anything new. We’re pleased to report, however, that at this year’s conference, we couldn’t help but notice a little optimism in the air. “It seemed as if the conference had a rejuvenated feel and atmosphere,” said SCHRADERGROUP (SG) firm principal Harry Pettoni. We hope this is an indicator of better times to come for the school districts of Pennsylvania.
Today, 21st Century Learning Environments serve as the pinnacle of our education system and provide the way in which our students are trained to be competitive in our ever changing society. As a leader in design for 21st Century Learning Environments, SG continues to be recognized for our innovations in educational planning and design and for continually striving to better ourselves and the world around us through thoughtful facility design and planning.
Our focus remains on the “Learner” and on constantly furthering our understanding of how each student learns best. We do not just respond to current research on learning – we often are called upon to help create and shape it. For our clients, this translates to a commitment to contribute our passion and drive for continuous improvement and to integrate our research and expertise into every conversation we have. Together, we explore and discover what best serves each learning environment. Recent trends are leading to the development and implementation of STEM or STEAM schools to allow students to become creative innovators, critical thinkers, problem solvers and thought leaders. STEM and STEAM schools demand these skills. Are your facilities prepared for the next shift? (For additional information, please contact hpettoni@sgarc.com).