Category: News
SCHRADERGROUP Principal Speaks to Arcadia University Doctoral Candidates about Sustainable Learning Environments
SCHRADERGROUP’s Principal, David Schrader, spoke on an expert panel in April about the increasing concerns for our environmental footprint and how academic institutions can participate in sustainability for the future through thoughtful building practices.
Included in that panel was Lorna Rosenburg who currently serves as the Green and Healthy Schools Program manager for US EPA Region 3 Mid-Atlantic and Megan Garner who is the Sustainability Development Manager at the School District of Philadelphia. Ms. Megan Garner provided an in-depth presentation on sustainable design practices currently undertaken by the School District of Philadelphia.
Mr. David Schrader provided a lengthy presentation on the benefits of sustainable design practices for educational facilities. The presentation included descriptions of various techniques for integrating sustainable design as well as the concept of the “School as a Teacher Tool.”
The panel’s presentation was well received. After the presentation, there was open discussion and questions from the Doctoral Candidates about the information provided by the panel.
SCHRADERGROUP has applied many of these sustainability design practices to our projects and approach all new projects with sustainability in mind especially to the degree that the stakeholders would want.
Some examples of sustainable initiatives commonly incorporated includes:
- high efficiency HVAC and control systems including central monitoring and automatic control systems
- ground source heat pumps
- solar hot water heater systems
- optimized energy performance
- gray water systems
- rain gardens (aiding with storm water control)
- storm water quantity/quality control
- reduced impervious coverage
- underground infiltration basins
- stormtech and bioswale recharge system combined with detention basins
- native plant landscaping
- high albedo / reflective roof systems for reduction of heat island effect
- operable windows
- roof monitors (allowing for bilateral daylight within classrooms and greatly reducing the need for artificial lighting)
- interior lighting utilizing automatic controls and occupancy sensors
- night sky-friendly lighting for light pollution reduction
- vegetative roof
- building materials with recycled content
- regional materials
- low emitting materials
- low flow, water saving fixtures
- recycled content materials
- certified wood products
- high insulating values for building envelope
- construction activity pollution protection and waste management
- where appropriate, reuse of existing furniture and equipment
- coordination of building energy commissioning
- acoustical analysis and design
Learn more on some of the projects we have applied sustainability design practices to:
- Bristol Township School District, New Elementary Schools
- Council Rock School District, Middle School Additions and Renovations
- Baltimore City Public Schools, Elementary/Middle School Additions and Renovations
- York Suburban School District, Elementary School New Facility
- State College Area School District, Elementary School Additions and Renovations
- State College Area School District, New Elementary School
- Bucks County Community College, County Campus Expansion and Renovations
- School District of Philadelphia, Engineering and Science High School Additions and Renovations
SCHRADERGROUP Shares Virtual Reality Technology with Hatboro-Horsham Students at the “When I Grow Up” 2018 Career Expo
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) Project Architects Danielle V. Hoffer and Devin Bradbury attended the Hatboro-Horsham School District’s first annual “When I Grow Up” 2018 K-12 Career Expo at Hallowell Elementary School. Attended by 50 vendors and professionals from around the region, this career exploration experience offered students and families hands-on activities related to dozens of careers to help them think, discuss and explore new ideas about potential career paths. As the Architects for the new Hatboro-Horsham School District’s Crooked Billet Elementary School, SG shared Virtual Reality (VR) technology, supported by Oculus and Revit 3d modeling, to “walk” the participants through the building design. To experience the design in a virtual spatial context not only provided the students an understanding of architecture using a medium that they were familiar with, but it also opened up a dialog with the students and families considering architecture and/or engineering as a future career.
You can read more about Crooked Billet project and see a rendering of it here.
Check out more about the Career Expo here or watch the video covering the Career Expo by Hatboro-Horsham School District.
SCHRADERGROUP has a featured firm profile in the Summer 2018 issue of Learning by Design!
Learning by Design is a resourceful magazine showcasing outstanding academic design that highlights innovations in learning spaces.
You can check out the issue here and our profile here.
SCHRADERGROUP Architect speaks at Upper Merion Area School District Classroom about Accessibility for All
The SCHRADERGROUP (SG) team recognizes that a part of our mission is to inspire and encourage the future generation of students, not just through the facilities we design, but by being a part of their education in the classroom.
Recently, Project Architect, Dan D’Amico, AIA, had the opportunity to visit with the 3rd grade class at Roberts Elementary School in the Upper Merion Area School District (UMASD). SCHRADERGROUP recently designed and currently has in construction two new elementary schools for UMASD, Caley Elementary School and Gulph Elementary School.
Mr. D’Amico assembled a presentation, “Architecture for Everyone” that highlighted the different challenges and design criteria architects encounter in order to make buildings accessible for everyone. He discussed how architecture has evolved over the years to include different standards that help make buildings accessible to different people. As part of this experience, students provided creative observations about ways architects can design buildings to help serve the people that use them.
After the presentation, a few volunteer students were asked to participate in activities that helped to illustrate the different struggles some people face that others take for granted. These activities allowed the students to experience why reach ranges, grab bars and other standards outlined by ADA are important for architects to follow. Afterwards, the 3rd grade students were inspired to “design” their own dream schools that were accessible to all learners.
The SCHRADERGROUP team will continue to contribute to the communities we serve—not only through dynamic design—but also teaching opportunities like these!
Congratulations to SCHRADERGROUP’s Newest Registered Architects and Registered Structural Engineer!
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) Congratulates our newest registered Architects, Eric Weiss and Kelly Ryan, and newly registered Structural Engineer, Jeff Rothermel. We congratulate all three for on passing their exams!
Eric, Kelly and Jeff are all Pennsylvania State University graduates—Eric and Kelly have been with SCHRADERGROUP for five years and this is Jeff’s first year! Eric and Kelly graduated from the Stuckeman School of Architecture and Jeff graduated from the School of Architectural Engineering.
We look forward to their continued contributions to our projects to our clients and to communities that we represent.
SCHRADERGROUP Principal Speaks at Blue and White Society Dinner Event
SCHRADERGROUP Principal, David Schrader, and Wallace Roberts & Todd Architectural Designer, Jared McKnight, were featured speakers at the Pennsylvania State University Blue and White Society Dinner last month. The Blue and White Society is a Pennsylvania State University Alumni Association that provides students with the opportunity to creating lifelong relationships with the alumni and staff through community and University involvement.
It is opportunities like these where SCHRADERGROUP shares their experiences to create lasting impressions that inspire young minds. Life experience is one of the most important resources that can be contributed to and is our legacy to be shared.
Jared McKnight, talked about how to elevate your status as a young architect and what to do to be recognized. Jared’s career has demonstrated commitment to civic leadership having served as the associate director of the AIA Associate Committee as well as the co-chair of the Philadelphia Emerging Architects Committee.
As an alumni of Pennsylvania State University, David Schrader serves as the Vice President on the Architecture Alumni Group Board of Directors. In 2012, he was recognized by Penn State with an AIA Technology in Practice Building Information Model Award for Interdisciplinary Collaborative BIM Studio. Mr. Schrader’s presentation focused on making prudent career choices, using his own as an example.
Mr. Schrader showcased the project types and services provided by SCHRADERGROUP and described his career journey to present day. In his own example, he uses a timeline of milestone choices he made which included:
- Career choice
- Which university to attend
- What firm to work for after school
- Deciding on a graduate program
- Opening his own firm
- Tough business decisions during the recession
- And Current day growth
David then closed with a series of recommendations for the society members. Jared and David’s presentations dovetailed nicely and were very well received by the soon to be graduates.
You can read more about the Blue and White Society here on their website.
SCHRADERGROUP Outstanding Project Award and Article in Learning by Design 2018 Spring Issue
Learning by Design is a resourceful magazine showcasing outstanding academic design that highlights academic innovation.
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is featured in this Spring’s issue with an Outstanding Project Award, for the Phoenixville Area Early Learning Center and Manavon Elementary School. This issue also contains an article by the firm’s founding partner, David Schrader.
The new 152,000 SF Phoenixville Area Early Learning Center and Manavon 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. In addition to providing specific spaces for individual, small-, medium- and large-group learning, spaces traditionally used as corridors or hallways are designed to function as connectors and additional learning spaces. Learning spaces are divided with folding glass partitions to provide transparency and flexibility.
In Mr. Schrader’s article, Changing the Face of Education, he reflects on the passion and purpose of the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) and their global mission to enhance “the learning environment for all children.” He also highlights the organization’s optimistic focus on the future for academic planning and design.
You can read more about our Phoenixville Area Early Learning Center and Manavon Elementary School here on its project page and Learning by Design’s award galley here.
2nd Grader Paints Perspective of Hayshire Elementary School
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) completed additions and renovations to the Hayshire Elementary School in 2006 in response to district-wide student enrollment increases. It was one of the early projects that our firm completed. The design of the project focused on updating the exterior design using color, shape and form, and a complete refurbishment of the building interiors and building systems. As part of the updates, the front entry was designed with a dramatic entry sequence.
Hayshire Elementary School’s Building Principal, Barbara Snare, recently sent SG a pleasant surprise—this painting of the entry of the Elementary School! From the words of Principal Barb Snare, “it was striking because of the shapes she saw in the architecture… You probably designed it that way!” And as you can see from the architectural photograph of the building (in the blog header, right image), it was certainly how SG originally saw the building entry. Mrs. Snare was also the building principal during the design process so it was great to hear form her again after so many years!
It is very fulfilling to see that a student saw exactly what SG was trying to convey through the entry sequence design. And not only that, but the fact that she adds the word “LOVE” reflects how she feels about the school, its environment and staff. A true testament to the caring personality of the administration, staff and students inside the building. Mrs. Snare epitomizes the personality of the building and makes every student feel cared for and loved!
This student’s perception of the architecture is excellent. Just another confirmation of why we do what we do at SG and how our projects continue to leave a lasting impression for generations of students—the focus of the buildings we design.
You can read more about Hayshire Elementary School here in its project page.
SCHRADERGROUP Project Architect Helps Kick Off “Classrooms for the Future” Project at Roberts Elementary School in Upper Merion Area School District
The SCHRADERGROUP (SG) team recognizes that the facilities we design can also become tremendous project-based learning experiences for the students that inhabit our facilities!
Recently, Project Architect, Dan D’Amico, AIA, had the opportunity to help kick off an assignment about designing “Classrooms for the Future” for 1st graders at Roberts Elementary School in the Upper Merion Area School District (UMASD). SCHRADERGROUP recently designed and currently has in construction two new elementary schools for UMASD, Caley Elementary School and Gulph Elementary School.
Mr. D’Amico assembled a presentation showing overview of architecture and the role architects play during the design process. He then discussed the differences between classrooms of the 20th century versus learning studios for the future. As part of this experience, students provided creative observations about the colors and shapes used in the next generation of learning studios to help stimulate learning. The students also expressed curiosity about the process of constructing academic facilities.
The 1st grade students were beginning to design a “Classroom of the Future” as part of an overall critical thinking and design project. Mr. D’Amico’s presentation helped kick off the project with real-world experience by showing designs for the new Caley and Gulph elementary schools currently being constructed in Upper Merion. To help introduce the students to their assignment, Dan provided “architect’s tools” to the students. Following this introduction, the children approached their project with excitement!
SG strives to utilize the processes that we advocate through our building designs in order to achieve the goal of enhancing communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking for the next generation of learners.
SCHRADERGROUP Founding Principal Reflects on the Association for Learning Environments in Learning Spaces Article
SCHRADERGROUP’s (SG) Managing Partner and Lead Academic Designer and Planner, David L. Schrader, AIA reflects on his time as 2017 Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) in the most recent Learning Spaces journal.
“Learning Spaces is a specialized education design journal that looks at how educational establishments are attempting to improve their environments for learning,” as described on the Imaginative Minds Group/Teaching Times website. Imaginative Minds Group/Teaching Times specializes in publications promoting learning, teaching, and creative and critical thinking internationally.
In David’s article, he muses on the reason why he and many others collaborate to support an organization like A4LE. Ultimately, he believes strongly that everyone in the organization shares the goal of “enhancing the learning environment for all learners”. This vision is shared globally amongst 4,600+ members in A4LE.
Mr. Schrader concludes his article with hope and gratitude for the organization and for the opportunity to serve a community focused on the noble goal of improving the learning environments for all learners. As a closing, David introduces A4LE’s 2018 Chairman of Board, William Stice. Congratulations Bill!
You can read more about the Association of Learning Environments (A4LE) here and the Imaginative Minds/Teaching Times publication here. You can also order a subscription to Learning Spaces here.