Category: News
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).
SCHRADERGROUP Completing Programming and Planning Study for Bradford County Emergency Operations Center
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is pleased to be providing public safety programming and planning services for the design of a new County Emergency Operations and Multi-Agency Training Facility for Bradford County. The new facility is intended to serve the various emergency response organizations, local industry, and municipal government in the County/Region. It will include fire, medical, law enforcement and hazardous materials, and potentially be expanded to provide training services for natural gas drilling operations and related services as well as general industry.
Following completion of a needs assessment, a design for a new facility will be developed to house the County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), as well as a training facility. The facility and proposed site would incorporate various training components to include classroom technology, shooting range, fire, EMS, hazardous material, and technical rescue training, as well as specialized natural gas drilling, pipeline, and typical fire training structures.
SCHRADERGROUP Completes Programming and Planning Study for Lubbock Emergency Communication District
With a specific expertise in public safety facility design, SCHRADERGROUP (SG) frequently performs programming and planning studies for project types that include mission critical and law enforcement facilities. Together with communications systems planning firm Mission Critical Partners, SG recently performed a Programming and Planning Study for Lubbock Emergency Communication District (LECD) in Lubbock, Texas. As part of the project, existing space and usage was evaluated and a thorough programming effort was conducted to determine future space needs. Site analysis and cost estimates were developed for options which included remaining in the current existing facility and expanding to meet all needs, fitting out a different existing facility, and constructing a new facility. An assessment of the best strategic location for the facility also was conducted.
Ultimately, LECD decided to pursue a new construction option and retained SG to complete the project. Presently in schematic design, the new approximately 10,750 SF facility will provide dedicated space for the LECD Backup Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), training facilities, data center, and administrative offices.
SCHRADERGROUP Opens New Regional Office in Baltimore
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is pleased to announce the opening of a Baltimore, Maryland, regional office. Offering both architectural and structural engineering design services, SG specializes in feasibility studies, master planning, additions, renovations, and new facility design. Since the founding of the firm in 2004, SG remains dedicated to academic facility design throughout the mid-Atlantic region and public safety facility design throughout the United States. With existing offices in Philadelphia and Lancaster, SG looks forward to the new opportunities and relationships the Baltimore office will bring.
SCHRADERGROUP Opens New Lancaster Regional Office
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is pleased to announce the opening of a Lancaster branch office. With the opening of the Lancaster office, SG adds structural engineering and forensic investigations to the list of services offered to clients by the firm. Founded in 2004, SG specializes in feasibility studies, master planning, additions, renovations, and new facility design. Dedicated to academic facility design throughout the mid-Atlantic region and public safety facility design throughout the United States, SG looks forward to the opportunity to better serve clients through the addition of the new regional office location, personnel, and expanded services.
SCHRADERGROUP Welcomes New Principal!
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is pleased to welcome Harry J. Pettoni to the firm as Principal. Harry brings over 21 years of professional architectural and construction experience in the public and private sectors. Throughout his diverse and extensive career, he has focused primarily on strategic planning, marketing and business development, programming, planning, project development and sustainable design.
Harry is dedicated to improving facilities by creating 21st century healthy environments for end users. He is an active member of many organizations including the American Institute of Architects (AIA), US Green Building Council (USGBC), Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC), the Green Building Association of Central Pennsylvania (GBA-CPA) and the Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI). He presents at numerous seminars, workshops and forums on various topics throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey.
Harry received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Syracuse University School of Architecture. In addition, he has an Associate Degree in Applied Sciences in Architectural and Construction Technology from State University of New York.
In his new role at SG, Harry will be responsible for project management and business development.