Category: News
Keith Valley Middle School Recognized as an Outstanding Project in Learning By Design’s Fall 2023 Awards of Excellence Magazine
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is proud to announce that our ongoing project, Hatboro-Horsham School District’s Keith Valley Middle School, has been recognized as an Outstanding Project in Learning By Design’s Fall 2023 Awards of Excellence magazine.
Learning By Design is a prestigious publication that recognizes outstanding educational design and construction projects. They evaluate facilities based on innovation, community needs, interior design, sustainability, functional design, and next-generation learning. Published three times a year, the magazine showcases top K-12 and higher education projects and architecture firms.
Keith Valley Middle School is a three-story educational building that accommodates students from grades 6 to 8, featuring flexible learning studios, small group instruction areas, and larger learning commons for student gathering and project-based instruction.
The new facility will prioritize flexibility and connectivity within the school and community, fostering hands-on and multimodal learning approaches to inspire and engage students. A central learning resource area connects the educational areas to the shared public spaces, which include the dining commons, auditorium, and library.
You can view the Fall 2023 issue of Learning By Design here. You can find Keith Valley Middle School on page 94!
To learn more about Keith Valley Middle School, please click here.
SCHRADERGROUP Recognized as an EPiC Firm by AIA Pennsylvania for the Second Year!
SCHRADERGROUP Recognized as an EPiC Firm by AIA Pennsylvania for the Second Year!
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is proud to announce that the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has recognized our firm for the second year in a row, as we continue to support the development of emerging professionals in 2023.
The AIA Pennsylvania Emerging Professionals Committee (EPiC) was established to improve the network, role, and impact of Emerging Professionals throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The committee distinguished SG for successfully supporting the emerging professionals on our staff and for demonstrating a commitment to the development of Pennsylvania’s emerging professionals.
We would like to thank the Pennsylvania AIA chapter, and we are honored to be included on this list of esteemed firms.
To learn more about joining SCHRADERGROUP click here.
SCHRADERGROUP Attends the DVASBO Four County Business Managers Conference at Sky Top Lodge
School district business managers, representing the four counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery, held their annual conference at the Sky Top Lodge from October 4-6, 2023.
At the DVASBO Four County Conference, SCHRADERGROUP (SG) sponsored one of the evening events and spoke at one of the morning sessions. David Schrader and Danielle Hoffer presented “Life after PlanCon,” which outlined the evolution of the role of the public school architect since the 2016 Pennsylvania Commonwealth moratorium on school construction funding.
The session highlighted the changes in the processes and types of projects districts conducted under the PlanCon process, compared to those initiated since the 2016 moratorium. As a result of reduced school funding, elimination of construction reimbursement by the Commonwealth, and the higher likelihood of being faced with a referendum for major construction projects, SG reviewed a variety of case studies, procurement methodologies, and resources the team has utilized to continue to maintain and upgrade district assets.
The SG team is grateful for this opportunity to share our experiences with our school district colleagues.
To see some of SG’s K-12 Projects, please click here.
SCHRADERGROUP is Seeking an Architectural Project Manager for the Pittsburgh Office
Position: Architectural Project Manager
Company Overview:
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is a full-service firm offering architectural, structural engineering and interior design services for a wide variety of project types, with specific expertise in the areas of academic and public safety facility design. Founded in 2004 and providing services from offices in Philadelphia, Lancaster, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, SG 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.
Job Description:
Architectural Project Manager with ten to fifteen years of experience to work in our Pittsburgh Office– the individual that will fill this role has a broad range of experience in the design and construction of public bid facilities, is able to function in multiple roles, and has a strong willingness and desire to be involved in all aspects of project design and construction. Client and consultant interaction is a key component for the successful candidate. Your day-to-day duties will touch on nearly every aspect of design office operations: project management, oversight of document production, business development, client interaction, and contract administration. You must be knowledgeable, versatile, and willing to participate in the long-term growth, development and success of SCHRADERGROUP.
Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (preferred)
• 10 years of experience in a field related to the duties listed above.
• Working knowledge of modern production software (REVIT, Word, Excel, Bluebeam, etc.) preferred
• Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to convey ideas and concepts to those with whom you’ll work.
• Willing to travel. While most of our work is regional, occasional overnight travel may be required.
Benefits:
SG offers a competitive salary and benefit package commensurate with your level of knowledge and experience including health and vision insurance, short- and long-term disability, 401k, and bonus structure.
Contact:
To express interest, please forward a resume to:
Regina Jean-Claude
RJean-Claude@sgarc.com
215 482 7440
SCHRADERGROUP will be at the 2023 PASA PSBA School Leadership Conference
From October 16th-17th, SCHRADERGROUP (SG) will be actively participating in the PASA PSBA School Leadership Conference, which will be held at the Kalahari Resort in Pennsylvania.
SG attendees include Managing Partner David Schrader, Partner Tom Forsberg, Principal Matt Wittemann, Principal Devin Bradbury, Associate Danielle Hoffer, Associate Thomas Wippenbeck, and Associate Charlotte Stoudt.
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association is a non-profit, statewide organization representing public school boards, committed to upholding the highest standards of local community leadership for the public schools throughout the Commonwealth.
Drop by our Booth #719 and say hello! We’re looking forward to meeting you!
To see more related academic SG projects, please visit our website here.
SCHRADERGROUP Exhibiting at the PASBO Facilities, Transportation, & Safety Conference
October 9th, SCHRADERGROUP (SG) will be participating in the PASBO Facilities Transportation Safety Conference at The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College, PA. We are pleased to announce that representing SG will include SG Partner Harry Pettoni, Associate Thomas Wippenbeck, and Principal Matt Wittemann.
Please come visit us at booth #32! We look forward to interacting and meeting everyone there!
PASBO is a Pennsylvania-based, state-wide association with over 3,000 members. They are devoted to providing members with the education, training, professional development and timely access to legislation and policy news needed to run a school district smoothly and successfully. While their membership base varies greatly, the association has a common goal of supporting classroom learning through smart business practices.
To see more of SG’s K-12 Projects, please visit our website here.
SCHRADERGROUP Facilitates North Penn High School’s Additions and Renovation Planning Workshop
The North Penn School District (NPSD) held the first of three Community Workshops on July 17, 2023, for the proposed renovations and additions to the North Penn High School. SCHRADERGROUP facilitated the Workshop attended by over 50 individuals including Board members, District administration, staff, parents, students, community members, and Township officials.
Involving the key stakeholders is an integral part of SG’s collaborative design process. What is unique to this particular planning workshop is it is an important step in developing a design for the referendum for the taxpayers of NPSD to approve electoral debt for the project in January 2024.
The design process to date has included virtual and actual building tours of local, regional and national “Next Generation” schools. David Schrader began the Workshop with an overview of the building tours and program of the spaces. Building blocks representing each of the spaces were provided to each of the 6 teams to begin the conversation of room adjacencies and relationships of the building to the site. This is the first step to begin developing concepts that will continue to be refined over the next several months.
SG’s mission is to design educational facilities that precisely meet clients’ needs, with a strong emphasis on collaborative decision-making involving key stakeholders. Their client-driven approach begins with a thorough assessment of existing conditions and relies on a consensus-based planning process, fostering creative and effective solutions. They prioritize inclusive workshops to ensure input and information sharing from all parties, resulting in designs that exceed user expectations.
Please click the photo above to see the entire process of the workshop, with full commentary and transcripts.
“The main takeaway of this workshop was to get some big picture ideas that we can take away and turn into a facility concept to move towards (North Penn High School’s) referendum concept.” – David Schrader
To see more K-12 projects done by SCHRADERGROUP, please visit our website here.
HHSD Keith Valley Construction Update!
Exciting times are upon us as we witness Hatboro-Horsham School District’s NEW Keith Valley Middle School rise out of the ground. Incredible progress has been made over the first summer of construction and the new state-of-the-art facility beginning to take shape. Ongoing work includes foundations, concrete slabs, concrete retaining walls, and the erection of structural steel.
Photography by D’Huy Engineering, Inc
The NEW Keith Valley Middle School is being constructed in the foreground while the old Keith Valley Middle School remains in operation in the background.
The foundation work for Keith Valley Middle School commenced about three weeks ago. These vital structures are the bedrock of our future, ensuring the stability and longevity of the building. As each day passes, we see the foundations grow stronger, laying the groundwork for a new era in education at Keith Valley Middle School.
The classroom wings are rising from the ground while new underground stormwater basins are excavated.
The site is buzzing with activity on a daily basis with earthwork underway to install stormwater basins and crush the massive field of rock that was unearthed during construction. Foundations and massive retaining walls are nearly complete. Concrete slabs have been poured for the classroom pods and administrative wing. Most impressive is the structural steel that has been erected for the four 3-story classroom pods.
Photography by D’Huy Engineering, Inc
Starting in the Fall of 2025, the impressive 275,000 square foot facility will house up to 1,200 students in grades 6 through 8 with innovative and flexible learning spaces throughout the school. The students and staff of Hatboro-Horsham school district eagerly await the opportunity to utilize their new facility, which will take learning to a new level within the District. Until then, they have the best seat in the house to watch their new home be built one day at a time.
Perhaps the most striking sight on the construction site is the soaring steel framework. With three of the four educational wings already erected, it’s awe-inspiring to witness the structure reaching toward the sky.
Please click the image above to see a drone view of the construction site.
Videography shot by D’huy Engineering, Inc.
The transformation of Keith Valley Middle School’s renovation is a testament to progress, determination, and vision. As we continue this exciting journey, we invite you to stay tuned for more updates.
To see more K-12 projects done by SCHRADERGROUP, please visit our website here.
SCHRADERGROUP attends Franklin County 9-1-1 Ribbon Cutting
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) had the pleasure of attending the Franklin County Ribbon Cutting event in North Carolina on Tuesday, September 12th, 2023, in celebration of opening its new 9-1-1 communication center.
The 911 communication center, recognized as a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), holds a pivotal role in emergency response and public safety. Its core mission revolves around efficiently and effectively receiving, processing, and dispatching emergency calls and services.
The new 911 communication center also serves as the crucial liaison between the general public and emergency response agencies across Franklin County. The County received approximately $4 million through the NC911 Grant program to develop an advanced emergency communication center covering 5,300 square feet. This cutting-edge facility is located on a 3.90-acre site adjacent to the current public safety and detention center.
SG served as both the architect and structural engineering firm for the new emergency communication center. We are delighted to have engaged the expertise of the SG team, comprised of seasoned professionals, to design this essential infrastructure facility. It is instrumental in managing emergency calls, deploying the requisite resources, and ensuring a well-coordinated response to emergencies. Ultimately, this effort contributes to the preservation of lives and the enhancement of public safety across Franklin County.
Among those present was Kimberly Denton, Franklin County Manager, who welcomed and commenced the ceremony. Speeches were delivered by Michael S. Schriver, Chairman of the Franklin County Commissioners, Pokey Harris, Executive Director of the NC 911 Board, and Kimberly Denton herself. Christy Shearin, FC 911 Director, presided over both the ribbon-cutting ceremony and the closing remarks.
To see more projects we’ve worked on, please visit our website here.
SCHRADERGROUP Welcomes the New Principal of Sales and Marketing!
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) would like to extend a warm welcome to Matt as he integrates into the SG team and takes a leadership role in the sales and marketing department!
Matt Wittemann, CPSM
Principal of Sales and Marketing
University of Tampa – Bachelor of Science, Marketing
Matt holds the pivotal role of overseeing and implementing sales and marketing strategies and initiatives for SG. Within the domain of business development and sales, his responsibilities include the maintenance and cultivation of client relationships, strategic planning, lead generation, and acquisition. In the realm of marketing, he is tasked with formulating brand strategy and enhancing brand recognition. Moreover, he manages and supervises various critical aspects of our firm’s marketing efforts, including proposal submissions, presentations, advertising, social media, photography, award submissions, and other targeted marketing efforts.
Matt is a marketing and business strategist with more than 15 years of experience within the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. He specializes in client relationship management, sales, marketing, and strategic planning. As a thought leader and industry expert, he became a Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) through the Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) in 2017. He is also an active participant and a member of the Lifestyle Residential Development council through the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the Eastern Region of APPA (ERAPPA).
Additionally, Matt has successfully led a multitude of marketing and public relations campaigns, all while directing and supervising critical aspects of the firm’s operations. This includes managing proposal submissions, presentations, public relations initiatives, brand development, photography, award applications, and an array of specialized marketing endeavors, such as the creation of newsletters, e-blasts, bespoke brochures, and promotional materials.
“I am extremely honored to lead the sales and marketing department here at SG. As a firm already with a tremendous reputation and culture, my goals are to expand the firm’s awareness, build and differentiate the SG brand, drive business development activities, and absorb and foster each client’s mission and vision.” – Matt
Welcome to the team Matt! We are thrilled to have you here at SG and are excited to grow alongside each other!
Interested in working with us? Visit our Careers page to see what opportunities are available at SG here.