Category: Projects
Higher Education Renovation Project Awarded Silver Citation in the 2015 American School & University Educational Interiors Showcase
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is pleased to announce that the renovation of the Rollins Advising and Transfer Center at Bucks County Community College in Newtown, Pennsylvania, was awarded a Silver Citation in the 2015 American School & University Educational Interiors Showcase, the premier competition honoring education interiors excellence.
Commenting that a “Clean, simple, modern color palette heightens the redesign of previously dark and underutilized spaces,” the jury selected the renovation as one of the 77 projects to be featured in the Educational Interior Showcase.
For the project, design services were provided for the renovation and conversion of approximately 4,300 SF of undefined space lacking in program within Rollins Hall into an Advising and Transfer Center. The space primarily is dedicated to student counseling and includes a suite consisting of small, flexible office spaces for advising functions.
The design features movable acoustical partitions as well as sliding and folding glass partitions to allow for flexibility and adaptability. Additionally, movable furniture fosters side-by-side collaboration by student and counselor. Other spaces included as part of the program include Director and Assistant Director offices, a Conference Room, and a larger Computer Room or training center for approximately 20 students. The space also integrates an existing fireside lounge feature along with small tables and comfortable seating scattered throughout to provide multi-function breakout spaces.
The design for the Center serves an important role in promoting a sense of identity for the College and is responsible for creating a welcoming first impression for visiting potential students. Mechanical, electrical, technology, and security system upgrades were also included as part of the project scope.
To see more images of the Rollins Advising and Transfer Center project, please visit American School & University Educational Interiors Showcase or our website.
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 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 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.
Smart Planning at Work
In July, we posted an entry that focused on empowering school districts through intelligent planning. We touched on our recent commitment to a Pennsylvania school district, Bristol Township School District (BTSD) in Levittown, to complete a district-wide assessment and feasibility study. The study led to some remarkable achievements that perfectly illustrate smart, targeted planning at work.
Identifying the Issues
Collaborating with SCHRADERGROUP (SG) on a District-Wide Feasibility Study that examined conditions at nine elementary schools, three middle schools and a high school, BTSD faced some hard facts about the state of the facilities in the District. Three things became quite clear:
- The District’s current facilities are deteriorating and increased costs will be incurred long-term for each year that maintenance-only upgrades are implemented.
- The District will soon experience an issue with increased enrollment.
- Replacing and strategically renovating the District’s facilities presently will yield future savings that will enable the District to afford 21st century learning environments and additionally will aid in enhancing property values in the District.
The District also wisely realized that time was a factor, and that acting swiftly would allow them to take advantage of state reimbursement opportunities, historically low interest rates, and a diminishing debt service for previously completed projects.
Determining Optimal Solutions
The facility assessments and feasibility study conducted by SG, combined with information gained from an independent demographics analysis, led the District to a conclusive direction for major District-wide capital improvements. After extensive evaluation of multiple options and District cost impacts, it was determined that three new elementary schools would be developed to replace the nine existing, aging elementary structures. What makes this exceptionally noteworthy is that the work could be completed with NO increased tax burden to residents.
As a result of smart planning, the District was able to formulate a strategy that boasted many advantages, a few of which include:
- Replacing aging, inadequate facilities with new facilities offering 21st century learning environments
- Accommodating projected enrollment increases
- Reducing operating costs
Implementing the Plan
When the District elected to move forward, SG was retained to begin work on the design of the three new elementary schools. Following an intensive community-based planning process, design of the three new schools is well underway. SG is pleased and proud to be a part of the endeavor and looks forward to delivering to BTSD cost-effective, energy efficient, 21st century facilities that meet today’s and tomorrow’s needs for students, faculty and the community as a whole.
Prototype design for three sister elementary schools in Bristol Township School District.
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.
Integrating Architecture and Structure: A Cross-Discipline Approach
Too often, the role of structural engineering in the architectural design process is reactive. This is an unfortunate reality since these two disciplines are so closely related. So much so that, in the building design realm, one does not exist without the other.
In many instances, planning and design advances beyond the programming stage to the point where an entire facility plan is on paper with little or no input from the Structural Engineer. While this isn’t necessarily beyond the point of no return, the Structural Engineer usually has two choices:
Make It Work – this path often leads to inefficiency, unnecessary complexity, and additional costs.
Change It – while this path may lead to a better design, it can require a significant amount of backtracking and rework.
Of course, design development is an iterative process. However, the better approach is for the Structural Engineer to become immersed in the project from inception. Getting involved at the first stages of programming discussions with Owners and end-users allows the Structural Engineer to be engaged in the conceptual development of the overall plan at a time when their input is highly effective and purposefully influential.
‘At the beginning’ is the best time for the Structural Engineer to provide insight for the big-picture decisions that are part of every project; decisions that have a major impact on form, function, cost, and constructability. Many factors require thoughtful consideration and, if left unattended for too long, can have a negative impact on the process. Waiting until the Owners have bought into the design is not a reasonable or beneficial methodology.
Creative is one of the more powerful and influential words used to define an Architect or the process of Architectural Design. How often are Structural Engineers defined in the same manner? Not very often, I would surmise. But the true answer is driven by their extent and timing of integration into each project. If they’re a late arrival to the process, numerous constraints may already be in place, limiting their creative freedom. With early involvement, their creative potential is much broader and will have a more positive impact on the project as whole.
Yes, the discipline of structural engineering can be rigid, formulaic, and is always constrained by material strengths and the immutable laws of physics. However, there are almost always multiple solutions to every problem. Early involvement ensures that many of these potential solutions remain viable and that a consensus approach to a final solution is made. There is no better time to make the right decisions than during the conceptual sketch-planning stages of development.
The collaborative team mindset between the Architect and Structural Engineer is crucial at the very onset of each new project. Efficient, cost-effective, and highly sustainable buildings are always desirable goals. Achieving these goals requires that the Architect and Structural Engineer work together from day one. Both the Architect and the Structural Engineer are highly trained and skilled participants, each with a different knowledge base that must be integrated for successful results.
Written by Thomas Forsberg, PE, Structural Engineer and Principal at SCHRADERGROUP
Empowering School Districts through Intelligent Planning
At SCHRADERGROUP (SG), we know targeted planning initiatives can lead to the successful resolution of issues that so often beleaguer school districts. Our twenty-five years of innovative planning experience allow us to lead districts through a comprehensive master planning process that includes assessing current conditions, identifying problem areas, and determining feasible options that deliver flexible, cost-efficient and enduring solutions.
For example, we recently helped a Pennsylvania school district to complete a district-wide assessment that led to the planning and design of three new, state-of-the art elementary schools to replace nine ailing elementary buildings. What is remarkable about this achievement is that the new schools will be completely financed within current district spending and will result in a net-zero cost difference to the district tax payer. As a result of intelligent planning, the district is able to achieve a proper distribution of the current student population, accommodate projected enrollment increases, reduce operating costs, and provide three new 21st century learning environments.
A prototype design for a state-of-the-art elementary school. Three new buildings of this caliber will replace nine ailing facilities as a result of smart planning.
Planning efforts are a relatively small investment to make, particularly when considering the potentially powerful impact of the outcome. To remain vital, districts must make decisions that best serve students, faculty, and staff, as well as their communities. Smart planning empowers districts to move forward with purpose and direction, making the very most of the resources available and achieving the most optimal results for the district as a whole.
SCHRADERGROUP Develops Performing Arts Charter School Concept in Philadelphia
View of the main entrance during a performance.
The SCHRADERGROUP (SG) team recently had the good fortune to be one of the finalists for the design of a Performing Arts Charter School in Southwest Philadelphia. The location of the proposed site is in a newly expanding area located between the sports complexes and South Philadelphia.
The proposal requested a high profile presence to assist the school in promoting its performing and visual arts curricula. The theater is the center of all functions in the facility, with all arts instruction spaces and STEAM education spaces emanating from the performing arts core. The facility accommodates fourteen hundred students in grades six through twelve through an inviting performance-centered atmosphere.
SG responded with a compact three story scheme fitting on to the site in the footprint provided. SG’s strong project-based and flexible learning environments dominated the academic portions of the facility. In addition, the SG concept highlights the performing arts capabilities of the facility by creating a front entry for the theater at the entry to the site. The building’s location on the site creates a strong visual presence for the school by connecting it to the neighborhood by both day and by night.
The Owner strongly complimented SG on the concept and imagery in the proposal, however SG was not selected as the finalist for the project. SG will add the concepts developed for this proposal to its portfolio of educational facility designs and utilize this work as reference and inspiration for future educational facility planning and design.
A view to the Philadelphia Skyline beyond the new Performing Arts High School