Category: Uncategorized

SCHRADERGROUP Attends Stuckeman Career Day at Penn State University

Each year, SCHRADERGROUP (SG) supports students by fostering relationships and offering mentorship opportunities at Pennsylvania State University’s (PSU) Stuckeman School Career Day. This event caters specifically to the architecture, engineering, and design community at PSU. The career fair provides a platform for students and professionals to connect through internship programs and alumni speaking engagements.

SG team members and PSU alumni, Eric Weiss, Jillian Kreglow, and Paige Faria informed hundreds of curious students about our projects, internship opportunities, and all things architecture, engineering, and design. The SG team always finds fulfillment in connecting with the next generation of young professionals.

Additionally, Paige Faria lectured on “Ten Steps to Get a Job,” and outlined tips and tricks for a successful career day and how our mentorship program benefits participating students.

We at SG are always grateful for the opportunity to interact with and inspire students and others in the architecture, engineering, and design community.

Photography provided by Magill Mae Williams

SCHRADERGROUP Attends the 2023 A4LE LearningSCAPES Conference

From October 12th to 15th, SCHRADERGROUP (SG) attended the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) LearningSCAPES conference in Chicago, Illinois. Our SG team members at this event included David Schrader, Paige Faria, Chris Farmer, and Thomas Wippenbeck. Our team members had the chance to connect with experienced professionals in fields related to the education sector.

This year’s conference theme revolved around the art and science of transforming learning environments. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from and inspire one another on key values when it comes to designing and building these facilities. The combination of art and science allows for a wide exploration of ideas on how to build a brighter future for the next generation.

A4LE is a non-profit association with the sole mission of improving the places where children learn. It is an interdisciplinary association of professionals working at the intersection of learning and place to drive the evolution of learning environments.

To see more K-12 projects by SG, please click here.

SCHRADERGROUP will be Attending the 2023 International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)

From October 14th-17th, taking place in San Diego, CA, is the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Annual Conference.

The IACP Annual Conference stands as the premier law enforcement gathering, attracting over 16,000 public safety professionals each year. It serves as a crucial platform for attendees to acquire new techniques, enhance their knowledge, further their careers, and equip their departments for sustained success. The conference is structured around three essential pillars: training, networking, and exposition hall education. With over 175 workshops covering a wide range of topics pertinent to the profession, it offers an invaluable opportunity for law enforcement professionals to grow and excel in their roles.

SG will be there, October 14th –16th, with Partner Harry Pettoni, Principal Matt Wittemann, and Project Manager Doug Perry at booth #2628. We are genuinely thrilled to have the chance to chat with you about your law enforcement facility projects. So, make sure to swing by our booth, and let’s chat!

Before you join us in San Diego, check out some of SG’s public safety projects here.

School District of Springfield Township’s Enfield K-2 Early Learning Center Recognized as an Outstanding Project in Learning By Design’s Fall 2021 Issue

SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is happy to announce that our School District of Springfield Township’s Enfield K-2 Early Learning Center project has received an Outstanding Project Award from Learning By Design Magazine for their Fall 2021 Architectural and Interior Design Awards of Excellence Showcase.

Each year, Learning By Design showcases the very best in the educational design and construction market. The award-winning magazine is published three times a year and regularly recognizes the nation’s top K-12 and higher education projects and architecture firms.

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This early elementary school is warm and welcoming, with a great exterior design to draw children in. Transparency to the outdoors as well as between spaces adds more life and interaction. The overall vibe of the interiors is one of cool and clean simplicity with subtlety rich detailing of naturally hued materials,” said one of the jurors for the panel about Enfield K-2 Early Learning Center.

SG is proud to have another project featured in this prestigious magazine. We would like to thank the School District of Springfield Township (SDST) and all our collaborators and consultants for their help in making this project a reality. We are thrilled to have this great facility featured in this showcase.

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Faced with a growing population and following studies of potential options, SDST elected to create a new Early Learning Center for grades K-2 for the district. SCHRADERGROUP worked with the District and community to create this 105,000 SF facility nestled into a sloping site with a courtyard in the center. The learning resource center and STEAM program is located at the core of the facility and the evening public-use spaces are to the front. The academic clusters radiate from the learning resource center around the courtyard. Creative configuration of the classroom clusters allows the building to climb the hillside of the site while including a quiet contemplative courtyard nestled into the classroom clusters. The courtyard is designed to enhance outdoor learning opportunities.

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The exterior material and building masses are residential in character to work with the surrounding neighborhood. Colors, building heights and masses, and rooflines are all carefully calibrated to reduce the scale of the facility from all street views.

You can view the Fall 2021 Architectural and Interior Design Awards of Excellence issue of Learning By Design here.

Learn more about the Enfield K-2 Early Learning Center here.

SG is proud to have partnered with Springfield Township School District on this and other great projects. Learn more about this wonderful school district here.

SCHRADERGROUP Construction Progress – Summer 2021

As we move into the middle of summer, many of our construction projects are now really starting to take shape. A few of the construction projects underway include the new Upper Merion Area High School, additions and renovations to Anne Frank Elementary School for the School District of Philadelphia, the new Career and Advanced Technology Center for the Community College of Philadelphia, the masonry restoration of the Paul L. Dunbar School in Philadelphia, the demolition of the existing Springfield High School, and the PennDOT District 6.0 Regional Traffic Management Center, among others.

Upper Merion Area School District – Upper Merion Area High School, New Facility1-Upper-Merion_Area-High-School_SCHRADERGROUP_May-Construction-Progress

Construction on the new Upper Merion Area High School continues into the heat of the summer. Infrastructure is being installed and is on pace for a September 2022 completion, just in time for Upper Merion Area School District high school students to start their new school year. Upon completion of and move into the new facility, demolition of the existing facility will begin. Once that demolition is complete, new playing fields will be constructed in its place.

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This month, large Glulam Beams continue to be erected in the common areas. In the theater wing, the steel is in place for the stage as the auditorium takes shape.

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School District of Philadelphia – Anne Frank Elementary School, Additions and Renovations1-Anne-Frank-Elementary-School_SCHRADERGROUP_May-Construction-Progress

Work on the Anne Frank Elementary School continues in Northeast Philadelphia. Metal panels have been installed on 75% of the new construction areas while the glass and glazing installation is 50% complete.

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Acoustic ceiling tile and vinyl composite tile installation continues while the walls are being painted. Ceramic tile flooring has started in the toilet rooms as well. A new feature this month are the railings being installed in the new stairways.

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Community College of Philadelphia – Career and Advanced Technology Center, New Facility1-Community-College-of-Philadelphia_Career-Advanced-Technoloy-Center_SCHRADERGROUP_May-Construction-Progress

The Community College of Philadelphia’s new Career and Advanced Technology Center (CATC) is progressing in West Philadelphia. Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing rough-ins continue at the interior wall and ceiling level and fire protection systems will follow.

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Masonry work continues as well as exterior and interior metal framing. The building enclosure systems are expected to be completed by end of summer or early fall.

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Recently, the on-grade concrete slabs were completed on the first floor. This project is scheduled for a February 2022 completion.

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School District of Philadelphia – Paul L. Dunbar School, Restoration1-Paul-L-Dunbar-School-SDP_SCHRADERGROUP_May-Construction-Progress

Another School District of Philadelphia school project that is wrapping up is the restoration to the Paul L. Dunbar School. The outdated building exterior was in poor shape, with deteriorated masonry around the parapet of the building.

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The restoration includes the installation of galvanized steel inlets to replace the rusted ungalvanized ones, the rebuilding of masonry, and the repointing of mortar joints. The project is a restoration of a beautiful WPA funded school. Substantial completion is expected by end of summer.

 

Springfield School District – Springfield High School, Existing High School Demolition and Visitor Side Bleacher Construction1-Springfield-High-School-Demolition_SCHRADERGROUP_May-Construction-Progress

In Springfield, PA, the new Springfield High School has just been completed. Demolition of the existing High School has begun and is on schedule for completion at the end of the summer.

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The Visitor Side Bleacher building footing and foundations have recently been completed. Next up are the masonry walls and door frames as well as site work grading for the athletic fields and tennis courts.

 

Department of General Services – PennDOT District 6.0 Regional Traffic Management Center (RTMC) and Parking Structure, New Facilities1-PennDOT-District-6.0-Regional-Traffic-Management-Center-RTMC_SCHRADERGROUP_May-Construction-Progress

The new PennDOT Regional Traffic Management Center in King of Prussia is progressing nicely, with the continued forming of concrete footings and foundation walls. SG serves as the design component of the Heim Construction Design-Build team for this project. At the accompanying parking garage, work has been completed.

 

It is always exciting to watch our design work become reality! We would like to thank our clients, consultants, contractors, and all other team members for your dedication and support of the on-going efforts for these projects!

Learn more about these and other exciting SCHRADERGROUP projects here!

SCHRADERGROUP to Attend Virtual 2021 PASBO Conference

SCHRADERGROUP (SG) will be attending the 66th Annual Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO) Conference on March 17th, 19th, 23rd and 25th this month! SG team members will be at the SCHRADERGROUP Virtual Booth from 10am – 1pm on Wednesday the 17th, Friday the 19th, and Tuesday the 23rd, as well as from 10am-noon on Thursday the 25th. We welcome you to stop by and meet the team!

SG is proud to be a Gold Level Sponsor of this prestigious event devoted to the common goal of supporting classroom learning in school through smart business practices. Each year, PASBO provides an opportunity for school business officials to listen to keynote speaker presentations and attend information workshops that provide members with the opportunity to network with their peers. PASBO provides its members with the education, training, and professional development, as well as the timely access to legislative and policy news, needed in order to support this goal of developing and supporting leaders in school business operations.

Although the event is virtual this year, the SG team looks forward to seeing some familiar faces and meeting some new ones! Come visit us at our booth!

Learn more about registering for the PASBO conference here.

Learn more about SCHRADERGROUP’s dedication to educational facilities here.

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School District of Springfield Township’s New Enfield K-2 Early Learning Center Opening this Fall

The School District of Springfield Township’s (SDST) Enfield K-2 Early Learning Center opens this Fall with great enthusiasm. The completion of the school is the culmination of years of planning, community input and teamwork to design a building that fosters early learning for district’s youngest students.

The new 105,000 square foot K-2 Early Learning Center (ELC) will serve as a replacement school for the K-1 Primary Center and will pull one grade out of the 2-5 elementary school to provide additional educational space. The reconfigured K-2/3-5 grade structure provided the district with new opportunities to tailor instruction to targeted age groupings.

The educational vision to enhance the learning experience through a student-centered, project-based learning approach to instruction laid the foundation for planning. As a result of a community workshop process, the hierarchy of space design and site planning spawned from the input of the group. The site access points, vehicular and bus circulation and parking, the adjacencies of the public spaces (multipurpose room/gymnasium and cafeteria) to the instructional areas, and how classroom wings of the building embrace the central outdoor learning courtyard (representative of the building ‘hugging’ the children) are all results of the community input received.

The main building entrance adjacent to the administration area anchors the interior street connection which provides access the gymnasium with stage and cafeteria. The street leads to the central core of the building featuring the learning resource center and STE(A)M programs and the educational focal point of the building, the learning stair. The educational areas can be secured to allow the use of the public spaces for community events after school hours.

Educationally, the space design of the new school supports a variety of instructional and learning opportunities. To create a sense of community for this younger age group within the context of the larger school, smaller learning communities were designed for each grade grouping. Each grade level wing branches out from the central core of the building and is supported by a large group instruction area to support collaborative activities for either single or multiple classroom instruction. Every two general classrooms share a small group instruction room facilitating individualized instruction. Classroom instruction and small and large-group spaces support project-based and personalized learning opportunities, differentiated instruction, the integration of technologies and STE[A]M experiences, and social and emotional learning experiences for all students.

Thank you to all that contributed to the design and construction of the new Enfield K-2 Early Learning Center. SCHRADERGROUP is grateful for this opportunity to create unique learning environments that correlate to SDST’s educational vision.

Enfield K-2 Early Learning Center

Learn more about the new Enfield K-2 Early Learning Center project here.

SCHRADERGROUP Ranks #96 on ENR Mid-Atlantic’s Top Design Firms 2020 List

SCHRADERGROUP ranks #96 on Engineering News-Record (ENR) Mid-Atlantic’s Top Design Firms list of 2020. This list ranks the largest Mid-Atlantic-based design firms, both publicly and privately held, based on design revenue. SCHRADERGROUP is proud to note that the firm’s ranking moved from #100 in 2019 to #96 for this year.

The SCHRADERGROUP team recognizes that we share this tremendous success with our clients and our partners. The team is humbled by the continued dedication of those same clients to their projects even during these challenging times. We thank our clients and look forward to a bright future filled with creating improved environments for living, learning, working and recreating.

View ENR Mid-Atlantic’s Top Design Firms 2020 List here.

Official Presentation of LEED Gold Plaques for Council Rock School District’s Holland & Newtown Middle School

SCHRADERGROUP (SG) recently celebrated with the Council Rock School District (CRSD), D’Huy Engineering and Breslin Ridyard Fadero Architects as the LEED Gold certificates were presented to CRSD for the Holland Middle School and Newtown Middle School projects. These two incredible projects were awarded the prestigious LEED Gold certification in August of 2019 and the certificates were issued following that award. The event took place at CRSD’s Chancellor Center in Newtown, Pennsylvania on January 23, 2020.

The entire team was fortunate to be linked in this combined effort. The CRSD elected to design the renovations and additions at Holland Middle School and the new construction at Newtown Middle School at the same time in order to create a level of educational parity within the two facilities.

SCHRADERGROUP was responsible for the Holland Middle School project and Breslin Ridyard Fadero was responsible for the Newtown Middle School project. The two teams worked in tandem to design these facilities to feel similar inside even though one was renovation/addition and one was new construction. D’Huy Engineering worked with the CRSD to secure an ACE grant for each project which required LEED Gold Certification. The resulting certification and the grants provided the district with additional levels of sustainability within the two facilities. It will also provide more environmentally efficient and ergonomic environments for the students of the CRSD to learn in the future.

The SG team would like to thank the tremendous effort of CRSD’s Board and Administration and the entire design and construction team for allowing these amazing projects to take place. SG is proud to have had the opportunity to partner with the Council Rock School District, D’Huy Engineering and Breslin Ridyard Fadero Architects to create these LEED Gold certified learning environments.

Learn more about the CRSD Holland Middle School project here.

Check out more of SG’s sustainable academic facilities here.

Recapping 2019: SCHRADERGROUP’s 15th Year

2019 has been a year full of growth, commitment and achievement. Team members of SCHRADERGROUP (SG) feel fortunate for all the opportunities and adventures that we’ve had over the past year. The SG team would like to reflect on 2019 as the decade comes to an end.

The SCHRADERGROUP Team

2019 marks SCHRADERGROUP’s fifteenth anniversary. SG was established on April 15, 2004. In 2019 we celebrated 15 years of sharing our vision of designing for tomorrow’s workers, thinkers, and leaders. As SG continues to grow, we honor our beginnings and those who have helped shape us into what we’ve become today.

SG welcomed seven new employees to the team. This year we welcomed Project Architect, Mark Adamiak, Marketing Associate, Samantha Greim, Senior Designer, Bill Cox, and Interior Designer, Kayla McCoy. Architectural Designers, Tyler Corbley, Christopher Farmer and most recently we welcomed a new public safety market segment leader.

Community Engagement

SCHRADERGROUP celebrated project completions by attending several ribbon-cutting ceremonies:Martin County’s ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the new 9-1-1 Regional Communication Center.

Council Rock School District’s ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate Wrightstown Elementary School’s new state of the art renovations and additions.

Palmyra Area School District’s Dedication Ceremony for the completion of  Forge Road Elementary and Palmyra Area Middle School’s energy-efficient renovations.

Circle of Seasons Charter School Dedication Ceremony to celebrate the school’s new renovations.

SG accomplished goals of exercising our mission outside of the classroom by attending the following events:The SG team is proud to continue to contribute to an opportunity for Hatboro-Horsham School District (HHSD)  students to explore diverse career paths by participating in the  “When I Grow Up” K-12 Career Expo 2019.

SG had a fun evening at HHSD’s Hatter’s Hold ‘Em Casino Night to aid in providing programs and learning grants to the HHSD students.
SG’s Project Architect, Jeremy Ross, AIA, taught Springfield High School students through the ACE of Greater Philadelphia Mentoring program.

 

SG had the opportunity to partner with the Upper Merion Area School District Administration to give doctoral candidates of Saint Joseph University’s Education Doctoral Program a tour of Gulph Elementary School.

The SG team enjoyed connecting with future architects and designers at PSU’s Stuckeman School’s Career Day—an event at which our attendance can always be counted on.

Additionally, we participated in PSU’s Stuckeman School Professional Opportunities Week, CRSD North Hills Elementary School’s Career Day, PSU’s Annual Alumni Reception, AIA/SMPS Marketing Workshop and many more…

Conferences and Events

The SG team attended annual events and exhibited at many conferences to keep up with changing industry trends and news. We participated in:Delaware Valley Association of School Business Officials (DVASBO) Trade Show held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA.

Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO) Annual Conference in Hershey, PA.
National School Boards Association (NSBA) Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA.
We also attended A4LE’s Annual LearningSCAPES 2019 Conference held in California, IACP’s Annual Conference and Expo in Chicago, IL, Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators Educational Leadership Summit 2019, National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Conference 2019, 2019 Spring MD-DC ASBO Spring Conference, PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference and more.
Awards and Recognitions

With tremendous support from our clients and the design community, we’re proud to announce awards and recognition that our projects have earned over the past year.

The 2019 Building Design + Construction (BD+C)’s 2019 Giants 300 Report, ranked SCHRADERGROUP:

   #50 of the Top 140 K-12 School Sector Architects

   #96 of the Top 150 Architecture and Engineering firms.

More than 485 U.S.-based architecture, engineering, and construction firms participated in the 2019 Giants 300 report. Check out the rankings here.

The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded Council Rock School District’s Holland Middle School LEED Gold certification. The project was also awarded an Ace Grant.
SG received an Award at the Annual AIA AAJ Conference in Jersey City in 2018 for the Pennsylvania State Emergency Operations Center project, PEMA. The project was subsequently featured in the AIA’s Justice Facilities Review in 2019.
Engineering News-Record (ENR) ranked SG #100 of the Mid-Atlantic Top Design Firms for 2019. The ENR Mid-Atlantic Top Design Firms list ranks the largest U.S.-based designs firms, both publicly and privately held, based on design-specific revenue. Check out the rankings here.

Holland Middle School received an Outstanding Project Recognition from Learning by Design’s Fall 2019 Issue.

Gulph Elementary School received an Outstanding Design Recognition from American School & University (AS&U)’s 2019 Educational Interiors Showcase August Issue and an Outstanding Design recognition from AS&U Architectural Portfolio 2019.

Our projects have been in the news as well!

Fox 43 News reported on the new PEMA Emergency Operations Center Project

   [“Exclusive: A behind-the-scenes look at PEMA headquarters”]

Daily Times reported on the New Springfield High School Project

   [“New Springfield High School is on the rise”]

WNCT reported on Martin County’s new 911 Center Project

   [“Construction on new 911 center in Martin County nears completion”]

The Reporter reported on the Knapp Elementary School Project:

   [“North Penn outlines future facility projects”]

   [“North Penn: Talks underway with Lansdale on Knapp Elementary project”]

   [“Knapp Elementary plans get OK from Lansdale council”]

   [“Knapp Elementary plans updated, Jan. 7 public project meeting scheduled]

King of Prussia Courier reported on the Upper Merion Area High School Project

   [“Upper Merion supervisors get a look at the latest high school plans”]

 

Moving Forward

The SG team would like to extend our appreciation to all of our clients, to the many who experience these buildings every day, and to our fantastic employees and their families. We truly hope to continue to provide environments for growth and inspiration for those who work, play and learn within them for generations to come.

Thank you all and Happy New Year!