Tag: academic building
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.
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: Enhancing Your Community with Next Generation Learning Environments
WE BELIEVE ACADEMIC DESIGN TRULY IS THE DESIGN FOR THE FUTURE
Over 19 years as a firm, SCHRADERGROUP (SG) completed over 200 projects in design for education and devoted the majority of its practice to learning environments. We are focused on creating learning environments specific to your vision for developing the leaders and thinkers for tomorrow.
Our Partners and Associates have over three decades of experience in academic facility design and are involved with school associations locally, nationally, and internationally (PASBO, DVASBO, NSBA, PSBA, A4LE, and others.) With this experience, the SG leadership continues to be committed to academic design to ensure the best experience for you.
SG employs 40+ full-time professional staff and is a full-service architecture firm offering planning and design services in the areas of architecture, structural engineering, planning, interior design, and construction administration. SG has the capacity to design over $400 million in construction projects per year.
The SG team works diligently to deliver projects in the most timely and cost effective manner and offers solutions that will satisfy programming standards of facilities nationally. With this effort, the stage is set for a design that will be entirely appropriate to its setting while satisfying the ergonomic needs of the using agencies.
Check out our a few of our K-12 Projects here.
Downloads of our K-12 flyer, brochure, and SOQ are available here.
And downloads of our tour book and brochure on our star project, Upper Merion Area High School, are available here.
SCHRADERGROUP: Next-Generation Learning Environments Presented at A4LE NE Region Conference Talk & Tours
The A4LE Northeast Region Conference is an annual event bringing together professionals from the education and design communities to discuss innovative ideas, research, and best practice to create effective learning environments. The conference typically features keynote presentations, workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. This year, SCHRADERGROUP (SG) had the pleasure of attending and presenting our latest project, Upper Merion Area High School. SG also gave tours of UMAHS as well as other projects; Springfield High School, Enfield Elementary School, Phoenixville Area Early Learning Center/Manavon Elementary School.
David Schrader, SG’s managing partner, along with Superintendent of Schools, Dr. John Toleno and Building Principal Johnathan Bauer, presented a session titled “This is so meant for us! Student Focused Design to Inspire Personal Achievement, The Next Generation High School”. This session profiled a very unique learning environment constructed in King of Prussia, PA to support 21st Century learning styles. The building was designed to reflect current business model practices and provides opportunities across multiple grade levels for advanced course offerings and unique learning styles. The presentation also offered a comparison of students’ reflection on their learning experience in traditional post-industrial environments versus the learning spaces designed in the new facility centered around self-directed learning environments.
In addition to the presentation, SG provided tours of 4 of our schools for A4LE attendees. The schools that were toured included: Upper Merion Area High School, Springfield High School, Enfield Elementary School, Phoenixville Area Early Learning Center/Manavon Elementary School. You can read more about each school below.
Photography By Halkin Mason
Upper Merion Area High School offers students dedicated spaces for career exploration and advanced education, promoting 21st-century learning activities such as research, development, and presentation. The school is committed to providing students with state-of-the-art facilities and resources that support their academic and professional growth. These purpose-built spaces are specifically designed to facilitate research, encourage innovation and creativity, and enable students to effectively present their findings and projects. UMAHS recognizes the importance of preparing students for the evolving demands of the modern world, and its design reflects this commitment to fostering a dynamic learning environment.
Check out more information about Upper Merion Area High School here.
Photography By Halkin Mason
Springfield High School is strategically located within proximity to a significant portion of the town, thanks to the dense nature of this community. This intentional placement enables many residents to conveniently walk to the school. Furthermore, the design of the school reflects deep consideration for the community it serves. Every aspect of the school’s architecture and layout has been thoughtfully planned to align with the needs and values of the surrounding community. By keeping the community in mind throughout the design process, Springfield High School aims to foster a strong sense of connection and collaboration between the school and its residents. This facility was designed in partnership with Perkins and Will Architects.
Check out more information about Springfield High School here.
Photography By Halkin Mason
Enfield Elementary School is thoughtfully designed to cater to the needs of young learners, creating a welcoming community atmosphere that focuses on both public and academic spaces. The school’s layout revolves around a serene courtyard, symbolically embracing the children and fostering an optimal outdoor learning environment. Surrounding this peaceful central area, classroom wings are strategically placed to enhance the overall learning experience.
Check out more information about Enfield Elementary School here.
Photography By Matt Wargo
Phoenixville Area Early Learning Center and Manavon Elementary School have been purposefully designed to accommodate two distinct grade structures, following a unique “school within a school” format. The ELC is dedicated to nurturing and educating students in grades K-1, providing them with a specialized learning environment tailored to their early educational needs. On the other hand, the ES focuses on grades 2-5, offering a comprehensive curriculum and resources specifically designed to meet the developmental requirements of older elementary students. This innovative design ensures that each grade structure receives the appropriate educational support and fosters an optimal learning experience for all students.
Check out more information about Phoenixville Area Early Learning Center and Manavon Elementary School here.
If you want to learn more about SG, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To see our latest projects, please visit our website sgarc.com
Congratulations to Upper Merion Area High School for gracing the front cover of Learning By Design’s Spring 2023 issue.
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is proud to once again announce that our completed project, Upper Merion Area School District’s Upper Merion Area High School, has been recognized as an Outstanding Project in Learning By Design’s Spring 2023 Educational Facilities Design Awards. We are excited to have another SG project recognized as an award-winning facility for its Next Generation Learning space design and planning.
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.
We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Upper Merion Area School District (UMASD) and showcase their exceptional facility in this issue. Our ongoing relationship with this remarkable School District, which prioritizes providing cutting-edge education and facilities to the community’s students, is something we are grateful for.
The purpose of this facility is to offer UMASD students’ career-oriented and higher education-level spaces where they can actively participate in 21st-century learning activities focused on “research, develop, and present!” We extensively researched and incorporated multiple contemporary higher education spaces into the development of this distinctive facility.
The 345,000 SF facility seamlessly integrates with the existing middle school, connecting through athletic and performance arts components. This expanded facility offers enriching opportunities for students spanning from 6th grade to 12th grade.
The facility includes a central “student commons,” serving as a versatile space for various activities throughout the day. It features a two-story open area with learning resources on the second level, alongside dining options.
You can view the Spring 2023 issue of Learning By Design here. You can find the Upper Merion Area High School entry on page 86!
If you’d like to learn even more about the Upper Merion Area High School, click here.
Upper Merion Area School District’s Upper Merion Area High School Recognized as an Outstanding Project in American School & University’s Fall 2022 Architectural Portfolio
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is proud to announce that our recently completed project, Upper Merion Area School District’s new Upper Merion Area High School, has received an Outstanding Project Award from American School & University for its Fall 2022 Architectural Portfolio.
SG is excited to have another project featured in this prestigious publication. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Upper Merion Area School District (UMASD) and are honored to have this excellent school featured in this issue.
American School and University (AS&U) is a magazine dedicated to the planning, design, construction, retrofit, operations, maintenance, and management of education facilities. It is intended to showcase the latest trends, technologies, and strategies driving educational facilities and the market.
AS&U honors educational design projects each year through multiple design competitions. One of these competitions is the Architectural Portfolio, the premier showcase celebrating the best in education design.
After a complete community-engaged master planning process and subsequent successful new elementary school projects, Upper Merion Area School District (UMASD) began the process of creating a flagship facility to house the upper secondary programs for the District. A thorough process was utilized, including multiple user meetings and tours of state-of-the-art facilities throughout the United States.
The intent behind the facility is to provide career and higher education level spaces for the students of UMASD to engage in the 21st-century learning activities of “research, develop, and present!” Multiple hi-tech industry workspaces as well as contemporary higher education spaces were studied in the process of the development of this unique facility.
The 345,000 SF facility is connected to the existing middle school through the athletic and performing arts facilities to provide a full secondary campus. The resulting facility provides enriching opportunities for students from the traditional 6th-grade through 12th-grade ages.
A true “student commons” is the heart of the facility and will be an “all-day” area for multiple activities. The commons is a two-story open space with learning resources located on the second level to enhance the research and project-based components mixed with dining and food-based opportunities on the ground floor. After hours, the “commons” space will provide pre- and post-activity support for both the athletic as well as the performing arts complexes. A full competition gymnasium and competition swimming venue is the connector to the middle school. The performing arts complex provides a complete 650-seat theater with a balcony and all supporting performing arts spaces.
Student services, technology distribution, and support spaces are located between the commons space and the academic area. A three-story academic wing supports the core academic programs with a STEAM-based center, multiple project and team-based spaces, and a three-story learning stair. The learning stair connects all core programs vertically to enhance the cross-pollination of learning activities. Transparency is a key aspect of the facility’s design and is utilized to promote the visual connection between each of the learning activities.
The new facility was constructed while the existing high school on site was still occupied. The existing facility is currently being demolished, and new playing fields will be constructed in its place.
A unique site feature is an underground stream bisecting the site. The project chooses to highlight that challenge by exposing the stream at its outfall within a new outdoor amphitheater and teaching area. This outdoor space enhances internal building program opportunities by connecting them to the exterior. The stream provides for science-based learning activities directly on campus. The new facility allows the students of UMASD to have tremendous additional learning opportunities.
You can view our entry in the Fall 2022 Architectural Portfolio issue of American School & University on page 73 here.
Learn more about the Upper Merion Area High School here.
SG is proud to have partnered with Upper Merion Area School District. Learn more about this great school district here.
SCHRADERGROUP Attends 36th Annual DVASBO Trade Show
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) recently attended the Delaware Valley Association of School Board Officials (DVASBO)’s 36th Annual Trade Show on Wednesday, November 9th at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA.
SG was proud to attend and exhibit at this conference once again. It was great to return to the trade show this year and to see so many friendly and familiar faces. SG was proud to assist in DVASBO’s mission of developing and supporting leaders in school business operations for the counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery.
The Trade Show was attended by Managing Partner David Schrader and Associate Devin Bradbury. The day included prize drawings, seminars, exhibitions, breakfast, and lunch.
It was great to be at a trade show again and to physically see everyone and talk to people face-to-face. We had great fun connecting with school business officials and we look forward to attending again next year!
DVASBO is a regional chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO). For nearly five decades, DVASBO has been supporting school professionals in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. The organization currently has over 1,000 members and is devoted to providing members with education, training, professional development, and timely access to legislative and policy news. The SG team would like to thank the DVASBO staff for organizing this trade show. To learn more about DVASBO, click here.
To learn more about SCHRADERGRPOUP’s commitment to educational facilities, click here.
