Tag: architect

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.

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.

THANK YOU TO THE SCHRADERGROUP 2023 SUMMER INTERNS!

SCHRADERGROUP (SG) extends its gratitude to the exceptional summer interns, both new and returning, for their unwavering dedication and hard work during their time at our firm. We would like to express our sincere appreciation and thanks to the architectural internees, Wiley Muck, Isaac Buxton, Allyson Everlof, Josh Pontell, and the interior designer internee, Gianna DeLorenzo! We wish you the best in your future studies and profession!

Before they head back to school, the SG family would like to highlight each of these great interns:

Wiley Muck
Graduate Student
Temple University – Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture

Wiley is an accomplished individual who is set to achieve a significant milestone this year, as he will be completing his Master’s degree in Architecture. Wiley is a returning intern here at SG and throughout his time here, he has actively participated in various projects that have encompassed every phase of the process. This hands-on experience has proven to be invaluable, enabling him to gain extensive knowledge and expertise.

At SG, Wiley worked on facility assessments, primarily focusing on modeling the existing structures of multiple schools within various school districts. In one District’s case, Wiley has modeled the existing conditions of twelve different schools. Wiley is now able to go on facility assessment walkthroughs to see what he has been modeling all summer.

In the future, Wiley aspires to design a house that perfectly captures his vision, creating a space he can proudly call home. Additionally, he is driven by the desire to design environments that will become cherished and significant parts of other people’s lives, making a positive impact on their daily experiences.

“Being able to see something that I worked on get built and then used is something that I think about a lot and what keeps me on this path.” – Wiley

We are excited to report that Wiley has just accepted a full-time offer for employment at SCHRADERGROUP and will continue his professional life with us!

Isaac Buxton
Undergraduate Student
Philadelphia University – Bachelor of Architecture

Isaac is a fourth-year student of a five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree offered through Jefferson University’s College of Architecture & the Built Environment. Looking ahead, his aspiration is to accumulate a wealth of work experience while embracing the opportunity to travel. Currently, Isaac is preparing to embark on a six-month internship with Olson Kundig, which involves relocating to Seattle. This exciting opportunity will not only provide him with valuable professional exposure but also allow him to explore a new city.

Isaac’s passion for architecture blossomed during his formative years. As a creative and imaginative child, he found joy in crafting various creations, whether it was constructing structures out of cardboard and duct tape, piecing together intricate designs with Legos, or expressing his ideas through pencil and paper. This early affinity for hands-on creativity laid the foundation for his enduring love for architecture.

“This creativity eventually turned into the love of designing buildings and the passion of the design process.” – Isaac

While at SG, Isaac actively contributed to several major projects, including some of the largest school districts in the region, various Auditorium projects, and a new state-of-the-art elementary school. Furthermore, Isaac recently concluded conceptualizations for a potential higher education, demonstrating his ability to engage in forward-thinking and innovative design processes.

Allyson Everlof
Undergraduate Student
Pennsylvania State University – Bachelor of Architecture

Allyson will be a fifth year architecture student at Pennsylvania State University and also a returning Intern here at SG. Allyson stands as an accomplished individual, having maintained her esteemed role as the student representative for her class over the span of four years. Her consistent dedication and commitment to serving her peers exemplify her strong leadership skills and unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive academic environment.

Since Allyson was a child, she dreamed about being a designer and creating spaces for people that not only suit their needs but exceed them in ways that benefit them from within.

“Our environments are extremely involved in our wellbeing, and I am happy to be a part of creating those spaces for people, especially students and educators.” – Allyson

At SG, Allyson engaged in various tasks such as attending job conferences and groundbreaking ceremonies, assisting with building modeling, visiting project sites, and aiding photographers in documenting completed projects.

Upon her graduation in May of 2024, Allyson is eagerly preparing to embark on the initial stages of her journey towards becoming a licensed architect. Her ambitions are set on attaining her professional license within five years of completing her college education. This goal reflects Allyson’s strong determination and dedication to honing her skills, acquiring practical experience, and fulfilling the rigorous requirements to establish herself as a qualified and accomplished architect.

Josh Pontell
Undergraduate Student
Pennsylvania State University – Bachelor of Architecture

After completing his education in a year, Josh is eager to pursue a full-time career as an architect. Simultaneously, he plans to commence studying for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) to accelerate the process of obtaining his professional license. Josh’s determination to swiftly achieve licensure highlights his commitment to professional growth and demonstrates his dedication to fulfilling the requirements necessary to establish himself as a licensed architect.

At SG, Josh actively contributed to several key areas of architectural work. This included engaging in tasks such as producing existing conditions drawings, developing schematic plans, conducting surveys, and utilizing 360 building imaging techniques. His involvement in these aspects showcased his diverse skill set and proficiency in different facets of architectural design and documentation.

Since he was young, Josh has been inspired by the places we inhabit. When he was a kid, he went to a few schools that were undergoing major renovations and reconstructions and was fascinated by all the structures in progress and how they go together. He specifically was fascinated with school buildings.

“I am so thrilled to be interning at a firm in which educational architecture is a focus!” – Josh

Gianna DeLorenzo
Undergraduate Student
Thomas Jefferson University – Bachelor of Interior Design

Gianna is currently on track to complete her studies in 2024 with the goal of obtaining her professional license as an interior designer upon graduation. Her aspirations highlight her determination to pursue a successful career in the field and her commitment to meeting the necessary requirements to become a licensed professional.

While at SG, Gianna has acquired extensive knowledge and skills in various aspects of interior design. She has gained a deep understanding of different materials and their applications, honed her expertise in casework and proper detailing techniques. Additionally, Gianna has developed strong abilities in comprehending and fulfilling client needs and desires while effectively collaborating with them. She has also gained valuable experience in navigating the project process. Notably, Gianna has contributed to projects such as a major elementary school and an elementary school library, utilizing software tools like Revit and Enscape to enhance her design work.

“While working at SG I was able to see the impact their work has on school districts and it’s really inspiring the difference it makes.” – Gianna

Thank you so much to Wiley, Isaac, Allyson, Josh, and Gianna. We truly appreciate the dedication, determination, and exceptional work ethic you all brought to the firm. As you continue your studies, we wish for nothing but the very best in all of your future endeavors. We eagerly anticipate hearing about your remarkable achievements and successes in the times to come.

Interested in working with us? Visit our Careers page to see what opportunities are available at SG here.

PennDOT Southeastern Regional Traffic Management Center and Parking Garage recognized as Alternative Delivery Project of the Year (2022)

SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is proud to announce that the PennDOT District 6 Regional Traffic Management Center (RTMC), for which we served as the design team with design-builder Heim Construction, was recognized by March of Dimes as the Alternative Delivery Project of the year! The award was received by Louis Belmonte, on behalf of PennDOT District 6.

The Alternative Delivery Project of the Year Award recognizes exceptional projects that have been executed using alternative project delivery methods. In the case of the RTMC project, DGS and PennDOT agreed to use the Design-Build delivery method to economize on schedule, budget, and process. The award acknowledges this and highlights projects that have successfully implemented these alternative delivery methods while achieving outstanding results in terms of design, construction, cost management, and overall project success.

Photography by Todd Mason

The PennDOT District 6 Project is a 24/7 regional traffic management center (RTMC) that uses Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to help manage and monitor traffic patterns as well as to improve the flow of traffic throughout the Philadelphia region. The new RTMC is an impressive and modern facility designed to prioritize safety and to improve traffic flows by using state-of-the-art technology, including advanced traffic management systems, ITS, and a network of cameras and sensors. The RTMC has been constructed to help leverage these technologies as the region’s roadway network is modified and improved in coming years.

Within the RTMC facility, there are dedicated staff members assigned to monitor live camera feeds as well as electronic traffic sensors, ensuring the accurate and timely reporting of crucial information to emergency services, local transportation agencies, and law enforcement. User amenities abound in the facility as next generation communication and control centers begin to reflect the ergonomic needs of the users who work long hours to protect the region’s drivers.

SCHRADERGROUP is proud to have been part of the Heim design-build team to develop this incredible project for PennDOT, DGS and for the region’s drivers.

To see more of our public safety projects, click here.

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.

SCHRADERGROUP Committed to Student Engagement and Mentorship to the Architectural Design Community at PSU

SCHRADERGROUP (SG) has consistently demonstrated its unwavering support and continues to express commitment to both Pennsylvania State University (PSU) and the architectural design community within it. Some of the ways that SG provides opportunities and community engagement with the architectural design students at PSU includes career fairs, internship opportunities, alumni speaking engagements, and more.

Here are some of SG’s most recent experiences:

PSU Spring Career Day

Photography by Natasha Kravchenko

The Stuckeman School had its 37th annual Career Day hosted alongside the University’s “Spring Career Days” at the Bryce Jordan Center. The SG team was represented by Jeremy Ross (PSU Class of 2016), Paige Faria (PSU Class of 2018), and Jillian Kreglow (PSU Class of 2021). The SG team spoke to many curious design students about SG as a firm, our projects, and our internship opportunities.

Photography by Natasha Kravchenko

SG is always thrilled to catch up with familiar faces, meet up-and-coming designers, and network with talented colleagues. The Stuckeman School Career Day is an annual event that allows professional firms to interact directly with PSU’s award-winning students. This year, 90 architectural offices attended and over 230 students attended the fair. This exciting event provides students with an opportunity to network and explore potential career fields in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Graphic Design. SG has a diverse team of talented employees, some of whom are also graduates of the Penn State Stuckeman School.

Another example of SG at PSU recently includes our Architectural Designer Paige Faria speaking about her current experience working at SG.

“10 Things I Wish I Knew or Did Differently”

Photography by Natasha Kravchenko

Paige Faria, PSU alumni of 2018, presented with the PSU Architecture Alumni Group (AAG) their “10 Things I Wish I Knew or Did Differently” at the Stuckeman Family Building Jury Space. The presentation covered lessons learned over many years of combined professional experience in the architecture field by PSU AAG.

The PSU AAG provides a connection with alumni to promote interaction between alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends for the benefit and ongoing improvement of the PSU Architecture department. The PSU AAG board of directors acts as an informal advisory group to the PSU Architecture department. Paige Faria serves on the board as the communications committee chair, keeping alumni updated on current events via social media, newsletters, and more.

The discussion included insights such as ‘putting failure into context’, ‘professional practice is not just a class’, ‘invest in your internship’ and more. Students participated in a discussion afterward and were able to meet up with alumni one-on-one for further insight.

Some of the other speakers include alumni Alex Donahue (B.Arch ’12, M.Arch II ’13), Kyrie Martin (B.Arch ’15), Daniel Lopatka (B.Arch ’22), Matthew Graham (B. Arch ’12), and LewYong Gerbrandt (M.Arch I ’22).
To learn more about the PSU AAG, please visit this site.

Photography by Natasha Kravchenko

SG is always grateful for the opportunity to connect with the future graduates of PSU and the design community. We look forward to continuing to engage with the future architectural designers at PSU!
If you want to learn more, be sure to follow SG on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To see our latest projects, please visit our website sgarc.com

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.

SCHRADERGROUP Recognized as an EPiC Firm by American Institute of Architects Pennsylvania Chapter

SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is proud to announce that the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has recognized SG for our support and development of emerging professionals in 2022.

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 PA AIA and we are honored to be included on this list of esteemed firms. You can view the full list here.

To learn more about SCHRADERGROUP, please click here.