Tag: dynamic design
SCHRADERGROUP Welcomes 2021 Summer Architectural Interns!
This year, SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is pleased to welcome two summer architectural interns, Leah Balderson and Dan Pawluczyk. We are very excited to have these enthusiastic young professionals join the SG family!
Leah Balderson
Undergraduate Student
Pennsylvania State University – Bachelor of Architecture
Leah will be a 5th year student at Pennsylvania State University and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in architecture. She is an active member of AIAS (American Institute of Architecture Students) and is an architecture mentor for incoming first year architecture students. Leah is also on the Rules and Regulations Committee for THON.
Leah is very passionate about art and design. She has always had a love of drawing and painting, and in recent years has become very interested in graphic design. In her free time, she loves to snowboard and is a member of the PSU Snowboarding Club.
Looking to the future, Leah’s first goal is to become a licensed architect. She strives to design buildings that positively affect people’s daily lives. Leah’s thesis is focused on environmental psychology, the study of transactions between people and their physical settings, and she hopes to continue studying that over the course of her career.
“I hope for people to walk into a space that I designed and feel as though they are benefiting from the atmosphere I created.”
Dan Pawluczyk
Undergraduate Student
Pennsylvania State University – Bachelor of Architecture
Dan will be a 5th year architecture student at Pennsylvania State University. He is an active participant in THON, spending his first two years volunteering on hospitality committees. This past year, he danced virtually at THON with his fraternity, the top fundraising general organization for the fifth year in a row.
Dan’s favorite activities are those that he can do with family and friends. He enjoys golfing, snowboarding, basketball and hiking. Dan is looking forward to hitting the golf course with his SG coworkers this summer!
After spending multiple summers working at a construction company, Dan was propelled into the world of design production. His favorite part of architecture is the challenge of marrying the freedom of design with the practical realities of how something is built.
Looking to the future, Dan sees an open world of possibilities. He takes inspiration from documentaries and magazines dealing with design and architecture. His goal is to one day work on projects featured in Dezeen and ArchDaily.
“I think having the ability to shape your own career path and follow your interests is one of the most valuable aspects of architecture and design.”
As architects, we realize that the heart of our practice is its people, and we are always looking for ways to promote and foster emerging talent. At SG, we recognize the importance of an internship in the field of architecture and design and we offer hands-on experience as well as a mentorship component in order to create an environment that leads to understanding and success for all. The SG team looks forward to sharing our company culture and practice with our architectural interns and is excited to follow their journey this summer as they gain the experience necessary for future success.
Interested in working with us? Visit our Careers page to see what opportunities are available at SG here.
SCHRADERGROUP Hosts Design Workshop for Great Valley School District for the Conceptualization of a New 5/6 Grade Center
After completing a district-wide facility assessment and master plan for the district in 2020, SCHRADERGROUP (SG) began a series of community workshops to identify priorities and to narrow the field of options for district-wide planning for Great Valley School District (GVSD). Based on the master plan, capacity analysis, and community meetings, the District opted to design a new 5/6 Grade Center on a site adjacent to the existing K.D. Markley Elementary School.
SCHRADERGROUP’s process includes community input through planning and design workshops. In the case of the new 5/6 Grade Center, SG teamed with GVSD to hold this workshop in the existing K.D. Markley Elementary School on April 21st. SG welcomed over 50 stakeholders to the workshop to hear a review of the process, virtually tour other state-of-the-art facilities, and discuss preferences for the new 5/6 Grade Center.
After a series of consensus building exercises, the team split into smaller groups and each group created multiple options for the new facility using the existing site and programming blocks. The SG team took away some valuable feedback from this process and is very excited to start the designs for the new center.
Learn more about Great Valley School District here.
See more of SCHRADERGROUP’s work with K-12 schools here.
SCHRADERGROUP Hosts Design Workshop for Hatboro-Horsham School District to Determine the Future Configuration of the Keith Valley Middle School
2021 has been off to a busy start for Hatboro-Horsham School District (HHSD)! After hosting multiple conceptualization sessions in January and February and taking tours of example facilities throughout the Mid-Atlantic in March, the SCHRADERGROUP (SG) team conducted a planning workshop with HHSD staff, parents, and Hatboro and Horsham municipal officials last month.
The existing Keith Valley Middle School is aging and in need of serious repairs. There are ADA issues throughout the facility and upgrades are needed to the HVAC systems. Through prior studies and through a process conducted by D’Huy Engineering, it was determined that replacing the entire middle school was the most feasible option for the district. So, the next steps were to meet with the community members to design a replacement middle school that can better serve its students as part of a 21st century learning environment.
SCHRADERGROUP partnered with HHSD and D’Huy Engineering to host the workshop on April 8th. After an introductory process, the team split into smaller groups. Each group was given site plans and program blocks to brainstorm and envision the different aspects of the new school on the existing site. SG is very excited to take the next steps in creating a dynamic and functional middle school to serve the residents of Hatboro-Horsham School District.
Following the completion of the Crooked Billet Elementary School in 2020, this exciting project continues SG’s relationship with Hatboro-Horsham School District and all of the wonderful people who live, work and learn in the district.
Learn more about other SG projects at Hatboro-Horsham School District here.
Learn more about Hatboro-Horsham School District here.
Council Rock School District’s Rolling Hills Elementary School Completed with LEED Gold Certification + ACE Grant
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is excited to announce that Council Rock School District’s (CRSD) Rolling Hills Elementary School additions and renovations project is complete. The 12,426 SF addition and 62,695 SF renovation project transformed the facility to support the next generation of learning. The construction phase of this project persevered through the challenges associated with the pandemic through spring and summer of 2020.
Rolling Hills Elementary School is a 75,121 SF single-story elementary school for grades K-6. The existing building floor plan was completely overhauled through to the concrete roof structure to convert the existing old-style open classroom layout to a progressive and functional configuration with natural daylighting.
The design incorporated energy efficient solutions, including solar panels on the roof, and achieved LEED Gold Certification and an ACE Grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The transformation is further exemplified with an identifiable high-volume main entrance that floods the space with natural light. New building façades were constructed with abundant window openings and a variety of exterior finish materials which serve to fragment the horizontality of the one-story classroom wings.
Apart from the Multi-Purpose Room which remained in its previous location, the majority of the other spaces were reconfigured within the parameters of the original building footprint. Additions for an expanded and secure administration area, classrooms and stage were added to support the design program. The building also received all new exterior and interior walls, new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, and AV/IT infrastructure systems.
SG is proud of our partnership with the Council Rock School District, D’Huy Engineering, and our many great consultants. We look forward to more projects in the future.
Learn more about Council Rock School District here.
Learn more about Council Rock School District’s Rolling Hills Elementary School project, here.
See previously completed K-12 projects, including other Council Rock School District projects here.
Hazleton Area School District’s Creative Solutions to Increase Student Capacity
Based on the current enrollments and the rate of new arrivals into the district, and as identified as part of SCHRADERGROUP’s capacity analysis of the District, the District’s Elementary/Middle Schools had reached and were exceeding capacity. To gain a sufficient number of classroom spaces as quickly as possible, SCHRADERGROUP designed and bid multiple building projects to convert existing interior spaces to classrooms. Interior renovations versus new construction not only saved construction costs but also reduced the timeline to occupy the spaces. The completed projects created 30 additional classrooms, increasing the Hazleton Area School District’s (HASD) Capacity to 750 students for grades K-8 for under $6 million dollars.
The two creative solutions to add classroom space was simple – capture underutilized space for the educational program. The first set of renovation projects converted existing pools to classroom spaces at multiple K-8 Schools including Freeland Elementary/Middle School, Heights Terrace Elementary/Middle School, McAdoo-Kelayres Elementary/Middle School and Valley Elementary/Middle School. The added benefit of taking multiple pool facilities off-line was the reduction of on-going maintenance costs to operate the pools year-long.
The second set of renovation projects converted a portion of the library space to a self-contained classroom space with a smaller area for the library functions at some of the elementary and/or middle schools including Drums Elementary/Middle School, Freeland Elementary/Middle School, West Hazleton Elementary/Middle School, Hazel Township Early Learning Center, Hazleton (The Castle) Elementary/Middle School, Maple Manor Elementary/Middle School, Valley Elementary/Middle School and Heights Terrace Elementary/Middle School.
These creative measures to recapture classroom space within the building effectively resolved the capacity needs at the K-8 grade levels for the foreseeable future.
SCHRADERGROUP is grateful for this opportunity and proud to have been part of many building transformations in this community. We look forward to sharing future experiences with HASD!
Learn more about Hazleton Area School District here.
Learn more about SCHRADERGROUP’S work with K-12 facilities here.
Quakertown Community School District’s Neidig Elementary School has been Transformed
Quakertown Community School District’s Neidig Elementary School is one of our best examples of how alterations and additions can transform a 1950s era building into a state-of-the-art learning environment. Originally constructed in 1958, the school opened this fall with a new look, increased capacity to accommodate 600 students to support the District’s enrollment, and spaces designed to enhance the educational program.
The existing classroom wing was renovated to serve the primary grade levels with new cabinetry, finishes and toilet room renovations. A two-story classroom wing expansion for the intermediate grade levels features a centralized large group instruction area on each floor level for interactive and collaborative learning. Building circulation is captured for program space with areas provided for small group instruction and a learning stair at the main entrance lobby adjacent to the expanded administration area. The variety of spaces offer opportunities for student research, development and presentation as part of the next generation of learning.
Building updates in the specials wing of the building includes complete interior renovations to the library, art and music classrooms, as well as the addition of a gymnasium with a stage for physical education and school performances. Other renovations include new HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems, updated technology, a new kitchen, new roof and new windows. In addition to the building improvements, site improvements include improved circulation to separate the parent and bus loops, expanded parking and new play areas.
SCHRADERGROUP is proud to have been a part of this building transformation and contributors to Quakertown Community School District’s vision for excellence in education.
To learn more about Quakertown Community School District, click here.
To learn more about QCSD’s Neidig Elementary School, here.
SCHRADERGROUP Attends PSU’s Stuckeman School Career Day 2020
SCHRADERGROUP attended the Pennsylvania State University (PSU)’s 34th annual Stuckeman School Career Day held on February 7, 2020 during PSU’s Opportunities Week. Stuckeman School Career Day provides students with an opportunity to network and explore potential career fields in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Graphic Design. 80+ firms were selected to participate, and SCHRADERGROUP is proud to have been one of them.
The SCHRADERGROUP team was represented by managing partner, David Schrader (PSU Class of 1991) and team members, Eric Weiss (PSU Class of 2013) and Paige Geldrich (PSU Class of 2018). The team was honored to have met many bright, dedicated architecture students with promising portfolios, three of which will become SCHRADERGROUP summer interns.
SCHRADERGROUP has a diverse team of talented employees and is grateful for the opportunity to connect with the future graduates of the Penn State Stuckeman School as well as many other great schools of architecture.
Interested in joining the SG team? Check out what opportunities are available at SG for you here.
SCHRADERGROUP team attends this year’s DVASBO Trade Show
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) exhibited at this year’s DVASBO Trade Show which was held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA this past week.
The Delaware Valley Association of School Business Officials (DVASBO) is a regional chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO). The Regional Association has over 1,000 members. Its mission is to help develop and support school business operation leaders.
SG experienced another successful event with the DVASBO community at the Annual Trade Show and eagerly anticipates the next opportunity.
Read more about DVASBO and keep an eye out for next year’s Trade Show here.
SCHRADERGROUP Participates in the Penn State Stuckeman School Professional Opportunities Week
SCHRADERGROUP participated in the Stuckeman School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Graphic Design’s Professional Opportunities Week (POW) event this past month at the Pennsylvania State University (PSU).
The Stuckeman School provided its students with another great opportunity to network with Professional Alumni at their POW event. SCHRADERGROUP’s Managing Partner, David Schrader, is the Architecture Alumni Group’s Board President and was fortunate to have been able to participate in the event. Each speaker at this event spoke about their experience at PSU, their career path and firm projects. The goal was to provide students with perspectives from various experience levels and varied professional backgrounds. The evening of discussions was extremely well attended and resulted in provocative conversation.
SCHRADERGROUP looks forward to the next opportunity!
Please check back on the POW website, here, for future events!
Holland Middle School Receives Outstanding Project Recognition in Learning by Design Fall 2019 Issue
Council Rock School District (CRSD)’s Holland Middle School renovation project has been featured in Learning by Design’s Fall 2019 Issue, receiving recognition as an Outstanding Project.
Learning by Design is, “…the premier source for education design and innovation excellence. Published three times each year in April, June and October, this prestigious magazine recognizes the nation’s preeminent architectural firms by publishing outstanding pre-K to 12 and college/university projects.”
The Issue highlights the Holland Middle School project’s renovation and features images of the transformed exterior and interior. Images display it’s dynamic, sustainable features designed to reflect 21st-century learning styles. The renovation project added approximately 44,000 SF to the current building footprint for a total of 184,000 SF.
The Holland Middle School Project has achieved LEED Gold certification.
Learn more about CRSD’s sustainable facility here.