Tag: Philadelphia
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 Facility
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.
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.
School District of Philadelphia – Anne Frank Elementary School, Additions and Renovations
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.
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.
Community College of Philadelphia – Career and Advanced Technology Center, New Facility
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.
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.
Recently, the on-grade concrete slabs were completed on the first floor. This project is scheduled for a February 2022 completion.
School District of Philadelphia – Paul L. Dunbar School, Restoration
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.
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 Construction
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.
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 Facilities
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 Announces Newly Registered Architects
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is pleased to announce that two of our Designers have successfully passed the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) and are now Registered Architects in Pennsylvania.
We would like to congratulate Paige Geldrich, AIA, LEED Green Associate and Jeremy Ross, AIA on becoming the latest registered architects at SG. Both Paige and Jeremy are Pennsylvania State University graduates who have made significant contributions to the firm since joining. They are both experts in Revit Documentation and have proven themselves invaluable to the firm for their expertise in the rendering and visualization of projects. Both Paige and Jeremy are located in the Philadelphia office.
“Our firm takes pride in supporting the evolution of our newly registered architects. Both Paige and Jeremy were summer interns who later became full time members of the team upon graduation. We are pleased to watch their growth and look forward to their continued success and contributions to the firm and to the profession!” said David Schrader, FAIA, LEED AP, Managing Partner of SCHRADERGROUP.
You can view the AIA Philadelphia Chapter’s Member News article here.
Interested in joining the SG team? Check out what opportunities are available for you here.
SCHRADERGROUP Construction Progress – March 2021
2021 has been off to quite a busy start here at SCHRADERGROUP! The team has been working diligently on multiple projects in both the K-12 and Public Safety markets, including Upper Merion Area High School, Chatham County (NC) Emergency Operations Center, Anne Frank Elementary School, Knapp Elementary School, the East Pennsboro Area School District’s Administration Office, and the PennDOT District 6.0 Regional Traffic Management Center and Parking Structure.
With the weather improving recently, construction progress has been speeding up! See below for details on each of these exciting projects.
Upper Merion Area School District – Upper Merion Area High School
This month, the site finally started to dry out. Structural steel is being erected and the site was buzzing with activity!
Chatham County, North Carolina – Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
Early site work has been moving along on this North Carolina EOC project. The pond construction, on-site water, and rough grading over the culvert are all complete while off-site water and road grading remains ongoing.
The School District of Philadelphia – Anne Frank Elementary School
In Philadelphia, construction continues on the Anne Frank Elementary School. The concrete slabs are completed, and the CMU work is coming close behind. Both interior and exterior metal stud work is in progress.
North Penn School District – Knapp Elementary School
Phase 1 of Knapp Elementary School’s renovations and additions is nearly complete! An 8-classroom addition that includes a new bus entry canopy and vestibule will provide the swing space for the remainder of the renovation work. Demolition is set to start for the next phase, which will create a brand new Dining Commons, Large Group Instruction space, and secure entry.
East Pennsboro Area School District (EPASD) – District Administration Office
Up near Harrisburg, the District Administration Office for EPASD is coming along nicely. The exterior steel for the addition is complete and the concrete slab was poured last week. Interior stud work is currently in progress.
Department of General Services – PennDOT District 6.0 Regional Traffic Management Center (RTMC) and Parking Structure
Back in Philly, the PennDOT RTMC building is off and running. The first section of retaining wall footing is being constructed and the grading for the building pad is underway.
The activity at the parking structure is bustling as well. Steel installation at the stair towers is complete and rebar has been installed at the stair landing in preparation for concrete pours. CMU wall installation is underway as well as stud framing, HM door installation, and the sealing of vertical joints.
We are so excited to see these designs finally coming to reality! Thank you to our wonderful consultants and partners, particularly Heim Construction, Bala Consulting Engineers and Alfred Benesch & Company in their great work with PennDOT.
Learn more about these and other exciting SCHRADERGROUP projects here!
Community College of Philadelphia Breaks Ground on New Career and Advanced Technology Center
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) attended the official ceremonial groundbreaking for the Community College of Philadelphia’s new Career and Advanced Technology Center on Wednesday, November 18th. Managing Partner David Schrader represented SG at the event which was also attended by Mayor Jim Kenney and the College’s president, Dr. Donald Generals.
As part of its mission to build a better and brighter future for Philadelphia, the College selected SCHRADERGROUP, in partnership with Lavallee Brensinger Architects, to transform the college’s West Philadelphia Regional Center into a new Career and Advanced Technology Center. The center will provide high-quality academic, career and technical programs for student’s entering the region’s workforce.
The main goal of the project was to create a dynamic, identity-focused center that provides students with programs that concentrate on career readiness and to generate a thriving workforce in Philadelphia’s transportation, manufacturing and healthcare fields.
The new 75,000 SF facility will include state-of-the-art advanced and adaptive technologies for instructional space and study areas as well as laboratory service bays for automobiles, small engine equipment and spaces for diesel technology. Programs offered include transportation and logistics technology training, advanced manufacturing training, entry-level healthcare career training and an innovation hub for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Other notable features of the facility include LEED certification, energy efficient design utilizing copious amounts of natural daylight, green rooftops for students and community members, a second-floor patio and adjoining room for events, and a learning commons and multiple conference rooms for student collaboration.
The facility is scheduled to open in 2022.
SG is honored to work on this exciting project. To learn more, click here.
To learn more about the Community College of Philadelphia, click here.
SCHRADERGROUP Welcomes The New Public Safety Market Segment Leader!
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) Welcomes our new Public Safety Market Segment Leader, Timothy Lisle, AIA.
Mr. Lisle joins the SG team with a history of directing mission-critical practice. His work has included the programming, planning and design of a wide range of public safety facilities for government and corporate clients across the United States. Tim regularly speaks at national conferences and has published multiple columns in mission-critical and law enforcement journals.
Mr. Lisle holds a Bachelor’s degree in both Architecture and Science and is a registered architect in six states. He is an affiliate of the AIA, PSAP Design, NENA, Lower Merion Township Uniform Construction Code Appeals Board and is also a visiting architectural critic at both Drexel University and Temple University.
Mr. Lisle’s expertise, extensive experience and 35 years of practice in this field make him a valuable leader for SG’s public safety design team. Please join us in welcoming Tim Lisle to our Public Safety Leadership.
Interested in joining the SG team? Check out what opportunities are available at SG for you here.
SCHRADERGROUP Mentors Springfield High School Students through the ACE Program
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) volunteered to mentor Springfield School District (SSD)’s Springfield High School students as well as students from other school districts through the Architecture, Construction and Engineering (ACE) Mentor Program of Greater Philadelphia. The ACE Mentor Program is an after-school program structured for students to learn about careers in the construction industry directly from professionals in architecture, construction and engineering.
Jeremy Ross, Associate AIA represented SG and led the session by introducing his role as the project architect of SSD’s new Springfield High School. The students were enthusiastic to learn about their school district’s new 25-acre high school campus which is currently under construction. Jeremy presented an overview of the concept, design development and construction process for the new Springfield High School complex. He then answered questions and explained the relationship between architects, engineers and contractors.
SG is appreciative of the ACE program for providing the SSD Springfield High School students with this unique opportunity to see the new Springfield High School project from the architect’s point-of-view.
Learn more about the new Springfield High School project which is being completed in association with Perkins + Will here.
SCHRADERGROUP Architect Volunteers with Vetri Cooking Lab
SCHRADERGROUP’s Project Architect, Kelly Ryan, AIA, volunteered her time with Vetri Community Partnership (VCP): Vetri Cooking Lab.
Vetri Cooking Lab is an after-school time program that combines cooking, nutrition education and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) core concepts.
This 10-week curriculum-based program engages 4th through 6th–grade students, using recipes to teach important nutrition lessons (like whole vs. processed foods), the importance of breakfast, reading nutrition labels, added sugar, food marketing and more.
Below we asked Kelly why she did the Cooking Lab and what her experience with VCP and the kids she mentored was like.
The kids drew a portrait of Ms. Kelly
SG: How did you find this program?
Kelly: I learned about this program from a neighbor who works for VCP.
SG: Is this your first time volunteering with them?
Kelly: Yes, this was my first semester with VCP, but I plan to continue in the future.
SG: What made you want to do this program? Did you have any programs with mentors or volunteers that inspired you to do this?
Kelly: My architectural thesis centered on creating a network of localized food growers and community education centers to alleviate urban food deserts. At the time of my research, over 2/3 of Americans were overweight or obese and one cause was attributed to limited access to fresh, healthy foods. Programs like Vetri Cooking Lab provide hands on nutrition education and culinary skills to equip children with the knowledge and ability and create healthy habits. I wanted to be a part of VCP’s “Eat. Educate. Empower.” slogan.
SG: What do you think you offered to the kids in the program? Did they offer you anything? (knowledge or experience wise)
Kelly: Outside of teaching them basic kitchen skills, I hope I offered myself as a confident, female role model and an open ear to listen to their daily successes and concerns. It was rewarding to see the kids build their skill sets from class to class, like watching them cut an onion week 1 vs. week 10, and discover the thrill of using an immersion blender. Our Tuesday class was always a Top 10 highlight to my week.
SG: Are there any programs that you are interested in getting involved with in the future?
Kelly: I plan to continue volunteering with Vetri Cooking Lab in the future!
At SCHRADERGROUP, our purpose to give back to the community is our genuine focus in all of our work–inside the office and out.
Read more about VCP and get involved here.