Tag: public school architecture
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.
Springfield School District’s New Springfield High School Project Approaches Completion
Springfield School District’s new Springfield High School is nearing completion. Constructed on the southeast corner of an existing 25-acre campus, the goal of the new high school is to provide the school district with a complex that will serve the community for the next 50 years.
SCHRADERGROUP (SG), in association with Perkins&Will, provided programming, planning, and design services for the new high school complex anticipated to encompass approximately 195,000 SF. The school will immediately serve over 1,200 students and can be expandable to accommodate approximately 1,450.
Keeping in tune with the SG mission of creating next generation learning environments, the new high school will employ an Academy Model to provide offerings in Art, Business, STE(A)M (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), Humanities and Liberal Arts.
Beyond the high school facility, the project includes the design and construction of new site amenities, including athletic fields, parking, and a stadium complex. The project also includes demolition of the existing high school, District Administration Office Space, and all related structures.
The SG team is pleased to partner with SSD on this highly anticipated educational facility. To learn more about Springfield School District, click here.
This project is being completed in association with Perkins&Will. To learn more about Perkins&Will, click here.
To learn more about the New Springfield High School project, click 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.
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.
Learn more about the new Enfield K-2 Early Learning Center project here.
Hatboro-Horsham School District’s New Crooked Billet Elementary School Will Soon be Ready for Students
We are excited to announce that one of our new elementary schools is expected to be completed in early October 2020 and ready for students. Hatboro-Horsham School District’s (HHSD) 110,000 SF Crooked Billet Elementary School is the District’s most recent accomplishment in upgrading its aging facilities and is another symbol of rebirth in the community surrounding it. The new K-5 facility replaced the original 1950s elementary school on the same site and will accommodate a larger population of 600 students.
Important to the district and community was the preservation of the history of the site. The Battle of Crooked Billet landmark proudly displayed in front of the school anchors the primary entrance to the building. Adjacent to the main administration entrance, a two-story rotunda serves as an interactive learning space featuring the history of Crooked Billet. The rotunda is centrally located between the curricular areas for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) program including the STEAM classroom, Media Center, TV Studio and Art classroom. This central core of the building also serves as the transitional area between the public spaces such as the gymnasium and cafeteria, and the academic two-story classroom wing.
The classroom wing showcases an innovative academic layout. Four grade level classrooms are clustered together with each pair of classrooms sharing a small group instruction area. The grade level cluster is directly adjacent to a central large group instruction area where the entire grade level can gather. Each cluster is designed with its own unique color providing grade level identity and wayfinding. Student cubbies are located in the corridors to maximize classroom efficiency.
SCHRADERGROUP is grateful for this opportunity to team with HHSD for the design of Crooked Billet Elementary School. This successful collaborative experience has truly been a team effort resulting in a school that will serve the community for generations.
Learn more about Crooked Billet Elementary School here.
SCHRADERGROUP Attends Upper Merion Area School District’s Groundbreaking Ceremony for their New High School Project
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) attended the Groundbreaking Ceremony marking the beginning of the construction process for the Upper Merion Area School District’s new High School project.
Students, teachers, district administrators, elected officials and community members gathered to celebrate this promising new facility that will provide next-generation learning spaces for the students.
This 345,000 SF facility connects to the existing middle school through the athletic facilities creating a full secondary campus. A full competition gymnasium and competition swimming venue will be the connector to the middle school. A true “student commons” is the heart of the facility, designed as an “all-day” area for multiple activities. The students commons is a two-story atrium space with learning resources on the second level enhancing the research-and project-based components mixed with dining and food-based opportunities. After hours, this space supports pre-and post-activities for the athletic and performing arts complexes. The performing arts complex is a complete 650-seat theater with balcony and all supporting spaces. The UMASD students will have tremendous learning opportunities once this facility is complete.
After a community-engaged master planning process and two successful new elementary school projects, SG is honored to continue our partnership with UMASD on this highly anticipated state-of-the-art facility.
To learn more about the UMASD elementary school projects, click here.
To learn more about the UMASD High School project, click here.
Holland Middle School Recognized for Outstanding Project Category in Learning by Design’s Spring 2020 Issue
Learning by Design’s Spring 2020 Issue recognizes Council Rock School District’s Holland Middle School project as an Outstanding Project. The Spring 2020 issue, released on April 1, features 67 recently completed educational facility design and construction projects.
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 shows the transformed exterior and interior indicating, “what can be achieved with a complete addition and renovation to transform a 1970s middle school into a 21st-century learning environment.” The project added approximately 44,000 SF to the current building footprint for a total of 184,000 SF. The existing building was gutted and completely renovated.
The Holland Middle School Project has achieved LEED Gold certification and it received a Pennsylvania ACE (Alternative and Clean Energy) program grant.
View Learning by Design’s Spring 2020 Digital Issue here.
Learn more about CRSD’s Holland Middle 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.
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.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.
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.
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.