Design and Construction Plans Unveiled for North Ridgeville City School’s New High School

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Design and Construction Plans Unveiled for North Ridgeville City School’s New High School
In the early autumn, plans were unveiled for the design and construction of North Ridgeville City School's new high school and maintenance transportation facility. The new 340,000 SF 9-12 high school is more than double the size of the existing school and signals a bold new chapter for the district's educational future.

Design and Construction Plans Unveiled for North Ridgeville City School’s New High School

In the early autumn, team members from ThenDesign Architecture, the North Ridgeville City School District, and Hammond Construction unveiled the design and construction plans for the district’s new high school and maintenance transportation facility. The new 340,000 SF 9-12 high school is more than double the size of the existing school and signals a bold new chapter for the district’s educational future.

The new school includes a performing arts center, competition gymnasium, natatorium, and flexible, modern educational spaces for students.

Community Members Attended the Update Meeting in North Ridgeville

Gathering Feedback from Stakeholders

The project incorporates feedback from various groups involved early in the design process. It includes ideas gathered from an educational visioning session, a visual preference community survey, and regular staff engagement meetings. The more than 75 academic spaces will have a collegiate feel by incorporating collaborative and flexible spaces that give students more autonomy. They are designed to foster relationships between students, their peers, and district staff.

Based on feedback the district gathered, they are prioritizing four key aspects of the new school:

    • “Collegiate Environment” – Developing spaces that promote student autonomy, preparing them for life after high school.
    • “Future Thinking” – Develop spaces that are adaptable for future learning opportunities and will still be relevant 20 years from now.
    • “Collaborative” – School designs that encourage student interaction and collaboration.
    • “Relationships” – A school that fosters partnerships with business and community initiatives.

Community Members Attended the Update Meeting in North Ridgeville

Features of the New North Ridgeville High School

In addition to providing a modern educational environment that incorporates daylighting into classrooms and offices, the school also prioritizes sustainability features and environmental controls to regulate temperatures in the building and promote a healthy indoor environment.

Two main entrances separate the functions of the school. One is dedicated to academic entry, while the other event entry provides access to athletic and art spaces.

There is one clear main entrance for visitors throughout the school day. This entry will also serve as the athletic entry after hours for the main gymnasium. A separate, dedicated entrance is designed for the performing arts center. The large spaces that can be open for events after hours are easily separated from the rest of the school.

Just inside the academic entrance is a central dining hub connecting the school’s various areas and creating a large common space for students.

Other notable spaces include a performing arts center that provides the necessary space to support the district’s growing arts program and a competition gymnasium to host large athletic events. Also included is a state-of-the-art natatorium to support the district’s swim team. The inclusion of the swimming pool is a significant feature of the school. It provides training and competition space along with a potential revenue stream for the district through rental opportunities for other swim teams in the area.

Various student groups have also been involved in the new school's design

Timing and Schedule Explained in the Design and Construction Plans

Hammond Construction also provided a timeline for the project, laying out the key construction phases. The project is aligned with current budget and schedule estimates and is planned to be completed by the 2028-2029 school year. Once the new building is complete, the current high school will be demolished, and the area will be transformed into new practice fields.

Community members who attended were very supportive of the plans for the new school. The designs result from hundreds of hours of input from the school district, community, students, and design professionals. The school plans reflect the educational priorities for the district by solving the challenges of overcrowding at the existing school and creating spaces for new educational opportunities for future generations of North Ridgeville students.

View the Presentation from the Design and Construction Meeting for North Ridgeville City School’s New High School

Ryan Caswell

Ryan Caswell

Communications

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Ryan Caswell

Ryan Caswell

Ryan is a communications specialist who is passionate about using digital media to further the goals of organizations and communities in Northeast Ohio. With a background in construction and a degree in architecture, he spent over a decade in corporate video production and brings this mindset to videography, editing, photography and content marketing. He is passionate about supporting the arts, and can be found hiking in the parks system.
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Brunswick City Schools New High School Design Reveal

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New High School Design Reveal Community Meeting
ThenDesign Architecture, Brunswick City Schools, and Hammond Construction held a community focused "Design Reveal" Meeting to provide a vision for the district's new 9-12 high school.

New High School Design Reveal Community Meeting

In early autumn, ThenDesign Architecture, Brunswick City Schools, and Hammond Construction held a “Design Reveal” Community Meeting to lay out the vision for the district’s new 302,000 SF high school and provide an update on progress for the overall project. With many different components as part of the total project, it was an opportunity to present a holistic view of all the accomplished milestones.

Brunswick CSD's Design Reveal Animation

Design Reveal Animation

Additionally, an animated walkthrough of the new school was revealed to provide community members with an inside view of the various planned spaces for the new high school. Narrated by Brunswick High School students Anderson and Addison, they brought the vision to life by providing context for how the new spaces could be used in the school. These students are two of the many voices who have helped shape this project from the start.

Since September 2023, the construction team (Brunswick City School District, the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, ThenDesign Architecture, and Hammond Construction) has transformed ideas and concepts from district staff, administrators, and the community into an extraordinary learning environment that will inspire generations of Brunswick students. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission is partnering with BCSD, funding 39% of the new high school construction.

Community Members Participate in the Meeting

The overall construction project includes:

      • A new two-story 302,000 SF high school with a performing arts center, competition gymnasium, and state-of-the-art classrooms and learning spaces
      • A multipurpose athletic field with synthetic turf, tennis courts, and a full-sized baseball practice field
      • A new maintenance facility and board of education office at the site of the current Willetts Middle School
      • Additional classrooms and site improvements at Applewood and Kidder Elementary schools
      • Demolition of the current Willetts Middle School, Towslee Elementary School, and ultimately, the existing Brunswick High School

Early site work is currently underway on the location of the new high school, and the project is on schedule and within budget. Additionally, new classrooms and site improvements are taking place at the Applewood and Kidder elementary schools while the new maintenance facility and board of education office are progressing.

Site work at Applewood Elementary wraps up this month, and the new maintenance facility breaks ground in the winter.

View the Full Presentation Below

Next Steps in the Process

The input process from district staff, students, and the community helps inform the new school’s overall design. It is reflected in the exterior design, color palette, interior arrangement of space, and the building’s features. These early crucial steps allow for the delivery of a better school that is completed on schedule and within budget and maximizes the learning opportunities for future generations of Brunswick City School students.

This New High School Design Reveal Community Meeting was also covered by Cleveland.com.

Ryan Caswell

Ryan Caswell

Communications

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Ryan Caswell

Ryan Caswell

Ryan is a communications specialist who is passionate about using digital media to further the goals of organizations and communities in Northeast Ohio. With a background in construction and a degree in architecture, he spent over a decade in corporate video production and brings this mindset to videography, editing, photography and content marketing. He is passionate about supporting the arts, and can be found hiking in the parks system.
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Gilmour Academy Howley Commons Grand Opening

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Gilmour Academy Howley Commons Grand Opening
Four years ago, a "think big" conversation with founding members of the Howley Foundation led to the renovation and expansion of the Student Commons at Gilmour Academy. As attendance continued to increase, the school had to host eight lunch periods in two separate campus areas. The new, approximately 16,000 SF Howley Commons now serves the same student body in three lunch periods and provides an inviting, flexible space for food service and social gatherings. The Gilmour Academy Howley Commons Grand Opening and ribbon cutting ceremony officially welcomed the 2024-2025 school year.

Gilmour Academy Howley Commons Grand Opening

Hosting coed and international students from 18 months to 18 years, Gilmour Academy is an accredited independent Catholic school in Gates Mills, Ohio. Founded in 1946 by the Brothers of Holy Cross, “Gilmour empowers students of all faiths to ask tough questions, think critically, and grow spiritually.”

The school’s attendance continued to increase, expanding beyond the capacity of the existing Student Commons to comfortably serve the academy’s population. The growth necessitated eight lunch periods in two different places on campus where students could no longer intermingle or eat alongside their teachers.

The altruistic efforts of the Howley family changed that. The existing building gained an additional 8,800 SF of new space, making the state-of-the-art Howley Commons approximately 16,000 SF.

“Gilmour Academy has a fierce and zealous dedication to educate the minds and hearts of its kids."
Kathleen Kenny
Head of School

Gilmour Academy Howley Commons Grand Opening

Mindful Generosity for Education

Howley Foundation Founder Nick Howley attended the grand opening with his family. “We run a foundation that primarily focuses on giving high-quality educational opportunities to those who can’t afford it,” Nick said, “We look for schools that have very strong credentials and an element of character development. Gilmour is unique in that.”

After already contributing to a student scholarship program, the generosity of the Howley Foundation enabled the building of the Howley Commons at Gilmour Academy. After a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Trustees and the entire Middle and Upper School student body, the Howley Commons officially opened on the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.

“The Commons is at the heart of the hustle and bustle of everyday life at Gilmour,” said Head of School Kathleen Kenny. “It was designed to be multipurpose. We’ll be able to do all kinds of student programming in this space because it is so flexible. We will be able to do Socratic seminars, exhibitions, student presentations, alumni events, and cultural celebrations.”

“We feel very strongly that many younger people who need it the most are the least able to afford it. And that's why we decided to focus on education"
Nick Howley
The Howley Foundation Founder & Chairman

The Completed Gilmour Academy Howley Commons

A Celebration with Food and Excitement

The Howley Commons was buzzing with excitement as students discovered the inviting, flexible space for the first time. The building became a place for social interactions, as students from multiple grades sat with each other and embraced the spirit of community while enjoying a variety of food from stations throughout the building.

Teachers and students shared conversations and laughs in the boisterous first-day environment.

Howley Foundation Founder Lorie Howley noted the significance of a comfortable area to share meals and memories, “We like to get students to sit down to eat and to talk. Food is a common denominator that always gets people together. The Commons is a great hangout space.”

Mike Howley ’01 agreed with his mother’s sentiments. “You’re a Lancer for life. Through this project, I can’t tell you how many Lancer alums have reached out and said how excited they are to see the new Commons. The fact that we’re able to do this is awesome.”

“The new Howley Commons goes beyond being a dining hall. It is a gathering place where students and visitors connect and collaborate. This enhanced space is reminiscent of a small college, giving students a taste of that college feel."
Robert Fiala '71, AIA
ThenDesign Architecture Founding Partner

A Lively First Day at the Howley Commons

The Legacy Lives On

ThenDesign Architecture founding partner Robert Fiala, AIA, is a Gilmour Academy graduate from the class of 1971. “The relationships that you build here last a lifetime. I still regularly see friends that I met 50 years ago.” He noted significant changes to the campus since he was a student.

“When I attended here, the performing arts center used to be in the basement of the old gym. It is good to see the many improvements and expansions Gilmour has done over the years for the benefit of the students,” he said. “Having TDA be a part of this project is especially meaningful for me. It has been a wonderful experience to be working with the school I graduated from.”

Gilmour Academy Chairman of the Board Fred Botek ’85 gave inspirational comments during the ribbon cutting ceremony, “This is a place that brings us together. You can work here, chat here, and break bread here all together. This place is very important for Gilmour as a community, as family, as home.”

With the expanded capacity and programming opportunities Howley Commons affords, generations of students will gain a unique education while forming cherished memories at the social center of Gilmour Academy.

“The mingling of identities, respect, and good citizenship here will foster a greater sense of community."
Kathleen Kenny
Head of School

Howley Commons Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

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Marc has over thirty years of media production experience with a wide variety of storytelling projects that include commercials, documentaries, and live events. He began his career in the feature film and television industry in Los Angeles, California. Naturally driven by a passion for the creative and analytical, he believes that people should be kind to one another, and strives to live by example.
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3D Printing in Architecture

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3D Printing in Architecture
3D printing is a technology with growing benefits and expanding applications in architectural design. Clients can more easily understand spatial relations when seeing a physical miniature. Moving furniture around or changing the angle of elements can be quickly communicated with printed models. 3D printing in architecture is a versatile tool in the design process.

3D Printing in Architecture

“Some architectural drawings can be difficult to read and understand,” commented Archie Liptow, an emerging professional at TDA, “3D printing takes architectural visualization one step further, bridging the gap between designers and clients.”

Embracing the use of flourishing technologies in the design process, TDA explores ways that new tools can be used alongside traditional sketching methods and computer-aided design (CAD) in architecture. One newer tool, 3D printing, has become an essential asset for many challenging visualization problems.

Archie has been experimenting with large and small-scale models. “This opens the door to a higher level of design experimentation. With this new tool, designers can quickly visualize their ideas and iterations before finalizing the design. 3D printing is also a powerful part of the communication process.”

Knowing how important communication is throughout the design phase, this is one more way that concepts can be explored and quickly adjusted based on tactile, real-world feedback.

Archie continued, “Scale models of furniture and building segments are being used with our clients to tie them into the design process by determining their needs early on. When a design is in progress, physical models are the most effective way to visualize and understand a building before construction.”

While not everyone can understand architectural drawings, models are permanent objects that can be easily understood, arranged, and displayed. It is one way our design teams find new solutions to spatial challenges.

3D Printing in Architecture
ThenDesign Architecture Student Shadow Day

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Let’s work together to make education better. If you would like more information on our open positions or internship programs, please visit our Careers page.

Ryan Caswell

Ryan Caswell

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Ryan Caswell

Ryan is a communications specialist who is passionate about using digital media to further the goals of organizations and communities in Northeast Ohio. With a background in construction and a degree in architecture, he spent over a decade in corporate video production and brings this mindset to videography, editing, photography and content marketing. He is passionate about supporting the arts, and can be found hiking in the parks system.
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Lexington’s New 7-12 Facility Brings Two Schools Under One Roof

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Lexington's New 7-12 Facility Brings Two Schools Under One Roof
Lexington Local Schools wanted to consolidate their junior high and high schools into a modern educational facility. Lexington's new 7-12 facility brings two schools under one roof with two academic wings, a performing arts center, three gymnasiums, collaborative media centers, centralized student dining, and an athletics complex.

Lexington's New 7-12 Facility Brings Two Schools Under One Roof

Lexington Local Schools opened their new 7-12 grade educational facility, combining Lexington Junior High and Lexington High School under a single roof. The new $56 million school building opened as scheduled on September 6 for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district and local community began a journey to consolidate and improve their scholastic programs after passing a bond issue in 2018. After extensive educational planning, they started designs for the new 200,000 SF Lexington 7-12 school. The modernized structure hosts grades 7-12 divided into two academic wings, 7-8 and 9-12. This state-of-the-art facility incorporates various student-centered design principles, including open collaborative and flexible spaces, alongside more traditional academic and classroom areas.

Lexington Local Schools’ passion for the arts and sports prioritized the need for a 750-seat performing arts center, three gymnasiums, and an athletics complex that provides academic and extracurricular opportunities for its 1,200 students.

Lexington's New 7-12 Facility

History Looks Forward

With pride in its rich history in education, the Lexington, Ohio, community maintained its aging schools with a series of construction and renovation projects over the decades in an effort to preserve the buildings. The Lexington Junior High School was part of the oldest building in the district, built in the 1890s, with a bulk of it added on in 1930. That construction assimilated the forty-year-old school and became the history department.

The high school was built in the 1960s, and renovations to the junior high school in 1970 were the last significant improvements. The school district has since recognized the need to take action as the infrastructure continued to age. Showing great respect for Lexington’s heritage, relics from the oldest structure were salvaged to incorporate into notable spaces of the new 7-12 school.

During the planning process, the existing high school site was identified as the best location for the new school, requiring the district and design team to plan their spatial plans efficiently. Considering the new construction would be 30 feet away from the existing structure, safety became a paramount consideration. The project became a real-time lesson in architecture for the students to watch from their classroom windows.

Lexington's New 7-12 Facility Under Construction & Completed

Visioning and Collaboration

In November 2018, district voters approved an 8.6-mill bond issue for $55.95 million for construction costs associated with the project. Working with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission through the Expedited Local Partnership Program (ELPP), the district would consolidate its five existing school buildings into two: a 7-12 school and a PreK-6 school. They began design for the 7-12 building first.

With funding secured, design began in earnest with educational visioning in 2019. The Lexington Local School District met with educators, community members, and local leaders to determine their educational priorities for their new facilities. While feedback came from various stakeholders, the district identified that following a “junior high school model” was a key priority.

This model organizes student education around curricular departments such as math, science, and English language arts. This contrasts with a “middle school model” where education is organized around small teams of educators from each core subject. Visioning combined with touring local schools allowed the administrators and designers to craft a layout that would suit the district’s educational needs.

Project Manager Scott Alleman commented, “It’s a traditional community, and they wanted to establish a forward-thinking model for education.” He continues, “They knew they didn’t simply want ‘double-loaded corridors,’ so we worked through various layouts. It became clear what strategies would work best.”

The timing of design completion in December 2022 coincided with the COVID-19 global pandemic. The last two phases, including Design Development (DD) and Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) / Construction Documents (CD), were finished during the early months of the global shutdown and were conducted almost 100% virtually.

Lexington's New 7-12 Facility Visioning Session & School in Use

Advancing Lexington's Arts and Athletics Programs

“The district was adamant that academics were the number one focus,” Scott recalled. “They pride themselves on athletics and the arts.”

In addition to the new 7-12 school building, Lexington Local Schools commissioned a $3 million athletics complex with baseball and softball fields, two practice soccer fields, a concession building, bleachers, press boxes, dugouts, mesh backstops, and scoreboards.

The enhanced ball fields are located at the base of a steep 15′ grade and anchored by a concessions and storage building centered between them, on an axis with the school. Each field features mesh backdrops, beautiful new scoreboards with field backstops, and fencing highlighted in the school’s purple and gold colors.

The ADA-accessible athletics complex offers a streamlined and engaging visitor experience. It is connected to the junior high school parking lot via a stairway and processional ramp, providing breathtaking field views. These “collegiate-level” fields visible from the junior high school’s second floor provide added athletic opportunities to the school’s sports program.

During the educational visioning session, many in the community voiced enthusiastic support for Lexington’s arts and athletics programs. Lexington’s 7-12 school features three expanded gymnasiums: a high school competition gym, an auxiliary gym, and a junior high school gym. The competition gym has a seating capacity of 2,400 and a mezzanine that can be used for wrestling practices and other activities.

The crown jewel of the 7-12 school is the 750-seat performing arts center, which serves as a notable focal point and joins the student dining space. “This is one of the spaces that gets me really excited, especially when you are up on the stage looking out at all those chairs,” Scott said.

Lexington's 7-12 Performing Arts Center & Athletics Facilities

Dramatic Centralized Student Dining

An elongated student dining collaborative joins the northern high school portion to the southern junior high with a flooring material that transitions between the separate academic spaces. A view of the courtyard from this two-story area creates a dramatic visitor entrance.

Up to 400 students per lunch period are supported in this centralized space. It also serves as a lobby for the performing arts center and gymnasiums, allowing the school administrators to program the dining area to support different functions, creating greater flexibility. Lexington 7-12’s student dining was designed to create a logical buffer separating the academic-focused and public areas from each other.

While both academic wings are organized around collaborative spaces with media centers, the high school wing features a two-story open, collaborative space. Math and science are on the second floor, and English, world languages, and social studies are on the first.

Since opening in September 2022, the Lexington 7-12 school has established a modernized educational facility that supports the local community and its students.

Lexington's 7-12 Dining Area & Courtyard
Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

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Marc has over thirty years of media production experience with a wide variety of storytelling projects that include commercials, documentaries, and live events. He began his career in the feature film and television industry in Los Angeles, California. Naturally driven by a passion for the creative and analytical, he believes that people should be kind to one another, and strives to live by example.
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TDA Hosts a Student Shadow Day

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TDA Hosts a Student Shadow Day
During the summer school break, ThenDesign Architecture hosted a Student Shadow Day, inviting high school and college students interested in the design fields to participate in learning sessions and hands-on activities. The group spent the day shadowing TDA teams, engaging with designers who offered insights and career advice.

TDA Hosts a Student Shadow Day

ThenDesign Architecture’s summer Student Shadow Day provided a unique opportunity for local high school and college students interested in the architecture, interior design, and construction administration fields. The staff hosted nearly twenty students, with around one-third of the attendees still in high school and the remainder attending college. For some, it was their first time in an architecture office.

“We were genuinely thrilled about the event and couldn’t wait to share our passion for architecture, interior design, and construction administration with the students,” commented Dr. Christina Moran, the Director of People Operations at TDA. Christina helped organize the event alongside several staff members to create a schedule of interactive discussions and learning sessions to provide valuable insights and experiences to these potential designers.

Students who met with TDA through local career fairs, previously interviewed for a position, or were in association with a partnering school district were among the pool of attendees. Christina said, “Their enthusiasm was palpable, and seeing their eager responses to the invites heightened our excitement for the day.”

After everyone arrived, TDA partner Robert Fiala summarized the firm’s history and gave an overview of what has made the company successful.

“The unique value of Student Shadow Day lies in the opportunity it offers students: a chance to step into an architect's office, witness our work, understand our methods, and be immersed in the culture of design through a hands-on learning experience."
Robert Fiala, AIA
Partner

TDA Hosts a Student Shadow Day

Designing Schools From Inside a School

The students found the building tour particularly interesting because TDA’s offices are located in the renovated Memorial Junior High School in Willoughby, Ohio. This historic school was originally constructed in the 1920s, and many original features, such as the lockers and original doors, are still intact. Christina said, “The students enjoyed that our teams design schools and much of our work is done from inside a former school building.”

A question-and-answer session on architecture, interior design, and construction administration and a one-on-one speed networking activity drew out the energy of the group and allowed them to quickly introduce themselves to each other, emphasizing the importance of building professional relationships with their peers.

The interiors team led an artistic activity where students created their own palette of materials, including fabrics, flooring, paint colors, surfaces, and wall coverings, and presented their choices to the group, fostering a sense of collaboration and creativity.

“TDA is mindful of the surrounding community and those we serve. The Student Shadow Day event is a thread between our work, our mission, and who we are as people."
Dr. Christina Moran

Students Interact with the Design Teams

Imparting Core Values

“The Student Shadow Day aligns with our core values of leadership, teamwork, and creativity,” noted Christina. “Whether they come to work at TDA or not, we hope to inspire the next generation of designers by infusing them with a sense of serving the community. We know they will go on to do great things in the world and feel honored to be a part of their early professional experience.”

By the end of the day, students were engaging boldly, exploring their curiosity, and asking honest questions, which always makes for better conversations.

Reflecting after the event, Christina recalls, “Seeing them leave with a little more confidence, ready to embark on their design career journey, is gratifying. It would be amazing for TDA to be a part of their story.”

“Student Shadow Day is a chance for us to share our story of architecture and design and ignite students’ passion for pursuing this as a career choice."
Robert Fiala, AIA
Partner
ThenDesign Architecture Student Shadow Day

You can find out what our interns say about us here. 

Let’s work together to make education better. If you would like more information on our open positions or internship programs, please visit our Careers page.

Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

Communications

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Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

Marc has over thirty years of media production experience with a wide variety of storytelling projects that include commercials, documentaries, and live events. He began his career in the feature film and television industry in Los Angeles, California. Naturally driven by a passion for the creative and analytical, he believes that people should be kind to one another, and strives to live by example.
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Brunswick CSD’s Community Construction Update

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Brunswick CSD's Community Construction Update
Community members gathered to participate in Brunswick CSD's Community Construction Update Meeting. Residents, students, and educators listened to a presentation by ThenDesign Architecture and Hammond Construction representatives to gain valuable insight into the status of the design and construction timeline for the new high school.

Brunswick CSD's Community Construction Update

On May 1, the Brunswick City School District hosted a highly successful Community Construction Update event, presenting the status of the design progress for the new high school. About 70 people, including students, educators, and local community members, attended the engagement to learn more details about the design and construction project.

Superintendent Jason Niedermeyer, ThenDesign Architecture, and Hammond Construction provided a comprehensive overview of the project’s current goals and accomplishments. They described the development site plan, including the school layout and a brief summary of the construction timeline.

Brunswick CSD's Community Construction Update

The Visual Preference Activity

Attendees were invited and encouraged to participate in a visual preference exercise. Several poster boards, each displaying two different aesthetic designs, were shown. They selected their preferences for the new high school by placing green stickers to designate their choice.

Their opinions about the future school’s exterior are invaluable, as they will shape the design and reflect the sensibilities of the Brunswick community. Continued public involvement is essential. Their feedback empowers them to influence the outcome directly.

Community Members Participate in the Update Meeting

Schematic Design Takes Shape

In an early April Community Construction Update meeting, ThenDesign Architecture presented the preliminary schematic design for the new Brunswick High School. The 302,000 SF school will contain academic space designed for 21st-century education, a 1,000-seat auditorium, and a competition gymnasium that holds 2,000 spectators.

“Tonight, we are really excited to share with you the journey we have been on and the process we have been through to create a building that this community can be proud of,” commented Superintendent Jason Niedermeyer.

The schematic design results from hundreds of hours working with BCSD staff, architects, engineers, and construction professionals. The interior layout is tailored to the district’s operations and how it can suit the needs of Brunswick City School students.

The building has three points of entry: the North, West, and South. Bus traffic will be routed to the west lot, with those students entering there, while visitors and parents can drop off students to the south, while the north lot will be used for students who drive. This lot will also be used as the event entry for the athletic and performance facilities.

The front of the building, which faces Center Road, is a two-story academic wing and is anchored by student services at its center. The compact nature of the structure allows students to travel more easily between classes and shared spaces. They will be taking advantage of this new modern educational environment, which is tailored to the needs of the district and the challenges they will face after high school.

The New Brunswick High School's Site Plans
New Brunswick High School Schematic Designs
Ryan Caswell

Ryan Caswell

Communications

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Ryan Caswell

Ryan is a communications specialist who is passionate about using digital media to further the goals of organizations and communities in Northeast Ohio. With a background in construction and a degree in architecture, he spent over a decade in corporate video production and brings this mindset to videography, editing, photography and content marketing. He is passionate about supporting the arts, and can be found hiking in the parks system.
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Bryden and Hilltop Celebrate Their Groundbreakings

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Bryden and Hilltop Celebrate Their Groundbreakings
The Beachwood community gathered on May 7 to watch groundbreakings for the new Bryden and Hilltop elementary schools. These events marked significant milestones for the construction project. These new elementary schools will offer better facilities for future Beachwood students.

Bryden and Hilltop Celebrate Their Groundbreakings

Beachwood City Schools reached a significant milestone on May 7, 2024. With great pride, students, staff, and community members came together to commemorate the groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Bryden and Hilltop Elementary Schools. This momentous occasion symbolizes the evolution of education as the original schools, built in 1956, will be transformed into state-of-the-art facilities.

Amidst the backdrop of construction equipment and architectural renderings of the future schools, the groundbreaking ceremonies were a testament to the strong community spirit of the Beachwood community. The atmosphere was enlivened by student musical performances, special comments by dignitaries, and a symbolic turning of the soil ceremonies. These underscored the community’s collective effort and shared achievement.

Bryden and Hilltop Celebrate Their Groundbreakings

Two Schools. Two Groundbreaking Ceremonies

Superintendent Dr. Robert Hardis gave opening comments, “All of you deserve a new building with modern classrooms that are safe and secure, energy-efficient, and filled with light and color to inspire our youngest students.”

President of the Board of Education Megan Walsh emphasized the importance of the relationships they will build in the new schools, “[In our elementary schools,] they feel like a welcoming and happy place. They feel like you belong here because you do! I promise that this same feeling will follow you to the new buildings.”

"I'm super excited for our new school. We can bring in more love to our community."
Maya
2nd Grade Student

Bryden and Hilltop Celebrate Their Groundbreakings

School Design with Students in Mind

ThenDesign Architecture Project Manager Ryan Schmit noted the project’s importance, “It takes vision to build a school. It takes the commitment of hundreds of hours from many people, including the Board of Education, administration, teachers, students, parents, city officials, and community members, to achieve such a worthy cause.”

Being a Hilltop alumnus, Beachwood Mayor Justin Berns had a personal connection to the occasion. “A new school signifies a fresh start,” he noted, “A renewed commitment to education, a place to discover new and exciting ways to learn, and a place where you will build friendships that last a lifetime.”

The Beachwood community supported the new schools initiative in May 2023 by approving a 3.95-mill bond issue. Ongoing community involvement is key to the project’s design and construction phases. The schools are being designed by ThenDesign Architecture, with Hammond Construction operating as the Construction Manager At Risk.
"Anybody can build a building. But it takes a strong community to build a school."
Ryan Schmit
Project Manager
Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

Communications

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Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

Marc has over thirty years of media production experience with a wide variety of storytelling projects that include commercials, documentaries, and live events. He began his career in the feature film and television industry in Los Angeles, California. Naturally driven by a passion for the creative and analytical, he believes that people should be kind to one another, and strives to live by example.
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