North Ridgeville Visual Preference Exercise

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North Ridgeville Visual Preference Exercise
Hosted at the North Ridgeville Academic Center, teachers, students, and community members participated in a Visual Preference Exercise to help determine the design aesthetics for the exterior of the new North Ridgeville High School. The continued participation of local community members is vital to the success of the design process.

North Ridgeville Visual Preference Exercise

The new North Ridgeville High School project took a significant step forward with a dynamic community engagement on April 10. ThenDesign Architecture hosted the pivotal “Meet the Architect” event at the North Ridgeville Academic Center, drawing a crowd of over seventy residents. This event provided a platform for the community to hear an update on the construction project, meet the design team, and ask questions. Importantly, it also allowed residents to voice their preferences for the school’s exterior, underscoring their role in shaping the project.

Central to the evening was the Visual Preference Exercise, a key tool in the decision-making process. This development technique is designed to gather valuable community input on physical design alternatives, ensuring that the preferences of the North Ridgeville community are considered during the design process.

Important Community Feedback

Several boards were staged with options for attendees to choose which aesthetic style best fits North Ridgeville. By placing green stickers to designate their visual preference, participants informed the design team which side-by-side options were most appealing. They could then add details regarding why they chose this option.

TDA Project Architect Claire Bank values this critical feedback from teachers, students, and residents. The information influences the development of architectural decisions. Working closely with Superintendent Roxann Ramsey-Caserio and the school district, TDA designers will continue to advance the look and feel of the new North Ridgeville High School based on the opinions of the local community.

For updated information on the construction progress, visit the North Ridgeville Construction Project website.

Visual Preference Exercise with North Ridgeville City Schools & TDA

Community Feedback Still Needed

For interested North Ridgeville residents who could not participate in the Visual Preference Exercise, there is still time to voice your opinions by visiting this survey link. Your continued involvement is essential for making the new North Ridgeville High School successful.

Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

Communications

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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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Educational Visioning for North Ridgeville City Schools’ New High School

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North Ridgeville City Schools Conducted Educational Visioning for Their New High School
On February 20th, students, community members, district administrators, city officials, and teachers attended an all-day Educational Visioning Session hosted by ThenDesign Architecture at North Ridgeville’s Academic Center. This session focused on group collaboration as attendees brainstormed how the district's new high school would improve every student’s educational experience for generations to come.

North Ridgeville City Schools - Educational Visioning for the New High School

On February 20th, students, community members, district administrators, city officials, and teachers attended an all-day Educational Visioning Session hosted by ThenDesign Architecture at North Ridgeville’s Academic Center. This session focused on group collaboration as attendees brainstormed how the district’s new high school would improve every student’s educational experience for generations to come.

As the day commenced, Superintendent Roxann Ramsey-Caserio welcomed everyone, “This is a huge representation of the North Ridgeville community, and I am grateful you took the time to be here today.”

Guests participated in activities designed to garner input on the new school. “You will truly help shape the future of North Ridgeville. We are building a new high school, and the ideas you develop today will be the roadmap to make this a reality.”

With over 80 in attendance, everyone had a say in the activities. The new, +300,000 SF, 9-12 high school includes state-of-the-art academic spaces, an auditorium, and enhanced athletic spaces, replacing the existing 1960s high school. This new building enhances student safety and security while accommodating growth in the community and provides a modern educational environment that fosters student learning and collaboration.

Many current North Ridgeville students attended. One student, Angel, felt the school would make a significant impact on his peers, “Students have a voice, and it’s great that we can provide feedback.” He was glad to provide input. “It’s great to have the administration listen. It shows that we are heard. I’m very happy I got this opportunity and could share it with my teachers and friends.”

Divided into small groups, the attendees developed a vision for the high school. They prioritized goals, analyzed learning environments, and explored options for a building layout.

"Hearing from our students was an incredible experience. Their perspective on the needs for their new school was very powerful. The excitement from our students and staff can energize our community as a whole."
Roxann Ramsey-Caserio
Superintendent of North Ridgeville City Schools

Educational Visioning - Imagining Opportunities for the New School

The session was divided into activities throughout the day. Architects then use this broad feedback during the early phases of design and incorporate feedback between groups to establish common goals and needs.

The major activities included:

Each activity built on one another and formed a complete picture of the building project by the end of the day. 

Educational Visioning with North Ridgeville City Schools
"Our vision is to empower our students with the help of their family, our staff, and the community to design their preferred future. Our mission is to educate the whole person, caring for the social and emotional development of every person. Those are the ideas we are building into this new school."
Joseph Mueller
High School Principal

Where Are We Now?

“Our vision is to empower our students with the help of their family, our staff, and the community to design their preferred future,” commented High School Principal Joseph Mueller. “Our mission is to educate the whole person, caring for the social and emotional development of every single student. Those are the ideas we are building into this new school.”

While teachers and staff carry out this mission daily, the current school faces hardships in meeting these goals.

A few of the biggest challenges he referenced were:

Despite the current environment, Principal Mueller is optimistic about the new building.

“One of my mantras is to ‘Get better every day.’ That’s what we expect from each of us, and this is where the ‘rubber meets the road.’ It’s time to design a physical space to help us further those goals and overcome the challenges we face now.”

Educational Visioning with North Ridgeville City Schools:

School planning is firmly rooted in the academic and curricular goals of the district. Spaces in the new school will reflect current teaching practices but allow for adaptability in the future. 

The district plans to use this new building as a catalyst for new educational opportunities for students. 

“What makes a new high school work? That is an incredibly difficult question to answer. What will education look like next year, or in five years, or ten years, or fifty years from now?” commented Assistant Superintendent David Pritt. “The reality is that if our new high school will last as long as our current school, it needs to be relevant 60 years from now.”

Developing the structure isn’t as easy as it seems.

“So we are brainstorming, incorporating feedback, and designing a building that will last for a long time into the future.”

ThenDesign Architecture Project Manager Claire Bank commented, “What I found really impressive was how forward-thinking this community is. They consider this an opportunity to offer more to their students and educators. That is an awesome  place to be at the beginning of a project.”

The design team highlighted recent case studies of how different districts approached flexible spaces in their buildings. 

The “putting it all together” activity highlights priorities from the community. Claire continues, “During the last activity, we see how people lay out adjacencies, and those are relationships we sometimes haven’t even thought about yet and wouldn’t unless we heard it from them.” 

Case Study Examples of School Arrangements

Wickliffe PreK-12
North Royalton High School
Fremont Ross High School
Cuyahoga Falls High School
"Students have a voice. So I think it's very important that the students who are going to be in the school provide their feedback on what they think and help future generations of students."
Angel
High School Student

Understanding Our Learning Environment

Superintendent Ramsey-Caserio added perspective on the decisions the groups were making. “We need to think about learning differently than we are used to. We need our students to be the source of their own learning. A building can provide space for that, but good teaching is good teaching, and we will keep that in mind for all our students.”

Gathering feedback from the students who use the building most was very important to the district.

“Hearing from our students was an incredible experience. Their perspective on the needs for their new school was very powerful. This excitement from our students and staff can energize our entire community.”

Using both digital and written materials, community members prioritized their wishes for components of the new high school.

The top three priorities for this group included:

    1. More options for flexible learning spaces
    2. Better building organization
    3. Enhanced technology

Each individual recorded their thoughts on the crucial components of the building, which will be examined and incorporated as the design progresses.

When Constructing a New High School What Are Your Prioritized List of Considerations?

Vision and Mission
What Does Excellence Mean?

Putting It All Together

The final activity tasked groups with laying out their preferred site plan for the new school. Incorporating the necessary square footage for different interior academic and support spaces, as well as parking and athletics, the groups grappled with the building’s site entry, access, and traffic flow. They then reported their decisions to the whole group, answered questions, and provided insight into the significant discussion points.

Common themes developed across the groups included: 

    • Many groups preferred organizing the school by department rather than grade level.
    • Acoustic barriers for events and sound separated the auditorium and gymnasium.
    • Administrative offices were near the main entrance, with the entry facing west.
    • There is a separate community entrance for events and a clearly defined primary school entry.
    • Separate parking for performing arts and athletic events.
    • The media center connects to the academic wings to serve as additional collaborative space.
    • The use of courtyards separates academic spaces and provides additional daylighting.
    • Student Dining is centralized and near the entrance to the school.

Group developed site plans (Tables 1-10)

Table 1
Table 2
Table 3
Table 4
Table 5
Table 6
Table 7
Table 8
Table 9
Table 10
"What I found impressive was how forward-thinking this community is. They are really considering it an opportunity to offer more to their students and educators. They're not limited to what they're imagining, which is an awesome place to be at the beginning of a project."
Claire Bank
Project Manager

Next Steps

With Educational Visioning complete, the design team is compiling a summary of the day’s activities with an outcome report to be shared with the community. The conclusions of these activities help inform the new school’s design.

Frank Toth, a former city councilman and longtime resident, looks forward to the project’s impact. “The opportunity to weigh in on how this school will function in the community is a great opportunity.”

He looks forward to how this new building will be used.

“There were some great ideas exchanged. It’s going to be wonderful to see how the community embraces these ideas as we move forward with this project.”

Architects will work through the schematic design phase during the spring and summer. During this phase, initial plans are developed, which will be used for initial cost estimation. Currently, the design team is engaging with district staff to better understand their individual needs for inclusion in the new plans.

This event was also covered by Cleveland.com

To see the latest on this project, visit the district’s construction website.

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 Student Commons Renovation

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Gilmour Academy Student Commons Renovation
The Gilmour Academy Student Commons renovation project will bring contemporary amenities and delight to future generations of students. Beyond its primary function of providing meal distribution, the modernized Student Commons building will be a hub of student socializing and collaboration. Its inviting aesthetic and state-of-the-art kitchen will create a pleasant environment for students to enjoy healthful meals that can be savored in the 300-seat dining room or outside on the patio area.

Gilmour Academy Student Commons Renovation

The Gilmour Academy’s mission is “To develop the competence to see and the courage to act in creating a more human and just society.” Focusing on academics, arts, faith, and athletics, the campus is an independent, Catholic, coed day and residential school in Gates Mills, Ohio.

Robert Orovets, RA, helped create the 18,000-square-foot Floyd E. Stefanski Ice Center more than twenty years ago and has worked on over a dozen projects for Gilmour Academy since. As a seasoned professional with ThenDesign Architecture, he is the Project Manager for the ongoing renovation of the Student Commons building. His expertise and dedication are instrumental in supporting the close relationship between Gilmour Academy and TDA.

“Gilmour Academy is a great client to work with,” Robert said. “They get it. They understand the process of developing an idea and transforming it into a budget-friendly plan with renderings and sketches. It’s wonderful to work with people who appreciate good design.”

“They have a clear idea of what they want to provide for their students. It is rewarding to help them develop that vision.”
Robert Orovets, RA
ThenDesign Architecture Project Manager

Gilmour Academy Student Commons Renovation Update – March 2024

Preserving a Cherished Past

Beyond its primary function as an area for student dining, the modernized Student Commons building will be a hub of student socializing and collaboration. Its inviting aesthetic and state-of-the-art kitchen will create a pleasant environment for students to enjoy healthful meals that can be savored in the 300-seat dining room or outside on the patio area.

Out of respect for the original 1970s design, the signature half-octagonal space at the center of the room was intentionally preserved and converted into a half wall, making the intimate space ideal for flexible learning and speaking events. The renovation maintains the previous structure but brings a contemporary refresh to all the services and amenities.

Bob commented on the construction progress and how the space was taking shape, “Now that the cabinets are going in, the scale is coming down, and the room feels much more personal,” he continued, “Instead of being a big, empty room, you can start to see that students belong here.”

Gilmour Academy Student Commons Renovation Update – February 2024

Anticipating a Hopeful Future

Students from all over the world attend Gilmour Academy, housed at the campus dormitory. They will enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the updated Student Commons, which will have more seating and menu options available to relax and recharge than ever before. To accommodate this, the hallway connecting to the existing school will have double-wide doors, making traversal for the over four hundred students more comfortable during high-traffic times.

The space was designed for variety to encourage more fun and meaningful mealtimes. There are opportunities for evening events, club meetings, and other extracurricular student engagements. The Student Commons can be a centralized location for activities and enjoyment at Gilmour Academy.

Significant strides have already been achieved, marking the successful completion of various construction milestones. This progress is a testament to the project’s steady advancement and a reassurance to the Gilmour Academy community that the project is on track and promises a bright future for the Student Commons.

“I am very excited to see the students and staff reaction to the new space. I hope it is not just a place for the kids to eat but to hang out creating memories together.”
Robert Orovets, RA
ThenDesign Architecture Project Manager
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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A Comprehensive Update to the Ohio School Design Manual (OSDM)

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A Comprehensive Update to the Ohio School Design Manual (OSDM)
Throughout 2023, the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) planning team and ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) met with school districts, architects, the career technical community, engineers, and construction managers in Ohio to get their feedback and contributions to the comprehensive update to the Ohio School Design Manual. Specifically, during October 2023, the OFCC hosted a series of in-person and virtual meetings to gather feedback from these stakeholders. Known as the "OSDM Roadshow," a group of planners visited North Ridgeville CSD to give local educators and design professionals a preview of the new manual.

A Comprehensive Update to the Ohio School Design Manual (OSDM)

The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) participates in capital projects undertaken by schools, state agencies, and state-supported higher education institutions. Part of their function is to manage Ohio’s school facility programs, which support the construction and renovation of public K-12 schools, and administer the funding for community-based cultural and sports facilities projects.

Initially created in 1997, the Ohio School Design Manual (OSDM) is a comprehensive set of standard guidelines for the design of school facilities. The OSDM was created to address the need to provide positive learning environments for students, reduce design time, and ensure parity in the design options provided to school districts.

Educational practices and school design have evolved over the past 25 years, requiring a comprehensive update to the OSDM’s content and presentation. The OFCC selected ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) to assist with rebuilding the OSDM to make the technical guidelines for designing new educational facilities easier to use and more accessible for school districts and architects. The process involved rewriting, consolidating, and expanding the material to be converted into a searchable, web-based format alongside refreshed visual materials like 3D renderings, diagrams, and photographs.

Watch the OSDM Roadshow that took place in North Ridgeville, Ohio.

"We are excited. This is the right thing to do."
Bill Prenosil
Former OFCC Senior Planning Manager

A Long-Standing Relationship

Claire Bank, who is a licensed architect (AIA, NCARB), is the TDA Project Manager responsible for coordinating content development for the new manual. She commented, “This was a natural partnership between our firm and the OFCC because we have such a long history of collaborating together.”

TDA is uniquely qualified for the project, having worked on over $3 billion in K-12 projects over the past ten years. Since the vast majority of those projects used the original OSDM as a guide, designers have experienced the benefits and shortcomings of the OSDM. Operating as the largest architectural firm dedicated to K-12 architecture north of Columbus, TDA has worked with over 120 districts in northeast Ohio, and much of that work is done in conjunction with the OFCC.

This long-standing relationship adds to the extensive experience with OFCC programs, such as the Expedited Local Partnership Program (ELPP) and the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program (CFAP). This experience is significant when navigating the design and construction process for school facilities.

The OSDM Roadshow Comes to North Ridgeville

As part of the OSDM unveiling, the OFCC conducted in-person engagements across Ohio to give designers and educators a preview of the changes coming this year. In October 2023, the OSDM Roadshow came to North Ridgeville, Ohio, where the senior planning team presented a preview of the new design manual, answered questions, and solicited input.

Former OFCC Senior Planning Manager Bill Prenosil explained the purpose of the Roadshow, “The OSDM is far enough along that we can provide a preview of what’s in it and how it might be used, but also to get some feedback.” He added, “Some of the content will be a big relief to designers.”

Among the attendees was North Ridgeville City School District Superintendent Roxann Ramsey-Caserio, “The updated OSDM will be a huge benefit to school districts across Ohio. The OFCC has been working hand-in-hand with the school districts and architects to improve the elements contained in the design manual.”

"The OSDM update includes many new tools specifically designed to make it more approachable to school districts."
Claire Bank, AIA
ThenDesign Architecture

An Updated Manual Required an Updated Presentation

OFCC Planning Manager Dean Clouse explained the reason for moving away from a print document format, “The OSDM was previously available only as a PDF document on the OFCC website. We are now moving to a digital format that is itself a website. It will be more interactive, searchable, and accessible. Being web-based allows for future updates to be implemented much easier without the need for continuous addendums.”

Throughout October, the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission participated in several in-person engagements and virtual events, speaking directly with those who would use it. With guidance and support from ThenDesign Architecture staff, the updated Ohio School Design Manual will reflect the changing educational landscape by staying current with standards, practices, and state-of-the-art technologies to further support educational design across Ohio.

To learn more, visit the OFCC website.

"The OSDM update includes many new tools specifically designed to make it more approachable to school districts."
Dean Clouse
OFCC Planning Manager

To learn more about ThenDesign Architecture or our work partnering with the OFCC, feel free to reach out.

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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Geauga County Courthouse Groundbreaking Ceremony

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Geauga County Courthouse Groundbreaking Ceremony
The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the historic Geauga County Courthouse brought together local government officials, members of the Geauga Bar Association, and residents. The current courthouse, built over 150 years ago, is the iconic anchor of downtown Chardon. This crucial update and expansion of the notable landmark will further enhance the presence of Chardon Square.

Geauga County Courthouse Groundbreaking Ceremony

Geauga County celebrated its much-anticipated Groundbreaking Ceremony for the expansion and renovation of the Geauga County Courthouse. On December 12th, local community members and government officials gathered on a brisk afternoon in Chardon Square to recognize this unique occasion.

The three-story, nearly 22,000 sf addition and improvement project will retain the stature and viability of the courthouse to ensure that it continues to provide essential services to the residents of Geauga County.

Those in attendance included Geauga County Commissioner Jim Dvorak, County Administrator Gerry Morgan, Court of Common Pleas Judge Carolyn Paschke, and representatives of ThenDesign Architecture (TDA), NV5, and Infinity Construction.

Opening comments by Commissioner Dvorak set the tone, “I’m from the building trades. After high school, I followed in my dad’s footsteps. I went from building buildings to building relationships.” He added, “This project will incorporate the latest in sustainability, operational excellence, state-of-the-art security, and communication technology. This courthouse will continue to be a lasting treasure.”

A Groundbreaking Ceremony in Chardon Square
“Our courthouse is an icon of Geauga County in the State of Ohio and is devoted to the pursuit of justice.”
Jim Dvorak
Geauga County Commissioner

Gathered In Solidarity

“With this new expansion, Geauga County Common Pleas Courts and associated services will be secure, better serve local citizens, and continue to provide the iconic centerpiece for the county,” remarked Geauga County Administrator Gerry Morgan.

Since becoming incorporated in 1812, Chardon has enjoyed a distinct identity and vibrant history, which is a source of pride for the community. Court of Common Pleas Judge Carolyn Pashcke commented, “I love this beautiful, historic building. It serves as a reminder of our longstanding, rich history of administering justice and legal services here in Geauga County. The project will provide necessary, functional, well-designed space for the courts to continue to serve our community.”

The need to update the courthouse grew as the community expanded and technology evolved. Respect for the traditional was blended with the requirements of advancing modernization.

Geauga County Courthouse Artist Renderings
"The new addition will provide efficient operations and a safe experience that will bring our Geauga County courthouse into the 21st century."
Gerry Morgan
Geauga County Administrator

A Design Respectful of the Local Heritage

Communities can be brought together through good architectural design.

TDA Project Manager Brad Gellert understands that the Geauga County Courthouse is a beloved architectural landmark, and the renovation needed to be approached with a deep respect for its cherished legacy and cultural significance. “Creating a compatible expansion that matched the Italianate Architecture of downtown Chardon was important to the community, and we were determined to honor that.”

He continued, “While meeting the growing operational needs of the courthouse staff, we incorporated more traditional architectural elements into the design to preserve the understanding that this building belongs in Chardon.”

As a helpful communication tool to convey the approved design, a 1/16” = 1’ scale 3D-printed model of the completed building was unveiled at the groundbreaking ceremony. It took TDA Emerging Professional Archie Liptow over 100 hours to print the ten separate building segments and four site pieces.

Geauga County Courthouse 3D-Printed Model

The expanded and renovated Geauga County Courthouse will remain a vital part of Chardon Township’s heritage and will serve the Geauga County community into the next century.

"We look forward to continuing to provide excellent service to the citizens of Geauga County and the legal community and administering justice in this building for years to come."
Judge Carolyn Paschke
Court of Common Pleas
Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

Communications

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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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Understanding the Impact of Quality Athletic Facilities

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Understanding the Impact of Quality Athletic Facilities
For championship-winning Kirtland Local Schools, the athletics program is not just about playing sports but also giving young people a well-rounded student experience that builds character to help them better prepare for future challenges. Understanding the impact of quality athletic facilities helps Kirtland stand apart from its competition.

Understanding the Impact of Quality Athletic Facilities

When the Kirtland Local School District decided to renovate and redesign the Kirtland High School stadium, the intent was to provide a cutting-edge facility that encouraged opportunities for athletic excellence for their students.

The extensive stadium renovation included a safety-tested artificial turf, a polyurethane track surface, a youth play area beyond the endzone, a video scoreboard, LED stadium lighting, an updated electrical system, and improved stormwater management. The stadium layout was also redesigned by moving the visitor stands outside the track, providing adequate space to accommodate soccer games in addition to football.

The completed stadium was officially renamed Wilson Stadium after former alum John Wilson. Kirtland Local Schools partnered with ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) to provide architectural and design services by working with school administrators to update the stadium. Marous Brothers Construction was the construction manager at risk. 

After the ribbon cutting ceremony on August 26, the first home football game commenced.

"It's about having great facilities for our kids to get the most out of their performance."
Chad VanArnhem
Superintendent of Kirtland Local Schools

Sports Is Not Just About Sports

Superintendent Chad VanArnhem conducted research proving the correlation between student involvement in extracurricular activities and higher GPAs. He discovered that being engaged outside the classroom helps student effectiveness inside the classroom. School sports programs exercise students’ bodies and minds, assisting in their personal development on the field and off.

Kirtland LSD Athletics Director Matt Paul commented that students will get more out of the programs than just playing a sport. He sees the value of providing an exceptional athletic facility to encourage participation and community support, “I learned from working with teammates and coaches and about life by playing on the field more than I ever did in a classroom.”

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and First Home Football Game
"With athletics, you learn to be a leader. You can learn to get along and be a family with your peers."
Macquire
Football Player

Better, Quicker, and Safer

The renovation of Wilson Stadium was designed with safety in mind. The main component of the project is the high-grade synthetic turf that enhances athletic performance while providing a more reliable play surface. Even two days of historic rain before the first home game was not a concern.

Lead architect Claire Bank, RA, of ThenDesign Architecture, said that the decision to install synthetic turf gained momentum among staff and students, “There has been a lot of excitement around the new turf because it will expand the time players will be able to use the field.” She continued, “Since the field will be synthetic, it can be used during a broader range of weather conditions without creating unsafe conditions or damaging the surface.”

Both soccer and football players noted the stark difference between the new turf and the former grass field. There is a sense of improved speed and agility. The artificial turf is level and consistent across the field, minimizing the risk of rolled ankles and strained hamstrings due to divots or mud.

Wilson Stadium’s new synthetic turf field provides uniform predictability so that athletes can focus on their gameplay and not worry about injuries.

Aerial Photography Courtesy of Marous Brothers Construction
"When you have great athletes, you want facilities that support their journeys and allow them to thrive."
Claire Bank, RA
ThenDesign Architecture

If You Build It, They Will Play

“Kirtland’s successful athletics program is the pride of the local community,” noted Claire Bank. “Driving through Kirtland on a game night, the stadium comes alive. You can feel the enthusiasm in the community for its students. The stadium is vibrant, projecting that classic high school experience. It was an honor to be a part of its transformation.”

The newly renovated Wilson Stadium creates opportunities for athletes to get the most out of their talents. Achieving personal excellence is now matched with a facility to reflect that quality. Respect, selflessness, and perseverance are only a few of the traits students can be exposed to while participating in extracurricular activities like the athletics program at Kirtland.

Wilson Stadium is a modern athletic facility that all Kirtland High School students and their parents can be proud of.

On December 1, the Kirtland High School Football team won the OHSAA Division VI State Championship with a 15-1 record for the 2023 season.

"I now have a sense of pride to show people what we have."
Matt Paul
Athletic Director of Kirtland Local Schools
Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

Communications

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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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Educational Visioning for Brunswick City Schools New High School

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Brunswick City Schools Conducted Educational Visioning for their New High School
On September 20th, students, parents, community members, faith leaders, city officials, and district staff attended an Educational Visioning Session hosted by ThenDesign Architecture at Brunswick High School. This 4-hour session focused on collaboration and brainstorming designs for the district's new high school.

Brunswick City Schools - Educational Visioning for their New High School

On September 20th, students, parents, community members, faith leaders, city officials, and district staff attended an Educational Visioning Session hosted by ThenDesign Architecture at Brunswick High School. This 4-hour session focused on collaboration and brainstorming designs for the district’s new high school. Ideas were discussed for how it can improve every student’s educational experience.

Superintendent Jason Niedermeyer commented: “Today we came together to talk about our vision for Brunswick students, what it looks like from a 21st-century learning perspective, and how we can create a flexible learning environment for our kids. This involves taking what we currently do and transforming it for the betterment of our students.”

With over 80 in attendance, everyone had a say in the design activities. The new, 301,740 sf, 9-12 high school includes an auditorium and replaces the existing school. It will provide a modern educational environment better positioned to accommodate personalized student needs and foster learning and collaboration.

A current high school senior who attended, Michael Romano, was optimistic about the plans. “Today, we’re having a community meeting with different members of our city and community to get ideas of what different groups want for this new high school that will be built. We shared our inputs and came together for the best solution for everyone.”

In small groups, teams worked to develop a vision for the high school, prioritize goals, analyze learning environments, and explore options for space planning.

“Today we came together to talk about our vision for Brunswick students ... and how we can create a flexible learning environment for our kids. This involves taking what we currently do and transforming it for the betterment of our students."
Jason Niedermeyer
Superintendent of Brunswick City Schools

Educational Visioning - Brainstorming for the New School

The session was divided into activities that presented opportunities for attendees to provide input on the project. Since it is early in the design process, architects use this broad feedback to study the similarities between groups of community members and district staff and establish common goals.

The three major activities conducted were:

  • Where Are We Now? – Learning about the project and examining case studies for different high school configurations.
  • Understanding Our Learning Environment – Group work that defined the priorities for the project, and categorized what spaces best supported their priorities through the lens of the “Journey of a Blue Devil.”
  • Putting it all Together – Based on the information developed in the session, groups laid out their solutions for the new school.

These activities are geared towards gathering input that designers will use for the early design phases.

Brunswick CSD Visioning Session
"The new building is going to be a cornerstone for our entire community."
Kim Goessler
Board of Education Member

Where are we now?

“To know where we are headed as a district, it is important to understand where we are now,” commented High School Principal Keith Merrill. He provided an overview of challenges at the current high school. “We want you to work collaboratively, think critically, and problem solve to come up with learning opportunities that overcome the challenges of our current space and come up with solutions for what students need to be successful.”

A few of the biggest challenges he referenced were:

The overall school length. The existing building is 1/4 mile long and is challenging for students to travel through, often resulting in tardiness due to distance.
The outdated heating and cooling systems do not regulate temperatures in many classrooms.
Science Labs that don’t have adequate space for equipment, outlets for technology, and life skills rooms that don’t support modern programming.
Different-sized classrooms with dark environments, no exterior windows, and columns or structural objects that obscure views in some rooms.

“We can all remember those “special spaces,” from our high school experience, and this new school will contain more “special spaces” for all our students in a few short years,” reiterated Mr. Merrill. “Today, part of this design process is figuring out what those can be.”

Educational Visioning with Brunswick City Schools:

School planning is firmly rooted in the academic and curricular goals of each school district. Spaces should reflect how the district teaches students now but allow for flexibility to adapt in the future.

ThenDesign Architecture Project Manager Scott Alleman commented, “We gauge where the district is with their educational goals and see how the building layout can accommodate those. It is very important for us.”

Scott highlighted two recent case studies for how a more “Traditional Learning Environment” and “Student-Centered Learning Environment” building layouts work and how they can be potentially blended for the Brunswick City School District.

Future activities sometimes highlight priorities from the community. “During the last activity, we see how people lay out adjacencies, and those are things we sometimes haven’t even thought about yet and wouldn’t unless we heard it from them.”

Case Study Schools - Fremont Ross 9-12 High School and Cuyahoga Falls 6-12 School
"I’m excited because I’m going to go to the new school. My friends should be excited because they’re going to go to the school one day, and they’re going to think it’s super awesome."
Avery
Brunswick Middle School 6th Grade Student

Understanding Our Learning Environment

Superintendent Niedermeyer added perspective to the decisions the group was making. “Think about ‘What is our vision for our students,’ what does that look like from a 21st-century learning perspective and deeper learning for our students?”

Designing a school shouldn’t just accommodate current activities but how education can change in the future. He continues, “How can we create flexible learning environments for our kids as we move forward? How can we take what we currently do and transform that for future generations of students?

Using both digital and written materials, community members were able to prioritize their wishes for components of the new high school.

The top three priorities for this group included:

  1. Student-Centered Learning Environments
  2. Technology
  3. Collaborative Space

Each individual recorded their thoughts on the major components of the building, which will be examined and incorporated as the design progresses.

Each group also worked together to decide what type of learning environment best supported the goals of the School District as defined in the “Journey of a Blue Devil”.

Group preferences on priorities for the new high school

Putting it all Together

The final activity tasked groups with laying out their preferred site plan for the new school. Incorporating the necessary square footage for different interior academic and support spaces, as well as parking and athletics, the groups grappled with site entry, access, and traffic flow of the building. They then reported their decisions to the whole group, answered questions, and provided insight into the major discussion points.

Common themes developed across the groups included:

  • Music spaces and the Performing Arts Center were grouped together
  • 6 groups used departmental organization. 4 groups used grade-level organization
  • Groups often paired Math and Science together, with Language Arts and Social Studies paired together
  • Inclusion of parking by baseball fields, away from Center Road.
  • The gymnasium, music spaces, and auditorium were often paired together or adjacent to each other
    • These were often on the north side of the plan toward outdoor athletics.
  • The media center was often placed adjacent to academic core spaces
  • Classrooms and academic programs were usually on the south side of the plan, towards Center Road.
  • The administration spaces were usually centralized in the plan instead of spread throughout the building.
  • Baseball fields were often grouped together in a clover pattern.

Group developed site plans (Tables 1-10)
"You [community members and staff] are essential members of this process, helping us to design what will be the future home of our kids and our community."
Keith Merrill
Brunswick High School Principal

Next Steps

With Educational Visioning complete, the design team is compiling a summary of the day’s activities and outcome report to be viewed by the community. The outcomes of these activities help inform the new school’s design.

In four hours, over 80 members of the Brunswick community came together to brainstorm and express their ideas for the new school. Capturing a variety of perspectives from attendees allows designers to incorporate changes that can benefit students for years to come.

Board of Education Member Kim Goessler was encouraged by what the new high school could mean for the district. “I think this will be a great opportunity for our students to have access to 21st-century learning capabilities…and provide an opportunity to use new technologies and collaborate together. The new building is going to be a cornerstone for our entire community.”

This fall, architects are working through the schematic design phase. During this phase, initial plans are developed, which will be used for initial cost estimation. Currently, the design team is engaging with district staff to better understand their individual needs for inclusion in the new plans.

View the report below from the Educational Visioning Session to see the group’s findings that day.

Download the Full Educational Visioning Report Here
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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Kirtland Local Schools Newly Renovated Wilson Stadium Officially Opens

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Kirtland Local Schools Newly Renovated Wilson Stadium Officially Opens
Despite a major storm and power outages in Northeastern Ohio, the Kirtland Local School District persevered and held a ribbon cutting ceremony that officially inaugurated the newly renovated Kirtland High School athletics stadium. The first home football game at Wilson Stadium brought victory to the Hornets.

Kirtland Local School's Newly Renovated Wilson Stadium Officially Opens

Despite a major storm and power outages in Northeastern Ohio, the Kirtland Local School District persevered and held a ribbon cutting ceremony that officially inaugurated the newly renovated Kirtland High School athletics stadium. The completely remodeled and renamed Wilson Stadium opened as planned at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year.

Kirtland Local Schools partnered with ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) to provide architectural and design services by working with school administrators to update the stadium. Marous Brothers Construction was the construction manager at risk.

With the state-of-the-art stadium featuring a resurfaced polyurethane track, high-quality synthetic turf, efficient LED lighting, a vibrant, cutting-edge digital 14′ by 25′ 15,900-watt scoreboard, and a remodeled press box, the modernized facility will further advance the championship-winning Kirtland High School sports program and become the envy of rival districts throughout the state.

On August 26, Kirtland Local School District Superintendent Chad VanArnhem welcomed guests by playing a special pre-recorded introduction on the brand-new scoreboard, demonstrating the sharp video and crisp sound. “As we stand before this renovated stadium, our anticipation for the future knows no bounds,” he told the crowd. “This exquisite facility is poised to host countless milestones in the years ahead.”

A New Era of Excellence Begins

“Having an amazing new field and stadium will continue the athletic excellence and push forward the academic excellence that Kirtland High School and all of our schools in Lake County are known for,” noted Lake County Commissioner John Plecnik.

Among the attendees to give special comments at the newly renovated Wilson Stadium, Kirtland Schools Athletic Director Matt Paul acknowledged the challenge brought by the recent storm, “I was going to start by saying I was 100% sure we’d never have to move another game now that we have the synthetic turf. And then yesterday happened, and I was in full panic mode. I am so glad…we’re here today.”

“What an exciting evening. I'm so excited for our football team, cheerleaders, and band to be able to showcase this beautiful facility that we have just finished up.”
Chad VanArnhem
Superintendent of Kirtland Local Schools

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Fans Flood the New Wilson Stadium

The celebratory atmosphere of the standing-room-only packed stadium was enhanced by the palpable excitement of the season’s first home football game, which took place after the ribbon cutting.

In true Hornet’s fashion, the football team brought their all onto the playing field before the cheering crowd, and beat their opponents, scoring the first win of the season.

An Evening of Excitement

Playing to Win

The student-athletes who played a game in the new stadium shared their thoughts on the artificial turf and being in a redesigned stadium. “We feel better and quicker,” noted Will, a 12th-grade football player. “It’s a better environment. Everyone is excited about the turf. It’s great.”

Maia is a girls’ soccer team member, “Not only is it awesome to be able to play on a turf field my senior year, but it’s about the true measure of success beyond the scoreboard. It’s about the values we uphold, the friendships we forge, and the lessons we learn on and off the field.”

Thanks to the passing of a levy and the generous contributions from the local Kirtland community, the renovated cutting-edge Wilson Stadium is a versatile facility that will host soccer, football, and track and field competitions for decades to come.

Football Football Football
"I could say I've always been proud to be a Hornet, but I haven't always been proud of our facilities. But now I am. I'm very proud of this stadium."
Matt Paul
Athletic Director of Kirtland Local Schools

Photo Courtesy of Marous Brothers Construction

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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