Fairport Harbor EVSD Campus Walkthrough

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Fairport Harbor EVSD Campus Walkthrough
As part of the architectural design process, an animated walkthrough for Fairport Harbor's new school interior was presented to two high school juniors, Charlie and Hannah. They were the first in the district to see the design renderings and provided their impressions.

Fairport Harbor EVSD Campus Walkthrough

As part of the architectural design process, an animated walkthrough for Fairport Harbor’s new school interior was presented at the August School Board Meeting. The virtual walkthrough included commentary from two high school juniors, Charlie and Hannah.

The new Fairport Harbor Exempted School District’s PreK-12 Campus 116,000 SF building replaces the existing Harding High School, McKinley Elementary and attached Fairport Harbor Public Library. This new modern educational and library environment will be enjoyed by the community and future generations of Fairport Harbor students.

Fairport Harbor EVSD Campus Walkthrough Video Animation

"This new facility will give this community a sense of pride for the next century, just like the previous school gave the community a sense of pride for the last century. It will provide all students with the opportunity to thrive in a 21st century learning environment, be proud of their accomplishments, and their future."
William Billington
Superintendent of Fairport Harbor EVSD

A Virtual Tour

The students were the first in the district to see the design renderings and were recorded by ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) staff to provide their impressions and creative ideas on how to use the modernized spaces. Both were excited for future students who will occupy the new campus.

The video highlighted areas that included the main entrance, the public library and media center, the two gymnasiums, various ELA classrooms, a courtyard, and the two-level student dining and performance space.

Student Recording In Session

Fairport Harbor EVSD Students
Fairport Harbor EVSD Public Library & Media Center
Fairport Harbor EVSD Students
Fairport Harbor EVSD Dining & Performance Space
Fairport Harbor EVSD Students
Fairport Harbor EVSD Dining ELA
Fairport Harbor EVSD Students
Fairport Harbor EVSD Students

Creative Ideas For Future Students

Charlie hoped future students would utilize the expanded public library and media center to host more local community events. Upon seeing the courtyard, Hannah thought it would be an ideal location for dances or provide opportunities for a school garden club.

The presentation to the school board on August 22 was the public unveiling of the renderings. These concepts will continue to be developed as design phases continue. The PreK-12 Campus opens for the 2025-2026 school year.

Fairport Harbor EVSD High School Juniors Charlie and Hannah

Fairport Harbor EVSD Students

Fairport Harbor EVSD Celebrates the Groundbreaking for Their New School

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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Rocky River City Schools Celebrates Their New Media Center

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Rocky River City Schools Celebrates Their New Media Center
On August 15th, 2023 Rocky River City Schools opened the doors to their newly renovated Media Center in the Middle School. This roughly 3,500 sf space features a new modular floor plan with flexible furniture and technology upgrades, it opens officially for the 2023-2024 school year.

Rocky River City Schools - New Media Center

On August 15th, 2023 Rocky River City Schools opened the doors to their newly renovated Media Center in the Middle School. Attended by dozens that included the school administration, school board, members of the Rocky River Education Foundation, local media, teachers and students, all got to experience the space firsthand. This roughly 3,500 sf space features a new modular floor plan with flexible furniture and technology upgrades, it opens officially for the 2023-2024 school year.

It is the result of efforts between the school district, design and construction professionals and furniture designers and manufacturers.

Students can use this as a library, they can get books here, read, listen to media, use the maker space, Lego's, whatever they want to do creatively.
Sam Gifford
Executive Director of Facilities Operations Rocky River City Schools

An Opportunity for Flexible Space

Sam Gifford, Executive Director of Facilities Operations was excited to refresh this space for new, modern purposes. “The library was a state-of-the-art space when it was designed 23 years ago, but it’s just not now. We redeveloped it using a more modular plan, so it can be organized so several classes can be there at once. You can setup the mobile tables anyway you need to better use the great technology. This all happens in a comfortable space with great acoustics. It’s a welcoming environment for our students who want to use the library.”

This new renovation allows the district to use more programming in the library than before.

Brad Gellert with ThenDesign Architecture was the project manager and worked through the plans for the new media center as the project developed. “The district was interested in activating a space that wasn’t used as much as it could be. Now, as the district changes their curriculum and approach over the years, it can respond much more flexibly than before and can be arranged in many different configurations.”
We used school branded colors in the ceiling to tie in the overall aesthetic. Then we pulled in pops of maroon so the new space flowed into the rest of the school.
Nicole Monaco
Interior Designer, ThenDesign Architecture

Furniture and Color Palette

The furniture that was selected replaces older tables and chairs which were difficult to arrange to suit different class needs. Supplied by KI, pieces include rocking style chairs and easily movable tables and seating that can be arranged for small group work. They can be raised and lowered to create tiered workspaces where needed.

Interior finishes of the space was an important aspect for designers.

Nicole Monaco, an interior designer who worked on the project noted, “Some room finishes, like the existing book shelves on the perimeter of the space, we couldn’t remove. So we found textures that incorporated those color schemes and tied into the new reception desk.” School colors played a big part of the color palette. “We used school branded colors in the ceiling to tie in the overall aesthetic. Then we pulled in pops of maroon so the new space flowed into the rest of the school.”

This refresh will better activate a school space. Legos, technology, books and 3D printers all have stations in the space. This media center can also be used as a “makers space,” using digital tools for projects.

As the district changes their curriculum and approach over the years, this space can respond more flexibly than before, and be arranged in many different configurations.
Brad Gellert
Architect, ThenDesign Architecture

Gifford continues, “Students can use it as a library, they can get books here, read, listen to media, use the maker space, the Lego’s whatever they want to do creatively. We are also excited to see different classrooms come and use this bigger space. Multiple classes could come together, perhaps social studies, English, science, all can study together and do cross-curricular teaching.”

The space is completed just as the year is beginning.

“It turned into a very dynamic space, with activity and motion, versus just a library. Now we have dedicated space to really do those things.”

Ryan Caswell

Ryan Caswell

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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.

Willoughby South High School At Union Village: 4 Entities Under 1 Roof

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Willoughby South High School at Union Village: 4 Entities Under 1 Roof
South High School in Willoughby, Ohio, also known as Union Village, incorporates four separate entities into a single building. Jeff Henderson of ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) explains the challenges of creating a structure to host different organizations under one roof, sharing common spaces, yet having each retain their identity.

Willoughby South High School at Union Village: 4 Entities Under 1 Roof

Union Village in Willoughby, Ohio, incorporates four entities into a single building. This includes Willoughby South High School, Willoughby Middle School, the Lake County West End YMCA, and the David E. Anderson Senior Center, which are all now operating under the same unified structure since the $39,000,000 addition and renovation project was completed in September 2019. 

The updated 198,100 SF facility serves 1,700 students (1,200 in grades 9-12 and 500 in grades 6-8), local senior citizens, the community, and YMCA members. Merging these entities into a shared structure maximized the efficient use of space and budget due to three different organizations sharing amenities, a field house that includes gymnasium space, an elevated track, and pool facilities.

Willoughby South High School at Union Village
“This was one of the more complicated projects I have ever worked on. But it was fun.”
Jeff Henderson, RA
ThenDesign Architecture

A Vision of Physical Collaboration

ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) Project Manager Jeff Henderson explained the challenges of planning and constructing such a complex project. 

“The Willoughby-Eastlake City School District knew they wanted to update the middle school and high school, while at the same time, the YMCA and Senior Center were making the same types of plans. Since the high school had been next to the YMCA for about 40 years, [Former] Superintendent Steve Thompson had the idea to approach the YMCA to see if they were interested in collaborating on a new building. He suggested they should work together and share the same spaces rather than duplicate facilities.” 

The concept of collaboration with physical space built momentum with the David E. Anderson Senior Center joining the partnership. Jeff recalled, “Once they all agreed to work together, they came to us and said, ‘This is what we want to do.’ And we thought, ‘Okay, how are we going to do this?’ It was a great idea, but it certainly would have its challenges.”

“The process demanded honest and ongoing communications with the ability to compromise to reach the best solutions.”
Robert Fiala, AIA, NCARB, APA
Mayor of Willoughby

Identifying Mutual Challenges

Three separate collaborators having different sources of funding needed to be timed together. A bond issue funded the construction project for the Willoughby-Eastlake City School District. The YMCA relied on membership fees and donations. The Senior Center was funded through membership fees and the city of Willoughby. 

After the three parties came together and agreed on which areas of the interconnected building they would operate, their needs were relayed to the architecture team. 

“Each wanted their own parking lot, entry, and face of the building so that visitors could clearly identify where they were going. That’s very reasonable,” Jeff said, “but the interesting challenge was having three organizations with separate identities in the same complex and still having a sense of unity. It was a creative problem we were excited to solve. 

“On top of that, some had strict design standards we had to adhere to. The YMCA is a national brand and had to feel like all the others. Willoughby South High School had a sister campus on the north side, and they needed to feel related. Balancing those stipulations to make everyone happy took a lot of time and many discussions.”

Union Village Building Layout Renderings
“The biggest lesson: You can’t have too many meetings with your client.”
Jeff Henderson, RA
ThenDesign Architecture

Sharing the Field House

The biggest functional space of Union Village is the Field House, located in the center of the structure. This shared space connects the high school, the YMCA, and the Senior Center. It contains four full basketball courts and an elevated track. 

Sharing a common area required that each party had direct access to the facilities, which meant they were physically connected to the Field House. “Some problems cannot be solved strictly by architecture,” Jeff pointed out. “Each participant had to take on some responsibility for administration because you can only do so much with design. You didn’t want a high school student accidentally wandering into the Senior Center. The seniors needed to reach the pool but not the other areas of the YMCA. So, there were a lot of conversations about security and safety. It was up to the three different parties to manage that.” 

Union Village Field House, YMCA, and Senior Center

A Renovation, Not a Re-creation

“The high school was a renovation, not an entirely new build,” Jeff commented. “We incorporated some additions to the structure based on the needs of the district but also to give us the room to fully incorporate the principles of student-centered learning into the existing space. The forward-thinking design included collaborative areas and open classrooms, which could be done without tearing all the buildings down and starting over.”

Developed in parallel with its sister school Willoughby North, South High School at Union Village is a 21st-century learning facility that exemplifies the district’s goals of modernizing its curriculum and provides flexible spaces to support student-centered learning.

The two high schools were designed in tandem, with both teams meeting regularly as designs progressed. The Willoughby-Eastlake School District planned to spread the athletic and arts spaces across their high schools. South High School received expanded athletic facilities, while North High School enjoyed a large performing arts and music space. Students can choose which high school they want to attend based on personal interests.

“Due to where the football field was and where the Field House needed to be, we found that the best place to put the new high school was at the back of the old one,” Jeff continued, “but then we have the front door at the back of a building. We had to figure out a way to signal, ‘Hey, I’m back here.’ The answer was found with curves.

“Educational design is no longer about a series of industrial rectangles. The school has curved hallways, curved walls, and other curved spaces. This smooth flow encourages motion. So, for the exterior, we generated geometries that would lead people by peeking around curves that would guide them to the high school entrance. They needed to know, ‘I’m in the right place,’ and we accomplished that.”

Willoughby South High School at Union Village

Bricks Become the Mortar

Jeff explained the unification problem, “The YMCA felt more high-tech with metal siding. The Senior Center wanted to feel comfortable, like a home. Then, you had an education design for the high school. The way to maintain their identities, but still communicate they’re linked together was by using materials.” 

Jeff noted that a common, unifying element across the building exterior was the use of bricks. “They shared a roof, but by adding the same brick layout along the base of the Senior Center, YMCA, and high school, we created a material commonality that pulled the different spaces together. Each organization was not only physically joined, but now visually joined.”

Union Village Unified with Bricks

Willoughby YMCA
David E. Anderson Senior Center
Willoughby Middle School
Willoughby South Middle School
Willoughby South High School
Willoughby South High School
Willoughby South High School
Willoughby South High School

Benefits Beyond Being a Building

Robert Fiala, the founding partner of ThenDesign Architecture and current Mayor of Willoughby, Ohio, was heavily involved in the planning process. He reflected on the intangible benefits of such a facility, “Beyond the unusual collaboration of a public school district, a faith-based non-profit, and the city, the Union Village project offered a unique cross-generational opportunity. Adjacent to a daycare center and both schools, it became a place where seniors, students, and children could interact with each other. The kids benefit from the wisdom and experience of the seniors, and the seniors have companionship and a chance to share their lifelong stories.”

“Three very different entities with different goals, different types of funding, and different aesthetic requirements coming together in the same space doesn’t happen every day. But we did it.”
Jeff Henderson, RA
ThenDesign Architecture

A New Name for a New Era

To honor the previous occupant of the space, Union High School, and acknowledge that three different organizations came together to create what is akin to being a village, the building was given the new name “Union Village.” 

The Union Village Ribbon Cutting Ceremony took place on August 10, 2019. The project was completed a month later. 

Jeff noted how rewarding it was to participate in such an undertaking. “Considering the complexities involved, I think we were successful. We achieved all the goals our clients had and that we had. It was neat to watch people using the spaces as we intended.” 

Robert noted that the measure of accomplishment is how visitors receive it. “Our joint-use project has been applauded by many,” he said. “Other cities and school districts visit the building, talk with our administrators, and see function and that the collaborations succeeded.” 

Union Village continues to provide services for thousands in the Willoughby area each year. 

“We hope it will be viewed as an example of how collaboration can save money, enhance programming, and provide a significant community benefit.”
Robert Fiala, AIA, NCARB, APA
Mayor of Willoughby
Union Village Groundbreaking Ceremony
Union Village Groundbreaking Ceremony
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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New Geauga County Office Building To Serve The Community For Decades

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New Geauga County Office Building To Serve The Community For Decades
The 115,700 SF facility in the geographic center of rural Geauga County consolidated fifteen departments to provide a streamlined experience for residents seeking assistance from various county services. It was designed to blend with Geauga County’s natural surroundings and beauty.

A Product of Wise and Thoughtful Planning

The new Geauga County Office Building is a 115,700 SF facility in the geographic center of rural Geauga County that will serve the community for decades. Designed to house the Board of Commissioner’s offices and consolidate county services into one building, it blends the surrounding landscape with a functional, modern aesthetic while incorporating sustainable features in a timeless nod to Geauga County’s natural resources and beauty.

The three-and-a-half-story building has a partial ground floor in the rear. It is situated on the larger Claridon Township campus, near the sheriff’s office, the University Hospital site, the Geauga County Public Library, and the Geauga Board of Mental Health. The new campus provides valuable resources and brings additional jobs and revenue to the area. 

This project was conceived and budgeted years ago because of wise forethought and thoughtful planning by past and current Geauga County Commissioners. The land for the building was purchased in the 1970s, and the commissioners began saving money to support the new construction. Upholding this vision, the County kept an essential promise to residents that they would fund the project from a capital fund, not a new tax. 

New Geauga County Office Building to Serve the Community for Decades:
“Due to fiscally conservative leadership, past and present commissioners, and all of the elected officials and department heads, this building will serve the residents of Geauga County for many years to come.”
Timothy Lennon
Geauga County Commissioner

Planning and Design

ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) planned and programmed the county building with the commissioners and multiple department stakeholders, representing various aspects of Geauga County and the community they serve.

The new building houses offices for County Commissioners James W. Dvorak, Ralph Spidalieri, and Timothy C. Lennon. The space also includes offices of the Archives and Records Center, Auto Title Office, Board of Elections, Building Department, Community and Economic Development, Department on Aging, Health District, Job and Family Services, Ohio License Services, Planning Commission, Veteran Services, Water Resources, and more.

After many programming and design meetings, the architects archived a timeless aesthetic that responded to the forests surrounding the site. This way, the spaces would reflect the natural beauty of the county and mimic the color scheme of the nearby Geauga County Public Library Administrative Offices.

The New Geauga County Office Building Fly-Through Animation:

Community Benefits

“I can envision this area to be more than just a hospital and some county buildings,” commented Timothy Lennon, one of three Geauga county commissioners. “This can be a destination for residents of Geauga County and beyond, providing not only healthcare and county services but potentially business opportunities, as well.”

Residents are now better served by having a single facility that houses the many agencies that represent them, as opposed to needing to visit each one in their own building. Also, with these agencies under one roof, it is far easier for employees to collaborate.

The county commissioners placed high importance on keeping the community informed throughout the multi-year design and construction process of the new office building. Due to this, Geauga County created a website for community members and taxpayers to stay educated regarding project funding and status.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The Geauga County Office building officially opened its doors with a celebratory Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on June 24, 2022. County Administrator Gerry Morgan gave opening comments and introduced the two attending commissioners. Among those in the audience were representatives of ThenDesign Architecture, NV5, and Donley’s Independence Construction.

"This is truly a humbling and exciting moment to stand before all of you at this incredible facility today. To accomplish a project of this magnitude takes collaboration, foresight, input, and dedication from many stakeholders."
Timothy Lennon
Geauga County Commissioner

Watch the New Geauga County Office Building Ribbon Cutting Ceremony:

"The team that we put together: ThenDesign Architecture, NV5, and Donley’s Independence Construction, to me was a dream team because everything they did was spot-on."
James Dvorak
Geauga County Commissioner

Project Manager Brad Gellert commented, “The design team is thrilled to have been given the opportunity to bring to life the Commissioners’ vision of a new multi-department building with modern, flexible workspaces and an open, inviting environment that serves all Geauga residents.”

Photos of the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on June 24, 2022:

Exterior Aesthetic and Sustainable Features

The exterior boldly exhibits an organic brick pattern, while wood grain metal siding is reminiscent of the neighboring woodland. These exterior design elements better integrate the building into the landscape and preserve the spirit and aesthetic of the valuable wetlands. 

One of the key features of the new office building is its energy efficiency. The building has been designed to be energy efficient and reduce operating costs. To optimize energy savings and reduce solar glare, the narrow building footprint is oriented north to south to conserve energy for heating and cooling while maximizing the amount of daylight that deeply penetrates the building.

Additionally, materials used on the exterior are easy to maintain. LED lighting and sophisticated temperature control systems throughout the building lead to additional cost savings. 

Interior Design Elements

Jennifer Murray, NCIDQ, a Geauga County resident, was the interior designer for the facility. She worked to create a modern, functional environment for Geauga County staff and inviting spaces for Geauga County residents. Working closely with the commissioners, the interiors team developed material finish palettes, furniture packages, and custom signage throughout.

The sizeable two-story lobby includes a custom-designed LED chandelier that provides functional lighting and color, allowing another opportunity to combine the interior environment with the surrounding landscape. 

The main staircase, accessible from the lobby, was designed to encourage pedestrian use through various methods. The perforated metal stair treads allow natural light through them, complementing the large exterior windows. It creates a much more welcoming environment than most simple egress stairways. The interior was finished with ornamental masonry mimicking the exterior brick pattern, giving off a natural feeling and warming the space.

In all the common spaces, three life-sized murals depicting local landmarks further bring the exterior into the space and celebrate Geauga County’s natural beauty.

Photos of the Finished Geauga County Office Building's Interior Details:

A Path to Success

The new Geauga County Office Building is an efficient way to serve the residents of Geauga County by consolidating previously separated services into one building. Consolidating services allows for collaboration between departments, lower facility maintenance costs, and ease of use for visitors. With the project completed on time and within budget during the challenging coronavirus pandemic, the commissioners, staff, and community have a modern facility that will serve the county’s needs for decades to come. 

"A milestone of brick and mortar. This building will be a building of service to the people, and it will show a sense of community, a sense of pride, and it will help produce the Geauga way of life."
James Dvorak
Geauga County Commissioner

Project Design Challenges

  1. The Geauga County Office Building seamlessly integrates into the surrounding landscape and evokes the natural beauty of Geauga County. It maximizes its connection to the outside while employing a variety of sustainability features.
  2. The new facility consolidated fifteen departments under one roof. This provides a streamlined experience for residents seeking assistance from various county services.
  3. Design and construction were conducted during the challenging coronavirus pandemic. Staff accomplished engagements remotely, seeking input and providing updates to residents and stakeholders.
Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

Communications

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Jamie Doganiero

Jamie Doganiero is a seasoned marketing communications specialist with a keen focus on nurturing seamless client experiences while optimizing communication channels. Her dedication to providing exceptional service stems from her sales and customer service background, allowing her to anticipate and exceed expectations. Alongside her husband and two beloved rescue dogs, Jamie cherishes moments exploring the great outdoors and embracing the adventures that life has to offer.
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Kirtland High School’s New Science Room Opens

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Kirtland High School's New Science Room Opens
Now that the new science room has been redesigned, students can efficiently move between traditional classroom activities and lab space without having to leave the space or rearrange the furniture.

Kirtland High School's New Science Room

In early 2023, Kirtland Local Schools opened its new, renovated science room, expanding the learning space from two smaller 600 SF classrooms to a single large one in the high school. This new layout combines the classroom with a laboratory space, effectively doubling the usable environment while also updating furniture and utilities vital to this field of education, including plumbing, gas, and refrigeration.

Construction of the renovation began in July 2022 and was completed shortly after the new year. This project was made possible by the passage of the district’s 2021 capital improvement levy. Of the $4.5 million contract, $340,000 was allocated to improve the lab space.

Kirtland Local Schools partnered with ThenDesign Architecture to provide architectural and interior design services while working with school administrators to update the classroom with six modernized lab areas. Marous Brothers Construction was the construction manager at risk.

“There’s so much flexibility in this space.”
Chad VanArnhem
Superintendent of Kirtland Local Schools

A Flexible Learning Space

Science is fundamental to a student’s education. They learn a vast array of knowledge, from the intricacies of biological life to the movement of the stars in our universe.

As reported by The News-Herald, Superintendent Chad VanArnhem said, “There’s so much flexibility in this space.” This allows teaching staff to better personalize lessons for students. 

Science teacher Alexandra Ardo added, “I’m very much a personalized learning kind of teacher. A bigger open space where we can add in rotations where they can be up in the classroom part while there are students actually doing a lab.”

Newly Renovated Science Room Provides A Modernized Space
“The kids can go from the classroom setting to the lab setting seamlessly.”
Alexandra Ardo
Science Teacher

Redesigned For Comfort And Efficiency

Now that the new science room has been redesigned, students can efficiently move between traditional classroom activities and lab space without having to leave the space or rearrange the furniture. A connected work area now includes ample prep countertops, a cold storage refrigerator, and a dishwasher. The new science room provides a flexible learning space that includes updated technology for teachers to project information to each TV monitor at six adjacent lab stations.

Kirtland High School’s new science room is a comfortable environment that supports experimentation, group projects, and learning.

Ryan Caswell

Ryan Caswell

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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Brecksville-Broadview Heights CSD Opens New Elementary School

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Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District Opens New Elementary School
In early August, the Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District hosted a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of their new PreK-5 Elementary school for the 2022-2023 academic year. Housing over 1,500 students, the new school employs state-of-the-art technology, collaborative learning spaces and enhanced safety and security measures.

Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District - Elementary School Celebration

In early August, the Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District hosted a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of their new PreK-5 Elementary school for the 2022-2023 academic year. Housing over 1,500 students, the new school employs state-of-the-art technology, collaborative learning spaces and enhanced safety and security measures. It replaces Central, Chippewa, Highland and Hilton elementary schools. Due to a partnership between the school district and the city of Brecksville, it features an attached fieldhouse which can be used by the community and students.

Superintendent Joelle Maygar, who has a background in elementary school education, commented, “The intent behind this school was to design a space where kids wanted to come every day. It needed to be kid-friendly, welcoming, and scream elementary school.”

“I think we’ve achieved every goal we set out for with this building.”

“We wanted to provide students as many learning opportunities as possible, many of which can’t be found in more traditional buildings.”
Joelle Maygar
Superintendent of Brecksville-Broadview Heights City Schools

Brecksville-Broadview Heights Elementary School Unique Features

In 2018, the Brecksville-Broadview Heights community passed a 2.2-mill bond issue to build the new school. It consolidated the 4 existing elementary schools into one facility. The new school includes a robotics lab, makerspace with 3D printers, an E-Sports program, multiple playgrounds, a selfie wall, lego wall and Lite Brite station.

“We wanted to provide students as many learning opportunities as possible, many of which can’t be found in more traditional buildings.” Superintendent Maygar also emphasized the safety features in the new building. “We also put a lot of thought into safety and security for this building. Parents can feel very safe when their kids are here.”

Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District students visited the school while it was under construction in 2021.
“The intent behind this school was to design a space where kids wanted to come every day. It needed to be kid-friendly, welcoming, and scream elementary school.”
Joelle Maygar
Superintendent of Brecksville-Broadview Heights City Schools

Construction Process

Construction on the school began in 2020, which was designed by ThenDesign Architecture and built by Shook Construction. Despite challenges posed by Covid-19, including supply chain issues and labor cost increases, the school was completed on time and under budget. Throughout the school’s construction, students visited to learn more about the architecture and construction industries and new features they could look forward to.

Superintendent Maygar is optimistic for the year ahead, “All the students who have visited are really excited to learn here and can’t wait to come.” She continues, “It is also a great facility for community use.”

The separate but connected athletic fieldhouse features 4 indoor basketball courts and a running track. They can be shared by both the school and city for community use. It is a unique feature for a school of this type.

Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District Elementary School Ribbon Cutting on August 1, 2022.

The project has come a long way since the groundbreaking in the middle of 2020.

The ribbon cutting was attended by members of the community, district staff and city officials. After the ceremony, the building was open for general tours of the new spaces. Over a 1,000 people have seen the building through tours and is opening for the 2022-2023 year.

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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Orange City Schools – High School Renovation

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Orange City Schools - High School Renovation
Orange City Schools embarked on an ambitious renovation project to improve the safety, security, and accessibility of their high school, while also dramatically updating their athletic spaces.

Orange City Schools High School Renovation

Orange City Schools embarked on an ambitious renovation project to improve the safety, security, and accessibility of their high school, while also dramatically updating their athletic spaces. Construction for the $3.87-million-dollar project began in early 2022, was designed by ThenDesign Architecture and built by the Albert M. Higley Co. Spread across 15,000 sf, it incorporated a new secure vestibule at the school’s entrance and simultaneously redesigning several athletic spaces, some of which were built in the 1950’s, to create a modern athletic environment for students.

New spaces from the renovation include a professional training room, weightlifting space, a fitness and agility room, a collaboration and media space, and new locker rooms. The high school’s new entrance provides a greater presence at the front of the building and improves student entry and guest access.

“The new front entrance to Orange High School will provide a more secure and efficient entry for students, staff, and community members while giving the building a distinguished appearance,” said Dr. Lynn Campbell, Superintendent of Schools.

“The improvements to the athletic spaces will better serve our student-athletes of today and into the future. The much-needed redesign will modernize these outdated areas and make them more accessible.”

The full renovation project is scheduled to be completed for the 2022-2023 school year.

Renderings of the renovated spaces in Orange High School

Main Entry Professional Training Room Weight Room Agility and Fitness Room Locker Rooms
Rendering of New Entrance
Orange HS Under Construction
"We can look forward to seeing our students benefiting from an enhanced athletic experience, not just in the gym, or for organized sports but for all students to strength train and improve their physical health."
Dr. Lynn Campbell
Superintendent of Orange City Schools

Project History

“Over the last several years, other renovations and repairs took precedence in the high school.” commented Ted Roseberry, director of operations for Orange City Schools, “We replaced roof trusses in the media center, auditorium, commons, and indoor pool while also making significant upgrades to those learning areas to better accommodate students and staff.”

However in 2019 and 2020, after a pause during the Covid-19 pandemic, the District decided to move forward with this project.

Board president, Scott Bilsky remarked, “This project has been discussed for many years. It is our hope these facility upgrades will serve the needs of current and future Orange students for years to come. “

First built in 1924, the original Orange Schools building received renovations and additions over the years which ultimately led to the inclusion of an auditorium, varsity gymnasium, and other athletic areas in the 1950s. When the original building was replaced with the current high school in 1973, those areas were retained. One of the larger spaces being repurposed in this renovation is the girl’s locker room, built in 1957.

“It was like ‘walking back in time’ when you went into these areas of the building,” commented Roseberry. “The old locker room was large with a lot of wasted space, but now we can put all of it to good use.”

By providing a variety of new training spaces, the District hopes to improve the entire athletic experience.

“We will have a more professional environment and a clean, crisp-looking environment for our students, bringing them into the modern age,” said Dr. Campbell. “All team sports have something to gain from the new upgrades. We’ll have better-allocated space for our teams in all seasons. Hundreds of student-athletes will benefit from our facilities.”

The District is spending $3.87 million on the project, which they have been saving for renovations of this sort through the District’s Permanent Improvement fund.

The new secure vestibule at Orange High School showcases the school’s entrance. Since the building is wide, it has been difficult sometimes for visitors to identify the main entrance. The vestibule serves as a focal point for the building and provides a greater presence on the site. It is also easier to control access for students during the morning and evening. A separate guest entrance will be used during the school day for visitor sign-in.

Details of the new entrance, Locker Rooms and Media Room

Orange City Schools
The new entrance at Orange HS
Under the canopy at the Orange HS entrance
A steel detail on the new entrance
Rebar goes into the sidewalks under the new canopy
A renovated locker room
A renovated locker room under construction
Piping running through a locker room
The new media room in Orange HS
A ceiling detail in the Media Room
"This project has been discussed for many years. It is our hope these facility upgrades will serve the needs of current and future Orange students for years to come."
Scott Bilsky
Board of Education President

Athletic Spaces

Students and staff can look forward to a variety of new spaces that will positively affect athletes in all sports.

Professional Training Room – Formerly the old girl’s locker room, the Professional Training Room will house equipment that promotes agility and cardiovascular exercise. It includes private restrooms, a trainer’s office, and clinic space.

Weight Room – The second half of the original girl’s locker room, construction professionals rerouted plumbing from existing showers and roof drains to create the new weight room. The space features clerestory lighting, that creates a clean, open environment, and will house a variety of weight racks and plates for weightlifting and strength training

Agility and Fitness Room – This double-height space, located near the competition gymnasium, features a variety of equipment all focused on improving athletes’ agility. It includes spaces for medicine balls, step ladders, chin-up bars, and weighted ropes. The purpose of the space is to improve athletes’ overall health and flexibility.

Locker Rooms – The school’s locker rooms are also being reprogrammed and refreshed. The new locker rooms will include coaches’ offices, showers, lockers, and small meeting space. Each locker room is adjacent to the competition gym and connected by a door that can be opened to create one space if necessary. It will also include equipment storage and access to the exterior.

Media Room – Created from a second-floor wrestling room, the school’s new Athletic Media Room provides open collaborative space for coaches and athletes and is equipped with technology for game reviews, and space to conduct team building exercises.

Details of the new Fitness and Agility Room, Professional Training Room and Weight Room

The fitness and agility room
A wall detail in the fitness and agility room
The new training room
The new training room
Piping in the new training room
The new weight room under construction
A detail inside the new weight room
Piping in the ceiling of the weight room
Clerestory windows in the new weight room
"I have worked on many school improvement projects during my career, some of which were large projects, but sometimes they were small projects. These smaller improvements make a huge difference, especially when they benefit student security."
Ted Roseberry
Director of Operations

Orange City Schools - High School Renovation - A Better Student Experience

“Overall, the changes we are making to the high school will create a better experience for our visitors and athletes,” comments Dr. Campbell. “We could have made these improvements years ago, but the time wasn’t right. Now, we can look forward to seeing our students benefiting from an enhanced athletic experience, not just in the gym, or for organized sports but for all students to strength train and improve their physical health.”

As for the school’s new entrance, a streamlined secure experience will be welcomed by the administration. Roseberry concludes, “I have worked on many school improvement projects during my career, some of which were large projects, but sometimes they were small projects. These smaller improvements make a huge difference, especially when they benefit student security.”

The District looks forward to putting the new spaces to use in the 2022-2023 school year. They will be open to all students to benefit the whole student body.

To view more information and updated imagery on the construction process, visit the District’s 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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Fairport Harbor EVSD Participates in an Educational Visioning Session

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Fairport Harbor EVSD Members Participate In An Educational Visioning Session
Fairport Harbor EVSD administration members, educators, parents, and students attended an Educational Visioning Session hosted by ThenDesign Architecture.

Fairport Harbor EVSD – Educational Visioning Update

On June 6th, Fairport Harbor EVSD administration members, educators, village services, parents, and students gathered to attend an Educational Visioning Session hosted by ThenDesign Architecture. This all-day session focused on collaboration and brainstorming on designs for their new school, its impact on the community, and how it will improve student’s education in the District.

Superintendent Domenic Paola commented: “Today, we came together with members of the community and stakeholders in this project to begin the process of creating a vision for this school.”

With over 70 in attendance, everyone had a say in the design activities throughout the day. “Collaboration is how we make progress in Fairport Harbor. I often refer to it as the engine that drives us. Everything we have accomplished in the District is a result of it, and with Visioning today, that is definitely the case.”

The new 116,000 sf PreK-12 will be located on the existing Harding High School site. It will replace the two aging buildings in the District and provide a modern educational environment better positioned to accommodate personalized student needs and foster learning and collaboration.

Today, we came together with members of the community and stakeholders in this project to begin the process of creating a vision for this school.
Domenic Paolo
Superintendent of Fairport Harbor EVSD

Fairport Harbor Educational Visioning Process

The day was broken up into various exercises geared towards educating stakeholders on the challenges and successes of existing facilities and drawing out their feedback on design priorities. Attendees experimented with spatial relationships inside the building and attempted to organize the major building sections on the site.

Early in the day, principals from Fairport Harbor, Katie Rumbarger, the Harding High School Principal, and Heidi Elmore, the McKinley Elementary School Principal, covered limitations of the over 100-year-old buildings, then the Superintendent, followed by encouraging attendees to think differently about how different sized spaces can be better used for personalized learning. This stands in contrast to having the same-sized classrooms throughout. Programs such as art, technology, and robotics can all benefit from this.

Fairport Harbor EVSD Visioning Session
Students will have state-of-the-art facilities which will help individual students go farther in their education ... I wish I had those same opportunities with technology and specialized learning. Perhaps I would have gone farther, but now, I am determined to provide that for others."
William Lukshaw
School Board Board Member

Katie commented, “In our school District, we focus on personalized learning. We focus on what every student needs, and I feel like our spaces aren’t now adaptable for that.” Educators are looking forward to having different spaces to tailor their educational approach. “What we are doing in the classroom every day doesn’t fit our environment. So, by going through this process, we can personalize our spaces to fit the needs of our students.”

Scenes from the Fairport Harbor EVSD Visioning Session

Design Activities

Activities throughout the day were designed to build off one another, each informing the next activity in the layout of the new school. This information is invaluable to the architectural design process since it demonstrates the stakeholder priorities on spatial relationships, building massing, and space usage.

Heidi Elmore, Principal of McKinley Elementary, shared, “It was a great first step to get different people’s perspectives. This is a starting point but helpful to hear a variety of ideas and understand what is important to the different groups.”

Attendees were split up into tables of 8 and given the opportunity to organize the interior layout of the school. Using paper cutouts scaled in relation to each other and the new school, the groups discussed how the pieces could be arranged to best suit how they saw the school functioning. They then reported the decision to the group and took questions from designers. This activity was designed to spark conversation about how they saw spaces interacting in their PreK-12 school.

Another activity allowed the groups to arrange that spatial diagram in 3D. Using colored blocks representing the school program’s square footage, they try to fit their building on the site while maintaining the spatial relationships from the earlier activity. This was a challenge for many.

Also attending the meeting was the Village Mayor, chief of police, and fire chief, who provided input on safety and security issues, traffic flow, building a presence in a residential neighborhood, and the importance this project represented to the community.

Building Animation of the new PreK-12 School:

Next Steps After Educational Visioning

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.

Many were optimistic about how this new building would help educators expand their current programs.

Bill Lukshaw, a Board of Education member deeply involved in the process, commented, “When I joined the Board, I wanted to make sure every student had the opportunity for a quality education. This new school building will further this mission.”

For students who are used to buildings over 100 years old, the upgraded environment and new technology will be a welcomed change.

“Students will have state-of-the-art facilities which will help individual students go farther in their education.” Reflecting on his time in school, Bill commented, “I wish I had those same opportunities with technology and specialized learning. Perhaps I would have gone farther, but now, I am determined to provide that for others.”

This summer, architects will begin the schematic design phase. During this phase, initial plans are developed, which can be used for cost estimation.

Later this fall, the team plans to engage with educators to better understand their individual needs for inclusion in the new plans.

View the report from the visioning session to better understand the findings of the group that day. 

Fairport Harbor EVSD Groundbreaking Ceremony

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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