Richmond Heights Invites the Natural World In

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Richmond Heights Invites the Natural World In
Richmond Heights invites the natural world in by opening a new Innovation Station and renovated courtyard at its elementary school. A special Back-to-School event hosted by the school district invited community members, students, and parents to experience learning spaces that feature colorful, organic design elements, including stones, trees, and gardens. Incorporating modern technology with a nature theme promotes student curiosity about the world around them.

Richmond Heights Invites the Natural World In

At a Back-to-School event on August 8, Richmond Heights Local Schools officially opened their new Innovation Station and courtyard renovation at the district’s elementary school. The $1.4 million project features a 2,320 SF renovation that reclaims an unused courtyard, storage room, and underused library, transforming them into an innovative makerspace, meeting area, and outdoor learning courtyard. Phase Two of this project is scheduled to be opened in the Fall of 2024 and includes a new PreK-K Playground, Safety Town, playground for grades 1-6 with a half-size basketball court and butterfly garden.

Drawing on the symbolism of houses, trees, and gardens, the Innovation Station features natural colors, a free-standing custom-built tree, cabinetry that mimics a community of homes, glass with organic plant-shaped screening, and a garden courtyard. Natural light floods interior spaces through glass walls, promoting views of the courtyard.

The natural world is blended with technology and encourages students to explore both worlds in a hands-on way.

"Now we have an area that enables our students to imagine, learn, grow, and explore. I love how this space does just that."
Dr. Marnisha Brown
Superintendent

Richmond Heights Invites the Natural World In

Back-to-School Extravaganza

The Back-to-School event was attended by hundreds of community members, including students, parents, and district staff, along with Superintendent Dr. Marnisha Brown, members of the Board of Education, and city officials. They officially cut the project’s ribbon, opened the community’s new spaces, and encouraged participants to plant vegetables and herbs in the courtyard and visit the Innovation Station and makerspace.

At the ribbon cutting, Dr. Brown reflected on the opportunities for students in the new Innovation Station and courtyard. “I am very excited about the possibilities for our younger students. Our elementary school staff has been working very hard to find innovative ways to engage students. These new spaces do just that.”

The previous courtyard in the elementary school was mostly unused but has now been transformed into an environment that can be used all year. Students can explore gardening, composting, and tending a butterfly garden. These unique spaces are activated by students who can connect with nature in a community located near the city of Cleveland.

"The district didn't want another traditional library full of books. They wanted an innovative space that encouraged creativity. We wanted to bring the outdoors in."
Zora Pavlovic
ThenDesign Architecture

Outdoor Spaces for Outdoor Learning

One Vision. One Mission. One Richmond.

Project Manager Zora Pavlovic used nature as a theme to connect the Innovation Station with the courtyard. “We designed this custom tree element to create a sense of protection, peace, happiness, and friendship. We also created a movable glass wall that allows students to access the courtyard directly from the Innovation Station.”

3D printers, Cricut machines, advanced computers, and a Lego wall are located in the makerspace, while creative and flexible furniture in the Innovation Station simultaneously accommodates up to two classes. “It’s not just about learning through lectures. It’s about creating with your hands, whether with nature or technology,” commented Zora.

For Dr. Brown, this newly renovated space will foster a love of learning and encourage continued community support for the district.

“Our mantra is ‘One Vision. One Mission. One Richmond.’ Richmond Heights is a small community, and we have no choice but to be united. By opening this new space today, it allows for students, parents, and everyone to be a part of it. The community understands that investing in our students and education will only benefit the community in the future—it’s one Richmond Heights.”

Richmond Heights Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

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

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

Gilmour Academy Howley Commons Grand Opening

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

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

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

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

Gilmour Academy Howley Commons Grand Opening

Mindful Generosity for Education

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

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

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

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

The Completed Gilmour Academy Howley Commons

A Celebration with Food and Excitement

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

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

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

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

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

A Lively First Day at the Howley Commons

The Legacy Lives On

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

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

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

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

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

Howley Commons Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

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

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Lutheran West's Building Expansion Grand Opening
Lutheran West's Building Expansion Grand Opening was a celebration of faith filled with hope for a brighter future. Over 500 guests attended the ribbon cutting ceremony and self-guided tours of the new 6-12 grade campus addition. Standing beside the brand-new main entrance, distinguished guests gave opening remarks that welcomed members of the Lutheran West community and revealed the modernized educational spaces that encourage growth and advanced learning opportunities.

Lutheran West's Building Expansion Grand Opening

To develop a holistic academic campus at the Lutheran West facility in Rocky River, the district embarked on an ambitious capital improvement program called “Forward in Faith” to create a facility that enhances the school’s educational offerings. The goal was to build a connected addition to their existing 9-12 school to incorporate grades 6-8 by reorganizing internal spaces and expanding their programming for all students. Featuring an inviting primary entrance, the new two-story, 36,000+ square-foot addition now provides academic, collaborative, and specialized spaces for advanced learning opportunities.

Lutheran West celebrated its Building Expansion Grand Opening on August 4, 2024, with a ribbon cutting ceremony, self-guided tours, and activity stations. Over 500 attendees enjoyed traversing the extended Lutheran West campus, greeted with warm smiles and maps by staff and student volunteers. Families touring the new spaces were invited to extract DNA from strawberries, make audio recordings for playback in the music room, play a fruit keyboard, observe 3D printing in progress, contribute to the prayer mosaic, and test out the state-of-the-art technology in the new video production studio.

Educational Excellence Supported By Donors

As part of the opening comments before the ribbon cutting, Head of School/Principal Joel Bahr welcomed guests, saying, “Lutheran West now prepares and equips students to excel in service, leadership, and learning while our students are living as disciples who are rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. It’s my prayer that you see that this morning as you enter the building. Welcome to Lutheran West.”

“Centers of Excellence” are areas of programmatic expansion brought to life through the Forward in Faith capital campaign. By deepening the student experience, Lutheran West educates and prepares the next generation of Christian thought leaders in growing career fields.

"Without your support, this would not have happened. Thank you to all of our donors, not only for your commitment throughout the years but also for what you've done here."
Chris Keller
Chairman, Lutheran West Operating Board

The Lutheran West addition blends the existing structure and new building through a joined courtyard that includes an outdoor classroom, activated by a learning canopy with overhead heating units and outdoor furniture. The campus expansion includes the multi-purpose Longhorn Room, an open student commons, the Richard W. Linn Biology Lab, the expansive John Katt Music Room, and STEM classrooms for science, 3D printing, and robotics courses. The state-of-the-art video and editing studio also utilizes a full-wall green screen for real-time graphics compositing.

Chairman of the Board at the Cleveland Lutheran High School Association, alumnus Greg Steinberg ‘91, gave opening remarks, “We developed a vision, and the vision has been realized today. We’ve expanded the building. We’ve expanded our academics. And we have the best school on the west side of Cleveland. We have faculty and staff committed to helping children grow academically through extracurriculars and learning about the opportunity to get to know Jesus Christ.”

"This fall, more than 700 students will receive a fantastic education from the dedicated faculty and staff in top-notch facilities here at Lutheran West."
Joel Bahr
Head of School/Principal

Lutheran West's Building Expansion Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting

Expanding Educational Growth Opportunities

With construction performed by The Krill Co., the school expansion relocates the Cleveland Lutheran High School Association offices into the new high school space and introduces additional collaborative areas for students and faculty. Accessibility was greatly improved by incorporating an elevator to the second floor. Having all educational resources for students in grades 6-12 secured under one roof completes Lutheran West’s “campus” atmosphere, leaving the door open for future growth opportunities for the building and students.

Lutheran West Self-Guided Tour & Activities
"May the special space designed for expanding our ministry to the middle school be a testimony that we not only cherish our past, but we seek new ministry for the future."
Reverend Dr. David Buegler
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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The Executive Grille at East Tech High School

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The Executive Grille at East Tech High School
The Cleveland Metropolitan School District chose to convert an empty pool and mostly unused portion of East Technical High School into an elegant French café-style restaurant and cutting-edge teaching kitchen facility. The Executive Grille restaurant is a local favorite and takes center stage for the Cleveland Culinary Arts program that trains students for a successful career in the culinary arts industry.

The Executive Grille at East Tech High School

When the Jane Addams Business Careers Center closed in 2021, its well-respected culinary arts program needed a new home. The Cleveland Metropolitan School District chose East Technical High School’s inactive swimming pool area as an unlikely spot for a $5.6 million state-of-the-art kitchen facility and student-run restaurant.

With creative input from architectural designers and head chefs, the adaptive reuse project transformed the concrete building and vacant pool beside a parking lot into a premiere French café-style restaurant, the Executive Grille, for the Cleveland Culinary Arts program.

As an over twenty-year CMSD veteran, Instructor and Head Chef Michael Szalkowski and graduate Chef Jonathan Gardner provided invaluable insight for designers to create the school’s ideal kitchen facility. ThenDesign Architecture Project Manager Jeff Henderson recalled the tight collaboration with the chefs, “It’s great to work with experts who know exactly what they want. It was tough to satisfy them, but we all came together to create a really cool space.”

Construction Turns a Pool into a Kitchen and Restaurant

A Premiere Culinary Educational Program Finds a New Home

More than a restaurant with industrial-grade mixers and pizza ovens, the elegant 12,000 SF facility features a computer lab, a demonstration kitchen with a live-stream camera system, locker rooms, student and public bathrooms, and a pastry arts kitchen in addition to the full restaurant kitchen. Restaurant guests observe their meals being created through the windows into the preparation area.

The new location for the Cleveland Culinary Arts program is an expansive learning environment that enables collaboration between different educational programs, bringing students from other fields into contact with the student-run business and providing a broad understanding of the culinary field. Cross-disciplinary contributions to the restaurant’s operations showcase talent from across the district, including Robotics, Small Animal Science, Horticulture, and Urban Agriculture.

All of that used to be an unused pool. “The kitchen being built on the site of a pool created its own unique challenges,” Jeff recalled, “I told them I thrive on complicated projects. That’s where the fun is. Finding a solution when the answer isn’t obvious.” Jeff expressed confidence in the space early on, “It checked all the boxes of what you would want, and I knew it would work well even when we were standing in an empty pool.”

Instead of the pool being completely filled in, a structural support system was installed inside the ten-foot hole, and the new floor was poured over it. The ceiling was also raised to make the dining area feel more open and inviting.

Drawing upon input from the school district, the chefs, Panzica Construction, and consultants, the design was finished in November 2021, and construction of the Executive Grille restaurant was completed in December 2022.

Local dignitaries, community members, staff, and students celebrated the ribbon cutting ceremony on February 3, 2023. The joyful event demonstrated the new space’s expansive capabilities and the students’ culinary skills as they prepared meals for invited guests. An honorary booth and plaque commemorated Former Superintendent Eric Gordon’s service in the school district from 2011 to 2023.

The Executive Grille Restaurant and Kitchen Facility Ribbon Cutting

Refining the Design Considerations

As part of the development process, alternatives to the final layout were considered, including a split-level option with the kitchen and restaurant on two separate floors. Months of meetings informed the decision to place the kitchen near the exterior beside the parking lot and have the restaurant deeper inside, which is an inverse of an early concept. New windows were also added to allow more natural light.

The chefs and the district helped to identify the best layout for the space to ensure culinary efficiency.

“In design, there are a lot of ideas that happen,” Jeff said. “95% of them end up on the cutting room floor, and you keep 5%. But you’ve got to go through that 95% to make sure the 5% are right.”

Since its opening, the Executive Grille continues to be a district and local favorite, while the Cleveland Culinary Arts program maintains a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum, preparing students for the challenges of careers in the culinary industry.

The Executive Grille Restaurant in Action
"It was really fun to create a Cadillac of kitchens."
Jeff Henderson, RA
ThenDesign Architecture
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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Cuyahoga Falls Beam Signing Event Unites the Community

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Cuyahoga Falls Beam Signing Event Unites the Community
Uniting families and local community members, the Cuyahoga City School District hosted a beam signing event to commemorate the construction of the new 6-12 campus. Residents from all generations gathered to sign their names on three steel beams that will be installed in the Performing Arts Center.

Cuyahoga Falls Beam Signing Event Unites the Community

The Cuyahoga Falls City School District hosted a beam signing event for the Cuyahoga Falls and Silver Lake communities while constructing their new 6-12 campus. On a misty morning at Bolich Middle School, families spanning generations gathered to make their literal mark on local history.

Three brightly painted beams were placed a few yards from the construction site, staged with chairs and pens, offering residents a chance to write their names or leave a hopeful, future-minded comment. Informational easels displayed design details and samples of interior materials for visitors to preview the look and feel of the new 6-12 campus.

Those in attendance included mayors, city council members, and other community leaders.

"The beam signing is a fun way to keep the community engaged."
Anthony Gomez
Board of Education President

Creating New Memories

The Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education members left their names on the permanent part of the Performing Arts Center. “The Cuyahoga Falls community is heavily invested in this project,” said Board President Anthony Gomez, who commented on the joyful significance of the morning gathering. “Great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, kids, grandkids, and great-grandchildren all graduated from that over 100-year-old high school, so they understand what an investment this is. There is a lot of local history, so people see the importance of this new project and the impact it will have on future generations.”

The beam signing event became a profoundly significant occasion, uniting efforts to honor the construction of the new school in Cuyahoga Falls. As the community gathered, they were not just signing their names but also reconnecting with their past. The event transformed into a heartwarming celebration as long-lost friends embraced after decades and shared cherished memories.

Among those who made a special appearance, ten graduates from the Cuyahoga Falls High School Class of 1974 left written mementos by putting pen to metal. One of the graduates took to social media to share that the beam signing was scheduled on the same weekend as a 50-year reunion planning meeting.

The gathering became a mini-reunion for those who also attended Newberry Elementary School and Bolich Middle School, making the day a testament to the enduring bonds formed in the community. The 1974 alumni came together, sharing laughter and memories, and left an indelible mark on the school.

Cuyahoga Falls Beam Signing is a Family Event

Support Beams Signed and Installed

Grandparents and grandchildren signed side by side, symbolizing the community’s enduring legacy. The beam signing became an entire family experience spanning the generations.

“We had a record turnout of over a thousand people at the groundbreaking ceremony,” Anthony commented. “Everyone is really excited about the process of watching this campus get built. The great turnout this morning proves that.”

On Friday, July 19, Hammond Construction hosted a “Topping Off Ceremony.” In the presence of invited guests, including the Board of Education and representatives of ThenDesign Architecture, one of the signed beams adorned with a traditional evergreen and a flag was hoisted into position in the Performing Arts Center. All three beams were placed permanently underneath the upper seating section, providing figurative and literal support.

The Cuyahoga Falls 6-12 Campus is scheduled to open in January 2026.

Beam Installation Photos Courtesy of Hammond Construction
"Watching families get excited about a beam signing is very rewarding."
Anthony Gomez
Board of Education President
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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Indian Valley Athletic Complex Competes for Excellence

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Indian Valley Athletic Complex Competes for Excellence
The student-athletes of Indian Valley Local Schools used to travel to other facilities for competition finals, but since the Indian Valley Athletic Complex opened, the championship-class stadium has hosted cross country invitationals, track meets, playoff games, and the middle school state qualifiers. The field house serves as a year-round training facility that offers flexible configurations to support all manner of boys' and girls' sports.

Indian Valley Athletic Complex Competes for Excellence

Former elementary school principal Dr. Ira Wentworth had a vision for the Indian Valley Local Schools when he became the superintendent in 2013. The experienced runner sought to enhance the student learning experience while bolstering the local athletics program. Dr. Wentworth understood the importance of a robust athletics facility and how a state-of-the-art stadium with synthetic turf and an eight-lane track could make the Indian Valley Athletic Complex a competitive hotspot supporting students and exciting the local community.

Surrounded by rolling green hills and beside a cornfield in Gnadenhutten, Ohio, the new $7 million 3,000-seat stadium and 17,000 SF field house host large track meets, cross country invitationals, playoff games, and the middle school track and field Inter-Valley Conference championship.

The eight-lane polyurethane track surrounds the pole vault runway in addition to the football field. The Braves’ home stadium also provides for discus throwing, shot putting, the high jump, and the long jump, which can be expanded to accommodate the triple jump.

“You can watch all seventeen track and field events going,” said Superintendent Dr. Ira Wentworth. “It’s amazing to see it now, considering the former home field was near an old mine that created drainage problems. There was standing water in the endzone after it rained. But now, we host championship events. That is very rewarding.”

“We knew sports were really important to the local community,” said ThenDesign Architecture Project Manager Claire Bank, who shared a personal connection to the stadium project, “I’m also very passionate about running, so I understood the district’s desire for a fast competition track.” Design for the project was completed in the fall of 2019, with the first game in August 2020.

The stadium project was built by Beaver Constructors serving as the Construction Manager at Risk.

"I'm a track guy. So, laying out the field event locations at this complex is probably one of the most fun projects of my career."
Dr. Ira Wentworth
Superintendent

Indian Valley Athletic Complex Competes for Excellence

Flexible Spaces Year Round

Indian Valley Local Schools’ mission statement is: “Working together to personalize a rigorous standards-based learning experience.” The district’s principles are innovation, integrity, relationships, teamwork, and tradition. To honor a long-time community servant, a memorial Victory Bell for Indian Valley Board of Education Member “Uncle Larry” Holmes was installed in the D-zone facing the field house.

The field house serves as a year-round, multi-purpose building containing the concessions stand, ticket office, restrooms, weight room, and locker rooms. Movable sports netting maximizes the customization of the primary open area to accommodate inside baseball and softball practices.

In the adjoining space, an operable dividing wall provides further flexibility by opening into a single space or closing to have two. Lockers can be removed and stored in the nearby shed during winter so mats can be placed on the floor for wrestling season.

The same area is used for the girls’ track locker room in the spring. In the fall, it becomes the visiting football team’s locker room, creating a steady rotation of use from season to season.

The Indian Valley Field House Offers Flexible Spaces

A New Bond for a New Stadium

The planning for the Indian Valley Athletic Complex began in 2018 after Dr. Wentworth discovered that a $7 million district levy was scheduled to expire in 2019. He started an informational campaign proposing that a new $7 million bond to help construct the much-needed stadium could go into effect just as the 1995 bond ended. This would time the funding so that residents would not endure any increased financial impact.

“Once I heard the bond that built the new gymnasium at the high school was going to fall off the books, we got to work,” Dr. Wentworth said. “After the community understood their taxes were not going to increase, we received really excellent support.” He added, “It passed about 60% to 40%.”

Before design began, there was an effort to purchase the ideal land to build on, which would have the new athletics facility near Indian Valley High School. The owner of the neighboring manufacturing facility was approached and received the idea warmly, “He told the district he’d sell us whatever we needed,” recalled Dr. Wentworth. “Then, Claire worked her magic and designed a beautiful stadium complex.”

After the stadium opened, the parking lot was paved, a small storage building was built, and the two-bus garage was renovated. Community generosity and partnerships with local businesses have provided additional funding for the complex.

The New Stadium Hosts Championship Competitions

History Becomes Legacy

As part of the design process, a site survey of the 19-acre area was conducted before construction began, and the results were surprising. “There was some excitement,” Claire recalled the buzz this created for the school district. “During the archeological study, they found about 500 artifacts just during Phase One. We knew this was possible given the area, but what they found was pretty cool.”

Archeologists canvased the property, excavated, salvaged, and documented their findings, which included earth oven features, pottery, projectile points, stone tools, and modified flakes. The Columbus Dispatch covered the story on its website, and an informational display with graphics provided by Ohio Valley Archaeology Inc. (OVAI) greets visitors at the stadium’s main entrance. “We put the sign there with some interesting information so visitors could learn about the location’s historical significance,” Claire noted.

The geophysical survey and archaeology excavation processes were included in the construction timeline, and despite the historical findings, there was no scheduling impact on the project. Some of the items discovered are still on display at the school district building and available for instruction in the school’s local history class.

An Archeological Find

Bringing Communities Together

Before the Indian Valley Athletic Complex was built, their high school students had to travel ten miles for track and field practice. Full-field football practices were only available off-site. Now, students can safely and efficiently practice in the new stadium at their own high school.

The high-quality Indian Valley Athletic Complex is a much-desired host for many events. It was chosen as a neutral site for the OHSAA football playoff games and hosted a professional drum and bugle corps complimentary concert for the community. This unique experience allowed the marching band students to learn from experts, gaining an opportunity not possible before the stadium’s construction.

“The new stadium is a source of pride for the entire community, as evidenced by the compliments of our visiting competitors,” Dr. Wentworth said. “Athletics has always been a draw that brings our geographically diverse school district together, but the new complex has taken it to a new level.”

"The stadium has truly become an educational asset for our students."
Dr. Ira Wentworth
Superintendent
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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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Lexington’s New 7-12 Facility Brings Two Schools Under One Roof

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

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

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

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

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

Lexington's New 7-12 Facility

History Looks Forward

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

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

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

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

Visioning and Collaboration

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

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

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

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

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

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

Advancing Lexington's Arts and Athletics Programs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dramatic Centralized Student Dining

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

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

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

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

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

Marc Cebrian

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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The Campus of Wickliffe Receives an Outstanding Project Award

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The Campus of Wickliffe Receives an Outstanding Project Award
The Campus of Wickliffe receives an Outstanding Project Award in the Spring 2024 Educational Facilities Design Awards Showcase by Learning By Design Magazine. The Wickliffe PK-12 Campus was designed to be forward-thinking, an educational facility designed for flexible learning. The Wickliffe design supported the district's goals by providing a flexible educational environment that encouraged learning and mentoring to contribute to the greater good.

The Campus of Wickliffe Receives an Outstanding Project Award

As a dedicated partner to Wickliffe City Schools, ThenDesign Architecture is thrilled to announce that The Campus of Wickliffe has been selected for an Outstanding Project Award by Learning by Design Magazine’s Spring 2024 Educational Facilities Design Awards Showcase. The Campus of Wickliffe has been recognized as a benchmark facility for incorporating next-generation learning space design and planning methodologies.

To view the publication award page, click on this link.

"This is not the work simply of the school staff or administration, but the work of an entire community. This is your work."
Joseph Spiccia
Superintendent, Wickliffe City Schools

The Campus of Wickliffe in Action

An Outstanding Achievement in Design

A jury of American Institute of Architects (AIA) members and education design professionals evaluated submissions nationwide from architectural firms, schools, and universities. The judges determine each project’s worthiness, unique qualities, and the architectural design and planning concepts that were successfully implemented.

The printed publications were recently distributed to over 50,000 subscribers within the education field throughout the United States, and spotlight the efforts of Wickliffe City Schools during this project.

A Journey of Dedication

A Catalyst for Change is Just the Beginning

As part of the “Catalyst for Change” initiative, the 204,000 SF Wickliffe PreK-12 Campus was designed to create flexible learning spaces for the Wickliffe City School District that could adapt to future educational needs. The new campus sits on the former high school site, reorganizes site circulation and reflects a mutual partnership with the community. A 500-seat Performing Arts Center, two full-sized gymnasiums, and a cafeteria are integrated into a main “Community Hub,” accessible for public events.

Career technical and STEM-focused spaces provide opportunities for students to explore a variety of academic and skills-based pursuits. Additionally, a new state-of-the-art stadium was completed adjacent to the school, becoming a new home for the Wickliffe Blue Devils.

The district participated in the Expedited Local Partnership Program (ELPP) through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), and this $60 million project consolidates the aging elementary, middle, and high schools into a single PreK-12 building. In addition, the new facility hosts space for the Family Resource Center. This community center offers free services to many in need.

The new, two-story school officially opened at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year.

"We are excited to see the extraordinary educational opportunities that will be afforded to our students now and into the future."
Carl Marine
President, Board of Education

The Campus of Wickliffe – Designed for Flexible Learning

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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