Perry LSD Hosts Opening Ceremonies for Three Elementary Schools

Perry LSD Hosts Opening Ceremonies for Three Elementary Schools
The community in Perry Township and surrounding areas enjoyed a celebratory milestone as the Perry Local School District officially opened its new elementary schools with three ribbon cutting ceremonies and three open houses on the same day. Watson Elementary, Southway Elementary, and Lohr Elementary students toured the completed educational facilities with their families and local community members. The opening ceremonies for three elementary schools had attendance in the hundreds at each event. Guests were invited to walk the hallways just before the opening of the 2024-2025 school year.

Perry Local School District Hosts Opening Ceremonies for Three Elementary Schools

The Perry Local School District enjoyed a unique occasion as they hosted ribbon cutting ceremonies and open houses for their three new elementary schools on the same day. Construction and the final touches were completed at Watson Elementary, Southway Elementary, and Lohr Elementary to kick off the 2024-2025 school year.

Braving the summer heat, attendance at each event was in the hundreds as parents, students, and community members celebrated the conclusion of the monumental project. After Superintendent Nate Stutz and Board of Education President Doug Brown gave thankful remarks, the traditional ribbon was cut, and the doors were officially opened for the community to tour the schools.

"Beyond the schools being new academic spaces, they represent moving forward as a community and a district."
Nate Stutz
Superintendent

Perry Local Schools Opening Ceremonies for Three Elementary Schools

Respect for the Local Culture

The Perry community approved a bond levy in early 2020 to secure funds to update its educational facilities. This allowed the district to secure additional funds from the state through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), which agreed to provide additional funding for the project.

To best serve the members of their district, the most feasible plan was to fund and build the three schools simultaneously. Though each school is reminiscent of the other, they all have distinct personalities and themes to emulate the local culture. While Southway Elementary features an industry and railroad motif, Watson Elementary has a design concept of the arts, and Lohr Elementary highlights agriculture.

Katherine Mitchell, RA of ThenDesign Architecture, worked on the project and noted how consistent elements throughout each school supported their unique character, “Each theme informed every aspect of the design, from the exterior façade to color palettes and patterns on the floors. We wanted the space to be exciting and inspiring for the students.”

Superintendent Nate Stutz commented on the attention to detail that went into each school, “I was very impressed with the thought that went into the detailed work associated with the theme concepts.”

"Seeing everyone's enjoyment coming to life reminds me why I became an architect: to give back to the community."
Katherine Mitchell, RA
ThenDesign Architecture

Three Open Ceremonies in the Same Day

A Thankful District and an Excited Community

The crowded hallways of each school indicated the community’s passion for their schools. The buildings were filled with smiling faces, warm hugs, and happy children as excited students got to preview their new classrooms. Parents chatted with teachers despite the loud, celebratory atmosphere. By all standards, the three opening ceremonies were a resounding success.

“Our pledge to the community,” noted Superintendent Stutz, “is to continue to provide the absolute best education that we can for the children of this district.”

School Board President Doug Brown is a Perry High School graduate and lifetime resident. He expressed gratitude to the Perry community, “Today doesn’t happen without all of you. On behalf of your school board, thank you for your continued support of our district and our kids. We are and always will be Perry.”

Watson, Southway, and Lohr Elementary students are experiencing new academic opportunities due to the tireless efforts and unwavering support of many in the school district and community. These three new educational facilities will serve the next generations of Perry students.

"Today doesn't happen without the vision to move our district forward."
Doug Brown
President, Board of Education

Three Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies

The day before the open houses inaugurated the three new elementary schools, the Perry Local School District commissioned a special walkthrough granting four students a sneak-peek tour of one of the new state-of-the-art facilities.

Read this article and watch the video to learn what they had to say.

Perry LSD’s Southway Elementary Student Walkthrough

Perry LSD's Southway Elementary Student Walkthrough
Four elementary school students in the Perry Local School District toured the newly completed Southway Elementary School shortly before it opened for the 2024-2025 school year. While staff and teachers were still wrapping up their final preparations for the grand opening, during the Southway Elementary Student Walkthrough, the students visited numerous areas to give their initial impressions of the finished building.

Perry Local School District's Southway Elementary Student Walkthrough

Southway Elementary is one of three new schools opening this year in the Perry Local School District. Sixth graders Cami and Veda, fifth grader Ryder, and third grader Elley were invited to explore the building and react to discovering the new spaces while having fun along the way. As staff and teachers put the final touches on their areas before the grand opening, the students visited areas that included student dining, the media center, the music room, the gymnasium, an art room, and the playground.

"For people who like a lot of colors, it will be good for them."
Elley
Third Grade Student

Perry Local School District's Southway Elementary Student Walkthrough

A School With A Theme

Veda and Elley appreciated the vibrant colors throughout the building and recognized the consistent theme of industry and railroads. Train railroad track patterns line the hallway floors of the interior. Outside, patterns of cross bracings commonly found on bridges and large buildings adorn the red brick walls near the main entrance.

Access to sunlight increases student well-being and is found throughout the school, including the gymnasium. Abundant wood and natural light appealed to Ryder, “A bunch of windows in this school will help kids focus,” he said.

Southway Elementary Design Details

A School With A Theme

The Perry Community approved a bond levy in early 2020 to secure funds to update its educational facilities. This allowed the district to secure additional funds from the state through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), which agreed to provide additional funding for the project.

Cami, Veda, Ryder, and Elley were the first students to traverse Southway Elementary before it opened. They spent the morning walking the hallways, visiting the classrooms, sitting in chairs, and enjoying the playground. Elley summed up the day, “It was a really good experience.”

While Southway Elementary featured an industry and railroad motif, Watson Elementary had a design concept of the arts, and Lohr Elementary focused on the theme of agriculture. All three elementary schools completed construction and opened for the 2024-2025 school year.

"I think they'll like the school because it's super big, and open, and different than other elementaries."
Cami
Sixth Grade Student

Students Tour Southway Elementary

3D Printing in Architecture

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

3D Printing in Architecture

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

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

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

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

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

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

3D Printing in Architecture

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Communications

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Long-Standing Relationship

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

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

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

The OSDM Roadshow Comes to North Ridgeville

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

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

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

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

An Updated Manual Required an Updated Presentation

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

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

To learn more, visit the OFCC website.

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

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

Perry LSD’s Southway Elementary Animation

Perry LSD's Southway Elementary Animation
Created by ThenDesign Architecture artists, the Southway Elementary animation provided the Perry Local School District with a sneak peek of what the new school will look like once it is completed. Two elementary school students gave their impressions of the rendering and shared their initial reactions to the modernized spaces.

Perry Local School District's Southway Elementary Animation

As part of the design development process for the Perry Local School District, ThenDesign Architecture created a fly-through animation of what the completed Southway Elementary School will look like.

Representing their peers, Perry students, fifth-grader Veda and sixth-grader Jordan were shown the virtual walkthrough video to get their initial reactions and share their thoughts on the new school.

"It's very open. Everyone can find the entrance very easily."
Jordan
6th Grade Student

Perry Local School District's Southway Elementary Animation

Three Elementary Schools in Progress

The Perry Community approved a bond levy in early 2020 to secure funds to update its educational facilities. This successful bond passage, which raised $85 million from the community, was a crucial step in the district’s facility projects. It allowed the district to secure additional funds from the state through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), which agreed to provide another $80 million towards the project.

With three elementary schools currently under construction, PJ Lohr, Watson, and Southway, the district has been providing regular updates to keep the community informed of the progress.

Understanding the benefits these new schools will bring to the district will maintain the project’s momentum, which is necessary to provide students with the best educational environment possible.

Southway Elementary Animation Frames

"I like all the colors and how the tables are different shapes and connect together."
Veda
5th Grade Student

Fairport Harbor EVSD Campus Walkthrough

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

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

Wickliffe Students Design Their Own Playground

Wickliffe Students Design Their Own Playground
Who better to have a say about what a playground should look like than the children who will use it? Wickliffe Elementary students participated in a visioning session with ThenDesign Architecture and Wickliffe City Schools to share ideas about how to make “an awesome” playground.

Wickliffe Students Design Their Own Playground

As a continuation of the design of the Wickliffe City School District’s new educational facility, and their “Reimagining Education” initiative, representatives of ThenDesign Architecture, educators from Wickliffe Schools, and students met in early 2021 to engage in a session focused on the layout of the school’s new playground. Dozens of students in grades 3-6 met in the cafeteria of the existing elementary school to discuss the best games and equipment to suit their time at recess. Then, they had the opportunity to build their ideal playground out of toothpicks, crayons, and marshmallows, before submitting it to the design team.

Watch the Playground Engagement

"It’s important we create flexibility for students and teachers so we can help them be successful."
Joseph Spiccia
Superintendent of Wickliffe City Schools

Fun With A Lasting Purpose

Upgrading aging facilities by bringing them to modern educational standards is not isolated to classrooms and collaborative spaces. In some ways, the layout of a playground can have just as much impact on the well-being of children as their indoor academic environment because learning continues through play. 

When involved in public architecture, it’s a designer’s responsibility to listen to their clients, even when those clients are in the third grade. The more the architect understands the needs of the space, the better the design can reflect that. The students know what their favorite activities and equipment on the playground are, so this will inform the potential for fun lasting decades. 

“We want to know what the kids think is working well in their school district, but also what can be improved,” noted Project Manager Claire Bank of ThenDesign Architecture. “Some groups were safety focused. It was neat to see how intuitively thoughtful some of the students are. They give us a young, fresh perspective.” 

The Students Had A Fun Time Creating A Fun Space

“I think this is going to make a big impact for everyone. They’re going to have so much fun at the new playground.”
Billy
Student

Youthful Perspectives

Engaging with third to sixth-grade students brings them into the design process. Their contagious enthusiasm fueled discussions, sparking more ideas. Multiple playgrounds required multiple designs, and the students joyfully met the challenge. 

Architects learn how important it is to express their creativity in their projects. This session became an art project of its own. Marshmallows, toothpicks, and Post-it Notes became essential design tools as students crafted their ideas into physical forms, letting their imaginations soar with possibilities. 

“The kids really enjoyed the marshmallows. The hard part was getting them to work with it without eating them first.”
Jeff Henderson, RA
ThenDesign Architecture

Educational Design With Smiles and Sweets

“I feel like it will be much more flexible for what the kids need now.”
Abby
Student

Incorporating Student Suggestions

Architect Jeff Henderson feels these types of engagement with students are essential so that future generations can benefit from today’s educational design efforts. “It’s good to stretch minds. Having a variety of ideas makes for a better design, and their young perspectives keep the architect’s minds fresh.” 

A zipline was one of the student suggestions from the engagement that made it into the final design. At the beginning of the next school year, the students who came up with the idea will be able to enjoy playing on it in their new playground at their new school campus. 

The new Wickliffe PreK-12 School will have its Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on August 26. 

“We want to know what they want so we can give them the best play spaces we can.”
Claire Bank, RA
ThenDesign Architecture

Rock Fest at Bolich Middle School – Cuyahoga Falls CSD

Rock Fest at Bolich Middle School
The team isn’t just working on drawings and cost estimates for the new building. Scott Alleman, project manager for the new school commented, "While we are working really hard to make deadlines, every once in a while, we take a break from our desks to engage with students during the process."

Bolich Rock Fest

On May 24th, during “Rock Fest” at Bolich Middle School, designers met with two groups of 6th graders to explain the importance of geotechnical borings. Project Manager Scott Alleman for the new Cuyahoga Falls 6-12 school commented, “Understanding the soil makeup and how it supports new buildings is an integral part of the design and construction process.”

The team isn’t just working on drawings and cost estimates for the new building though. “While we are working really hard to make deadlines, every once in a while, we take a break from our desks to engage with students during the process.”

"I am really excited to explain this process to them, I am not a geotechnical engineer, but I think we can make it relatable and fun."
Scott Alleman
Project Manager

Rock Fest and Soil Borings

“Rock Fest” was an event hosted in Bolich Middle school, where educators in the science fields focused on earth science, rocks, and soil for several days towards the end of the school year. The timing tied in well with the design and construction process of the new school.

Recently consultants were conducting soil borings on the new campus site to better understand how the soil on the site will affect construction. If soil can’t support the building, then expensive stabilization methods will need to be used.

“Without the proper soil support, the building could collapse. Having a good foundation, ensures it will stand for a very long time.” Each session ended with groups of students making their own soil sample.

“I am really excited to explain this process to them, I am not a geotechnical engineer, but I think we can make it relatable and fun.”

Students at Bolich Middle School had an opportunity to "model" a soil sample and better understand their project site.

"While we are working really hard to make deadlines, every once in a while, we take a break from our desks to engage with students during the process."
Scott Alleman
Project Manager

After the session, students asked questions about the size, design, and layout of their new school. Questions ranged from the building’s cost, to how they will enter, to whether it will have air conditioning. Students enjoyed proposing new names for the school and are looking forward to seeing further work on the Bolich site this fall.

Scott concludes, “I think it’s important to teach students about everything that goes into their new school. It’s a big change for the District, and these sorts of opportunities make the process more real to them.”

Attending classes were all in 6th grade. They will be the first high school class to use the new building.