Garfield Heights High School Stadium Groundbreaking

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Garfield Heights High School Stadium Groundbreaking
Hundreds of excited students, staff, and community leaders celebrated the Garfield Heights High School stadium groundbreaking ceremony. They acknowledged the generosity of the Cleveland Browns and the Haslam and Johnson families in partnership with the Browns Give Back philanthropic initiative and the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network for providing a new, high-quality synthetic turf field.

Garfield Heights High School Stadium Groundbreaking

On the chilly morning of March 15, the well-attended groundbreaking ceremony for constructing the new Garfield Heights High School stadium commenced with school-spirited fanfare.

Hundreds of excited students, staff, community leaders, and stakeholders celebrated the momentous occasion. They acknowledged the generosity of the Cleveland Browns and the Haslam and Johnson families in partnership with the Browns Give Back philanthropic initiative and the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network. A new, high-quality synthetic turf field was donated to the Garfield Heights City Schools athletics project.

Haslam Sports Group is “a values-driven organization committed to unifying people through sports and entertainment.” The organization aims to foster innovation and diversity of thought, bringing positive change to local communities. The Garfield Heights High School stadium is the fifteenth project to benefit from the community-supporting mission launched in May 2016. It is part of the Browns’ commitment to improving education and supporting high school athletics.

Superintendent Dr. Richard Reynolds gave comments centered on the “together” philosophy of the Garfield Heights City Schools district and acknowledged the gracious partnership with the city and the Cleveland Browns. “Every child, every day, together. We are going to make sure that our children have the finest facility.”

Garfield Heights City Schools partnered with the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network in 2021 to express its commitment to improving the educational experience through active student engagement.

“With this generosity, we can easily see the power of together. This investment will keep Garfield Heights City Schools a gem of this community.”
Dr. Richard Reynolds
Superintendent

Garfield Heights High School Stadium Groundbreaking

Generosity in Action

Designer and Project Manager Scott Clifford for ThenDesign Architecture noted the project’s significance. “Technically, we’ve been working with the school district on this since 2014. It was a great opportunity for them when the Cleveland Browns got involved to help donate the new sports field. That’s when it really took off.”

The track and civil work for the stadium is supported by the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER), established by Congress in 2020. Since the stadium was condemned, the Garfield Heights High School football team has been without a playfield, making the groundbreaking a welcomed relief to offer hope for future students in the athletics program.

Among those in attendance, Haslam Sports Group President JW Johnson expressed his enthusiasm for the project and saw it as a further commitment to improving school morale. “We know the importance of attendance and athletics for students even after they graduate so that good things will come to them. What you do on and off the field is vital. We are excited to get this project going.”

Garfield Heights Mayor Matt Burke offered appreciation for those who made the new stadium dream a reality. “I love that the Cleveland Browns, Jimmy Haslam, and the Johnson family have stepped up to love this city as much as I do.”

“I love this city. I love Garfield Heights.”
Matt Burke
Mayor of Garfield Heights

Photography Courtesy of Shook Construction

Hope of Future Possibilities

“I’m so excited for you guys,” said Cleveland Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski. “I feel your energy this morning. The students, athletes, and members of the band. Something like this takes all of us. I’m so proud to be with you today.”

The planned construction and design of the new stadium leaves room for future amenities such as a concession stand and restrooms. “I hope the community gets excited about the new stadium and continues to develop what is possible in the space,” commented Scott Clifford. “The top-tier synthetic turf field will be a huge initial boost to the high school and the district, but there is an opportunity for Garfield Heights to do much more.”

“Giving back to the community is central to what the Browns are all about.”
Kevin Stefanski
Cleveland Browns Head Coach
Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

Communications

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Educational Visioning - Imagining Opportunities for the New School

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

The major activities included:

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

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

Where Are We Now?

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

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

A few of the biggest challenges he referenced were:

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

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

Educational Visioning with North Ridgeville City Schools:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Case Study Examples of School Arrangements

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

Understanding Our Learning Environment

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

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

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

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

The top three priorities for this group included:

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

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

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

Vision and Mission
What Does Excellence Mean?

Putting It All Together

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

Common themes developed across the groups included: 

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

Group developed site plans (Tables 1-10)

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

Next Steps

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

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

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

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

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

This event was also covered by Cleveland.com

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

Ryan Caswell

Ryan Caswell

Communications

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Ryan Caswell

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

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

Gilmour Academy Student Commons Renovation

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

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

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

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

Gilmour Academy Student Commons Renovation Update – March 2024

Preserving a Cherished Past

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

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

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

Gilmour Academy Student Commons Renovation Update – February 2024

Anticipating a Hopeful Future

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

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

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

“I am very excited to see the students and staff reaction to the new space. I hope it is not just a place for the kids to eat but to hang out creating memories together.”
Robert Orovets, RA
ThenDesign Architecture Project Manager
Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

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Marc has over thirty years of media production experience with a wide variety of storytelling projects that include commercials, documentaries, and live events. He began his career in the feature film and television industry in Los Angeles, California. Naturally driven by a passion for the creative and analytical, he believes that people should be kind to one another, and strives to live by example.
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Cuyahoga Falls 6-12 Campus Winter Construction Update

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Cuyahoga Falls 6-12 Campus Winter Update
Substantial progress has been made in the construction of the Cuyahoga Falls City School District's new 6-12 campus since the groundbreaking ceremony in September 2022. The winter months proved to be very productive, with the project remaining on schedule and on budget.

Cuyahoga Falls 6-12 Campus Winter Update

The early site package for the Cuyahoga Falls City Schools District’s 6-12 campus was completed in June 2023, which moved the project into constructing the main buildings. That work included foundations, underground electrical, and plumbing.

The new campus will feature an auditorium, a black box theater, and an attached athletics stadium. The State of Ohio, through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), is funding $33.6 million of the total $133 million cost. The state-of-the-art facility will provide students and faculty with updated technology, expanded academic spaces, and opportunities for collaboration in a secure, comfortable environment.

Construction Administrator Lyle Satterlee for ThenDesign Architecture commented, “It’s always good to hit a milestone date on schedule. We were very happy with the outcome.”

He continued, “It was exciting to see the project go vertical when the stair towers went up in the summer.” The steel erection began and continued around the central classroom core of the building. To the south, work started on the foundations for the performing arts center and art rooms.

"A tremendous amount of hard work has gone into this project."
Lyle Satterlee
TDA Construction Administrator

Cuyahoga Falls 6-12 Campus Early Summer Progress:

Cuyahoga Falls Winter Construction Sees Significant Progress

The mild Ohio winter created better-than-expected conditions for the multi-year, 365,000 SF school development project led by Project Manager Scott Alleman of ThenDesign Architecture. Engineers and contractors with Hammond Construction continue on schedule through significant construction milestones.

A critical component of the Construction Management Team is having a project architect in place to ensure the integrity of the design is maintained during construction. TDA Project Architect Dan Clements has been active since the early phases of the project to assist in clarifying design intent and responding to the contractor’s information requests.

Aerial photography courtesy of Hammond Construction

Construction Thrives on Teamwork

“Hammond pushed hard to get the buildings buttoned up for the winter climate,” Lyle said. “Enclosures and temporary gas heaters were in place so they could complete interior construction during the winter phases.”

Cuyahoga Falls winter construction interior work included wall framing, masonry, plumbing, and mechanical and electrical rough-ins.

Fellow TDA Construction Administrator Melissa Blask acts as a liaison between the structural engineer and Hammond contractors. “It’s amazing to see how fast some things progress. You see walls come up that weren’t there last week. I find it fascinating that a new foundation and stage area can appear when it was just an empty space days before.”

"It is fun to watch the site grow and see our vision come to life."
Melissa Blask
TDA Construction Administrator

Winter Exterior Progress in December 2023

Four Sections Will Become One

In December 2023, the retaining walls for the stadium work were underway, and the high school gymnasium roof trusses were set into place.

The Cuyahoga Falls 6-12 school is being constructed in four main sections or “buildings.”

  • “Building One” is the central education core.
  • “Building Two” is the high school gymnasium, auxiliary gym, and administrative wing.
  • “Building Three” is the lower middle school gymnasium, cafeteria, and lower dining area.
  • “Building Four” is the art wing hosting the performing arts center.

Eventually, all these sections are joined together to make up the entire new school.

Winter Interior Progress in December 2023

Always Moving Forward

As campus construction spreads in all directions, each new phase reveals simultaneous progress inside and out.

As of February 2024, the “Building One” installation of air handlers began while drywall went up on the third floor. The air conditioning system’s large central chiller was set.

The steel erection for “Building Two” was completed, and for “Building Three,” it has begun. The middle school gymnasium’s masonry bearing walls were completed, and the foundations for “Building Four” were started.

Interior Progress Comparison Between December 2023 and February 2024

December 2023
February 2024
December 2023
February 2024
December 2023
February 2024

Interior Progress in February 2024

It's Why We Do It

“I just love building buildings,” Lyle said. “I’ve been blessed to have a career of almost 40 years. Being involved in architectural design and construction has been a joy.”

Lyle appreciates the long-standing partnerships shared on large projects such as the Cuyahoga Falls Campus. The team that includes TDA, Hammond Construction, and all the other trades on site has the community’s best interest in mind. Working together, they strive to build the school campus in the most efficient manner with the best quality the budget allows.

“It’s cool to watch adults walk through a new school you’ve spent years working on,” said Melissa, “but the way the kids’ faces light up just makes all that time and effort worthwhile.”

Cuyahoga Fall City School District looks forward to the completion of the new facility. Not only will the students have access to technology and a range of spaces that will enhance their educational experience, but the new campus will become the pride of the local community.

"I enjoy driving past a completed project and telling my family I had a hand in building that."
Lyle Satterlee
TDA Construction Administrator
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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Geauga County Courthouse Groundbreaking Ceremony

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

Geauga County Courthouse Groundbreaking Ceremony

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

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

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

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

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

Gathered In Solidarity

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

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

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

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

A Design Respectful of the Local Heritage

Communities can be brought together through good architectural design.

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

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

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

Geauga County Courthouse 3D-Printed Model

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

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

Marc Cebrian

Communications

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

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The Campus of Wickliffe – Designed for Flexible Learning
From the ground up, the Campus of Wickliffe was designed for flexible learning. The Wickliffe City School District focused on creating educational spaces that would serve the needs of students today and provide adaptability for generations to come.

The Campus of Wickliffe – Designed for Flexible Learning

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 would be capable of adapting to future educational needs. The district participated in the Expedited Local Partnership Program (ELPP) through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), and this $60 million project replaces the aging elementary, middle, and high schools with a single PreK-12 building. In addition, the new facility hosts space for the Family Resource Center, a community center that offers free services to many in need.

The two-story school officially opened at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. More than 1,000 community members, state and local government officials, students, educators, and parents came to the Open House and Ribbon Cutting ceremony.

The Campus of Wickliffe was Designed for Flexible Learning

"If a student is ready to excel, our goal has been to ensure we provide them with that opportunity. That all exists under one roof now."
Joseph Spiccia
Superintendent of Wickliffe City Schools

Wickliffe – A District Transforms

Built by Hammond Construction, the Wickliffe PK-12 Campus was designed by ThenDesign Architecture (TDA), with Claire Bank, AIA NCARB, serving as the project manager. She commented on the significance of the campus, “Wickliffe has some unique and powerful ideas for how their district can transform. We were able to design non-traditional spaces that provide more options for the students and educators.”

From the beginning of the design process, a fresh look at learning techniques was necessary. Wickliffe City School Superintendent Joseph Spiccia noted, “The educational program is being retooled to be in line with the flexibility of the future. This building allows us to be dynamic and to change with the needs of our students.”

The Campus of Wickliffe in Action
"A lot of thought was put into how every grade level is customized to the needs of that grade."
Claire Bank, AIA, NCARMB
ThenDesign Architecture

The Community Tours The Wickliffe Campus

Open House attendees were excited to tour the spaces for the first time. Among those there were students who would begin attending the following week. 7th Grade Student Robert commented, “What’s so exciting is that it’s big, and all the classes are new and improved.” Seneca is an 11th-grade cheerleader, “It’s more of a chill place and cool to be in.”

The Wickliffe PK-12 Campus was designed to be forward-thinking, an educational facility designed for flexible learning. The district saw a rare opportunity to incorporate three schools and the Family Resource Center into one building. During the construction phase, they also brought significant change to their classroom educational model by training educators ahead of the building’s completion to facilitate the smoothest transition possible.

The Campus of Wickliffe Open House Event
"They were in three separate buildings. It's a rare opportunity to get to rebuild an entire district all at once."
Claire Bank, AIA, NCARB
ThenDesign Architecture

The re-imagination of education that has taken place at the Wickliffe PK-12 Campus is an example of what is possible with modernized facilities. The district can offer its students the latest technology and present unique educational programming that is only possible by having the entire district together under one roof. Flexible learning opportunities encourage students to diversify their talents and reach their full potential.

The Campus of Wickliffe Ribbon Cutting

"I think the new school will bring everyone together like one big family."
Jules
11th Grade Student
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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Perry LSD’s Southway Elementary Animation

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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
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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Educational Visioning for Brunswick City Schools New High School

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

Brunswick City Schools - Educational Visioning for their New High School

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

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

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

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

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

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

Educational Visioning - Brainstorming for the New School

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

The three major activities conducted were:

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

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

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

Where are we now?

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

A few of the biggest challenges he referenced were:

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

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

Educational Visioning with Brunswick City Schools:

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

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

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

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

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

Understanding Our Learning Environment

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

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

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

The top three priorities for this group included:

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

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

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

Group preferences on priorities for the new high school

Putting it all Together

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

Common themes developed across the groups included:

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

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

Next Steps

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

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

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

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

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

Download the Full Educational Visioning Report Here
Ryan Caswell

Ryan Caswell

Communications

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Ryan Caswell

Ryan Caswell

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