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Rocky River City Schools - New Media Center
On August 15th, 2023 Rocky River City Schools opened the doors to their newly renovated Media Center in the Middle School. Attended by dozens that included the school administration, school board, members of the Rocky River Education Foundation, local media, teachers and students, all got to experience the space firsthand. This roughly 3,500 sf space features a new modular floor plan with flexible furniture and technology upgrades, it opens officially for the 2023-2024 school year.
It is the result of efforts between the school district, design and construction professionals and furniture designers and manufacturers.
Students can use this as a library, they can get books here, read, listen to media, use the maker space, Lego's, whatever they want to do creatively.
Sam Gifford
Executive Director of Facilities Operations Rocky River City Schools
An Opportunity for Flexible Space
Sam Gifford, Executive Director of Facilities Operations was excited to refresh this space for new, modern purposes. “The library was a state-of-the-art space when it was designed 23 years ago, but it’s just not now. We redeveloped it using a more modular plan, so it can be organized so several classes can be there at once. You can setup the mobile tables anyway you need to better use the great technology. This all happens in a comfortable space with great acoustics. It’s a welcoming environment for our students who want to use the library.”
This new renovation allows the district to use more programming in the library than before.
Brad Gellert with ThenDesign Architecture was the project manager and worked through the plans for the new media center as the project developed. “The district was interested in activating a space that wasn’t used as much as it could be. Now, as the district changes their curriculum and approach over the years, it can respond much more flexibly than before and can be arranged in many different configurations.”
We used school branded colors in the ceiling to tie in the overall aesthetic. Then we pulled in pops of maroon so the new space flowed into the rest of the school.
Nicole Monaco
Interior Designer, ThenDesign Architecture
Furniture and Color Palette
The furniture that was selected replaces older tables and chairs which were difficult to arrange to suit different class needs. Supplied by KI, pieces include rocking style chairs and easily movable tables and seating that can be arranged for small group work. They can be raised and lowered to create tiered workspaces where needed.
Interior finishes of the space was an important aspect for designers.
Nicole Monaco, an interior designer who worked on the project noted, “Some room finishes, like the existing book shelves on the perimeter of the space, we couldn’t remove. So we found textures that incorporated those color schemes and tied into the new reception desk.” School colors played a big part of the color palette. “We used school branded colors in the ceiling to tie in the overall aesthetic. Then we pulled in pops of maroon so the new space flowed into the rest of the school.”
This refresh will better activate a school space. Legos, technology, books and 3D printers all have stations in the space. This media center can also be used as a “makers space,” using digital tools for projects.
As the district changes their curriculum and approach over the years, this space can respond more flexibly than before, and be arranged in many different configurations.
Brad Gellert
Architect, ThenDesign Architecture
Gifford continues, “Students can use it as a library, they can get books here, read, listen to media, use the maker space, the Lego’s whatever they want to do creatively. We are also excited to see different classrooms come and use this bigger space. Multiple classes could come together, perhaps social studies, English, science, all can study together and do cross-curricular teaching.”
The space is completed just as the year is beginning.
“It turned into a very dynamic space, with activity and motion, versus just a library. Now we have dedicated space to really do those things.”
Ryan Caswell
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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.