Thiel College’s Daniel and Dorothy Spence Academic Center Renovation

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Thiel College's Daniel and Dorothy Spence Academic Center Renovation
Thiel College’s Daniel and Dorothy Spence Academic Center completed a vital phase in its long-term plan to modernize the most populated academic building on the campus. The renovation transformed spaces, including the main entrance, lobby, and lower level, made possible by the generosity of donors, including the Spence and Longiotti families. This project is a testament to the power of alumni investment and will have a lasting impact on campus life.

Thiel College's Daniel and Dorothy Spence Academic Center Renovation

The renovation of the Daniel and Dorothy Spence Academic Center at Thiel College marks a completed phase of a long-term plan to modernize the college’s most prominent and heavily used academic building. Completed in early 2025, this 14,000 SF renovation reimagines the building’s main entrance, lobby, and lower level—transforming a dimly lit and uninviting space into a bright, welcoming environment for students, faculty, and visitors.

The reimagined lobby hosts many of the college’s courses and serves as the central hub for academic life on campus. The entry and lobby, now known as Longiotti Commons, provide one large, multifunctional space that supports student life, campus tours, orientation events, lectures, and community engagement.

Thiel College's Daniel and Dorothy Spence Academic Center Renovation

Thiel College’s Daniel and Dorothy Spence Academic Center renovation project is especially meaningful to the college and school community, as it was made possible largely through the generosity of alumni donors, including the Spence and Longiotti families. It represents a significant investment not only in the physical campus but also in Thiel’s academic and community programming.

The renovation also included the creation of new suites on the lower level, supporting the college’s growing nursing program and offering new opportunities for outreach through clinics, simulation labs, and volunteer-based training with community members.

Thiel College's Daniel and Dorothy Spence Academic Center Wayfinding Details

Challenges with the Existing Building

Navigating the building was challenging for many students and guests, particularly in the lower level, with few wayfinding or exterior views for orientation.

Wayfinding was a top priority for the design team, who used color, flooring patterns, and wall graphics to help users intuitively understand their location. The color palette was established during an earlier project update and carried throughout the new project to create cohesion and visual clarity between buildings. These elements improved orientation and contributed to a stronger sense of place.

Designing within the constraints of the existing brutalist structure posed unique challenges. The ceiling height was cramped, so the design team focused on brightening the space with painted ceilings, modern lighting, and reflective surfaces. The original untreated concrete and fluorescent lighting were replaced with varied lighting strategies, including uplighting and downlighting, enhancing the environment to make the space feel open and inviting.

The renovation also extended outdoors with a new vestibule entry that reduces air loss, improved landscaping, and the addition of barn stone seating and outdoor furniture to encourage gathering and movement between indoor and outdoor spaces. Sustainable and energy-efficient features were woven throughout the project, including LED lighting, a new energy-efficient air handler, recycled materials, and landscape improvements designed to enhance both aesthetics and performance.

Thiel College's Daniel and Dorothy Spence Academic Center Lower Level

Construction of the Spence Center

The center remained fully operational during construction, underscoring the project’s thoughtful phasing and logistical planning. Despite budget constraints, this first phase marks an outstanding transformation, earning positive feedback from students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community. The success has already strengthened donor engagement and spurred momentum toward the next phase, including further upgrades to classrooms, offices, common spaces, and the courtyard.

Funded in part by generous contributions from the Spence Family and Longiotti Family, this renovation project is a testament to the power of alumni investment and its lasting impact on campus life and community collaboration.

The impact of the project has been significant. Students and faculty now enjoy a functional, comfortable, and inspiring environment that reflects the college’s mission and vision for the future. The rebranded space features portraits and stories of alumni, reinforcing the connection between past, present, and future students. Feedback from stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive, and the transformation has become a visible symbol of donor impact, strengthening future fundraising efforts.

Kelly Legan

Kelly Legan

Communications

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Kelly Legan

Kelly Legan

Kelly has been an unwavering part of the TDA team for over 20 years. She embarked on her professional journey as a member of the Interior Design team and later transitioned to Communications, driven by her newfound passion for graphics and writing. This diverse experience has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the design process. Kelly's personal and professional interest in wellness is a driving force in her life.
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The Geauga County Courthouse is Where History Meets the Future

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The Geauga County Courthouse is Where History Meets the Future
The Geauga County Courthouse in Chardon Square is undergoing a renovation and addition project, which will increase its space by approximately 30,800 square feet. The new construction will enhance the courthouse's operational functions by incorporating advanced technology and modern security features. The original building was not intended to serve the purpose for which it is used today. The upgrades and redesign bring contemporary elegance with a deep respect for the historic aesthetic. The Geauga County Courthouse is where history meets the future.

The Geauga County Courthouse is Where History Meets the Future

The Geauga County Courthouse is where history meets the future. The prestigious landmark has stood proudly at the edge of Chardon Square for over 150 years. The significant expansion and renovation of this approximately 21,500 SF 1869 courthouse in Chardon, Ohio, aims to modernize the facility, ensuring that community services remain efficient and incorporate the latest technology.
 
While preserving the distinguished stature for which the existing building is known, the addition provides approximately 30,800 SF of new space. The project will help improve court operations and provide a more secure environment for staff, judges, jurors, and visitors. The three-story addition and improvement project is about two-thirds complete and has been carried out without significantly disrupting essential services.
 
ThenDesign Architecture Project Manager Brad Gellert, AIA, explained how the building is being updated while maintaining its legacy aesthetic. “Most of the historical elements of the existing building will remain. Stones for the addition were sourced from the same quarry that provided the original materials,” he said. “This stone is used in the building’s base and the new windowsills and lintels.”
 
The cornice of the addition aligns with the existing one, creating a seamless transition. Molds were made from the original cornice to ensure accurate fabrication of the new elements. The new windows are tall and narrow, reflecting the prominent Italianate architectural style of the square.

"Geauga County is where history meets the future. That is exactly what this project is all about."
James Dvorak
Geauga County Commissioner

The Geauga County Courthouse is Where History Meets the Future

Designed for Tomorrow While Respecting the Past

The renovation project will enhance various aspects of the building’s functionality and security. The original courthouse building lacked a separate circulation path for judges and defendants, and prisoners brought to court had to pass through public areas. It was not planned and built to function the way it does today.
 
The two most active departments are the Probation Department, currently located in the basement, and the Clerk of Courts on the third floor. When visiting the Probation Department, people walk through the common areas and down the stairwell to the basement, where drug testing is conducted in public restrooms.
 
After the project is completed, both departments will relocate to the first floor at ground level, where visitors will pass through an advanced security lobby. Probation Department drug testing will be conducted in separate bathrooms inside the secured office. Individuals in custody will be escorted through an isolated, restricted sally port located on the opposite side of the building from the public entrance.
 
A new at-grade main entrance will make access much easier and lead into a spacious security area, where sheriff’s deputies will screen visitors and scan their belongings before they enter further into the courthouse.
 
The addition of the new courthouse will feature secure parking with a rolling gate and covered parking for judges, surrounded by a wall on the east and north sides. To incorporate it visually, the approximately 9′ wall’s sandstone veneer will match the rest of the building. The larger courtrooms will feature technology that maximizes the efficiency of court processes.
 
“The project is welcoming the new while preserving the old,” said Geauga County Commissioner James Dvorak. “It maintains great respect for the community’s heritage while providing vital upgrades that benefit everyone who works there.”
 
TDA Project Architect Lee Hribar, RA, noted that the updated and expanded courthouse will refresh Chardon Square while maintaining the historic feel. “We’ve worked very hard to blend the vintage elements the community treasures while adding a new architectural element to the downtown area. The new courthouse will make the square feel fresh while preserving its prestige.”

"Respecting the community's legacy is important to the entire design team."
Brad Gellert, AIA
Project Manager

Geauga County Courthouse Construction in August 2024

The Beam Signing Milestone

Noting a milestone in construction progress, Infinity Construction hosted a beam signing event on August 30, 2024. Local government officials, court officers, and building employees were invited to sign a steel beam that would be placed in the new addition.
 
Among those attending was Court of Common Pleas Judge Carolyn Pashcke. She commented, “This beam signing represents what’s most important to me. It’s not the building people work in. It’s the people who work in the building. I am personally grateful to all of you who put your time and effort into serving the public.”
 
Judge Pashcke added, “And thank you for being a really good sport about the construction process and parking woes.”
 
County Commissioner James Dvorak said he was in the building trades for over 50 years and found beam signing to be a fun and exciting part of the construction process. “The people who sign this beam will be a permanent part of the building. Everybody who touched a beam, brick, stone, nail, electrical wiring, or pipe became a part of the history of this courthouse.”
 
“They won’t have to make do anymore,” noted ThenDesign Architecture Project Manager Brad Gellert, AIA. “I’m looking forward to everyone working in a building that was actually designed for its intended use.”
 
The Geauga County Courthouse is planned to take occupancy in the fall of 2025.

"I'm excited to see the work we can do with the new addition to our building."
The Honorable Carolyn Paschke
Court of Common Pleas Judge

The Geauga County Courthouse Beam Signing Event
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.

Perry High School Unveils a State-of-the-Art Welding Lab

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Perry High School Unveils a State-of-the-Art Welding Lab
In Lake County, Perry High School unveils a state-of-the-art welding lab that advances career technical training for students. The renovation included an advanced ventilation systems and ten new welding machines. Technical and aesthetic updates modernized the space, further expanding the capabilities of students interested in metalwork. The project was partially funded by an Ohio Workforce Improvement Program (IWIP) grant. It will prepare Perry High School students to be competitive members in the in-demand job market after graduation.

Perry High School Unveils a State-of-the-Art Welding Lab

Perry Local Schools in Lake County opened its newly renovated 2,400 SF welding lab in the fall of 2024. This $600,000 upgrade is partially funded by an Ohio Workforce Improvement Program (IWIP) grant and dramatically expands the school’s Career Technical Education welding space, providing students with access to modern equipment, advanced ventilation systems, and ten new welding machines, a fivefold increase from the previous space. The space also features a plasma cutter and a range of other metalworking tools, enabling students to earn valuable industry accreditations in materials manufacturing.

Considering the demand for CTE education across Ohio, this lab encourages students to explore the trades and connects them to professionals in the industry.

Perry High School Unveils a State-of-the-Art Welding Lab

Improving the Existing Perry Welding Lab

The project revitalized the existing space, transforming it into a cutting-edge welding facility. Modern welding systems were installed in partnership with Lincoln Electric, complete with spark protection and draft control. A new, advanced ventilation and extraction system was installed, including an enclosure, tank yard, and comprehensive controls to keep students safe while working and filtering particulates from the air.

Ryan Schmit, Project Manager for ThenDesign Architecture, reflected on the changes in the space, “This was an excellent modernization of the existing space. We took something 25 years old, with antiquated equipment, and brought it to a completely new level.”

The school’s forge was enhanced when the former CAD Lab, adjacent to the workshop, was transformed into a form prep room. Students could now prepare castings while maintaining a visual connection with the workspace. The process of using the forge first requires students to pack boxes with specialized sand while placing a mold within. They then pour molten metal into the resulting form, which cools and solidifies into their object.

Additional renovations to the workspace included a fresh coat of paint, and the existing epoxy floor was ground into a smooth surface and polished to ensure durability and functionality. In addition to incorporating existing metalworking tools into the space, a large plasma cutter was added. Lincoln Electric provided the welding equipment and extraction system.

The Welding Lab Before the Renovation

Extraction and Ventilation Systems

An advanced ventilation system was installed to eliminate dust from the interior environment, trapping particulates safely within drum systems. The ductwork is designed to prevent this accumulation, while a spark arrestor in the ceiling safely catches these sparks to prevent fires. The system filters out hazardous dust, ensuring environmental safety.

Design Schedule Challenges

As an architect who frequently designs CTE spaces, Ryan sees an expanded desire for these programs. “Career Technical Education is growing across the country. If you talk to the school districts in Northeast Ohio, there are huge waiting lines to get into these programs.”

“We took their existing space, modernized it, and allowed them to greatly expand a program they had a lot of demand for,” Ryan said.

Since an IWIP grant partially funded the project, there were restrictions on when money could be spent on the project. This fact, coupled with supply chain issues, necessitated a very tight design timeline. To mitigate these issues, the team procured electrical components almost a year in advance and compressed the design timeline to comply with Ohio grant requirements. The construction was completed over the summer in two and a half months to minimize disruption to building occupants.

After completing this, the district could expand its welding program, partner with Lake Erie College to offer college credit and welding certifications and enroll more students in the program’s history in a healthier, well-ventilated environment.

The Welding Lab in Action

Successful Project

The project’s success stemmed from the design team’s ability to leverage grant funding, expedite the design process, and proactively address supply chain challenges. The collaboration between the district’s vision, contractors, and suppliers ensured the project’s successful completion.

"It's a big deal, and when you see before and after pictures. It's staggering."
Ryan Schmit
Project Manager
Ryan Caswell

Ryan Caswell

Communications

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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.