TDA Article Featured in BASA’s AdminiScope

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TDA Article Featured in BASA's AdminiScope
The Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA) produces a quarterly publication informing its members of important updates that affect the school districts in Ohio. ThenDesign Architecture was recently featured in an article in the February 2024 AdminiScope reporting on our collaboration with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) on comprehensively updating the Ohio School Design Manual.

TDA Article Featured in BASA's AdminiScope

The Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA) is a non-profit organization that serves school superintendents and other administrators throughout Ohio. Established in 1969, BASA is an affiliate of the American Association of School Administrators and releases a quarterly “AdminiScope” publication that keeps members informed on current issues that school systems face.

According to the BASA website, “The mission of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators is to inspire and support its members, develop exemplary school system leaders, and advocate for public education.”

ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) was featured in an article published in the February 2024 issue covering our collaboration with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) as we comprehensively updated the Ohio School Design Manual. These updates reflect the changing educational landscape, including new standards, practices, and building technologies that will further support educational design across Ohio.

BASA's February 2024 AdminiScope

New Tools for Old Schools

The Ohio School Design Manual (OSDM) was created in 1997 by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC). It was originally developed to simplify the process of school design. However, the highly technical information and outdated format made it challenging to use effectively. Now, this manual has been redeveloped with school districts and superintendents in mind.

“Education and construction processes have changed drastically since the first Ohio School Design Manual (OSDM) was completed in 1997,” commented Valerie Montoya, an Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) Senior Planning Manager. “We needed to take a fresh look at how we design schools, ensuring it still relates to how we educate students today.”

The OSDM is a comprehensive set of guidelines for Ohio school facilities. It was created to address the need for a positive learning environment, reduce design time, and ensure parity in facility options.

Throughout 2023, school districts, OFCC Planners, and design and construction professionals have collaborated to provide a comprehensive update to the manual.

Claire Bank AIA, NCARB, a licensed architect at ThenDesign Architecture, coordinated content development for the new manual. She recalls, “The OSDM used to be daunting for school districts to approach on their own. The goal for this update is to make it streamlined and approachable, so school leaders can easily refer to it as a resource.”

The new manual includes:
      ● Hundreds of 3D visualizations of school spaces
      ● New space layout diagrams and photography
      ● New chapters, including one on school safety and security
      ● Revised technology and mechanical specifications
      ● Condensed content

Additionally, it will launch in an online format that will be easily referenced and searchable.

What was once a challenging and technically dense manual is transformed into a new, visual, and interactive tool for designers and school leaders during facility projects.

Chief of Planning at OFCC Melanie Drerup believes this will better allow superintendents to educate their staff during school design. “This comprehensive update is a continuation of a process started in 1997. We are working to best support our district partners and give them a new “next generation,” interactive, digital tool.”

The new manual and website is expected to launch in early 2024.

TDA and the OFCC Team Up to Reimagine the Ohio School Design Manual

This is one example of how different organizations can collaborate to help build a sense of community.

If you would like to learn more or become part of the team, please get in touch with us.

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.

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 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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