Aging School Transformed with Precision and Care by Kroeschell

When tasked with renovating a two-story school in Colorado, Kroeschell’s team faced the challenge of converting a 43,606-square-foot facility, previously used as a 6th through 12th-grade school, into a specialized elementary school. The school had been previously used for trade-based education, resulting in various renovations by students and teachers that left the facility needing a code-compliant upgrade.

Renovations Cause Challenges

Much of the school’s previous renovations, done by students as part of their hands-on learning experience, needed to be revised to meet current building codes. Previous renovations were self-performed, and minimal as-built conditions were documented, leading to significant design challenges, including outdated and incomplete architectural design plans that needed extensive updates. As a result, Kroeschell’s team had to spend many hours examining multiple drawings while comparing them to actual existing conditions in the field to determine the best path forward, complicating the process.

Despite the numerous challenges, Kroeschell’s team remained steadfast and committed. They worked tirelessly to bring the facility up to code, even accommodating additional scope requests from the client as the project progressed. The entire staff was mobilized to organize and execute the project’s overall scope, ensuring it was completed on time and to the client’s satisfaction.

Major Renovations Lead to Improved Learning Environment

The renovation was significant, with approximately 75-80% of the facility being completely overhauled. The team built new classrooms, replaced doors, remodeled the principal’s office, and ensured that every room was patched and painted. “We pretty much touched every portion of that facility,” Kroeschell noted. They also addressed the issues from the previous renovations, bringing the facility forward to modern educational and safety standards. Even with additional work, including new parking lot asphalt, playgrounds, ADA ramps, and more, the project was completed before the start of the school year.

Increased Scope, Same Timeline

Despite the challenges and the additional work added to the original scope, Kroeschell’s team managed to complete the project on time. The school’s administration was highly impressed with the quality and timeliness of the work, leading to discussions about future projects. This successful project not only resulted in a safer and more functional educational environment but also strengthened the relationship between Kroeschell’s team and the client, paving the way for future collaborations.