Market: Education

Over six months, the IMH Center for Innovation and Creativity at Bishop Shanahan High School involved transforming the existing Media Center, Computer Resource Lab, and part of the academic wing. The newly created spaces, featuring 12,400 sq ft of cutting-edge technology labs, modern presentation areas, and dynamic collaboration zones, are designed to enhance the school curriculum. These facilities will enable students to engage deeply with their studies and explore their passions in physics, engineering, mathematics, graphic design, robotics, and art.

A 28,000 SF expansion to the university’s existing fitness facility, the new Athletic Pavilion features a two-story atrium with a full-length glass curtain wall enveloping the space with natural light. The new space includes fitness and studio rooms, a stunning lobby with café and event space, dedicated locker rooms for intercollegiate teams, weight training rooms, and more. 17,000 SF of interior renovations were also completed throughout the existing facility, encompassing various fitness, office, and classroom areas. Our main objective during preconstruction was to help Cabrini determine what could feasibly be accomplished for their budget, and within their tight time constraints. In collaboration with WRT Design, we offered suggestions and provided solutions and alternatives regarding building structure and system options so that Cabrini could meet their program needs without compromising the unique design intent of the project.

Originally constructed in 1921 as the Alumni Memorial Library, this project included constructing a 4,200 SF addition on the front of the historic structure. This unusual addition features a magnificent, curved glass atrium housing a formal exhibition gallery and education spaces. Seven state-of-the-art, climate-controlled, and light-regulated open storage vitrines house over half of the museum’s collection. The terrace above the expansion incorporates a green roof and an outdoor sculpture garden. Interior renovations to the existing restrooms and basement were also included.

This project required swapping two spaces within the school and revitalizing areas for young learners. The Kelly Hall Middle School was previously the early learning educational space, which has now been renovated into the middle school classrooms and common space. The Early Learning School now occupies the old middle school. This project also renovated the school library to better suit their needs.

This project transformed a previously abandoned medical office into a thriving daycare facility for infant-age children through 12 years old. It included a complete floor plan demolition, framing of new walls, installation of new floors, light fixtures, flooring, paint, ceilings, and casework.

The Dining and Community Commons project is an ambitious, multi-phased addition and renovation to the existing Sharples Hall dining facility, at the heart of Swarthmore’s campus and vibrant Scott Arboretum. The centerpiece of the project is a 42,000 square foot mass timber dining addition, thoughtfully conceived to support Swarthmore’s mission to deliver a transformative learning experience founded in stewardship, innovation, inclusion, equity, and diversity.

To supplement their mission, Holy Child School started pursuing an expansion project at the beginning of 2017 to nearly double their overall campus. Our scope of work for the project consisted of demolishing five adjacent properties that the school acquired, a multi-purpose facility expansion off the existing O’Neil Gymnasium to provide a more formal space for gathering, events, and plays, and a new turf field.

The McCabe Library is nestled on Swarthmore’s expansive and beautiful campus, just west of Philadelphia. With minimal maintenance done since its construction in 1967, the library was in need of repairs. With a keen understanding of the intricacies of restoration and an unwavering commitment to quality, we set out to ensure the library was both preserved and enhanced for generations to come. The project scope included the replacement of over 150 storefronts and windows, framing and window finishes, façade and envelope repairs, and roof repairs.

CollegeTowne is Alvernia’s first step in having a presence in downtown Reading. The vision was to transform a former five-store, long vacant insurance building into a showpiece for the university. Serving as design-build contractor, Warfel was instrumental in assisting Alvernia University and RLPS Architects in taking their vision to reality by offering options for design and construction considerations, with an eye on budget and value. This project utilized RACP funding to help revitalize downtown Reading.

The project scope consisted of a complete demo and rebuild of the second floor, transforming nine existing classrooms, two bathrooms, and various support rooms into a new state-of-the-art science, technology, engineering, and math center. Reilly Hall also received a partial demo of the first and ground floors, which consisted of all new bathroom facilities. The entire building also received an entire MEP overhaul consisting of a new HVAC system.