Plum Grove Middle School
Location: Rolling Meadows, Illinois
Typology: School Additions and Renovations
Date: Summer 2021 - August 2024 (Project Completion)
Software Used: Revit, AutoCad, Bluebeam, PhotoShop
Project Role: Architectural Support
As part of the Community Consolidated District 15 (CCSD15) Referendum in November of 2022, approved a $93 Million Dollar construction package across the 20 school district. Each school received a different form of renovations, and only select schools received renovations. At Wold, we completed construction across seven of the district’s schools. Broken up into three phases, phase one consisted of the $20 million dollar project, focussing on the two, three story additions at Plum Grove Elementary School. This was my first project, where I started in Design Development (DD) and continued till Project Completion. This was an incredible experience, seeing every detail from design, permitting, construction meetings, community events, and closing out. I claim this project as the first project where I felt like a true and well-rounded architect.
Client: Plum Grove Middle School - CCSD15
Architect: Wold Architects and Engineers (Palatine, IL Office)
Exterior Construction of Plum Grove Middle School (Wold Architects and Engineers)
DEDICATED TASKS
Transitioned to a Job Captain role, where I started delegating tasks, training new employees, coordinating with consultants, and taking on more leadership roles within the firm.
Concentrated on Exterior Design and Detailing across all seven schools through the Design Development and Construction Document Phase
In the Summer of 2024, I was one of the three architects managing the Construction Administration for all seven schools concurrently; from attending construction meetings to site visits.
Construction of the Eastern classroom addition, showing the brick laying tower. Construction Administration was a fast-pace way seeing the architectural drawings coming to life; which included fast acting solutions to on-site construction questions. Brick was never an issue at Plum Grove, however the metal panel frames were the most problematic. The construction of the panels were superb, however it took eighteen months for them to be completed.
Hand sketches showing proposed exterior renderings for Plum Grove. Since we were working on this project during COVID, Zoom calls with the Illinois office were key in understanding how the exterior design was coming along. Project Manager Jessalyn Kelly and Relationship Manager Dan Kritta assisted the design process.
Office photo showing the transition from hand drawings to Revit modeling. The St. Paul office will always have a place in my heart. Wold relocated to Minneapolis in 2025, mainly to relocate closer to the staff but also to modernize the office space. When I lived in St. Paul, my bus ride to the office was 10 minutes and upon arrive to the 20th floor, I’d be greeted by Jane, the most iconic receptionist an office could have.
Observation Reports, Proposal Requests, and Supplemental Information were new tasks I learned through the process of Construction Administration. Prior to Plum Grove, I was mainly familiar with the Submittal review. Plum Grove was the kick-starter project where I learned how to respond to contractors on site, understand construction costs with the client, and problem solve tricky construction details.
