2023 Building Addition & Renovation

The Toledo School for the Arts, Next Big Thing Project includes existing building renovations and an 8,000 SF addition.  The school was struggling with logistical and space challenges in addition to safety concerns related to an undersized stairwell connecting the floors.  To remedy this, the renovation design includes expanding the basement off of the existing cafeteria and providing an additional egress to the Adams Street side of the building.

Additionally, the first-floor renovation design includes a new gallery, glass studio, retail space, community space, administrative offices, conference room, teacher lounge, board room, and guidance/intervention offices.  The first-floor renovation also  includes an exterior renovation of the window bays along Adams Street and 14th Street, converting the existing window openings into pedestrian friendly storefront with new signage for the community entrance.  The second-floor renovation includes a new computer lab, classrooms spaces, and dance studios.

The new 8,000 square foot addition is located on Adams near 15th Street. The design features a dance studio (with sprung floors), and a new performing arts classroom/ black box theater, along with support spaces like changing rooms, storage, and a new lobby.   This allows the school to securely separate the Performing Arts Classroom from the academic core to host community events open to the public.

The new stair tower connecting the addition to the existing building has been designed to expand the current egress capacity.  The stair goes from the basement to the roof deck above the fourth floor of the existing building and utilizes the former stair tower by the elevators as a corridor connection to the new stair.

The improved site design includes parking lot renovations, sidewalks, planters, and a pollination garden.