Hawken - Project Blog
The End is in Sight at the Gries Center
2010-06-08
It is all starting to come together at the Hawken Gries Center in University Circle. The classrooms are ready for carpet, the main foyer is getting it's floor refinished, and the addition is flying up in the back of the building. Here are a few photos of the recent progress.



New egress stairs from basement!



Addition in the back of the Gries Center.



Classroom 3 ready for carpet.



Classroom 2 is also ready for flooring!



The floors are being refinished in the Cafetorium!



Third floor is ready for trim!

May Equals Progress at the Gries Center
2010-05-12

These are exciting times at the Sally Nad Bob Gries Center at University Circle. All the drywall has been hung, tapers are taping, and the painters aren't far behind. In addition, the footers have been poured for the addition on the back and the egress stairs from the basement have been completed!



The footer trench prior to the pouring of the concrete. Rebar is included to reinforce the concrete.



Dyrwall has been hung, taped, and sanded and the walls are ready for paint!

The egress stairs being built!

The brick color was matched perfectly in order to maintain the character of the home!

Springing Ahead at the Gries Center
2010-04-13
With Spring in the air and the anticipation of warm weather, the Gries Center continues to progress nicely. With the carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough-in complete we are prepared for drywall. Additionally, with the recent warm spell we were able to start digging the foundation for the addition onto the back of the Gries Center.



The soffits are built and are ready to be drywalled.



Furnaces have been installed on the second and third floor.




The backer-boards for cabinetry have been added on the 2nd floor bathroom.
February Progress
2010-03-24

With the "dirty" part of the job behind us in the demolition, it is time to start the fun! We have anxiously dove head first into the reassembly of the house. We have already started patching the floors and framing in new walls throughout the Gries Center!





The floors have been opened up, felt paper has been laid, and the patching has begun!

Mark, a veteran carpenter with Krueger&Grealis, double checks the measurement of the newly framed wall.



A Flurry of Activity at the Gries Center
2010-03-24
March at the Gries Center has brought on a whirlwind of activity. Along with the mechanical elements of the building being installed and the continuous new framing, we added a 1,200 pound steel beam for extra support on the second floor. Additionally, a large chimney was removed in order to make room for more classroom space!




The Fred W. Denk Company removes the top plate of a early 20th century steel beam to level out the floor.



A steel support beam was added to help carry the load of the third floor.


   


The before and after photos of the chimney that was removed on the second floor to make way for the future home of classroom 4.




Spartan Electric runs the electric lines in the front foyer.




Special care is being taken to clean the fireplaces and restore them to their original radiance.

The Sally and Bob Gries Center at University Circle
2010-03-21

The Sally and Bob Gries Center
Hawken School
University Circle

    Founded in 1915, Hawken School is an independent, college preparatory day school serving 959 students in Preschool through Grade 12.  With the mission to provide ''forward-focused preparation for the real world through the development of character and intellect," Hawken offers capable and committed students a learning environment that is coeducational, pluralistic, and nonsectarian.

    In August of 2010, Hawken School will welcome students, alumnae and friends to the Gries Center, location on Magnolia Drive in Cleveland's Historic University Circle neighborhood.  Originally known as the Mather House, the Gries Center will serve as a hub for members of the Hawken Community to become actively engaged with the diverse cultural and educational opportunities in University Circle.

    In collaboration with members of the Hawken Community, University Circle Inc., the City of Cleveland, LS Architects and more; Krueger&Grealis has managed the development of plans to transform the 14,000 Sq. ft. residence into an unique schools campus capable of housing students ranging from Preschool through High School while maintaining the historical integrity of such a distinct building.  Some highlights from the project include:

  • Reclaiming as much of the original floors, woodwork and doors as possible throughout the school.
  • Retrofitting light fixtures to meet modern safety and efficiency standards while being mindful of yesterday's charm.
  • Creative furniture selections; allowing the building to host a diverse audience each day.
  • Restoring a skylight originally part of the building, but eliminated during a past renovation.
  • Building an addition that will blend perfectly with the original building.