SPS+ Architects Charter School Experience

Charter School
Experience

October 2018

Manzanita Hall OUR HISTO
Arizona State University
SPS+ Architects was established in 1960 by Wendell
Rossman, a forward-thinking architect who set our
firm’s precedent of innovation through design.
Rossman’s experimental concrete forms of the ‘60s,
such as St. Maria Goretti Church and Arizona State
University’s Manzanita Hall, are now local landmarks.
Since that time, our firm has designed what continue
to be the largest wood-frame structures in the world
(including the NAU Skydome) and developed
the Turntable Divisible Auditorium (featured in the
Chandler Center for the Arts), a design solution
which has become widespread internationally. Our
firm was an early proponent of 21st-Century Learning
Environments, featured most recently in Compadre
Academy and West-Mec.

While our innovative design solutions have extended
nationally and beyond, our primary focus as a firm
has always been on our work here in Arizona. In
particular, we have made a point to reach out to
Arizona’s education community. In many cases, we
have developed long-term relationships with these
clients spanning decades and multiple projects. This
longevity is a direct result of our focus on customer
service and delivering a quality product that meets
and exceeds client expectations.

ORY

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
SPS+ Architects has active members of committees
and boards in the following education professional
organizations:

• Arizona Association of School Business Officials (AASBO)
• Arizona Rural Schools Association - Hall of Fame Inductee
• Arizona School Board Association (ASBA)
• Arizona Superintendents Association (ASA)
• Council for Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI)
• Mohave Educational Services

We also participate in the following industry
professional organizations
• Alliance for Construction Excellence (ACE)

• American Institute of Architects (AIA)
• Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)
• International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
• National Council of Architectural/ Registration Boards (NCARB)
• United States Green Building Council (USGBC)

70 We have worked with over 70 school
districts throughout Arizona.

75 We design $75 million in education projects
annually.

92 Our clients value us so much, 92% of them
build multiple projects with us.

OU

UR PHILOSOPHY
Through an inclusive, interactive design process, our work reflects
the values and social organizations of the communities we serve.

SPS+ SPECIALIZES IN SCHOOL DESIGN
We understand the educational challenges that Charter Schools face. The wide range
of age groups and learning styles can be especially challenging for these types of
schools. Through our history and experience we have found multiple solutions that help

separate the learning groups where necessary, while still maintaining a cohesive,
functional, and flexible school.

We recently completed a new K-8 school for Casa Grande Elementary School
District and we are currently working with both Paloma Elementary and
Creighton Elementary on their new campuses. Becuase of our experience,
we have real-time knowledge of costs, trends, and designs that set us
apart from our competitors.

SPS+ LISTENS - AUTHENTIC APPROACH
Our team works hard to provide unsurpassed responsiveness,
thoughtful design, and project delivery that meets and exceeds
our clients’ expectations. We believe that architecture is
more than just delivering a building, it’s about the people
involved, the students and the community who will use
these spaces for years to come. Our authentic design
approach reflects the collective dedication and
thoughtfulness of all individuals involved.

OUR TEAM
SPS+ Architects has a team of 38 who are dedicated to designing the best facilitiy for Sonoran Schools.
Traditionally SPS+ assigns architects to projects based off of their experience with the District and
experience with the type of project.

While this isn’t our full team, below are a few of our key teammembers.

MARK DAVENPORT BOB PIAN BILL PITTENGER
AIA, LEED AP BD+C AIA, NCARB RA, CSI

PARTNER PARTNER PARTNER

CATHERINE PIERATT NEIL PIERATT JEREMY BLOOMER BRIAN
LEED AP AIA, LEED AP BD+C AIA KAMINSKI

INTERIORS ASSOCIATE PROJECT MANAGER BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT

“SPS+ has the largest “
staff dedicated to
educational design
in the state of
Arizona. Bob Pian, Partner
SPS+ Architects

3 Partners 2 Associates

3 Directors 6 Project Managers

5 Interior Designers 5 Administrative Professionals

3 CA Specialist 9 BIM Specialists

Registered Interior
Architect Designer

OUR EXPERIENC
SPS+ Architects’ track record of exceeding project expectations through innovative thinking
has saved our clients millions of dollars to redirect towards additional improvements. Since we
understand the technical underpinning of so many building aspects, we know how to make
improvements where appropriate and cut costs without sacrificing integrity. Our team of
education design experts are experienced in charter school new construction, as well as major
additions and remodels. For example, SPS+ is currently completing projects for Basis Schools,
Heritage Academy and Think Through Academy.

CHARTER SCHOOLS PRIVATE SCHOOLS
• Heritage Academy (Queen Creek) • International School of Arizona
• Heritage Academy (Laveen) • Pardes Jewish Day School
• Heritage Academy (Mesa) • Paideia Academy
• Odyssey Institute
• Basis Schools Mesa OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
• Basis Schools Prescott • Arizona Charter Association
• Think Through Academy
• Horizon Learning Center Office TI
• Victory Collegiate Academy
• Dobson Academy
• ASU Preparatory Academy
• Synergy Schools

CE “

“As designers, it is our
job to help our clients
realize their dream.
While working with
charter schools we
have helped over
20 seperate charters
realize their dream
schools! Mark Davenport, Partner
SPS+ Architects



SEQUOIA PATHFINDER ACADEMY CLIENT

DESCRIPTION Sequoia Charter Schools

Neil and Catherine Pieratt designed a new 37,105 SF SQUARE FOOTAGE
charter school located in Mesa Arizona. This project
design was designed with consideration and respect to 37,105 SF
the master planned community and adjacent parks. The
school had a unique blend of concert tilt walls, masonry, COST
perforated steel exterior rotunda, EIF and hardies board
systems. The interior and exterior spaces were uniquely $5,059,206
designed to use the building as a teaching tool and
to promote creativity at all age levels, flexibility and CONTRACTOR
collaboration was expressed through shared resource
rooms in the classrooms and double sided platform state Gcon Construction
servicing both the student commons and cafetorium.
CONSULTANTS

Hoskin Ryan Consultants
Broderick Engineering
Arizona Pinnacle
Adnerson Barron

PARDES JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

DESCRIPTION

In order to best promote campus safety and the
education process, we begin planning for work on an
occupied campus during design. Whenever possible,
we schedule the most disruptive work when school
is not in session for maximum safety. In one recent
example earlier this year, Pardes Jewish Day School, we
coordinated the infrastructure, site and playground to
be completed during the summer. As a result, the major
work was completed during an unoccupied time and
the kids were able to play outside upon their return.

CLIENT CONTRACTOR

Pardes Jewish Day Canyon Building &
School Design

SQUARE FOOTAGE CONSULTANTS

12,200 SF Gookin Engineers
Caruso Turley Scott
COST Kraemer Engineers
EDC Engineering
$1,912,211.47



HERITAGE ACADEMY PHASE I CLIENT

DESCRIPTION Heritage Academy

Heritage Academy approached SPS+ Architects with a SQUARE FOOTAGE
challenge: design two new 45,000 SF schools to be built
in time to open later the same year. Our team utilized all 45,000 SF
assets at our disposal to successfully accomplish this task,
delivering a fully permitted set of construction documents a COST
mere seven weeks after the school hired our team. Heritage
Academy’s exterior design, inspired by Independence Hall $11,000,000
in Philadelphia, reflects the academy’s curriculum, which
centers on the principles of the Founding Fathers. The two CONTRACTOR
four story educational facilities serve 800 students each. SPS+
provided full architectural services including programming, VIP Construction
design, preparation of construction documents, and self-
certification permitting at two municipalities. CONSULTANTS

Structural Force
Entellus Inc.
Kraemer Consulting
Harrington Planning



8681 E Via de Negocio
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
p: 480.991.0800

www.spsplusarchitects.com