North Montco Technical Career Center

Location: Lansdale, PA
Description: Building Renovation & Expansion

North Montco Technical Career Center (NMTCC) provides technically focused and career-specific education to students from grades 9 through 12. NMTCC Students come from five surrounding School Districts. Their existing building was constructed in 1967 and received a substantial addition in 1995; however, this addition only partially renovated the original building. GKO Architects was asked to evaluate the existing facility, and provide the required renovations and additions to meet the School’s advanced Educational Program standards.

The project scope included the construction of an addition to accommodate public interface and enhanced security; renovations to the Welding, Protective Services, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Electricity, and Visual Communications Programs, and upgrades to the existing Building Systems Infrastructure.

Carbon Career & Technical Institute

Location: Jim Thorpe, PA
Description: Building Renovation & Expansion

After 42 years of operation, Carbon Career and Technical Institute found itself in need of significant facility improvement. This revitalization project expanded many program areas and provided additional work space, new equipment, dedicated theory rooms, and increased storage. The reorganization of existing spaces resulted in improved clustering of related programs and enhanced building security. The project also replaced Building Systems Infrastructure, which was original to the building.

The new addition exterior was carefully detailed to complement the existing building. Similar construction materials were employed to blend the new addition facades with the existing facades, while at the same time providing an updated look for the facility.

The bids came in under budget and the five sending School Districts approved construction of the project.

Lancaster County Career & Technology Center

Location: Lancaster County, PA
Description: Renovations to Three Campuses

Lancaster County Career & Technology Center (LCCTC) has three campuses throughout Lancaster County: Willow Street, Brownstown, and Mount Joy. All three facilities provide Career & Technical education for grades 9 through 12. LCCTC students are drawn from 16 surrounding school districts to attend this successful program.

The campuses were constructed in late 1960s and received minor renovations in the 1990s. All three facilities were in need of revitalization to meet the needs of LCCTC’s current Educational Program. In addition, the building system infrastructures needed to be largely replaced as they were original to the 1960s era construction. The projects were phased; construction was completed over a three-year period.

Middle Bucks Institute of Technology

Location: Jamison, PA
Description: Complete Renovation & New Administration Addition

Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT) focuses on providing career development, advanced technical training, and pre-professional programs to students in grades 10 through 12. Working closely with the administrative staff at MBIT and the Joint Operating Committee (represents the sending School Districts), GKO Architects designed a revitalization plan for this 145,000-square-foot facility. As part of the renovations, the existing building infrastructure was completely replaced with energy-efficient systems, improvements were made to meet building code and accessibility requirements, and programs were analyzed and restructured for better functionality.

An addition was also constructed to expand the Administrative Offices and address security concerns. Facility security was also enhanced through the provision of a security check-point at the new main entrance. As a prominent feature and focal point on the exterior façade, the new entrance was highlighted with an extended canopy.