Elevar Design Group - Higher Education

higher education overview

our passion for education

Our history is rooted in the education market. For more than 50-years we have been working with the Greater Cincinnati area school districts to realize solutions –physical, operational, and financial – that are best for our students.

We like to think of ourselves as more than just an architecture firm, but a partner in the process of supporting our communities and empowering students. There is no greater gift than a good education.

We have the enthusiasm for education, industry knowledge, and technical skills to be a meaningful addition to any higher education project. We leverage our understanding of educational best practices, opportunities for funding, and knowledge of the local construction market to identify solutions that are successful across all metrics.

Our goal is to help institutions of higher learning differentiate themselves by providing facilities that are unique, healthy, friendly and accessible.

our story

elevate (ˈeləˌvāt)

to raise or lift to a more important or impressive level.

At Elevar, we are elevating the game. Our growth is derived from diversity of thought, pragmatism and a keen business sense. We pride ourselves on seeing what others cannot. Our creativity is generated through an applied curiosity and a celebration of people. Our success is measured in our client’s terms: increased performance, improved outcomes and spaces that enliven the spirit.

We chose the name ‘elevar’, the Spanish word for elevate, because we believe it encompasses our core values of: Commitment, and Integrity.

These six values were born out of a 50+ year history of high-quality performance and service to our community. Elevar responds promptly and efficiently to client needs with quality services and innovative, practical design solutions.

We appreciate the folks with whom we work want a greater value for the investments they make – this spirit transcends market and client type. In response we continuously strive to deliver the best solutions: timeless design that is responsive to change with optimal performance for cost.

Elevar has grown from humble beginnings into a staff of more than 80 employees. This growth occurred organically as Elevar continued to design in new markets and build relationships with new clients. We attribute our continued success to our personal commitment and professional abilities.

key players

Elevar Design Group is one of the fastest growing firms in our region. Our staff is a blend of senior designers and technical leaders teamed with the best young talent in the market. In recognition of our architectural heritage, we pair ‘master’ and ‘apprentice’ together to expand shared knowledge and grow abilities. This organization fosters community and accountability.

Because our staff is dedicated to building relationships and championing one another’s success, our firm feels less like a corporation and more like a family. We have found that creatives who seek greater meaning in work find their way to Elevar and, perhaps because of this, we are proud to have very little staff turnover. The tenure of our staff members allows us to focus, learn, and innovate - generating tremendous value for our clients.

Our culture is grown from a fabric of relationships stitched by personal and professional experiences. By hiring the best and the brightest, we have fostered a talented and enthusiastic staff whose commitment to quality carries over into all client relationships.

design partners from the

As the CEO of Elevar Design Group, Tom Fernandez is responsible for the overall vision and innovation of the firm. He facilitates design direction and ensures that his staff is equipped to provide the best solutions to clients. Since assuming executive leadership of the firm in the late 1980s, Tom has been instrumental in growing the staff into the multi-disciplined team of specialized designers it is today.

Tom Fernandez CEO

Kim Patton President

Kim Patton serves as President of Elevar Design Group, guiding the design staff in daily operations and profitability. Kim’s energy and innovation have been the key to his successful career which has spanned nearly 30 years in many different markets. An Architect by trade, his vast experience has influenced his ability to grow Elevar’s staff and to provide clients with costeffective and creative solutions.

Tony Lozier

Senior Vice President, Engineering

Tony Lozier has more than 43 years of experience in MEP Engineering. As Principal of Elevar’s MEP team, he directs all engineering services and ensures the highest quality results for clients. His widespread experience has served as an asset to many of Elevar’s projects, as Tony has the ability to lead the engineering team toward the best solutions for all client projects.

Mr. Krehbiel works in all phases of a project assisting the Project Executive and Project Consultants. He assists in the cost estimating process and tracking of project costs. He also performs site and/or building evaluations and participates in design and development of contract documents.

John Rademacher Client Manager

With more than 30 years of experience, John Rademacher has served a long list of notable clients in various market sectors. John currently serves as the President of the Ohio Architects Board. He has a proven track record of leading diverse teams, designing and building highly complicated and coordinated projects. John stays actively engaged, working on behalf of his clients. By using his insights, talents, training and experience, John contributes meaningfully to clients and the community.

Andy Plogsted

Senior Architect

Andy brings more than 25 years of experience to the Elevar staff. Starting at the firm in 2019, he joined with a multi-faceted portfolio of work which includes educational, higher education, healthcare, and multifamily project experience. He is experienced in large scale, multi-million dollar projectsboth renovations and new construction. Intricately involved in the United States Green Building Council, his prowess with sustainable design is an asset to our clients.

Deanna Hazeley

Senior Interior Designer

Deanna has a great deal of experience with large scale facility planning. Her understanding of proximity, efficiencies and optimal space utilization position her to be well qualified to lead the interior programming efforts of any project. Deanna has been affiliated with the Cincinnati Bengals for 21 years, having served as a Ben-Gal for 10 years and a Ben-Gal Coach for 11 years.

Dick Krehbial Client Manager

Art Academy of Cincinnati Future House

Cincinnati, OH

The Art Academy is planning a major expansion meant to raise its visibility, house new high-tech programs in film and animation, and serve as a working and teaching space for Cincinnati’s design and marketing community.

Partnering with Elevar Design Group, the Academy will transform more than 20,000 SF of the campus into a state-of-the-art innovative and creative educational hub for the community.

Future House will build bridges to Over-the-Rhine and Cincinnati, open doors to local high school students, budding artists, and creative visionaries in the city, and re-envision how to engage with community and business partners.

The transformation is not just physical; Future House will support four new programs: Film, Animation, Social Practice, and Creative Business Entrepreneurship.

The Acacemy’s vision includes more emphasis on video, sound, animation and the technology needed to produce high-quality work in those genres. “We want to turn it in to a community-based, innovative, technology design center,” Hildebrand said. The project will raise the visibility of the Art Academy, which has been a part of Cincinnati since 1869, but whose work and impact remains under the radar for many.

Miami University Kreger Hall Renovation

Oxford, OH

Our firm teamed with Miami University for the rehabilitation of Kreger Hall. Kreger Hall is a 4-story concrete and masonry academic building. The project comprised a complete rehabilitation of approximately 33,000 sq. ft. to accommodate the Physics Department of the College of Arts and Sciences including labs, offices and a new 120 person capacity lecture hall.

A significant component of the project was improvements to the MEP, life safety, classroom technology and voice/data communication systems. Rehabilitation of the building envelope including new elevator, windows, masonry restoration, new clay tile roof, ADA upgrades and foundation wall waterproofing were also listed as part of the requirements.

An addition of approximately 18,000 sq. ft. housed additional office spaces. The project is targeted to meet or exceed the minimum requirements for LEED Silver Certification.

Miami University Benton Hall Renovations

Oxford, OH

As part of a collaborative team our professionals completed the design and construction of the renovation to the existing Benton Hall. The new building accommodates various classrooms and specialized lab facilities. Rehabilitation of Benton Hall involved renovation of three levels currently containing mainly labs, offices, classrooms and a lecture hall. Benton Hall and the new School of Engineering and Applied Science (a new construction) are connected via a pedestrian bridge, facilitating interaction between the two schools located in different structures and eliminating the need to duplicate functional areas.

Many of the lab facilities have special electrical, HVAC, floor loading, and ceiling height requirements as well as service requirements such as compressed air, deionized and/or distilled water, plumbing, steam, fume hoods, exhaust fans and multiple network connections. The lab facilities included specialized chemical engineering, paper science, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, computer engineering, environmental science, electronic design, advanced manufacturing processes, computer aided experimentation, quality planning and control, microprocessor based systems, and computer integrated manufacturing.

The project included extensive renovation to the existing auditorium to make it more adaptable to the new technologies in both A/V equipment as well as acoustics. In addition to restorative exterior work to the façade, the entire roof was replaced and a cupola, skylight, and a grand front portico were added. In addition, Benton Hall also houses the hub for the entire telecommunication network. The room had to be maintained throughout the entire demolition and remodeling period without damage or interruption of power.

Miami University School for Engineering & Applied Sciences Renovations

Oxford, OH

The new SEAS building accommodates various specialized laboratory facilities. The existing Benton Hall and the new facility are connected, facilitating interaction between portions of the school located in different structures and eliminating the need to duplicate functional areas. The project included new offices, classrooms, teaching and research laboratories, and all support spaces including hallways, restrooms and meeting rooms. General purpose computer labs and student project areas were designed to be flexible enough to meet the programmatic requirements of each department, yet sophisticated enough to ensure the maximization of technological and adherence to detail for each field of study.

Cincinnati State Technical & Community College

Cincinnati, OH

As part of a collaboration with Burt Hill (now Stantec), our team designed a new center which includes a state-of-the-art information technology facility, auditoriums, a premier culinary arts college, a student life center, a communication center, a wellness center, and support functions. The design created a modern, efficient parking structure for 747 cars (200,000 square feet) that supports existing and new facilities on campus.

Xavier University Various ProjectsCincinnati, OH

Our team provided interior design for Xavier University’s Cintas Center. Located in the heart of the Xavier University campus, the Cintas Center houses a 10,250-seat arena acting as the location of the university basketball and volleyball games, graduations, conventions, and other large events. It includes a number of private suites and two club lounges. The Schiff Family Conference Center is a bi-level conference and banquet facility designed to accommodate wedding receptions, anniversaries, and Xavier activities for groups up to 650 people. The upper level of the center is designed to accommodate high-tech groups. Each classroom is equipped with built-in data transmission systems and state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment.

Your team did an exceptionally good job at listening to what we want and need. Your process emphasized accountability for the budget and the need to keep the project on time. Your team was able to take our overall vision and make the appropriate alterations so as to keep it on time and on budget.

- President Xavier University

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University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music

Cincinnati, OH

Our firm provided architectural support and construction administration services to the signature design firm and the Associate Architect of Record for this major expansion and renovation of the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. Phase I of the project included complete renovation of Schmidlapp Hall in order to accommodate performance and practice spaces. The building was previously used for a variety of purposes and reprogrammed for new classrooms, rehearsal space and large scale performance. Renovated with flexibility, the existing building was designed to host large scale events and small scale practices. Significant attention was given to acoustic performance within each of the spaces as well as toward presenting The University as a destination for concert-goers, talented young music students and gifted performers alike. Materials were chosen and spaces were designed to promote successful learning environments. Overall, the renovation made a very high level of performance available to the College and neighboring community.

Phase II included expansion and renovation of the current College Conservatory of Music buildings and included several theaters, recital halls, classrooms, auditoriums, practice rooms, studios, labs, offices, support and parking facilities. Another phase involved new and renovated spaces for OMDA Wing to include all types of dance studios, theaters, recital halls, classrooms and support spaces.

University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience

Cincinnati, OH

Working under nationally renowned firm Perkins and Will, Elevar was hired to perform the FF&E component of this high-profile project.

There are more than 600 diseases of the nervous system, such as brain tumors, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and stroke as well as less familiar ones such as front temporal dementia. The list includes: ALS, Arteriovenous Malformation, Brain Aneurysm, Brain Tumors, Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae, Epilepsy, Headache, Memory Disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Peripheral Neuropathy, Post-Herpetic Neuralgia, Spinal Cord Tumor, Stroke.

The project is active 3 floors at 30,000 SF each and 1 shelled floor; with 2 floors of parking underneath and an outdoor activity terrace. The building includes 4 clinics with exam and procedure, lab, pharmacy, rehabilitation suite, imaging, infusion, 200 seat auditorium, shared public space and staff support space. Our scope included information gathering, room layout validation and planning, evaluation of existing inventory, development of standards, schematic medical equipment layout, pricing out furniture packages and finalizing bid documents, coordinating deliveries and installation, and project close out. UC Health’s goal for this new building, the first new construction on campus in 30 years, was to provide comprehensive care for the most complex neurological patients across 15 specialties.

Neurology patients across the spectrum are physically challenged in many ways but primarily by lack of balance, lack of muscle control and lack of strength. The furniture specified addresses all these needs as well as being cleanable and aesthetically pleasing. The medical equipment for the project was placed with standardization in mind for ease of maintenance.

University of Cincinnati Vontz Center for Molecular Studies

Cincinnati, OH

The Vontz Center for Molecular Studies, designed by acclaimed architect Frank Gehry, entered service on the University’s East Medical Campus in 1999. The iconic free-form design was executed, in this instance, using three dimensional curved, prefabricated brick masonry walls and roofs in lieu of the typically polished metal claddings utilized to a greater extent on other Gehry projects of this period. As this structure was nearing twenty years of service, it began to require both periodic maintenance and wall, window, parapet and roofing upgrades to the unique building envelope. Recurrent and systemic water infiltration issues with projecting curtainwalls, sky-sloping masonry panels and a roofing system nearing the end of its service life were beginning to require attention.

The entire multi-phase project includes the major renovation of all the building enclosure systems while the building remained occupied. Systems included roofing, copings, skylights, exterior window walls, unit masonry, and site wall and stair repairs. The roofing scope included complete replacement of the single-ply, paver-ballasted roof with a new highperformance roof system and included replacement of the extensive, oversize metal coping system.

The window wall replacement required temporary weather protection to allow the research labs to function during construction operations. All existing curtainwall systems were replaced. Repeated attempts to seal these original systems had yielded only temporary and ineffectual results. All glazing, as well as flashings and weather tight details, were redesigned and replaced. The masonry scope of work included miscellaneous tuck pointing throughout and the application of masonry water repellent. Additional minor masonry remediation was required to maintain continuity of the exterior air / water barrier. Sealants between adjacent materials were renewed where required.

projects

Xavier University

Cintas Center

Schmidt Hall Improvements Hoff Dining Hall

O’Connor Sports Center

Williams College of Business

Sinclair Community College

IST Lab

Elevator Cab Upgrades

Lactation Room Renovation

Wright State University

Health Science Roof Improvements

Oleman Hall Entry Ramp

University of Dayton

Art and Design Studio Expansion

Fitz Hall 4th Floor HVAC Study

Fitz Hall Empower Lab

UDit Training Room Relocation Biology Greenhouse

Fiitz Hall HIS and LOCI

Fitz Hall 665 Renovation

University of Kentucky

College of Nursing Envelope Sealant

Good Sam Canopy

Chandler Hospital Entry Rework

Miami University

Administrative Accounting Office Renovation

Advisor’s Suite Upgrades: Collins, Dorsey and Emerson Halls

Art Building Photo Lab Renovation

Bio-Science Building Partial Renovation Financial Aid Administrative Office Renovation

Gaskill Hall Upgrades

Harris Hall West Dining Room Renovation

Harrison Hall Elevator Study

Irvin Hall Renovation

Lewis Place Renovation

MacMillan Hall New Cultural Center Renovations

Millett Basketball Coaches’ Offices Renovation

Mosler Hall Various Renovations

New Engineering Applied Science Complex

Phelps Hall Theatre Classroom

President’s House Renovations

Richard Hall Renovation

Roudebush Hall Renovation

Southwest Ohio Regional Book Depository Addition

Thompson Hall Partial Renovation

Verity Lodge Renovation

Columbus State Community College Facility Conditions Assessments of 31 buildings

The Ohio State University ATI Greenhouse Improvements FABE Greenhouse Improvements James Cancer Center Room L005 Fit Out

University of Cincinnati Chemical Storage / Library Expansion

Stark State Community College Health Sciences Building

National College Roanoke, VA and Florence, KY Interior Renovations

elevate the way you educate.