Riverside
High School
Client: Indiana Classical Schools
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Status: Completed Spring 2018
Size: 69,800 sf
Responsibilities:
+ Project Architect, Preservation Specialist
+ Condition assessment and feasibility study
+ Rehabilitation documentation
+ Interior space planning and design development
+ Internal design team coordination
+ Direct client engagement
+ Design presentations
+ Consultant design coordination
+ Client assistance with bidding and value engineering
(*completed while employed at RATIO)
In 2016, school administrators engaged RATIO to lead the adaptation of the then-vacant Heslar Naval Armory (constructed 1936-38) into a modern educational facility for Indianapolis Classical Schools' new Riverside branch campus.
The project restored and preserved many original features of the historic Art Moderne structure while creating state-of-the-art educational spaces specifically designed to support the school’s arts-focused curriculum. In addition to providing preservation, architectural, and interior design services, the team also helped secure historic tax credits to assist with project financing. We also worked with the City of Indianapolis and the Indiana State Historic Preservation Office to ensure the building could be reused as a school.
I was directly responsible for documenting and assessing the structure, leading the redesign of the space for educational use, assisting with resolving zoning and floodway issues, leading design review presentations with the clients, developing construction documents for the rehabilitation work, and assisting with construction administration efforts.
The project was awarded Indiana Landmark's 2020 Cook Cup for Outstanding Restoration, the state's top prize for preservation and rehabilitation.