Involving Consultants Ensures Project Harmony

There were no fewer than eight consultants involved in the design of the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, including a theatre consultant, pool consultant and communications consultant.

The school district was informed early in the process that these experts would deliver a better project: flexible spaces for school and community use, sound efficiency and reduced energy consumption. District officials and staff were also involved in the selection process of the team to ensure a proper fit and comfort level as the project moved forward. “We found that GLTArchitects and all the consultants came together in a spirit of cooperation as opposed to a spirit of competition,” says Greg Vandal, Sauk Rapids-Rice School District Superintendent. “They came together for the school district and did a marvelous job as a result.”

Not every project requires outside experts, but it is essential when designing special spaces such as a theatre, adds Steve Paasch, GLTArchitects partner who was lead architect for both the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School and the Paramount Theatre restoration in St. Cloud.

“From the rigging to the lighting and the orchestra pit, we learn things from the experts that we can apply to our next project,” Paasch says.

What’s more, the client will receive a top-notch performance. For Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, the right team resulted in a beautiful, energy-savvy and flexible design that came in at a little over $108 per square foot, far less than the national average for high schools.