Abraham Depp & Hopewell Elementary Schools, Dublin City Schools

The Call: A Proven Model That Deserved Fresh Perspective

Dublin City Schools had a proven elementary school model at Glacier Ridge. The design was working well for students, and the district wanted to build two more schools based on the same floorplans: Abraham Depp Elementary and Hopewell Elementary. But the district did not want to simply replicate the design without question. They wanted fresh perspective on how to maximize the benefits and address any limitations of the original model. That meant bringing in a second firm alongside the original architect, a decision that required finding a partner who could add genuine value without creating conflict.

A Collaboration Designed to Strengthen, Not Compete

The district chose Triad to team with the firm that designed the original Glacier Ridge Elementary. The collaboration was intentional: the original team brought the institutional knowledge of why things were planned the way they were. Triad brought new eyes and the willingness to respectfully question the design. Together, the district got the best of both: continuity and fresh perspective.

The Decisions That Improved a Proven Design

Triad conducted a program and schematic design review of the Glacier Ridge model. The review evaluated how the original spaces were performing, where opportunities existed to improve, and how the two new schools could maximize the proven model’s strengths while addressing its limitations. The collaboration with the original firm ensured that recommended changes were informed by an understanding of why the original decisions were made.

Triad was also responsible for the building envelope design of both new elementary schools. The envelope protects the building from the elements and is critical to long-term performance and energy efficiency. Triad’s team designed the envelope for both Abraham Depp and Hopewell to perform at the highest level, ensuring the new schools would be protected and efficient from day one.

The project was delivered on schedule with the efficiency and responsiveness a public budget demands. The district’s leadership had set a clear expectation: add value, deliver on time, and respect the proven model. The collaboration delivered on all three.

Two New Schools That Benefit from Both a Proven Model and Fresh Perspective

Abraham Depp and Hopewell Elementary Schools are now open. Both are built on the proven Glacier Ridge model. Both benefit from the program review that identified improvements. Both have building envelopes designed for high performance. And both were delivered through a collaboration between two firms that strengthened the design instead of creating conflict. The district proved that replicating a good design does not mean accepting it without question. A second set of eyes made a proven model even better.

Please note, both elementary schools were completed in-collaboration with partner architect OHM Advisors.