Middle School Classroom Modernization
Overview
During my summer 2025 internship at Ruhnau Clarke Architects, I supported Black Mountain Middle School and Meadowbrook Middle School Classroom Modernization projects through the 100% Design Development Phase and 100% Construction Development Phase. I participated in 2 on-site field visits, design implementation, and technical coordination to align architectural, electrical, and accessibility requirements (specifically in restrooms and parking lots).
Project Index
GRAPHICS
Black Mountain Middle School
Critical Skills CRP Modernization — Poway Unified School District
100% Design Development Package — July 2025
Meadowbrook Middle School
Critical Skills CRP Modernization — Poway Unified School District
100% Design Development Package — July 2025
Project Takeaways
Lessons & Principles
Construction Documents & Detailing
Design development and construction documents are where abstract concepts become buildable reality. Learning to refine notation, material callouts, and drawing sets under mentor feedback taught me that precision in documentation directly impacts how faithfully a design is executed in the field.
- Prepared construction document sets for internal review, refining notation and material callouts based on mentor feedback
- Developed Revit software skills through daily use in producing architectural drawings and coordinating model updates
- Strengthened AutoCAD skill development for 2D detailing, dimensioning, and drawing refinement workflows
Accessibility & Regulatory Compliance
Ensuring ADA compliance in school environments requires meticulous attention to dimensional standards and user needs. Checking restroom layouts reinforced that accessibility is not an afterthought but a fundamental spatial and technical consideration that shapes every design decision.
- Checked restroom layouts for ADA compliance, including clear floor spaces, turning radii, grab bar locations, and fixture heights
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
Architectural projects succeed through coordination across disciplines. Working alongside engineering teams during design development and construction document phases showed me how architectural intent must be continuously aligned with structural, electrical, and accessibility requirements to produce cohesive, code-compliant outcomes.
- Collaborated with engineering teams to align architectural, electrical, and accessibility requirements during DD and CD phases
- Participated in 2 on-site field visits to assess existing conditions and coordinate design implementation with project stakeholders