In 2020, the Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District, one of the largest in New York State, embarked on an ambitious Capital Improvement Project (CIP) to optimize its facilities and better support the growing needs of its student population.

Client
Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District

Location
Erie County, New York

Total Project Cost
$75 M

Project Type
General

Completed
2024

Services
Architecture, Interior Design, Mechanical Engineering, Civil/Site Engineering, Plumbing Engineering

Photographer
Kim Smith Photo

Key Contact
Brian Trott

Community
Students and teachers pass by a TV in a main hallway with blue and green accents at Kenmore-Tonawanda UFSD.

As a design partner, CPL was tasked with transforming spaces at Kenmore West High School, Herbert Hoover Elementary and Thomas Edison Elementary, focused on meeting immediate needs while positioning the district for future success.

A red elementary school classroom at Kenmore-Tonawanda UFSD, with a teacher sitting at the front and students sitting at their desks. There is a TV by the whiteboard.
A teacher and student do math equations on a writable wall in a K-12 school hallway.

Classrooms were redesigned with flexibility and technology in mind, featuring dual touch screens, mobile charging stations and writable walls that foster collaboration and independent learning. These tech-enabled spaces also cater to varied student and teacher needs, ensuring adaptability for evolving pedagogies.

An entrance reception desk with glass showing a student speaking to the receptionist at Kenmore-Tonawanda UFSD

Beyond the classroom, our K-12 practice team‘s approach included vital infrastructure improvements, upgrading mechanical systems for greater energy efficiency and comfort. Window replacements maximize natural light, creating brighter, healthier learning environments, and secure, single-point of entry vestibules with intrusion-resistant glass and surveillance cameras boost safety, providing peace of mind for staff and families.

Traffic circulation was another core consideration, with redesigned transportation loops and expanded parking to streamline student drop-offs and minimize neighborhood disruption. Kenmore West received a new canopy at its main entrance for weather protection, and Hoover and Edison Elementaries added bollards and lit planters to increase visibility and protect students on sidewalks.

High school students await pickup under the canopy at the school's entrance. The building has a sign above the entrance reading "Kenmore West High School"

Design emphasizes inclusivity, with Hoover’s new wheelchair-accessible playground and sensory rooms across the district providing spaces for all students to engage and reflect, reinforcing support for diverse learners. Strategic branding also promotes district pride and unity; public spaces were infused with Kenmore-Tonawanda’s signature blue and white, whereas student-centric areas feature each school’s unique mascot and colors.

Children play on an adaptive elementary school playground with tactile features and other interactive elements that promote inclusivity.
A student sits on a bench in a light and airy high school hallway, with blue tile details on the wall and a Blue Devil mascot prominently featured and backlit.

Completed as the third phase of a long-term CIP, these enhancements prioritize holistic well-being, equipping Kenmore-Tonawanda students, teachers and their communities to face tomorrow’s challenges with confidence.

An aerial view of the colorful and green Allegany-Limestone elementary school courtyard with crowds milling about.Allegany-Limestone Central School District Courtyard and Landscape Revitalization
image shows a sign that reads "Chautauqua Lake" and has the eagle mascot outside of the Chautauqua Lake Central School District upgraded athletic facilitiesChautauqua Lake Central School Outdoor Athletic Facilities