Schooley Caldwell

05/29/2026

Schooley Caldwell continues to support diversity and inclusion through its participation in the AIA Columbus, NOMA Columbus, and International Interior Design Association Pride Float initiative.

This year’s model is a replica of Rhodes State Office Tower, finished in “Impulsive Purple.” It is one of several models, each in a different color, that together form a collective rainbow.

The model will be on display at the Center for Architecture and Design on Town Street through the Stonewall Columbus Pride March on June 20th. Come out and see the models at the exhibit and later downtown during the march!

05/22/2026

Exciting news from our work on the Ohio Village at the Ohio History Center: the 1945 B&O wagon-top caboose from the Ohio History Center’s collection was recently moved into place near the Ohio Village Visitor Center, serving as a welcoming feature at the outdoor entrance to the village.

Ohio Village is currently undergoing a comprehensive renovation aimed at enhancing the visitor experience and supporting seasonal events. In addition to streetscape to improve accessibility for all visitors, the project includes a new bandstand in the village green, a stable-inspired building that will serve as public restrooms, and a bier garden with a small stage for events.

We look forward to sharing more updates as this immersive historic destination continues to take shape.

Images provided by the Continental Building Co.

05/18/2026

We are thrilled to partner with CAPA to transform the oldest stone church in Columbus into a new destination for the arts. The Second Presbyterian Church, also known as Central Presbyterian Church, will now begin a new chapter as a dynamic venue for creativity, performance, and connection.

This project carefully preserves the church’s historic character while introducing modern technology for enhanced sound, lighting, and comfort. Designed with accessibility and flexibility in mind, the venue will accommodate events ranging from intimate gatherings to audiences of up to 600 people. With its flat floor and no fixed seating, it offers a unique and adaptable space unlike any other venue operated by CAPA.

Thanks to strong community support from more than 250 families, corporations, foundations, and a generous gift from the Wrightsel Family Foundation, the venue will be named Wrightsel Music Hall.

At Schooley Caldwell, we are proud to create spaces where people come together to celebrate, create, and connect. By honoring the past and designing for the future, we support culture and the arts in all their forms.

For further details on CAPA and the Wrightsel Music Hall project, please visit: www.capa.com

Read more about the project on the Columbus Dispatch website: https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/music/2026/05/14/capa-names-columbus-church-wrightsel-music-hall/90077603007/

A historic downtown Columbus church is becoming an arts venue. Find out what the new music hall will be called when it opens in 2027.

05/13/2026

Check out our progress on the Bicentennial Barn at McCammon Creek Park, recently featured in the Columbus Dispatch! Originally one of 88 barns painted in 2003 to commemorate Ohio’s 200th year of statehood, the historic structure is being transformed into an event center for Preservation Parks of Delaware County. Our design also includes a new addition with a kitchen, restrooms, office, and storage, as well as space planned for future classrooms. The Bicentennial logo originally painted on the side of the barn will be repainted by muralist Scott Hagan, who is scheduled to return to the site in late July.

Construction is expected to wrap up in summer 2026!

05/05/2026

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague and friend, Dick Ross. For nearly four decades, Dick was a steady and guiding presence at Schooley Caldwell, an unsung hero whose quiet confidence and unwavering dedication shaped the firm in lasting ways. As Architectural Division Director, he was a hardworking, fair-minded leader who approached every task with integrity, dependability, and a commitment to doing things the right way.

Known for his calm demeanor and sharp attention to detail, Dick ensured that every design and drawing met the highest standards of completeness and quality. His contributions spanned projects of all sizes, from renovating hundreds of warehouse restrooms on a military supply base to meticulously detailing the restoration of a state capitol. No matter the scope, his thoroughness and precision elevated the work and set a standard for those around him.

Beyond his technical expertise, Dick was warm, approachable, and genuinely kind. His laughter carried through the office, and his good humor had a way of lifting even the busiest days. He mentored generously, led by example, and brought a sense of steadiness and care to everyday interactions that left a lasting impression on all who worked with him.

Among the many projects he led, one of the most challenging was the relocation of the Union Station Arch in the late 1990s, following the firm’s move to its current location. Today, the arch stands just down the street across from Nationwide Arena, a lasting reminder of his leadership and dedication.

Dick’s legacy is one of craftsmanship, mentorship, and quiet excellence. We are grateful for the time we shared with him, for the lessons he taught us, and for the many moments of laughter he brought into our days.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. He will be deeply missed and remembered with respect, gratitude, and affection.

Rest in peace, “Cool Breeze.”

Celebrate the life of Richard Ross, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Schoedinger Dublin.

04/29/2026

Join us for an upcoming webinar with Heritage Ohio, “Planning a Renovation? A Guide to Finding the Right Design Team and Writing Effective Project Proposal Requests.”

Melinda Shah, one of our principals, will walk you through the process of selecting the right design partner. She will be joined by Elisabeth Van Meter who will provide practical guidance on the dos and don’ts of preparing a qualifications request.

The webinar will be held on May 5th from 1:00–2:00 PM. Follow the link to register—we hope you can tune in!

Beginning a building restoration or revitalization project can be daunting, especially when you’re unsure where to start or how to identify the right partners. This webinar is designed to guide owners through the early stages of project development, including how to structure and issue a request f...

04/17/2026

Construction at Campbell Hall on the main campus of the Ohio State University is nearly complete!

The renovated facility will serve as a reenvisioned home for the College of Education & Human Ecology (EHE), featuring a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen, lab spaces, classrooms, costume gallery, and student study areas. A key highlight of the project is the community space at the core of the building that will provide a new social and event space designed to support student collaboration and study, while also accommodating college-wide events.

03/31/2026

Schooley Caldwell is excited to announce that we are now a certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) with the State of Ohio.

In addition to our Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification, this designation reflects our continued commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Half of our leadership team and half of our staff are women.

In the spirit of Women’s History Month, we recognize and celebrate the impact of the women in our firm who help shape a more equitable and inclusive built environment.

03/26/2026

The Ohio Women’s Monument at the Ohio Statehouse is set to be unveiled in summer 2026 - marking a significant step toward a more inclusive representation of our state’s history. This new installation honors the lasting impact of women in Ohio and highlights their role in shaping the state, with a special connection to the legacy of the women’s suffrage movement and the centennial of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

The monument's designer, artist Brenda Councill, is known for her bronze sculptures of historic female figures. At the event, she presented clay models of the women who will be immortalized in bronze. The ceremony featured several speakers who have played key roles in advancing the project, including Donna Collins, executive director of the Ohio Arts Council, and Stephanie Kunze, a board member of the Capitol Square Foundation.

As the first monument on Statehouse grounds dedicated to real women - and only the second of its kind in the nation - this project represents a meaningful milestone. Schooley Caldwell is proud to support the continued evolution of the Statehouse campus and the powerful legacy this monument will represent for women across Ohio and beyond.

03/24/2026

Schooley Caldwell partnered with Columbus Museum of Art to transform the third floor of The Pizzuti into “Bar Room,” a space that functions both as an immersive art installation and a fully realized reggae bar.

The Pizzuti, a satellite campus of Columbus Museum of Art located in the Short North Arts District, advances the museum’s commitment to contemporary art through exhibitions, performances, and public programs. The third floor was transformed into what is now known as “Bar Room,” which offers a curated beverage and food menu, including bespoke cocktails highlighting cane-based spirits and locally roasted Ethiopian coffee.

Created by Bahamian-born artist Tavares Strachan, “Bar Room” links Columbus with the Caribbean, celebrating Afro-Caribbean music and the living legacies of the African diaspora in Central Ohio. Opened in October 2025 as a permanent feature of The Pizzuti, “Bar Room” is envisioned as a dynamic cultural destination within the Short North. Columbus Museum of Art sees the space as adaptable and community-centered, equally suited for casual gatherings, nightlife, creative engagement, or quiet study, responding to the evolving needs of the public.

Photography by Luke Stettner.