Most Recent News at RTA

We were surprised and delighted to be honored by the Colorado Springs Downtown Partnership with a Downtown Star award, presented for “outstanding commitments to a thriving downtown.” Our high school architecture class, which is one of the reasons we received the award, is offered every spring.

This is what they said:

"RTA Architects is known for a variety of architectural projects including health care, education and commercial projects, or for their recent selection as Project Lead and Architect of Record for the new Pikes Peak Summit House. What is lesser known is their free, 10-week, after-school Introduction to Architecture course open to area high school students. This year more than 20 students learned about site analysis, history, space planning, programming, architectural drawing, interiors, construction, engineering and more through RTA staff members and community guest speakers. Not only does the program provide kids with a realistic exposure to the industry, but for some students it is their first taste of Downtown Colorado Springs. Through the class they learn about the value of a vibrant downtown through architecture and design of the public realm."

Click the link below to see the other Downtown Star winners!

http://www.downtowncs.com/news/532-2015-downtown-stars-announced.html

Swallows Charter Academy, home of the Spartans, is a K-12 school located in Pueblo West, Colorado. For ten long years, students, staff, and community members have dreamed of having an on-campus gym built for the charter school, and this dream became a reality in time for school to begin this fall. RTA Architects is honored to have worked so closely with SCA staff and community members from the surrounding area to help accomplish this dream.

On September 10^th, Dr. Cindy Compton, SCA Director, led a long-anticipated ribbon cutting for the opening of their new gymnasium, locker rooms, and a kitchen and commons area. Important staff and community members, such as SCA Board of Directors member Mr. Mason Young, SCA Building Corporation member Mrs. Liz Lutz-Essenburg, Director of School Services Mrs. Katheryn Meyer, and Project Manager at H.W. Houston Construction Mark Taravella, attended the event. Compton pointed out that the kindergarteners, who so sweetly sat with ear-to-ear grins on their faces during the ceremony, would be the first class to have a sports facility for their entire school career.

The completion of this building is a huge accomplishment for SCA and many people are overjoyed to see it finished. However, students, staff, and members of the community look forward to the future as this project is only the first phase of a larger plan for the entire school. Swallows Charter will continue to pursue funding for further renovation of their educational building.

Swallows Charter Academy did not only gain a new facility in this process, but also a newfound sense of pride. The school as a whole now has a greater, fuller identity and students are proud to play sports on their home turf.

RTA staff members Allison Johnson and Alex Asmus participated in the event and were filled with red, white, and blue school spirit. RTA cannot wait to come back and cheer on the Spartans to victory!

On Saturday August 15, 2015, Ignacio High School held its grand opening and ceremonial ribbon cutting. Superintendent Rocco Fuschetto led the ceremony, and dignitaries such as Colorado State Representative J. Paul Brown, Mayor of Ignacio Stella Cox, President of Fort Lewis College Dr. Dene Kay Thomas, and several Sothern Ute Tribal Council representatives participated in the event.

Design for this project began in January of 2012 and was completed over a year-and-a-half later in November of 2013. Construction began in March of 2014 and finished this month. Interestingly, while construction was in process, high school students were housed in the old elementary school building, which was empty because the new, RTA-designed elementary school was finished in 2013. Obviously, this was not an ideal situation for growing high school kids. However, students are now more excited than ever to be in their new school.

A unique part of this project’s story is that the bond to fund the design and construction of the new elementary, middle, and high school buildings passed by a single vote. Now Ignacio School District reminds everyone that “Every vote counts!” Another unique element of this project is that the new high school combines the previous middle school and high school buildings into one unified facility. Also, there are historic elements from the old building included in the new school, such as the gymnasium and tile mosaics. One of the biggest changes to the old building is improved student security and site circulation through distinguishable parking and drop-off areas, a recognizable main entrance, and overall enhanced organization.

Several unique highlights of the new school’s design include a state-of-the-art auditorium to support the growing performing arts program, synthetic turf football and baseball fields, and Southern Ute Bear Dance photographs that were digitized into dramatic graphics and strategically placed throughout the school.

RTA staff members Stuart Coppedge, Brian Calhoun, Ken Gregg, Greg Johnson, and Rick Taves had the privilege of participating in the event and enjoyed touring the new high school with the proud Ignacio community.

We are excited to announce that Moffat PK-12, located in rural Southern Colorado, held its grand opening on August 7th, 2015 with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. Almost 100 staff members, students, and community members joined together in a joyous celebration of the beautiful, new PK-12 school. Superintendent Kirk Bangheart led the ribbon cutting ceremony and a large group of children and adults cut the iconic red ribbon with eagerness.

RTA is extremely proud of the close working relationships that were developed with the administration, staff, and students during this two-year project to create a special building that is unique to Moffat. RTA team members Scott Schuster, Garik Rowe, Rick Taves, Greg Johnson, Doug Abernethy, Ken Gregg, Katie Hawkes, and James McConnell attended the event and felt a sense of achievement as they walked around the finished project.

RTA Architects is excited to welcome four new staff members to its team. Matthew
Carlson received his Master of Architecture degree from Wentworth Institute of
Technology in Boston, MA and brings 3 years of professional experience to the
company. RTA is thrilled to have Matthew as a part of the healthcare and
education teams. Scott Blosser, AIA, NCARB graduated with a Bachelor of
Architecture degree from Oklahoma State University and is a welcome addition to
the healthcare team. His previous experience includes the Tandy Education
Center at the University of Oklahoma, Chisholm Creek Master Plan, and Tract 30
at Chisholm Creek. Sheva Willoughby, Associate AIA received her Master of
Architecture degree in 2010 from the University of Colorado, Denver. She has 3
years of historic preservation experience and 4 years of experience in
healthcare architecture. She has also served on the AIA Colorado South Board of
Directors for 4 years and is currently the Director of Outreach. RTA is excited
to have her as a part of the healthcare team. Alexandria Asmus recently
graduated from the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has
joined RTA as the new marketing assistant.

Our partnership with Rose Public Relations has won significant media coverage for RTA in the trade and news media. According to RTA Principal Stuart Coppedge, "Rose PR has gotten us published more in two years than we had been in the last 38!" Principal Sue Rose has specialized in winning media attention for construction and manufacturing firms in Denver, Chicago, and Boston for over 14 years. Check out our media articles page!

Colorado Springs, CO—Stuart Coppedge, AIA, has been elected 2016 - 2017 Treasurer of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The announcement was made at the 2015 AIA National Convention held in Atlanta, May 14 - 16, 2015.

Stuart's long history of AIA leadership began in 2005 when he served as AIA Colorado South President, then AIA Colorado Treasurer, AIA Colorado President, and AIA Western Mountain Region (WMR) Secretary. He then represented the six-state WMR from 2012-2014 as an influential member of the AIA National Board of Directors during a time of significant change, serving on the Finance and Audit Committee as well as leading a select nation-wide group focused on cultural transformation within the AIA.

"We, as the AIA, must embrace our critical role in the future of our profession, balancing bold vision with fiscal responsibility," he stated to the convention delegates. "I believe I can bring great value by working closely with other elected leadership, CACE, and our great staff to devise and implement strategies that address our organization's current and future needs, and align our monetary policies with our members' priorities."

Coppedge is a principal at RTA Architects, which is celebrating 40 years of exemplary client service and innovative design in 2015. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Atlas Preparatory Academy, serves as an Advisory Board member of the Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs, and was appointed in 2014 by City Council to a three-year term on the Downtown Review Board.

Colorado Springs, CO—Congratulations to Allison Johnson of RTA Architects on earning her architectural license from the state of Colorado!

A small Colorado school district hit by disaster revives community and school spirit with new school building, by Stuart Coppedge as featured in American School Board Journal.