Cornerstone was pleased to be selected as construction manager / GC to be part of a multi-disciplinary team to renovate and expand an existing Elwyn education space into a new 14,000 SF Early Education Center and Regional Office for Elwyn’s Early Learning Services (ELS) Program. 

Elwyn ELS program helps children with developmental delays and disabilities to build skills, confidence, and independence. In order to support this program, the new space was designed to function both as a modern mental health facility on one end and an up-to-date preschool on the other. The design team reimagined the space organized along a central axis with the 2 programs at either end of the building, each with their own new entrances onto separate streets. Additional support spaces including a playground and 2 parking lots were also rehabilitated.

We were an integral member of the team from the early stages of the project providing cost estimating services and feedback on design decisions to help shape the project to the client’s budget. Cornerstone handled all permitting services and attended project meetings throughout the design process.  Throughout construction Cornerstone provided direct supervision of all work including subcontractors and our talented staff self-performed much of the work. 

Our project management team utilized real-time communication tools to keep stakeholders informed at every stage of the renovation. From the initial demolition at 5548 Chestnut to the final walkthrough, our focus remained on quality, safety, and budget adherence.

The build included:

Regional office space:

• Creation of a new office entrance with welcome desk and waiting room to greet new clients. New interior stairs with a new ADA lift were included to make the office space accessible.
• New patient assessment rooms were created with high performing acoustical partitions to maintain HIPPA privacy.
• Created new glass walled conference rooms and a “touchdown” coworking / training space that encourage employee interaction.
• Created new and renovated existing restroom facilities for staff and visitors.
• New staff areas including breakroom, copy areas, and storage

Education Center:

• Creation of a new school entrance by opening existing closed masonry openings, with a security desk and waiting vestibule. Sidewalk renovations to provide a new ADA accessible ramp were included in the entry scope
• Five classrooms equipped with cutting-edge teaching technology for children ages three to five with special needs. Special attention was paid to working with the design team to create high performing acoustical partitions between each of the classrooms and the other spaces of the facility.
• New gross motor classroom to provide a physical activity space w/ specialized storage and rubber safety flooring. New windows were opened to provide natural light to the play space and owner provided apparatuses were installed.
• Created brand new children’s multi-stall restrooms with age-appropriate plumbing fixtures, and custom diaper changing stations for  younger students. 
• New staff areas including breakroom, laundry and kitchenette for student lunch preparation. 

Playground:

• Removal of old, hazardous asphalt surface and replaced with poured-in-place rubber safety surfacing. This material provides excellent fall protection and is accessible for students with mobility aids, ensuring every child can participate in outdoor play.
• Installation of age-appropriate equipment and climbing structures constructed of natural materials with soft-touch coatings. 
• New tensile shade structures were provided to ensure shaded seating areas for supervision and rest.
• New perimeter landscaping was installed with security fencing and controlled access gates.
• Work was completed with a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) to ensure the finished product meets the highest standards.