RECAP: CLE/AKR | Building Tour Cuyahoga Falls 6–12 Campus

Our Cleveland Akron City Center was excited to kick off our 2026 programming with a behind-the-scenes look at the newly completed Cuyahoga Falls 6–12 Campus, welcoming 40 attendees for an in-depth tour of this transformative educational facility.

Located at 2630 13th Street in Cuyahoga Falls, the 365,000 SF, three-story campus represents more than seven years of planning, collaboration, and community engagement. Designed to consolidate grades 6–12 into one cohesive environment, the project balances efficiency with the unique needs of a wide age range; an early challenge identified through extensive stakeholder input and a district-led facilities committee.

Attendees experienced firsthand how the design concept draws from the identity of the community. The Black Tiger mascot and school colors energize the interiors through bold graphics and material selections, while the idea of the Cuyahoga “Falls” subtly informs circulation and spatial flow, creating moments of movement and progression throughout the building. From the performing arts center and black box theater to collaborative learning areas, career technical education spaces, three gymnasiums, and the planetarium, the campus offers students a dynamic and future-ready environment.

 The tour highlighted how collaboration shaped every phase of the project. Designers, architects, engineers, construction managers, and district administrators worked in lockstep, while staff and student engagement sessions, and even a furniture fair paired with a survey, ensured users had a direct voice in final decisions. Regular check-ins kept the vision aligned from concept through occupancy in January 2026.

Conversations during the tour frequently returned to how interior design elevates the student experience. Light-filled spaces, intuitive wayfinding, age-appropriate finishes, and flexible learning environments support both focus and collaboration. Clear sightlines, secure vestibules, and thoughtful zoning strategies demonstrate how safety, aesthetics, and functionality can work seamlessly together rather than compete. As one ribbon-cutting attendee shared, “If my son’s school looked like this, he would want to come to school.” That sentiment captures the true impact of intentional design.

The evening concluded with a happy hour at Missing Mountain Brewery, where attendees continued the conversation around educational environments, community identity, and the evolving role of design in K–12 spaces.

Huge thank you to Cuyahoga Falls City School District for generously opening your doors and allowing us to tour this incredible new campus, and to ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) for the thoughtful planning and leadership that made the experience so meaningful and insightful. We’re also grateful to our sponsors for their continued support of our programming. We’re excited to continue showcasing impactful projects across our city center throughout the year.