LOCATION
Maria Stein, Ohio
COMPLETION
July 2026
SCOPE
New Construction
A new building addition at Marion Local Schools is underway, designed to enhance both student life and community engagement. The expansion includes 11 junior high classrooms, a kitchen, commons area, central office, gymnasium with locker rooms, and a dedicated agricultural suite with a greenhouse. The project officially broke ground in November 2024 with an expected completion before the start of the 2026–27 school year.
The Garmann Miller master planning team partnered with a volunteer facilities task force made up of local stakeholders to address top priorities, enrollment trends, and funding options to help the Flyers decide on the best plan for the future of their school. Community meetings also were held to share key data and ensure all voices were heard that contributed to the success of the project.
A standout design element is the incorporation of two clerestory storefront systems. Located on the south side of the gymnasium and the north side of the commons, these systems feature insulated translucent glazing rather than traditional transparent glass. This innovative approach allows ample natural light to filter into the spaces while diffusing brightness to reduce glare and minimize the need for artificial lighting.
One challenge for the design team involved accommodating the plumbing needs of the gymnasium during high-occupancy events. While day-to-day usage by students and staff is relatively modest, gym events significantly increase the number of occupants. Solutions resulted in more publicly accessible fixtures than initially anticipated by the school.
This addition to Marion Local Schools is a future-ready investment in the district’s educational infrastructure, blending functional improvements with thoughtful design to support the needs of students, staff, and the broader Flyer community.