SWACO announced the transformation of its current administrative offices into a modern, interactive Education Center (EC) with new classrooms, and the construction of an administrative office building (AOB), further advancing the agency鈥檚 mission to champion transformational diversion programs which reduce waste and promote sustainability across central Ohio.听
The project will renovate SWACO鈥檚 existing 8,600-square-foot administrative office building at 4239 London Groveport Rd. in Grove City into a new Education Center featuring new and enhanced interactive exhibits and larger, flexible classrooms designed to welcome thousands of school-aged children and community members each year. The renovated space and new building addition are being designed as sustainability-forward facilities that embody the agency鈥檚 vision and mission.听
鈥淔rom the way the building is oriented to maximize natural light, to the materials selected and how it will be heated and powered, this project reflects our commitment to walk the walk when it comes to sustainability,鈥� said SWACO Executive Director Joe Lombardi. 鈥淲e are setting a new standard in central Ohio for facilities that align design, operations and mission.鈥�听
Connected to the renovated EC will be a newly constructed 11,450-square-foot administrative office building that will house SWACO鈥檚 administrative and professional staff. Project site improvements will include additional parking and enhance the building鈥檚 accessibility.听
SWACO鈥檚 project team includes Hill International (Owner’s Representative), Ruscilli Construction (Construction Manager at Risk), DesignGroup (Architect of Record), BBCO (Interior Architect), and Swath Design (Interactive Exhibits).听听
The $22 million project is expected to break ground in late March 2026, with move-in projected for mid-2027. Once completed and operational, the building is expected to achieve net zero energy and a minimum of LEED Silver Certification from the US Green Building Council.听
鈥淭his project represents an investment in the long-term environmental and economic vitality of central Ohio,鈥� said SWACO鈥檚 Assistant Executive Director Scott Perry. 鈥淏y designing facilities that advance net-zero energy goals, reduce embodied carbon and expand hands-on environmental education, we are strengthening our region鈥檚 capacity to lead in sustainability.鈥�听
鈥淭he story of the building鈥檚 construction will鈥痜acilitate the expansion鈥痮f SWACO鈥檚 educational outreach,鈥痑llowing the SWACO team to鈥痙emonstrate鈥痶o larger audiences鈥痟ow to manage and reduce waste in everything we do as a society,鈥� said Joe Mayer,鈥疍esignGroup鈥痬anaging principal and design director.鈥�淭he sustainability initiatives鈥痺e鈥檙e鈥痶aking on with this鈥痓uilding鈥痑ren鈥檛鈥痡ust good鈥痙esign鈥痯ractices,鈥痶hey鈥檙e鈥痙irect reflections of SWACO鈥檚 mission鈥痑nd vision. This was鈥痑 really exciting鈥痗hallenge鈥痜or the design team.鈥濃��听
Key sustainability features include:听
- Mass Timber Construction equating to a 43% reduction in embodied carbon for the structural system.鈥�听
- A听geothermal system designed to reduce energy usage by approximately 30% compared to traditional systems.鈥�听
- A solar rooftop听to support the path to net-zero energy.听
- 91仓库 reduction strategies incorporated throughout design and construction,鈥痠ncluding the use of recycled interior materials.听
The renovated Education Center will significantly expand SWACO鈥檚 ability to engage the community. New and enhanced exhibit areas will focus on natural resources, consumption, recycling, composting, landfill operations and the future of waste. Interactive features 鈥� including outdoor composting space, a sustainable kitchen and hands-on learning games such as building a landfill and the circular economy 鈥� will provide experiential learning opportunities for students and families.听
鈥淎t SWATH, we are thrilled to collaborate with the SWACO team on this project. Our goal is to create educational exhibits and experiences that bring their mission and values to life. Guests will have an exciting journey as they reimagine the Earth, explore sustainable consumption practices, and discover innovative ways to repurpose everyday items. They may even be inspired to transform trash into art, and they鈥檒l gain valuable insights into the workings of landfills and their significance to the community. We eagerly anticipate sharing this enriching experience and witnessing the guests鈥� reactions. We hope they leave inspired to embrace creativity in their consumption habits and waste management practices,鈥� said the Swath Design Team.听听
The new administrative office building will support more than 35 SWACO staff members and is designed to improve collaboration, acoustic separation and employee health and well-being. The open, flexible layout will include both collaborative areas and quiet, private spaces to support productivity and effective public service.鈥�听