Creative Arts Space Renovation at Cuyahoga Community College

Harrington Electric Co. is proud to play a key role in the completion of a major renovation at the Tri-C Creative Arts Space, located on the Cuyahoga Community College Eastern Campus in Highland Hills, Ohio.

This multimillion-dollar project, started in December 2023, has transformed the learning environment on campus, providing state-of-the-art spaces for students in programs like sculpting, painting, illustration, and 3D modeling.

The renovation includes a complete overhaul of the existing lighting system, integrating advanced low-voltage controls that allow instructors to program classroom environments from a computer. Each room features a modern interactive “BenQ Board” display for education, as well as other technology to support hands-on learning.

Further, the Harrington team was instrumental in installing the power systems required to meet the specialized needs of the various lab equipment utilized in creative disciplines like graphic arts, 3D modeling and woodshop.

Additionally, the team bolstered the facility’s mechanical systems, powering functions such as a new efficient air conditioning system, which is connected to a BACnet network, allowing the facility’s energy usage to be monitored and controlled by facility managers from a centralized computer and enhancing operational efficiency.

In addition to upgrading the lighting and extending power sources to the various creative spaces and mechanical systems, Harrington’s data and technology professionals were charged with installing new security systems, including an advanced access control system.

While the project was completed on time and on budget, there were a few hurdles with which Harrington professionals had to contend, according to project manager, Leroy Jones.

“The open-ceiling design of the overall space presented somewhat of a unique challenge, as it exposed mechanical systems like ducts, pipes, and cable trays,” Jones pointed out. “We had to be pretty meticulous in ensuring that either components were installed before the rooms were painted, or that individual elements were carefully aligned and painted to blend into the clean, white aesthetic of the building. In the end, it looked really good.”

Jones credits the Harrington Electric team, led by foreman Albert Madsen (“He’s a rock star”) who navigated these challenges with remarkable skill and dedication. Madsen and a team of 4-5 electricians were integral to the project’s success, expertly balancing the technical demands with the aesthetic goals of the renovation.

Albert Madsen and Dan Doolan on the Tri-C job site.