A Sustainability-Forward Design
Announced in spring 2026, SWACO is renovating its existing offices into a modern, interactive Education Center (EC) and constructing a new Administrative Office Building (AOB) at 4239 London Groveport Rd. in Grove City.
Featuring a sustainability-forward design and approach to construction, the project reflects SWACO’s vision and mission and emphasizes innovation and community engagement, while enhancing employee productivity and expanding public education opportunities.
Project Team
- Hill International – Owners Representative
- Ruscilli Construction – Construction Manager at Risk
- DesignGroup (Architect of Record) in partnership with BBCO Design (Interior Architect) - Architectural Team
- Swath Design – Interactive exhibit designer for Education Center
Conceptual Renderings of the Administrative Office Building and Classrooms
Features
The new building will significantly expand SWACO’s ability to serve the public.
- Nearly 20,000 square feet
- Flexible classrooms and interactive exhibit space
- Dedicated bus drop-off and overflow parking
- Improved accessibility
New and enhanced exhibit areas include:
- Natural Resources
- Consumption
- Recycling
- Composting
- Disposal
- The Future of Waste
Additional features:
- Circular Economy and Green Jobs Feature
- Hands-On Build a Landfill Game
- Outdoor Composting Space
- Recycling Sorting Game
- Sustainable Model Kitchen
Renderings of Education Center Exhibits
Project Timeline
The project is expected to break ground in late March 2026, with move-in projected for mid-2027.
Sustainability Highlights
The project is sustainability-forward and designed to align with SWACO’s mission — not simply to meet a checklist, but to embody best practices in environmental stewardship.
Key Sustainability Goals include:
Waste Reduction
- Renovation in lieu of demolition and new construction
- Waste reduction strategies incorporated into design and construction including the use of recycled interior materials.
- Use of industry best practices for waste, recycling and composting systems during building construction and operations.
Embodied Carbon
- Mass Timber -- 43% reduction in embodied carbon for the structural system
Operational Carbon
- Building orientation, window location and window performance carefully considered to reduce solar heat gain.
- 30% energy reduction through use of Geothermal energy system when compared to traditional systems.
- Rooftop solar installation supports operational carbon reduction through on-site renewable energy generation.
NET ZERO + LEED CERTIFICATION
Sustainability efforts prioritize reducing the carbon footprint of the building – both operational and embodied carbon – and achieving net zero energy. SWACO will pursue LEED Siver certification at a minimum.