Joel Sims has spent a lifetime thinking about what goes into making a successful school. The son of a military man, Sims attended 10 different schools before ninth grade, and for the past 23 years he has designed K–12 projects for several architecture firms. Throughout his career, Sims, since 2003 the principal of his own, Lancaster, Pa.–based firm, Sims Architects, had noticed a gap in the marketplace: There was no comprehensive resource for educators, parents, and other interested parties to connect with architects or to see best practices for inspiration.

Pennsylvania Counseling Services (PCS) is in the business of helping transform lives by providing counseling to people in need. So, it only seems fitting that they retained Sims Architects to renovate an old building for their counseling offices in Lebanon, Penn. While PCS is in the business of helping transform lives, Sims Architects is in the business of transforming buildings. The first step in getting help is admitting there is a problem. PCS knew they were outgrowing their existing facilities and needed to provide additional space.

The Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO) and Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) had a challenge on their hands - their existing building was undersized and outdated. The solution? Purchase a larger facility. Both prestigious associations, which serve the 501 school districts in Pennsylvania, wanted to do more than gain additional space  and parking - they wanted the renovation to achieve LEED certification. Certification would benefit their project and, hopefully, encourage school districts across the state to undertake LEED certification on their construction and renovation projects.