Schmidt Associates

10/14/2026

Big things are ahead for Northeast School Corporation!

Building on priorities identified through a facility assessment with Schmidt Associates, the district is making a meaningful investment in all three of its schools, from new places to learn and compete to behind-the-scenes work that protects its buildings for years to come.

What's ahead:
- A home field the Thunderbirds can be proud of, with synthetic turf, new lighting, scoreboards, and fencing
- A new agriculture building that gives ag students a home of their own, with an indoor classroom, lab, greenhouse, and outdoor learning space
- A renovated culinary classroom
- Targeted roof replacement, intercom, and drainage upgrades at the high school
- Playground equipment, drainage, and fencing improvements at both elementary schools

"At Northeast School Corporation, our incredible teachers and staff, supportive communities and amazing students deserve the very best. Our upcoming facility upgrades are designed to foster pride, elevate the student experience and prepare tomorrow’s leaders for the world ahead. Stay tuned as we build a brighter future together. It is indeed a great time to be a T-Bird!"— Dr. Dustin Hitt, superintendent of Northeast School Corporation

Everything is set to be complete by summer 2027, and we can't wait to see Thunderbird students make these spaces their own. Thank you, Northeast School Corporation, for trusting us to help bring your vision to life!

10/11/2026

Auto shows, balloon races, livestock, and visitors from around the world, all in one place.

Modernizing the Kentucky Exposition Center is one of the largest investments in the state's history and one of the defining projects of this decade.

"It's the great-grandfather, the grandfather, the father, and the son all walking the cow across the parking lot together," said Ben Simmons, AIA, LEED AP, Schmidt Associates principal-in-charge.

For Simmons, the project is about more than scale. It's about carrying a Kentucky institution forward for generations to come.

🎧 Hear Simmons and Veena Reddy reflect on the 2020s and look ahead to the firm's next 50 years in "Foundations + Futures," our 50th anniversary series: https://bit.ly/4ynmKOo

10/09/2026

Some stadiums hold more than a game. They hold generations of Friday nights.

Jefferson County Public Schools set out to renew Louisville Male High School’s stadium in a way that honored its athletic legacy while preparing the facility for years of continued use.

The renovation addressed aging infrastructure and drainage concerns, strengthened key stadium elements, and introduced a new synthetic turf field designed for consistent performance throughout the season.

Now, Louisville Male High School’s student-athletes, coaches, families, and fans have a renewed home field worthy of the tradition they bring to it.

Here’s to many more Friday nights under the lights. 🏈

Photography by Megan Ratts Photography

10/07/2026

Every expert was once a kid with a crayon in hand and big ideas. 🖍️

None of us knew where we'd end up, but somewhere between coloring inside the lines and building towers on the living room rug, a path started to take shape. Today, our team brings that same curiosity to everything from ADA reach ranges and BIM model health to turf drainage, lighting, and balanced books, all in service of the people and communities we design for.

Swipe to see what the future had in store for some of our team!

10/05/2026

Seventeen years in radio led Ben Bain, CPSM, to a career he never expected: nearly 25 years building trust across Indiana's K-12 world at Schmidt Associates, where he's now business development representative and principal.

Since joining the firm in 2002, Ben has become the "eyes and ears" of the K-12 studio, a familiar, trusted face in school boardrooms and at conferences across the state.

"I've always enjoyed interacting with educators, whether it's the teacher or principal or superintendent," Ben said. "They have the best interest of the kids at heart. These are people that I have a great deal of respect for."

We're proud to celebrate the legacy Ben has built, one relationship at a time: https://bit.ly/4iWbWSv

10/04/2026

Behind the scenes at the Kentucky Exposition Center, where every detail is bringing the vision one step closer to reality.

10/01/2026

A new home for Franklin's youngest Cubs. 🐻

Franklin Cub Academy brings two preschool programs together under one roof. At the heart of it all is a great room that opens onto an outdoor classroom, and just beyond, a playground designed for every ability level, complete with a trike track, climbing mounds, and bear-inspired touches throughout.

For Benji Betts, executive director of operations at Franklin Community Schools, it was the partnership that made it work: "Schmidt Associates didn't just manage our capital project; they immersed themselves in our community as an extension of our team. Through transparent communication and steady guidance, they empowered us at every decision point."

Explore the Cubs' new den: https://schmidt-arch.com/one-roof-two-programs-and-a-whole-lot-of-cubs-franklin-cub-academy-opens-its-doors/

09/29/2026

We're proud to share that our CEO, Sarah Hempstead, has been named one of Indianapolis Business Journal's 2026 Women of Influence!

Each year, IBJ recognizes 26 women who are shaping Central Indiana and building a better tomorrow.

Since becoming CEO in 2016, Sarah has led Schmidt Associates into a new chapter: expanding into Kentucky, becoming majority women-owned, and establishing the Kaleidoscope Foundation to support community organizations.

Her commitment to community extends well beyond our walls. As board chair of Junior Achievement of Central Indiana, Sarah has been a driving force behind JA JobSpark, a career exploration program that has reached approximately 90,000 students and become a model adopted across the country.

Congratulations, Sarah! Thank you for the vision, heart, and servant leadership you bring to our team and our community every day.

Read more: https://www.ibj.com/events/2026/women-of-influence

09/17/2026

The auction is officially live!

It has been amazing to watch the girls’ greenhouse designs grow from small-scale models into three full-size builds. Now, their hard work is ready to find its next home!

Bidding starts at just $1, and all proceeds will benefit the Perry Township Education Foundation. But don’t wait. The auction ends in less than 24 hours.

Take a look and place your bid: https://bids.christys.com/auctions/48277-9-18-26-greenhouses-to-benefit-perry-township-education-foundation

🔨🌱 THE GIRLS BUILT IT. NOW YOU CAN BID ON IT! 🌱🔨

Remember the greenhouses built by our amazing Girls Construction Camp participants this June? Well, they’re ready for their next home!

Three greenhouses are up for auction RIGHT NOW with bids starts at just $1 each!

⏰ Don't wait - the auction ends in just under 24 hours!

These greenhouses are more than just a great addition to your backyard. They represent the skills, confidence, teamwork, and hard work these young ladies put into building something from the ground up.

And there’s an even bigger reason to bid: proceeds from the auction will go back to the Perry Township Education Foundation Perry Township Education Foundation, which hosted this year’s Girls Construction Camp.

🌱 3 greenhouses to choose from
🔨 Built by Girls Construction Camp participants
💰 Bidding starts at $1
🎓 Proceeds benefit the Perry Township Education Foundation
⏰ Auction ends in under 24 hours!

Help us turn the girls’ hard work into continued opportunities for students in our community.

👉 Place your bid before time runs out! https://bids.christys.com/auctions/48277-9-18-26-greenhouses-to-benefit-perry-township-education-foundation

09/16/2026

Remember these future architects and designers?

Earlier this year, a group of girls from Perry Township Schools explored careers in design through the Perry Township Education Foundation (PTEF) Construction Camp. They joined us for two hands-on sessions, one with our Interior Design team and one with our Architecture team, where they asked great questions, explored the design process, and brought their own ideas to life through model greenhouses.

And now, the model greenhouse project has come full circle! Working alongside the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), the girls built three full-size greenhouses from the ground up, and they’re ready for new homes.

All three are up for auction through Sept. 18, with proceeds benefiting PTEF and the students and teachers it supports.

See the results of their hard work and place your bid: https://bids.christys.com/auctions/48277-9-18-26-greenhouses-to-benefit-perry-township-education-foundation