RTA Architects, Inc.

10/28/2026

For Bullying Prevention Month, we’re highlighting RTA’s approach to restroom design, balancing student privacy with greater openness and passive supervision. For example, across six middle schools in Colorado Springs School District 11, RTA-designed restroom renovations pair private, full-height toilet rooms with communal sink areas that are open to the corridor. The open layout and improved lighting increase visibility and allow for passive supervision while preserving students’ privacy. Following the renovations, the district has reported a 51% reduction in incidents.

RTA has implemented similar design strategies in schools in Salida, Ridgway, and Boulder.

10/21/2026

We’re excited to celebrate the promotions of Christine Costa, AIA, and Ericka Everett, AIA, CPD, ALEP, to Associate Principal!

Since joining RTA in 2018, Christine has brought a passion for transforming existing buildings into thoughtful spaces that honor their history while meeting the evolving needs of clients and communities. Her work includes Cañon City Middle School, Ridgway Elementary School, Durango Three Springs Elementary, and ongoing projects at the U.S. Air Force Academy, including the recently completed Wecker Hall.

Ericka also joined RTA in 2018 as a member of our education team. Driven by a passion for creating safe, high-quality learning environments, she has earned both her Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPD) designation and Accredited Learning Environment Planner (ALEP) certification. Her project experience includes Newton Middle School, Woodland Elementary School, and Cañon City Middle School.

Congratulations, Christine and Ericka, on this well-deserved achievement! We’re excited to see your leadership continue to make an impact at RTA.

10/19/2026

Members of our Colorado Springs office were happy to join colleagues from the Denver office at the Women in Healthcare Denver Health Horizons Symposium, connecting with fellow healthcare professionals for meaningful conversations about the future of the industry. The event explored the challenges and opportunities facing healthcare and how to navigate change while prioritizing the human experience.

A special highlight was hearing the CEO of Denver Health, Donna Lynne, DrPH, mention several projects RTA has had the opportunity to work on, including Denver CARES, the Pavilion A IMAP Unit, and Peña Clinic.

We’re grateful for opportunities like these to connect, learn, and celebrate the important work happening throughout the healthcare community.

10/16/2026

A great morning supporting a great community partner! RTA was happy to join our longtime client, Peak Vista Community Health, at the Breakfast of Champions this week. We’re grateful for our longstanding partnership and proud to support the important work Peak Vista continues to do in our community.

Thank you, Peak Vista Community Health Centers, for a wonderful event!

10/15/2026

Learning, sharing, and exploring what’s possible with mass timber in school design!

Last week, RTA was thrilled to take part in the Mass Timber Schools Summit, where RTA Principal Brian Calhoun shared insights from the Cheraw School Renovation and Addition. Of the project’s 35,255 SF of new construction, 32,115 SF uses an entirely mass timber structure, representing an impressive 91% of the addition! The use of mass timber reduces the life-cycle carbon associated with the facility by 25%.

We enjoyed connecting with others to exchange ideas, share what we’re learning through Cheraw, and explore the possibilities mass timber brings to educational design.

Visit our website to learn more about this great project: https://rtaarchitects.com/portfolio/education/cheraw-school-district-renovation-addition-1

10/13/2026

RTA is excited to see the newly expanded and renovated MRI suite at UCHealth Steadman Hawkins Clinic begin welcoming patients this month! The approximately 2,300-square-foot project includes a new MRI and control room, supporting equipment and restricted-zone spaces, four new dressing rooms, two patient restrooms, storage, and improved circulation connecting the expansion to the existing imaging suite. We’re proud to have helped create a space designed to support patients, staff, and advanced imaging services for years to come.

Thank you to our project partners who helped bring this space to life: Farnsworth Group, HCDA, Cevian, and TKM Group!

10/13/2026

Strong schools help build strong communities. Learn more about D11’s Bond Initiative 4A and the investment it represents in the schools and learning environments that serve Colorado Springs students and families. Hear from D11 parent Rodny Rodriguez about why 4A matters to his family and community.

10/07/2026

RTA team members were thrilled to join Cheraw School, community members, and our project partners on Friday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Cheraw School Renovation and Addition.

Building on the master planning process, the project will transform the campus into one connected PK-12 school, bringing new and renovated spaces together to enhance safety, improve operations, and support students and staff for years to come. We’re excited to see construction begin and proud to be part of this important project for the Cheraw community!

Thank you and congratulations to Cheraw School District and our wonderful team! Bridgers & Paxton, HCDA, JVA, Design Concepts - Landscape Architecture, NV5.inc, KitchenTech, Group 14, Nunn Construction Inc.

Photos courtesy of Nunn.

10/06/2026

RTA is excited to see strong community support for School District 11's much-needed bond campaign!

Colorado Springs’ legacy public school system — District 11, home to the city’s oldest schools — has been upward bound in a big way over the past few years. The D-11 school board and superintendent Michael Gaal, hired in 2022, have set the district on a whole new trajectory that moves well b...

10/05/2026

Great architecture is about more than buildings. It’s about people, place, and purpose.

This , we celebrate thoughtful design and its power to connect people through the experience of place, strengthen communities, and create environments where people can learn, heal, gather, and connect.

Guided by our commitment to be ever curious and ever learning, we’re grateful to collaborate with our clients to create purposeful, engaging solutions that enrich lives.