Transformation: Erin Reilly-Sanders and Dennis Paben at Columbus State Community College to present for DesignColumbus on Monday, March 16. | Legat Architects

Erin and Dennis kicked off the event with the most well-attended of the three 8 a.m. sessions. A group of nearly 60 AEC professionals and building owners gathered in the culinary theater at Mitchell Hall.

“Thinking Inside the Box: Transforming Existing Spaces for New Uses” featured case studies of four Legat projects:

• Lower Lights Ministries Child Enrichment Center (Columbus): former convenience store
• Newark Little Learners Preschool: former State Farm office building – https://www.legat.com/project/newark-little-learners-preschool-ncs-digital/
• College of Lake County Advanced Technology Center (Gurnee, Illinois): former Lowe’s
• Bright Futures Preschool (Galesburg, Illinois): former church – https://www.legat.com/project/bright-futures-preschool/

Attendees received the presentation with enthusiasm, and questions covered everything from mechanical systems to tubular skylights. Among the audience was one of Erin’s partners from a quarter-long grad school project at The Ohio State University.