A Modern School Celebrates Historic Design

Metro at Indianola isn’t your standard public high school. The forward-thinking STEM high school equips students with the skills and mindset needed for a rapidly changing world. Housed in a historic building near Ohio State University, its renovation required a blend of precision, respect for history, and practical craftsmanship. Rockwood partnered closely with the project’s architects and builder to ensure the doors honored the building’s legacy while serving a modern educational space.

The exterior of the building was required to remain consistent with its historic design. Our job was to create new doors that matched the tight parameters of the traditional aesthetic. It was a highly collaborative process. The architect overseeing the historic aspect of the project worked directly with us, allowing clear communication on design changes and details without delays. We would draw what the architect envisioned, adjust for what we found on site, and refine details together to align with the building’s needs and the architect’s vision.

For the entry doors, we used White Oak, a strong and stable species suitable for heavy use. For paint-grade doors, we selected genuine Mahogany for its stability and consistent surface under a painted finish. Each door was constructed with mortise and tenon joinery, exterior adhesives, and epoxy coatings for durability.

We also machined the doors to accept stops that secure into the tops of the doors, ensuring functionality while maintaining the building’s classic appearance.

Metro at Indianola is a school that respects its past while preparing students for the future. It needed doors that do the same, and that’s exactly what we set out to create.