Ashley McGraw Architects

08/27/2026

What a way to welcome students back to school with a new wood-framed entry vestibule and expanded entry corridor! 🎉

We look forward to continuing our work with Colonial Beach Public Schools on the next phase of this transformation!

08/27/2026

Ashley McGraw Architects is excited to see the new Barnard Elementary School addition welcoming students! We’re grateful to have helped design a learning environment that supports students, educators, and the broader school community. Welcome back to school! 🎉

08/20/2026

🎉 Celebrating 5 years with Madison Summers!

Over the past five years, Madison has contributed to K–12 projects throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, helping create learning environments that support students, educators, and their communities. Her work includes classroom additions and expansions, building system upgrades, and renovations for DC Public Schools, Fairfax County Public Schools, Montgomery County Public Schools, and Colonial Beach School District.

Thank you, Madison, for five years of creativity, collaboration, and dedication to Ashley McGraw. We’re excited to celebrate this milestone with you!

08/19/2026

We’re excited to see our own Liz Hall joining Megan Ressler and Beth Melton in proposing a session for SXSW EDU 2027! 🎉

Help bring “Reimagining Community Spaces for Child Care” to the stage. Vote by August 23! ❤️

We need your vote! 🗳️

Our very own Megan Ressler alongside Beth Melton, Owner/Principal Consultant of Melton Strategic Solutions, and Liz Hall, Associate Principle Architect at Ashley McGraw Architects, are proposing an interactive simulation session for SXSW EDU 2027: "Reimagining Community Spaces for Child Care."

How do we transform underused buildings into thriving child care centers? It takes more than open space—it requires balancing design, financing, regulations, and community priorities. In this hands-on workshop, participants will step into the roles of planners, funders, educators, and architects to negotiate real-world trade-offs and build actionable plans.

🤍 Help us bring this conversation to the stage! Click the heart to vote by August 23: participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw27/community-voting-edu/page/community-voting/session/1784666696548001Jryh

08/12/2026

Liz Hall, Associate Principal, attended the 3rd Annual Northeast Regional Neurodiversity Coalition Conference last week. The overarching theme of the conference was exploring how college campuses and workplaces can be more inclusive of neurodivergent students and employees.

At Ashley McGraw, we want to stay up to date on how campuses and companies are evolving so we can meet them where they are through our designs. Attending this conference is part of a broader effort Liz is spearheading to incorporate Neuro-inclusive Design into our projects.

07/24/2026

At Ashley McGraw Architects, we know great design starts with great people.

Yesterday's summer picnic gave our team the opportunity to step away from our desks, reconnect with colleagues, catch some sun rays, and enjoy an afternoon together. Moments like these strengthen the relationships that help us create meaningful spaces for our clients and communities.

Thanks to everyone who made it such a great day! ☀️

07/13/2026

Rural schools are deeply connected to the communities they serve. Their history, identity, and future are often inseparable.

This week, we're in Lake Placid for the Rural Schools Association of NY Summer Conference, where this year's theme "Our Roots, Our Rise: Honoring Our Legacy. Growing Stronger Together" celebrates the strength of rural education and the communities that shape it.

Through our work with districts across New York, we've seen firsthand how thoughtful design can help schools honor their history while creating new opportunities for students, educators, and the communities they serve.

If you're attending the conference, stop by our exhibit table to meet Catherine and Brian. We'd love to connect! 🌟

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07/07/2026

Learning doesn't stop at the classroom door. 🌸🌳

At Square One, each classroom opens directly to an outdoor learning environment designed for exploration, movement, and discovery. Natural play elements, sensory experiences, and native plantings create opportunities for children to learn through play while building meaningful connections with the outdoors.

The playscape is designed to support every child's potential—from the ground up.

Learn more: https://www.ashleymcgraw.com/square-one-early-education-center_landscape

07/02/2026

Today, we celebrate an extraordinary career as we wish a happy retirement to our Chief Financial Officer, Deborah Rhea, after 19 years of dedicated leadership at Ashley McGraw Architects.

Since joining the firm in 2007, Deborah has been instrumental in shaping who we are today. Serving for many years in the dual role of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, she helped guide our growth through the implementation of the financial, operational, and organizational systems that continue to support our success. Her thoughtful leadership, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment have left a lasting impact on every corner of our firm.

While Deborah's professional accomplishments are remarkable, what many of us will remember most is the way she welcomed people. Every employee who has joined Ashley McGraw over the past 19 years has likely spent time in Deborah's office during their first days, learning not just how the firm operates, but how their individual role contributes to our collective success. She made everyone feel like they were part of something bigger, and that gift has helped shape the culture of our firm for nearly two decades.

Debo, thank you for your exceptional leadership, your mentorship, your steady guidance, and your friendship. Your influence will be felt at Ashley McGraw Architects for many years to come. Congratulations on a well-earned retirement!

And finally, Deborah would want us to remind everyone... before you head off for the holiday weekend, please make sure your timesheets are submitted! :)

06/28/2026

Celebrating 5 years with Ashley McGraw Architects! 🎉

As an Interior Designer and Educational Planner, Melissa is passionate about creating environments that enhance user experience through thoughtful design, research, and collaboration. Her work is driven by a commitment to understanding how people learn, interact, and thrive within the spaces they use every day. As an Accredited Learning Environment Planner (ALEP), Melissa brings specialized expertise in designing educational spaces that empower learners.

Over the past five years, Melissa has made a meaningful impact on projects serving educational and community organizations throughout the region, including work for Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Central School District, Avon Central School District, Spencerport Central School District, Whitney Point Central School District, and the City of Batavia. Her dedication, insight, and collaborative approach have helped shape spaces that support learning and strengthen communities.

We're grateful for Melissa's creativity, dedication, and contributions over the past five years. Congratulations, Melissa, and here's to many more years ahead!