Enters Phase II of construction on innovative educational environment to expand opportunities for students across the Philadelphia region.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, UNITED STATES, August 27, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Kimmel Architecture, a nationally recognized architecture and interior design firm, is leading the design and construction of the new Martin Luther School campus for Gemma Services. Now entering Phase II of construction, the transformational project will provide an innovative, purpose-built educational environment for more than 300 students with specialized learning, social-emotional, and behavioral support needs.
Located at 5200 Butler Pike in Plymouth Meeting in Whitemarsh Township, less than a mile from the school’s current campus in Plymouth Township, the new Martin Luther School represents a significant investment in the future of education. The project combines the adaptive reuse of an existing building with a substantial addition, creating a modern campus designed to foster academic achievement, creativity, wellness, and student engagement.
The project is in part funded by Gemma Services’ multi-year Capital Campaign, which recently celebrated the successful achievement of its initial $3 million Phase I fundraising goal. Construction is progressing rapidly with Phase II, with the school preparing to welcome students this September while work continues on a new gymnasium and specialized academic spaces and plans underway for construction of an outdoor sports facility.
“Kimmel Architecture is honored to partner with Gemma Services on a project that reflects the organization’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional opportunities for every student,” said Joe Horan, Principal of Kimmel Architecture. “Our design approach focused on creating an environment that supports learning, encourages collaboration, and inspires students every day. Every space has been thoughtfully planned to help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.”
The new Martin Luther School campus has been designed to accommodate the school’s continued growth while supporting Gemma Services’ mission of delivering a best-in-class educational experience. The completed campus will feature:
• More than 30 modern classrooms designed for flexible instruction
• Specialized elective classrooms for art, music, and hands-on learning
• A library with collaborative learning spaces
• A black box theater for student performances
• Private counseling and therapeutic spaces
• Two cafeterias
• Outdoor learning environments
• A new multipurpose gymnasium with movable bleachers
• A future outdoor athletic complex featuring a track, multi-sport turf field, and spectator seating
The project reflects Kimmel Architecture’s expertise in creating mission-driven educational environments that balance innovation, functionality, and fiscal responsibility. By transforming an existing corporate facility into a vibrant educational campus, the design maximizes resources while delivering spaces tailored to the unique needs of Martin Luther School students and educators.
“Projects like this stay with you because you know they will make a difference in people’s lives,” said Rich Powers, Project Manager at Kimmel Architecture. “Every decision we make is centered on creating spaces where students feel supported, safe, and empowered to learn. Knowing this campus will have a meaningful impact on children, families, and educators for years to come makes it an incredibly rewarding project to be part of.”
Construction continues on the campus addition, which will house the gymnasium, a theater, and a suite of elective classrooms that will significantly expand opportunities for physical education, recreation, and specialized programming. Inside the renovated academic building, classrooms are complete, furnishings are being installed, and faculty and staff are preparing to move in as final preparations continue for the new school’s opening.
“Our new campus represents so much more than a new building,” said Eva Morrison, Ed.D., Head of Martin Luther School and Vice President of Education for Gemma Services. “This will be a school that honors, nurtures, and respects our students while supporting their academic and social-emotional growth, because they deserve it.”
To see construction renderings please visit: https://www.gemmaservices.org/capital-campaign/renderings/
Founded in 1995, Kimmel Architecture has earned a national reputation for delivering “Extraordinary Solutions for Ordinary Budgets,” designing facilities that reflect each client’s unique mission while enhancing the communities they serve. The Martin Luther School project exemplifies the firm’s collaborative approach to educational design, creating spaces that inspire learning, support wellness, and empower students to reach their full potential.
As Gemma Services continues Phase II of its Capital Campaign to fund the outdoor athletic facility, the new Martin Luther School campus stands as a visible symbol of the organization’s commitment to providing exceptional educational experiences that support the whole student.
About Kimmel Architecture
Founded in 1995, Kimmel Architecture, formerly Kimmel-Bogrette Architecture + Site, is a nationally recognized architecture and interior design firm headquartered in suburban Philadelphia with an additional office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The firm is renowned for delivering Extraordinary Solutions for Ordinary Budgets through designs grounded in each client’s institutional mission, balancing creativity, functionality, and fiscal responsibility.
Kimmel Architecture serves clients nationwide in senior living, healthcare, education, municipal, recreation, and other nonprofit and mission-driven sectors. The firm’s design philosophy centers on creating spaces that inspire, enrich communities, and improve lives. From award-winning facilities to large-scale master plans, Kimmel Architecture brings a personalized approach to every project, ensuring results that reflect each client’s mission and values. For more information, visit Kimmel Architecture.
About Martin Luther School and Gemma Services
Martin Luther School, an Approved Private School serving students in grades K-12, provides a comprehensive education program with extensive social, emotional, behavioral, and learning support for students referred by more than 50 Philadelphia-area school districts and charter schools. Martin Luther School is part of Gemma Services, a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit that assists more than 3,000 youth and families through a range of behavioral health, child welfare, and prevention services, in addition to Martin Luther School. Formed in 2019 through the merger of two historic organizations with roots dating to the 1800s, Gemma Services is guided by the vision of a world where every person knows they matter, and its mission is to accompany people of all ages through life challenges using individualized, data-informed support.
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