A Smart Approach to Construction: Cathedral High School Innovation Center

Envoy continues to build on its legacy of delivering impactful, student-centered educational spaces across Indiana. One of the most meaningful examples of this commitment is the Cathedral High School Innovation Center project—an initiative that pushed the boundaries of innovation, coordination, and collaboration in K-12 construction.

This 46,000+ sq. ft. project, which included both new construction and renovation, brought to life a state-of-the-art STEM addition, a new cafeteria, updated servery, and Cathedral’s new spirit shop. But beyond the scope and scale, what truly made this project unique was how it was executed.

40 Years of School Expertise

For more than four decades, Envoy has partnered with public and private schools across Indiana, completing everything from interior renovations and athletic fields to campus-wide rebuilds and new construction. That deep experience has equipped our team with the foresight and flexibility needed to execute complex school projects—especially under tight, shifting academic calendars and safety protocols.

School construction requires far more than a traditional build approach. With increasingly short summers due to balanced academic calendars, the window for capital improvements is more narrow than ever. That means tight logistics planning, extensive preconstruction, and constant coordination with educators and administrators. Campuses don’t truly shut down in summer—camps, athletics, and staff activities keep them busy—which often makes summer months even more challenging than the school year itself.

Occupied Renovation and Complex Logistics Planning

Cathedral High School remained fully operational throughout the Innovation Center construction. Envoy phased work in a way that balanced construction efficiency with student safety. We managed trades carefully around active classrooms, sometimes coordinating interior renovation and equipment usage around the school day. Safety protocols included secure work zones and background checks for all onsite personnel. These details matter—especially when working around students and staff every day.

Integrated Design and Construction Partnership

Envoy served as general contractor and construction manager on the project, working closely with Cathedral and the design team to bring the vision to life. Although Envoy did not lead the design, our integrated approach ensured that construction aligned with both budget and intent. By using Building Information Modeling (BIM), the team identified and resolved clashes ahead of time to avoid unnecessary rework.

Cost-Sensitive Phasing

Understanding Cathedral’s commitment to stewardship, Envoy worked closely with stakeholders to implement cost-sensitive phasing strategies. This approach allowed the school to meet its budget objectives without compromising quality or vision. From initial value engineering to timing out specific scopes of work, every phase of the project was planned with both budget and long-term value in mind.

Envoy strategically planned construction phases to reduce cost impact. While it’s possible to break a project into dozens of micro-phases to avoid disruption, that approach drives up costs quickly. Instead, we found the right balance between schedule, cost, and operational needs, delivering the project efficiently while minimizing classroom impact.

A New Chapter for Cathedral

The completed Innovation Center—blessed and opened in September 2021—now stands as a testament to what’s possible when education, design, and construction come together with a shared purpose. The space is more than just modern—it’s a dynamic, functional environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and innovation.

Envoy is proud to have been a trusted partner in bringing this vision to life, and we look forward to continuing to support Indiana’s schools with solutions that work—for students, educators, and communities.

Envoy recently continued its partnership with Cathedral High School through the successful completion of the Grotto Project, a meaningful outdoor space for reflection and prayer. Read more about the Grotto Project here.