🚧 Construction Progress Continues at Ava School District /  by Chris Ball

Exciting things are happening across the Ava School District construction sites as crews continue moving full steam ahead. Each week brings visible progress, and several major milestones are now taking shape.

🪟 Windows Installation Underway

New windows are being installed throughout the buildings, bringing in natural light and giving everyone a clearer picture of what the finished spaces will look like.

🎨 Fresh Coats of Paint

Inside, painters are hard at work applying the first layers of paint. These fresh colors are brightening up the interiors and offering a glimpse of the welcoming environment students and staff will soon enjoy.

🧱 Framing the Future

Wall framing is progressing steadily as crews outline classrooms, offices, and common areas. With each new section framed, the layout becomes more defined, making it easier to envision how the spaces will function once complete.

The district’s construction projects remain on schedule, and every new milestone brings us one step closer to opening modern, updated facilities for our students.

Stay tuned — more updates are on the way!

🌾🚧 Golden City School’s New Agriculture Building Is Taking Shape — Excitement Is Growing! /  by Chris Ball

Golden City School’s long‑awaited Agriculture Building is rising quickly, and the energy around campus is electric! 🎉 What began as a vision to expand hands‑on learning is now becoming a visible, inspiring addition that students, staff, and community members can watch come to life day by day.

🏗️ Big Steps Forward in Construction

In recent weeks, crews have made impressive progress:

•            Structural framing is up and taking form ✔️

•            Exterior work is moving along ✔️

•            Interior preparations are underway ✔️

Each milestone brings the district closer to opening a modern, fully equipped space dedicated to agricultural education — a field deeply connected to Golden City’s heritage and essential to its future workforce. 🌱

🐄🌿 A Future Home for Ag Excellence

Once completed, the new facility will support a wide range of programs, including:

•            Animal science

•            Plant systems

•            Ag mechanics

•            FFA activities

Students will benefit from updated workspaces, improved storage, and safer, more efficient learning environments designed to reflect real‑world agricultural settings. It’s a major step forward for hands‑on learning! 🚀

👀✨ A Transformation You Can See

Anyone driving past the site can already spot the exciting changes. The structure becomes more recognizable each day, and even more visible progress is expected in the coming weeks.

🌾 Investing in Students and the Community

We will continue sharing updates as construction moves ahead for Golden City School District. This Agriculture Building represents far more than a new space — it’s an investment in students, in local agriculture, and in the future of the entire community. 💛🌾

More updates are on the way… and the best is still to come!

Sherwood Students Celebrate Their New Wrestling Gym and Locker Rooms 🏫💪 /  by Chris Ball

There’s a renewed sense of energy on the Sherwood campus, and it’s radiating straight from the heart of their newly added wrestling gym and locker rooms. Students are already making the most of the expanded facilities, and the excitement is contagious. ✨

We recently had the opportunity to complete the full addition of Sherwood’s wrestling gym and locker room facilities, and seeing the students enjoy the new spaces has been incredibly rewarding. The project focused on creating a brighter, more functional environment that supports both athletic performance and everyday student life.

The wrestling gym now features fresh finishes, improved lighting, and a layout that feels open and inviting. Whether athletes are drilling technique, conditioning for the season, or preparing for upcoming meets, the space is designed to elevate their training experience.

The locker rooms were built with students’ needs at the forefront, offering a clean, modern, and comfortable place to prepare for activities. Durable materials, updated fixtures, and thoughtful design choices ensure the new facilities will serve the school well for years to come. The layout and finishes create an environment that feels both welcoming and built to withstand the demands of a busy athletic program.

Supporting Sherwood’s Football Program 🏈

While the locker rooms serve many students throughout the year, they play an especially important role for Sherwood’s football program. With athletes relying on the space daily during the season, the addition focused on durability, functionality, and comfort. Upgraded storage, improved lighting, and modern amenities give football players a space that supports their preparation, teamwork, and post‑practice recovery.

Sherwood’s athletes deserve facilities that inspire pride and support their growth — and we’re grateful to have played a part in bringing this vision to life. Seeing the community embrace these new spaces reminds us why we love what we do.

Watching Dreams Take Shape 🏗️ /  by Chris Ball

As the architects behind Ava’s Early Childhood Development Center and the new Middle School entrance, we are pleased to share the continued progress taking place on campus. Each phase of construction reflects the thoughtful planning and collaboration that have guided this project from the beginning.

These new spaces are designed to support learning, growth, and community for years to come, and it is rewarding to see them steadily taking form. Soon, students will step into environments created with their development and well‑being at the forefront.

Fun Fact ✨

Over 70% of the work we do is for our existing clients — a percentage we are extremely proud of. With more than 50 years of experience partnering with public schools, our team offers both a trusted sounding board and a seasoned outside perspective. Collectively, we have completed hundreds of K‑12 projects, including dozens of renovations and re‑roofing efforts across Missouri.

We look forward to the moment these new facilities open their doors and begin serving the students and educators who inspire our work every day.

🎉 Happy New Year from Ball Architects! /  by Chris Ball

As we step into a new year filled with possibility, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the people who make Ball Architects what it is. Our team is the heart of our firm. Each member brings unique strengths, experiences, and passions that shape the work we do every day.

We’re excited to reintroduce the talented individuals behind our projects and share a bit about the journeys that brought them here.

 

Chris Ball — President & Principal Architect

A Springfield, Missouri native, Chris, leads Jack Ball Architects PC with decades of experience and a deep commitment to the profession. After earning his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Kansas, he began his career in Colorado Springs before returning home to join his family’s firm—later becoming President in 2000.

Chris has long been active in architectural leadership. His service includes roles as President of both AIA Springfield and AIA Missouri, representation on the AIA Strategic Council, chairing the Missouri Architects Political Action Committee, and serving on the Missouri Board for Architects and related professions.

Outside the office, Chris enjoys biking, running, and spending time with his family.

 Joey Crum — Design Professional & IT

Joey’s path into architecture began early. He took Drafting & Design classes at Rolla Technical Institute while in High School. After high school, he gained hands‑on experience in residential construction and design while earning his associate’s degree from East Central College.

In 1998, Joey joined Jack Ball & Associates Architects, relocating to Springfield and beginning what would become a long and impactful career with the firm. Over the years, he has grown from draftsman to project manager and continues to work toward architectural licensure. Joey also serves as the firm’s IT lead, overseeing CAD/BIM management and keeping our technology running smoothly.

 Matt Koboldt — Design Professional

Originally from St. Peter’s, Missouri, Matt graduated from Drury University in 2022 with a Master of Architecture and a minor in Fine Arts. He first joined Ball Architects as a student intern and transitioned into a full‑time role after graduation.

Matt has contributed to a diverse range of projects—from office buildings and manufacturing facilities to schools, churches, and residential work, gaining valuable experience across multiple sectors. Outside of work, he enjoys painting, sketching, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with loved ones. His dog, Capone, is a frequent hiking companion and adventure enthusiast.

 Blake Hagedorn — Design Professional

Blake, originally from St. Louis, MO, graduated from Drury University in May 2022 with a Master of Architecture. He began his career at Ball Architects as a student intern and transitioned into a full‑time role after graduation.

Since then, Blake has earned his Architect’s License and serves as an active Chair member of the local Young Architects Forum chapter. His project experience spans office buildings, manufacturing facilities, schools, churches, and residential design. When he’s not working, Blake enjoys time with his wife, Aubrey, their two cats, and watching or playing a variety of team sports.

 Ceanna — Interior Designer & Marketing Coordinator

A Springfield native, Ceanna graduated from Missouri State University in December 2024 with a degree in Interior Design and a minor in Childhood Development. She brings creativity, warmth, and thoughtful detail to every project—contributing to interior designs for schools, churches, and residential spaces.

Outside the office, Ceanna enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, traveling with her fiancé, and relaxing at home with their two goldendoodles, Melon and Squash.

Emery — Design Intern

Emery is from Columbia, Missouri and is currently in her final year in the Master of Architecture program at Drury University. Emery will be earning a minor in Environment and Sustainability with certificates in International Immersion and Design Solutions for Environmental Issues. Emery joined Ball as a student intern in 2025. Emery in passionate about the environment and is excited to contribute to the world of architecture through environmentally conscious design.

In her spare time Emery enjoys rock climbing, sewing, and spending time with her family and her pets Roscoe and Rosie.

A Holiday Welcome at Vision Health Center Rogersville 🎄 /  by Chris Ball

We recently had the opportunity to tour the finished Vision Health Center in Rogersville, and we couldn’t be more excited about what we saw! The space is officially complete, and the team is all moved in—ready to begin serving the community just in time for the holiday season.

✨ A Fresh Start for Rogersville

The new location is thoughtfully designed to be both welcoming and functional, creating a comfortable environment for patients while reflecting the professionalism and care that Vision Health Center is known for.

👓 Ready to Serve

With state-of-the-art equipment and dedicated staff, the Rogersville team is prepared to provide exceptional eye care for families in the area. Their mission is clear: to help the community see the holidays—and every day after—with clarity and confidence.

🎁 Perfect Timing

Opening right before the holidays feels especially meaningful. It’s a season of connection, joy, and looking ahead, and Vision Health Center is stepping into Rogersville at the perfect moment to support the health and well-being of its residents.

💙 Our Role

We loved being part of the journey to bring this space to life. Seeing the finished center filled with energy and purpose was a rewarding experience, and we’re proud to have contributed to a project that will make a lasting impact on the community.

🎃 Design Meets Pumpkin: Ball Architects Competes in CARVE-ITECTURE /  by Chris Ball

This October, Ball Architects stepped away from the drafting table and into the world of seasonal design to participate in Pella’s annual CARVE-ITECTURE contest. Known for celebrating creativity, collaboration, and a touch of fall flair, the contest invites architects, builders, and engineers to transform ordinary pumpkins into extraordinary works of art.

Our team embraced the challenge with a concept inspired by one of the most iconic design platforms of the digital age: Minecraft. The idea? A deconstructed pumpkin reimagined as a pixel-perfect cube. We carved the pumpkin into individual segments and meticulously reconstructed it into a blocky, geometric form—paying homage to both the game’s aesthetic and our own architectural roots.

The carving session quickly turned into a team-building highlight. Between the scooping, slicing, and strategic planning, we shared plenty of laughs and a few engineering debates. How do you stabilize a pumpkin cube? What’s the best way to align uneven slices? These questions sparked creative problem-solving and showcased the same collaborative spirit we bring to our projects every day.

The final result was a playful yet precise creation that blends digital inspiration with hands-on craftsmanship. It’s a reminder that great design can come from unexpected places—and that sometimes, the best ideas are born when you’re elbow-deep in pumpkin guts.

🗳️ Voting is now live!

We’d love your support! Head over to Pella’s Facebook page and like the original post featuring our pumpkin to help us earn credit in the contest. Voting closes October 30th at 5 PM, so don’t wait!

🎉 Celebrating Chris 🎉 /  by Chris Ball

On this special day, we recognize Chris for his outstanding leadership—both as our principal architect and as the person who carries forward the legacy of Ball Architects.

Chris’s dedication to thoughtful design, client relationships, and team collaboration has helped shape our firm’s reputation for excellence. His ability to lead with clarity and purpose continues to inspire us.

As we celebrate his birthday and National Boss’s Day, we thank Chris for his vision, his mentorship, and his unwavering commitment to our mission.

Here’s to many more years of impactful leadership.