Katherine N. LoBalbo is a mom of two and AIA, Director of School Construction for the City of Stamford. She is leading the construction of the four new public schools in Stamford while overseeing enhancement projects across all 23 of Stamford’s Pre-K through grade 12 schools. We chatted about the project, timeline and how she juggles work and mommyhood!
How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
I have two daughters, Nina (9) and Juliet (7).
What do you love about living in this area?
I love the wide variety of amazing places and activities across Stamford. Some of our favorites are, of course, the Stamford Nature Center, snacks at Lorca, and ice skating at Terry Conners!
How did you discover your interest in architecture and construction?
My grandparents strongly influenced my career path. They could make anything from a picture or magazine, whether it was a Halloween costume or a custom toy chest. My grandmother worked in the Garment District in NYC. My grandfathers would let me help at their workbench. They inspired me at a young age to create and build.
You are leading the construction of the four new public schools in Stamford while overseeing enhancement projects across all 23 of Stamford’s Pre-K through grade 12 schools… What is your overall vision for these projects?
The vision for these projects goes beyond building new schools—it’s about transforming and enhancing learning environments across all 23 schools in the district so that students feel empowered and excited to learn, teachers feel supported in their work, and the broader community feels connected. The 2022 Long-term Facilities Plan approved by the Stamford Board of Education serves as both our mandate and our guide. It gives us a clear roadmap for creating thoughtful, resilient spaces that meet today’s needs while looking ahead to the future—so that, at the end of the day, our educators can focus on what matters most: their students.
This is of course a huge undertaking. What is the expected timeline and where are you in the process now?
The largest of the four new schools, Westhill High School, is starting major construction this spring and will welcome new students in 2029. Roxbury, which is expanding from serving K-5 to K-8, will be complete first, in 2028. The new two-campus K-8 school, located south of I-95, is in the design phase.
In addition, over the past four years, the City of Stamford has invested more than $30 million in School Enhancement Projects across all 23 schools. These improvements, like new baseball and softball fields at Stamford High School, roof replacements at Newfield and Davenport Ridge, and improvements to the Rippowam playground, benefit nearly every student every day.
What construction milestones can we expect to see over the next year?
This summer our community will see construction activity at both the Westhill and Roxbury campuses, with the installation of geothermal wells! These “wells” go over 500 feet into the earth and are a key component to lowering energy consumption and costs for the next 50 years.
How do you minimize disruptions for students, staff and neighbors during construction?
We do our best to discuss disruption ahead of time and do as much work as possible outside of school days and during summers. Often, though, even our best efforts still result in inconveniences — but we hope that short term disruptions will be offset by the long term benefits for our students and their learning environments.
How do these projects prepare Stamford Public Schools for 20-30 years into the future?
We try to look beyond day one and think about what these schools will mean for the community 20 or 30 years down the road. That means creating flexible spaces for learning, incorporating outdoor areas, and making long term investments that reduce carbon emissions while improving things like lighting and fresh air inside our schools.
What part of the project are you most excited for Stamford families to see?
Each stage of the project is exciting to me and my team! I love seeing the building take shape each day, but I am most excited for families and school staff to walk in on the first day of school!
How do you juggle work and mommyhood?
There is no real balance — it’s constant chaos. But it helps knowing I’m surrounded by people who are supportive and invested in the success of these projects. At the City, I’m part of the Operations team, which is especially understanding and family-friendly and that makes a big difference. I’m also lucky to be part of a strong community of moms and dads who support each other.