Add as a preferred source on Google

2015 James D. MacConnell Award Finalists

  • By Barbara C. Worth
  • 08/01/15

CEFPI has announced the selection of the 2015 James D. MacConnell Award finalists. The prestigious MacConnell Award recognizes a comprehensive planning process that results in educational facilities that enhance the educational program, meet multiple goals and hold purpose and distinction within a community.

Renee Alexander, AIA, BBT Architects and jury chair commented, “All of this year’s entries were exceptional, making it an extremely difficult task for the jury. These projects reflected the innovative school planning and design work that is moving beyond the traditional world of schools as we know them and inspiring transformation in education for tomorrow’s learners and leaders.”

Alexandria Area High School demonstrates how a very engaged public process has resulted in an exceptional high school and the pride of the community. Designed as a “Community Center”, nearly every part of the school is activated by the greater community with business partners directly involved in educating the future workforce.

Ernest S. McBride High School, the first of several new thematic high schools in Long Beach, exceeded the district and community aspirations to address overcrowding while at the same time supporting the district’s most innovative programs. A comprehensive collaborative engagement process focused on college preparation and career readiness created an environment that encourages student independence relevant to their learning styles.

A new pedagogy based on an integrated, collaborative and project based learning curriculum informed this wonderful STEAM middle school project. Creative inquiry and project based learning can take place anywhere in Dr. Phinnize J Fisher’s flexible and adaptable learning spaces. The school conveys an atmosphere of a professional research facility with a balance of studio, collaboration and lab space.

Raisbeck Aviation High School provides a wonderful solution to a unique STEM program focusing on an aviation curriculum. A very strong vision and an exceptional public/private collaboration and partnership process provided the students with a stellar facility for inquiry-based discovery, exploratory learning and real world application.

The MacConnell award finalist projects will be showcased at the CEFPI LearningSCAPES Conference in San Diego, Calif., Oct. 22 to 26, 2015, where the winning project will be recognized.

James D. MacConnell Award finalists

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

About the Author

Barbara C. Worth is the director of strategic and private development at the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE), formerly the Council of Educational Facility Planners (CEFPI). A4LE is the only professional organization whose primary purpose is improving the places where children learn. With approximately 4,400 members, A4LE encompasses six geographic regions across the United States, and supports regional representation in Canada, Australasia, and the UK. To learn more, visit www.a4le.org or follow us on Twitter @A4LE2.

Featured

  • Malibu High School Campus Completes $102M Phase 1 of Construction

    Malibu High School in Malibu, Calif., recently announced that it has completed phase 1 of construction for its new campus, a news release reports. The first phase consisted of developing and modernizing the site of a former elementary school into a new, 70,000-square-foot, two-story facility.

  • concentric silhouettes of a human head

    How Physical Space Shapes the Mind: Designing for Better Learning Outcomes

    Research in environmental psychology and neuroscience increasingly suggests that the way a room is designed can influence memory, focus, or even a student's sense of belonging.

  • University of West Florida Opens New Laboratory Facility

    The University of West Florida recently announced that renovation work is complete on a new lab building for its campus in Pensacola, Fla., according to university news. Building 80 will serve as the home to the university’s civil engineering program and the Tyler Chase Norwood Construction Management Program.

  • Beyond Four Walls

    Operable glass walls provide a dynamic solution for educational spaces. They align with today’s evolving teaching methods and adapt to the needs of modern learners. Beyond the functional versatility, movable glass walls offer clean, contemporary aesthetics, slim and unobtrusive profiles, and versatile configurations that cater to the evolving needs of students and educators alike.

Digital Edition