Johnson County Community College Classrooms

Functional Color Solutions, LLC

Project of Distinction 2017 Education Design Showcase

Johnson County Community College Classrooms

Project Information

Facility Use: 2-Year Institution
Project Type: Renovation
Location: Overland Park, KS
District/Inst.: Johnson County Community College
Chief Administrator: Rex Hayes, associate VP
Completion Date: January 2017 (ongoing)
Gross Area: 1,800,000 sq. ft. (campus-wide)
Area Per Student: 20 sq. ft.
Site Size: 245 acres
Current Enrollment: 19,139 students
Capacity: 34,000 students
Cost per Sq. Ft.: $25.20
Total Cost: $94,500

Johnson County Community College ClassroomsJohnson County Community College (JCCC) campuswide color design project for classroom and lab environments implements evidence based design research, which incorporates strategic selections of three wall paint colors and their correlating shadeaccents for teaching walls. Hue selections promote psychological and physiological benefits, which better assist in the conduction of learning, operation of tasks, and promotion of optimal behavior patterns, while enriching occupant well-being.

Each paint color is selected for its individual energy properties derived from extensive color research, while abiding with Illuminating Engineering Society’s LRV guidelines for academic settings. Sustainable practices with lower maintenance requirements and no-VOC paint are continually practiced.

Johnson County Community College ClassroomsNo additional costs for materials or labor are incurred due to the paint color change. Current to date: 63 of the 270 classrooms and 124 labs are completed (37,800 square feet) with an ongoing renovation schedule for additional spaces each year.

The innovative color design strategy collaborates with JCCC’s Mission Statement and Strategic Plan to inspire learning, increase student success and implement excellence and innovation in classroom environments. The results are positive impact on health, behavior, and emotion; better attendance; more productive and accurate student and employee performance; increased positivity in morale and heightened sense of pride within JCCC and the surrounding community.

Judges Comments

A basic project with a sizeable impact for the college.

Johnson County Community College ClassroomsArchitect(s):

Functional Color Solutions, LLC
KATHRYN GRUBE, MID, NCIDQ, LEED-AP
803/528-6165

Featured

  • Nashville Elementary School Receives LEED Gold Certification

    Goodlettsville Elementary School, part of Metro Nashville Public Schools in Nashville, Tenn., recently achieved LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), according to a news release. The 81,750-square-foot school opened in 2023 and was designed by Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC).

  • Hawaii Elementary School Reopens Following $25M Campus Modernization

    Haʻaheo Elementary School in Hilo, Hawaii, has reopened to students following a three-year, $25-million campus modernization and expansion project that significantly increases the school's instructional space while preserving one of the island's oldest educational institutions, according to local news.

  • Haws Corporation Marks 120th Anniversary

    Haws Corporation, which provides hydration and emergency safety solutions worldwide, recently announced that the company is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year, according to a news release.

  • Houston-Area High School Receives Best Project Award from ENR

    Tomball West High School near Houston, Texas, recently received a K–12 Education Best Project Award in Engineering News-Record’s 2026 Texas & Southeast Best Projects Awards, according to a press release. The new facility was completed in May and opened its doors to students for the fall 2026 semester.