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

  • Spaces4Learning Announces 2026 Product Award Winners

    Spaces4Learning has just announced the winners of the 2026 Product Awards! The award program spotlights outstanding product development achievements of manufacturers and suppliers whose products or services are considered to be particularly noteworthy in their ability to enhance K–12 and higher-education learning environments.

  • Construction Begins on 100+ Acre K–12 Campus Designed for Lakota Culture

    The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) and the Cheyenne-Eagle Butte School District in Eagle Butte, S.D., recently broke ground on a new K–12 campus that will cover more than 100 acres and serve students and families across 1,600 square miles, according to a news release.

  • Phoenix High School Completes First Phase of Campus Renovations

    Metro Tech High School, part of the Phoenix Union High School District (PXU) in Phoenix, Ariz., recently announced the completion of the first stage of a campus renovation project, according to a news release. The school reopened a series of public-facing business operations spaces including credit union, daycare, floral, cosmetology, and culinary services. It also includes new CTE learning spaces for the school’s nursing assistant, pharmacy, and sports medicine programs.

  • Designing Third Spaces That Do What AI Can't

    In 2026, education is evolving faster than ever. With AI reshaping everything from lesson planning to personalized instruction, schools and universities are turning their attention to what AI can’t replicate: spaces that foster collaboration, community, and creativity.