Perkins&Will Names New Firmwide Practice Leader for K–12 Education

Architecture and design firm Perkins&Will recently announced that it has appointed Aimee Eckmann to the position of firmwide practice leader for K–12 education, according to a news release. Eckmann has been with the firm since 1999 and has served as the Chicago studio’s K–12 practice leader since 2017. Through Perkins&Will, she has produced award-winning designs and educational planning to schools in Chicago, Omaha, Mumbai, Shanghai, and more.

“I’m excited to take on the added responsibilities,” said Eckmann. “The possibilities of education have always resonated with me. Schools are game changers for students and communities, and we must be creative and responsive with the communities we serve. I look forward to continuing to embrace designing sustainable, healthy environments to benefit future generations.”

Eckmann has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design from Miami University of Ohio and a Master of Architecture degree from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, the news release reports. She has also served in both leadership and mentorship roles for the ACE Mentor Program of Illinois, which supports underserved students in Chicago-area public schools.

Her previous projects include the seven-story William Jones College Preparatory High School in Chicago; Westview High School in Omaha, which combined a school and community YMCA; and the STEM-oriented Bezos Learning Center for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., according to the news release.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Universities Continue to Launch Multimillion-Dollar Campus Transformations

    What makes the current wave of campus development especially noteworthy is its emphasis on multi-use functionality and community integration. Institutions are no longer investing solely in academic or athletic facilities in isolation. Instead, they are creating destinations that blend recreation, health, housing, and event-driven economic activity.

  • Houston-Area High School Breaks Ground on 117,000SF Multi-Use Facility

    North Shore Senior High School, part of Galena Park ISD in Houston, Texas, recently broke ground on a new multi-use facility for student extracurriculars, according to a news release. The North Shore Multi-Use Facility will include dedicated practice and training space for the school’s athletics and fine arts programs.

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part II

    As education leaders look toward 2026, the design of K–12 and higher education facilities is being reshaped by powerful, converging forces. Survey respondents point to the rapid growth of Career and Technical Education, deeper alignment with workforce and industry needs, and the accelerating influence of AI and emerging technologies.

  • blurry image capturing students navigating crowded hallways between classes

    How Human Behavior Data Is Reshaping Campus Facilities Management

    The ebb and flow of students, faculty, and administrators across a campus have a larger impact on maintenance, cleaning, and sustainability than many realize.