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New Construction

NRC to Issue Permit for Molten Salt Reactor at Abilene Christian University

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently announced its intention to complete a safety assessment and construction permit issuance by Sept. 30 for a Molten Salt Research Reactor (MSRR) funded by Natura Resources on the campus of Abilene Christian University, according to a news release. The MSSR is the first liquid-fueled molten salt reactor design that the NRC has ever reviewed, and an environmental assessment was completed in March.

New Construction

Fayetteville State University Starts Construction on New Residence Hall

Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, N.C., recently announced that construction has begun on a new $40-million residence hall, according to a news release. The building will have the capacity for 383 students and is scheduled for completion in fall 2025. The university partnered with KWK / Jenkins • Peer Architects for the project’s design.

Campus Architecture

Revolutionizing Community College Success

Community colleges play a crucial role in promoting educational equity and opportunity. However, they face numerous challenges that hinder student success, such as declining enrollment, low transfer rates, and disproportionately impacting marginalized communities. Addressing these issues requires innovative solutions, and architects can provide novel design approaches to help tackle these pressing challenges.

Campus Renovations

Wisconsin District Completes $21M Renovation to Middle and High School

Integrated construction management firm Kraus-Anderson recently announced the completion of a $21-million renovation project to the middle and high school in Ladysmith, Wis., according to a news release.

Image courtesy of Studio G Architects

Universal Design for Learning

Building Inclusivity: Universal Design for Learning in K–12 Education

Approximately 15 percent of children in U.S. public schools receive special education support or services—with some states reporting numbers over 20 percent—and these figures are rapidly increasing. When considering English language learners, the numbers climb even higher. As school districts prioritize the inclusion of all learners, school design teams can support district initiatives by integrating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) into the fabric of educational environments.

New Construction

California Community College Completes New STEM Building

Mt. San Jacinto Community College, Menifee Campus in Menifee, Calif., recently announced the completion of a new, $38-million STEM building, according to a news release. The college partnered with C.W. Driver Companies for the project’s construction, which broke ground in May 2022.

Campus Amenities

Classroom Seating Pod Named as Certified Autism Resource

The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) recently granted accreditation to the Kolo Pod, a product from commercial furnishings manufacturer Kimball International, as a Certified Autism Resource (CAR), according to a news release. IBCCES’s evaluation determined that the pods can help improve communication and positive outcomes for students with autism or other sensory sensitivities.

Innovative Approaches to HVAC

Things are Looking Up for Energy Savings, Noise Reduction, and Better Student Performance

Schools nationwide—especially those in historically cool climates now undergoing elevated heat events—face a challenging cycle when it comes to adapting to climate-change-driven temperature extremes during the school year. Often if heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems even exist, they are nearing end of life and operating less efficiently. Facing limited budgets, schools often opt for repairs over equipment replacement even though repairs can be costly and newer systems are designed for more efficient, sustainable operation offering long-term energy and cost savings.

Campus Renovations

Wesleyan University to Convert Vacant Factory Space into Arts Lab

Wesleyan University recently announced the start of construction on a new Integrative Arts Lab for its campus in Middletown, Conn., according to a news release. The university is partnering with Bruner/Cott Architects on the transformation of a vacant factory building into an 18,700-square-foot space that will serve as the “nexus of the arts” on campus.



Facilities

Utica University Partners with ABM for Facilities Management

Utica University in Utica, N.Y., recently announced a ten-year partnership with facilities services, infrastructure solutions, and parking management solutions provider ABM, according to a news release. The ABM Performance Solutions model offers a unified approach to the higher-education campus’ wide variety of required facilities services.

Evidence-Based Design

Improving Test Scores & Student Well-Being: Why Education Facilities Should Prioritize Biophilic Design

As design professionals, we know the impact our physical surroundings can have on occupants – open spaces can inspire a sense of grandiosity but create a lot of noise, certain colors feel calming while others build excitement, curved lines soften a space while straight lines add intensity. These are all well-known tenants of design, but only in the past few decades have we used science to support these claims.

Campus Technology

Georgia K–12 District Installs EV Charging Stations

Clayton County Public Schools in Jonesboro, Ga., recently announced a partnership with EOS Linx to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations district-wide, according to a news release.

Classroom Design

Elevate Classroom Environments, Create Positive Learning Outcomes with Color

Color selection for classrooms must rely on evidence-based design and principles to enhance engagement and, more importantly, support both teachers and the students in the desired outcomes for their time within classrooms and learning spaces.

Logan Memorial Educational Campus

Logan Memorial Educational Campus

Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Logan Memorial Educational Campus has been recognized with an EDS 2024 Grand Prize award in the category of New Construction.

Santikos

Early Childhood & John L. Santikos Micronaut Centers

Project of Distinction, New Construction | Education Design Showcase 2024

The Walton Center for Planetary Health

The Walton Center for Planetary Health

Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Arizona State University has been recognized with an EDS 2024 Grand Prize award in the category of New Construction.

Hogg Memorial Auditorium

Hogg Memorial Auditorium

Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Hogg Memorial Auditorium at the University of Texas at Austin has been recognized with an EDS 2024 Grand Prize award in the category of Renovation.

Proviso West High School Advanced Manufacturing Lab

Proviso West High School Advanced Manufacturing Lab

Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Proviso West High School Advanced Manufacturing Lab has been recognized with an EDS 2024 Grand Prize award in the category of New Construction.

School of Packaging Renovation & Addition

School of Packaging Renovation & Addition

Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Michigan State University has been recognized with an EDS 2024 Project of Distinction award in the category of Renovation.

Healthy Schools

Elkay Expands Filtration Capabilities to Reduce Microplastics

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced that the Elkay brand has expanded its certified filter capabilities to include the reduction of microplastics, as well as lead and PFOA/PFOS, according to a news release. The filters can be integrated into Elkay bottle-filling stations, water coolers, water faucets, and water fountains installed in public locations like schools, universities, hospitals, and airports.

Sustainability

The HYDRO Building: Where Water Conservation Meets Preservation

In hopes of revitalizing the 200-year-old Colorado National Western Center, the Hydro building is a transformative, civic-centered, living laboratory that connects the urban core of Denver to the rural communities across the region through water literacy and conservation. As one of three signature buildings on the Colorado State University (CSU) Spur campus, Hydro reflects the water-focused research, education, and policy-making inside.

New Construction

Michigan College Dedicates New Visual Media Center

Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Mich., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Sajak Visual Media Arts Center, according to a news release. The center will contain filming and media production facilities for students and staff, and it was named in honor of Hillside College Board of Trustees Chairman and media personality Pat Sajak.

New Construction

Virginia Tech to Start Construction on New College of Engineering

Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., recently announced that it has selected global construction and development firm Skanska to build a new 285,500-square-foot facility for the College of Engineering, according to a news release. Mitchell Hall will stand five stories and take the place of the existing Randolph Hall, which is scheduled for demolition in spring 2024.

Smart Lockers

A Case for Campus Mailroom Efficiency

The vast majority of university mail service centers were constructed prior to the advent of the digital age. Now, in the days of social media and same-day shipping, receiving or sending a letter in the mail is an uncommon occurrence, while online shopping and package delivery have seen a meteoric rise.

Campus Technology

Western Governors University Selects AI Writing Assistance Partner

Online university Western Governors University recently announced a partnership with AI writing assistance provider Grammarly, according to a news release. The university will provide access to Grammarly’s real-time writing support services—and new Writing Score API—to all faculty and students.

Campus Technology

Eureka College Expands Partnership with Technology Provider Apogee

Eureka College in Eureka, Ill., recently announced that it has expanded its five-year technology with Apogee to include Apogee Managed Campus, a suite of managed network, security, cloud, professional, and IT services, according to a news release. The college previously implemented Apogee ResNet and Apogee Managed Network Services in 2019.

School Buses

Transportant, RWC Group Partnership to Produce Smart Buses for K–12 Schools

School bus technology provider Transportant and commercial truck & bus dealership RWC Group recently announced a partnership that will provide smart school buses to K–12 districts around the country, according to a news release.

K–12 Grants

The Important Role of Data to Maximize Grant Funding

Federal and state governments announce available funds to public school districts throughout the year. These are usually tens or hundreds of millions of dollars meant to help schools with infrastructure upgrades or replacements. There’s a catch to all these grants, though: Schools must apply for the funding through an oftentimes complicated and detailed application process with a strict deadline.

Food and Dining

University of Florida Gains Temporary Kitchen, Dining Structure

The University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla., recently deployed a 6,600-square-foot temporary kitchen and dining structure in one of its parking lots, according to a news release. The structure known as “The Eatery” will serve students until the completion of Broward Hall renovations in fall 2024. The university partnered with Mobile Kitchen Solutions, a division of Rental Solutions and Events, to install the facility during winter break 2023.

Campus Technology

Florida K–12 District Partners with Facility Management Systems Provider

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., recently announced a partnership with facilities management platform Facilitron to incorporate its solutions across the district, according to a news release. Facilitron offers its services to 10,000 K–12 and higher-ed schools across 31 states to provide efficient and cost-effective ways of sharing their buildings and grounds.

Carousel Digital Signage platform

Digital Signage

Carousel Digital Signage Now Integrates with Canva, Google Slides, Geckoboard

Carousel Digital Signage has announced native integrations with popular design, presentation, and dashboard tools Canva, Google Slides, and Geckoboard.

Minimalist depiction of school safety grant funding in a higher education setting, featuring a modern classroom with transparent walls. Inside, a glowing budget graph and a pile of books labeled

Grants

Free Resources Available to Help Secure School Violence Protection Funding

Ed tech provider Bluum is offering a suite of free grant resources and consulting services to help school districts apply for funding from the COPS School Violence Protection Program, a grant opportunity from the United States Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services with awards totaling $73 million.

Campus Security

N.C. Community College Installs New Security Screening Solution

Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, N.C., recently announced a partnership with security technology company Evolv Technology to install a new weapons detection system on campus, according to a news release. The college’s performing arts venue, Wilson Center, now makes use of the Evolv Express system at its main entrance to screen guests entering the building.

New Construction

Rice University Breaks Ground on New Business School Facility

Rice University in Houston, Texas, recently broke ground on a new facility for its Jones Graduate School of Business, according to a news release. The design of the $54.5-million project was unveiled at the ceremony; the building will cover 112,000 square feet and include amenities like classrooms, office and administrative space, dining areas, private-event facilities, and open gathering spaces.

Campus Technology

University of Tennessee Expands WiFi Access to 102,000-Seat Stadium

The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., recently deployed a new network offering blanket WiFi 6E access to all 101,195 seats in its historic Neyland Stadium, according to a news release. The project’s goal is to provide unlimited content streaming and other modern mobile services to fans during the entire game-day experience.

Student Housing

Student Housing Operator Receives Awards for Work at Five Higher Ed Institutions

Corvias Property Management recently announced that it was awarded the SatisFacts “Community Award for 2023” for its work at five colleges and universities, according to a news release. The awards are measured through annual or point-of-service surveys designed to recognize outstanding property management providers and student communities.

Healthy Schools

Creating a Classroom Environment that Promotes Student Autonomy

A positive effect of the school closures during the pandemic was that many students took ownership of how and where they learned. Empowered by their teachers, students chose the methods they would use to research a given topic, whether that meant reading a text or watching a documentary. Because they weren’t physically in classrooms, they were also free to do their work where they felt most comfortable. Whether they were sitting on a beanbag chair or on the floor, choosing their own workspace was a way for students to assert their autonomy.

New Construction

St. Petersburg College Opens New Workforce Innovation Hub

After five years of planning, St. Petersburg College (SPC) in Florida is now welcoming visitors to its new Chris Sprowls Workforce Innovation Hub on the Tarpon Springs campus. The 10,000-square-foot facility was dedicated in February 2024, and is devoted to manufacturing, creativity, and collaboration among students, educators, and business leaders.

Campus Renovations

Kraus-Anderson Starts $29.5M Renovation for Minnesota K–12 District

Construction management firm Kraus-Anderson recently announced the launch of a $29.5-million renovation project for Jordan Public Schools in Jordan, Minn., according to a news release. The district also partnered with ISG for the project’s design, which will cover a combined 96,435 square feet across two locations.

Sustainability

D.C. Elementary School Achieves Double Platinum Certification

John Lewis Elementary School in Washington, D.C., recently became the first school in the award to be awarded both WELL and LEED certifications at the platinum level, according to a news release. As part of a three-step sustainability approach, the school is also aiming to become the first school in D.C. to achieve Net Zero Energy (NZE).

New Construction

Massachusetts Day School Prepares for $11M Campus Addition Project

The Wheeler School, an independent college preparatory school in Seekonk, Mass., recently announced a series of capital projects in development that are set to begin construction this spring. MassDevelopment & Berkshire Bank issued an $11-million bond that will go toward an eight-lane pool; an outdoor splash pad; a restroom, dressing room, and storage building; and a new two-story early learning center, according to a news release.

water conservation

Green Buildings

CSU Dominguez Hills Honored for Water Conservation Project

California State University, Dominguez Hills is one of four organizations to receive a One Water Award from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California for major improvements to water management operations in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego counties.

Campus Technology

Arizona State University, Biamp Partner for Hybrid Learning Technology Upgrades

The Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University in downtown Phoenix, Ariz., recently announced a partnership with audiovisual solutions provider Biamp to update technology in 140 classrooms, lecture halls, and collaboration spaces across its campus, according to a news release.

Campus Amenities

Encore Adds Wood Frame Option to Seating Collection

Seating and table solutions provider Encore recently announced the expansion of its Mayland seating collection to include wood frame options, according to a news release. The collection’s guest and lounge models were intended for use in higher-education, healthcare, corporate, and hospitality environments.

Northeast Lakeview College STEM Facility

New Construction

Our New STEM Facility Changes the Game for Students

After several years of planning, design, and construction, we proudly opened the doors to Paluxy Hall at Northeast Lakeview College in August 2022. Situated on our 267-acre campus, the 80,000-square-foot facility provides students with the resources and support that they need to achieve success in science, engineering, technology, and math (STEM) fields.

Healthy Schools

Proper IAQ Solutions Improve Air for Students with Allergies and Asthma

Clean air in schools is not only essential for addressing respiratory concerns but also has broader benefits for overall health and learning. The American Lung Association emphasizes that healthier indoor air can benefit both students and staff. A clean and well-ventilated environment supports cognitive function, concentration and the general well-being of everyone in the school community.

New Construction

Alabama K–12 District Breaks Ground on New High School

Gulf Shores City Schools in Gulf Shores, Ala., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Gulf Shores High School, according to a news release. The facility will cover 287,000 square feet and has a scheduled opening date of fall 2026.

New Construction

Roanoke College Breaks Ground on New Science Center

Roanoke College in Salem, Va., recently broke ground on the first phase of a new Science Center, according to a college news release. The three-phase project will transform three buildings on campus into a new STEM hub for academics and research. The first phase of construction entails the demolition of a 1970s-era auditorium building to make room for a $30-million academic building.

New Construction

Florida A&M University Breaks Ground on New Residence Hall

Florida A&M University recently broke ground on a new, 700-bed residence hall for its campus in Tallahassee, Fla., according to local news. The dorm for upperclassmen is scheduled to open by fall 2025 and will bring the total capacity of beds on campus to over 4,000. The goal of the project is to provide more housing opportunities to FAMU students while offering an alternative to rising off-campus housing costs.