The University of Alabama at Birmingham recently announced that the first phase of construction on a new Science and Engineering Complex is complete, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Hoar Construction on the three-phase project, which will unite all of the university’s basic science undergraduate and graduate programs underneath one roof.
Today’s higher education institutions are faced with a myriad of operational complexities in the pursuit of academic excellence. Staffing, student well-being, maintenance, sustainability, and operations management challenges have only been amplified by the pandemic, decreasing enrollments, aging infrastructure, and funding constraints. The operating environment of educational facilities has undoubtably become more stressful.
Although the U.S. has officially declared an end to the COVID public health emergency, the concept of a healthy educational facility has taken on a new meaning, especially as Hurricane Hilary impacts daily life in Southern California, leaving flood watches and warnings in its wake.
Reliable storm shelters must include the engineering necessary to ensure safety, comply with required guidelines and create comfort during emergencies.
Florida Atlantic University’s John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter, Fla., recently announced the temporary closure of an academic building that was completed in Nov. 2022 and opened in January of this year, according to local news.
The University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio, recently announced plans to demolish and replace campus landmark Crosley Tower, according to local news. The 16-story concrete structure is set for to come down beginning in January 2026 to make room for a new academic and research facility.
The village of Boys Town, Neb., recently announced that the Boys Town Education Center has opened its doors to students in time for the fall 2023 semester, a news release reports. The town is a National Historic Landmark and serves as the headquarters of Boys Town, one of the largest non-profit childcare organizations in the U.S.
Last week, the Waxahachie Independent School District near Dallas, Texas, held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new STEAM school, according to a news release. The Wilemon STEAM Academy will have space for about 800 students in grades K–5 and was designed by VLK Architects.
Today’s K–12 leaders are tasked with everything from adhering to rigorous academic standards to implementing operational procedures to building healthy school communities, and for many, sustainability unintentionally falls to the bottom of the priority list. Further, the cost of taking on green initiatives is on the rise, making it even more of a challenge for financially strapped school districts to meet sustainability expectations and commitments.
Located in the heart of Washington state’s wine country, Whitman College in Walla Walla boasts an impressive academic record and an even more outstanding array of state-of-the-art facilities to attract and retain students and faculty.
Longwood University in Farmville, Va., recently announced that construction work is complete on the Joan Perry Brock Center, according to a news release. The arena and convocation center measures in at 72,000 square feet, has a seating capacity of 3,020, and will play home to the university’s basketball program.
The Boulder Valley School District in Boulder, Colo., recently broke ground on a new facility for New Vista High School, according to local news.
Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced the completion of the Logan Memorial Education Campus in the Logan Heights area of San Diego, Calif., according to a news release.
Extreme heat is becoming more and more of a problem during the early and late weeks of the school year. To prevent hot temperatures and poor air quality from being an issue for K–12 facilities, it’s important for school leaders to be proactive in their preparation.
Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., recently announced a construction initiative that will replace its existing library with a new Library Learning Commons, according to a news release.
The University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Okla., recently announced the launch of the Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute, which will focus on research to identify, test, and develop new cyber-workforce and cybersecurity solutions, according to a news release.
The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently launched a new service to help the community pay for parking at meters and visitor lots around campus, according to a university news release.
Adrian Public Schools in Lenawee County, Mich., recently announced that it has deployed ZeroEyes’ AI gun detection solution to protect students, faculty, and staff against the backdrop of a rise in active shooter events, according to a news release.
Wold Architects & Engineers recently announced that it has promoted three of its staff members, according to a news release.
The University of Southern Maine in Portland, Maine, recently celebrated the opening of its first on-campus residence hall and a new parking garage, according to local news.
Commercial real estate solutions provider Ryan Companies U.S., Inc., recently announced that it has completed four charter schools in the southeastern United States in time for the 2023–24 academic year.