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New Construction

DIGroup Architecture Completes First NYC-Area School

DIGroup Architecture recently announced the completion of its first education project in New York City, according to a news release. P.S. 748, The Albee Square Campus, will take up six floors of a new 34-story office tower in Brooklyn, N.Y., and is part of a larger city plan to add the capacity for 45,000 new students as part of the New York City School Construction Authority’s 2020–24 Capital Plan.

New Construction

Florida Retirement Community to Expand K–8, High Schools

The Villages in Central Florida, one of the largest retirement communities in the nation, recently announced the expansion of The Villages Charter School to include new facilities for its high school, K–8 school, and Early Learning Center, according to a news release. The schools serve children of residents who work at various businesses within the community.

Campus Design

Designing for Learning Thrill

We all experience boredom at times. Not everything can be thrilling and engaging. However, this should not be the prevalent case for student learning in several classrooms. Over the past several years, data collected on student learning experiences often paint a dismal picture. Students are disengaged and bored. What can school leaders and architects do to combat this crisis in schools?

Outdoor Learning Spaces

Reimagine Outdoor Spaces as Dynamic Learning Environments

We've all heard it a million times. "Go outside and get some fresh air." Well, Mom was right, and not just about being bored on a summer afternoon. There’s solid research that shows taking the classroom outside can be a game-changer, especially when it is introduced early to our youngest learners.

Campus Renovations

Philadelphia Elementary School Completes $22M Renovation Project

Edwin Forrest Elementary School in Philadelphia, Pa., recently celebrated the completion of a $22-million renovation project, according to a news release. The School District of Philadelphia partnered with DIGroup Architecture (DIG) for the project’s design. Work on the almost century-old campus included significant interior renovations, repairs to the exterior building envelope, and restoration.

Campus Housing

Campus Housing Consultants Launch Strategic Planning Service

Scion Advisory Services recently launched its new Strategic Housing Planning Service, a cost-effective and collaborative process that provides colleges and universities with a method to align its student-housing offerings with its institutional mission, according to a news release. The service takes into account the needs, hurdles, and possibilities across a full campus housing system, as opposed to the single residential facility that tends to be the focus of many feasibility or demand studies.

New Construction

George Mason University Breaks Ground on New Recreation Center

George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., recently announced the groundbreaking of the new Activities Community Wellness Building for its campus. The facility will measure in at 25,000 square feet and is scheduled to open in spring 2025. It will play home to student programs, events, and the school’s pep band, according to a news release.

New Construction

Florida Net-Zero High School Completes $29M Expansion Project

NeoCity Academy in Kissimmee, Fla., recently completed a 53,000-square-foot, three-story addition to its campus, according to a news release. The school partnered with construction firm Skanska on the project, which includes 26 new classrooms with collaborative learning spaces and labs.

Campus Amenities

Sloan Launches Company’s First Line of Bottle Fillers, Water Coolers

Commercial plumbing systems manufacturer Sloan recently announced the launch of Sloan DropSpot, the company’s first line of bottle fillers and water coolers, according to a news release. The fillers come in a stainless steel or black powder-coated finish for placement in commercial or educational environments and also include an easy-access filter for maintenance purposes.

Campus Technology

University of Notre Dame Starts Work on New EV Charging Network

The University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., recently announced that it is working with intelligent power management company Eaton to install a new electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for its campus, according to a news release. The project is part of the university’s larger goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.



Campus Technology

Texas Christian University Rolls Out New Video Platform, Zoom Connector

Texas Christian University is implementing a new video management platform to support media creation, hosting, storage, and distribution solution campuswide.

Facilities Management

Purdue On-Campus Housing Operator Recognized for Exceptional Service

Student housing services provider Corvias Property Management has received a SatisFacts "Community Award for 2023" for delivering exceptional service at Purdue University.

Optoma interactive displays

Campus Technology

Optoma Intros Three New Interactive Displays

For educators and administrators balancing classes and meetings from multiple locations, Optoma has unveiled three new interactive displays with whiteboarding and Google-powered collaboration capabilities.

Virtual Spaces

UMGC Adopts Virtual Community Platform for Students

The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), an offshoot of the University System of Maryland that focuses on hybrid and virtual courses for adult and military students, has committed to a university-wide rollout of InScribe's virtual community platform.

Schools In Focus: Talking Campus Security with Mitch McKinley

Podcast

Schools In Focus: PCM and Energy Savings in Schools

This episode’s guest is Michael Dunn, Technical Sales Manager for Energy Saving Ceilings & PCM at Armstrong World Industries. He’s here to talk about how Phase Change Material (PCM) can help provide energy savings in schools.

New Construction

Kansas State University Completes New Office Park Building

Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan., recently announced that construction is complete on the third phase of a new university office park, according to a news release. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new 80,000-square-foot, four-story innovation and collaboration hub makes the end of the third phase of the Edge Collaboration District’s development.

Athletics

University of North Alabama to Revamp Athletics Facilities with New Stadium, Baseball Field

The University of North Alabama has broken ground on a new athletics construction project that will build the first dedicated stadium for its community of Florence, Ala.

Campus Funding

OSU Receives $156.5M in State Funding for STEM Education, Workforce Readiness Programs

Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., recently received a state budget allocation of $156.5 million to go toward the university’s STEM, OSU Polytech, and engineering programs, according to a news release. The record amount includes $80 million, which the university plans to match through private donations, for a new 220,000-square-foot life and physical science building.

Awards

Harvard Technology Team Wins Eduventures Innovation Award

The Emerging Technology Solutions Team from the Harvard Division of Continuing Education (DCE) recently received a 2024 Eduventures Innovation Award at the annual Summit in Chicago, Ill., according to a news release. DCE designed, developed, and implemented the HELIX Portable Blended Classroom.

Campus Renovations

Essex High School Completes Four-Year Renovation Project

Brentwood County High School in Brentwood, Essex, United Kingdom, recently completed a four-year project to approve student accessibility and retention, according to a news release. Additions to the school include two new specialist teaching blocks, a renovated sports hall, new landscaping, and a multi-use play area.

Awards

Spaces4Learning Announces 2024 Education Design Showcase Winners

Spaces4Learning is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Education Design Showcase! Now in its 25th year, the S4L Education Design Showcase honors innovative solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction across K–12 and higher education. The program’s goal is to share ideas and best practices to help schools of all grade levels achieve outstanding learning environments.

Outdoor Spaces

Reconnecting with Nature: Exploring the Benefits of Outdoor Learning Environments

The concept of reconnecting with nature in schools is gaining momentum as we begin to understand the greater benefits these spaces provide within the educational framework, such as learning in multiple dimensions; academic learning; social interaction; personal development and well-being; mental, physical, and social health; creativity; and much more.

New Construction

University of Kentucky Breaks Ground on Agricultural Research Facility

The University of Kentucky recently celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new, $285-million Agricultural Research Building on its campus in Lexington, Ky., according to a university news release.

New Construction

Sea Turtle Hospital at University of Florida Under Construction

The University of Florida’s Whitney Research Laboratory for Marine Bioscience recently began construction on a new Sea Turtle Hospital for its campus in St. Augustine, Fla., according to a news release.

Campus Funding

How These Financing Strategies Can Help Georgia School Districts Jump-Start Big Capital Projects

With high inflation, supply shortages, and high costs of labor, the ability for district leadership to make the financing work has become more challenging. In Georgia, home to some of the nation’s largest school districts, there are numerous financing options available to schools that help them navigate these hurdles.

Student Services

San Diego Unified Schools Transform into Meal and Nutrition Hubs for Summer

Schools in the San Diego Unified School District will join local YMCAs, military sites, public libraries, parks & recreation centers, and other neighborhood organizations as meal distribution centers this summer, providing access to healthy food for children and teens in need.

Hudson County Community College Center for Student Success

New Construction

Hudson County Community College to Consolidate Student Services in New Campus Building

New Jersey's Hudson County Community College is breaking ground on a new 11-story Center for Student Success that will bring the institution's student services together into one centralized location.

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

Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Early Childhood & John L. Santikos Micronaut Centers have been recognized with an EDS 2024 Project of Distinction 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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