Furniture
Teknion has launched a new addition to its Kupp furniture collection: the Kupp Flip-Top table. Featuring angled legs that enable straight-line nesting and integration with the Kupp horizontal nesting chair, the tables are designed for flexibility and efficient storage, the company said in a news announcement.
Display Technologies
LG Business Solutions USA (LG) has announced a new CreateBoard, the TR3DK-BM, to be shipped this spring. It will come with ransomware default protection ChromeOS Flex and Android 13 pre-installed and be able to access the Google Play store.
- By Kate Lucariello
- 01/23/24
Virtual Reality
Learning tech company D2L has announced a partnership with extended reality (XR) content creation company Unity to empower educators to use interactive augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) tools to expand and deepen student education.
- By Kate Lucariello
- 01/17/24
Awards
Spaces4Learning is now accepting entries for the 2024 Education Design Showcase! The program was established in 1999 to share innovative and practical solutions in planning, design, and construction.
Facilities
Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced an update to its line of exposed sensor flush valves. The new Zurn Top Mount Exposed Sensor Flush Valves With Ceramic Gear Technology take advantage of ceramic gear technology instead of solenoids to increase reliability, precision, and efficiency while also providing low-maintenance flushing.
Architecture
Spiezle Architectural Group recently announced the opening of a new office in Philadelphia, Pa., according to a news release. The 6,200-square-foot space will offer clients the full array of the firm’s services and will be overseen by Bob Reid, AIA, LEED AP, Principal with the firm.
Sustainability
The Burlingame School District in Burlingame, Calif., recently announced the upcoming launch of its Energy Infrastructure and Sustainability Program Phase II, according to a news release. Construction on HVAC modernizations and solar structures will begin early this year and is scheduled for completion before the beginning of the 2024–25 school year.
Project of Distinction 2023 Education Design Showcase
Honorable Mention 2023 Education Design Showcase
Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. One of this year's K–12 Honorable Mention Awards goes to High Point School in Michigan.
Project of Distinction 2023 Education Design Showcase
Grand Prize 2023 Education Design Showcase
Grand Prize 2023 Education Design Showcase
Honorable Mention 2023 Education Design Showcase
Project of Distinction 2023 Education Design Showcase
Staffing
Design firm DLR Group recently named a new leader for its Higher Education practice in Senior Associate Adam Post, AIA, WELL AP. Based out of the office in Lincoln, Neb., Post will work to expand relationships and opportunities with institutions of higher education in the region.
Healthy Schools
Service by Medallion was recently selected by an independent panel of industry experts to receive the Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI) 2023 Cleaning for Health Award presented by ProTeam.
New Construction
Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., recently announced that construction on a new STEM and Agriculture Sciences Complex has begun, according to a news release. The new facility measures in at 285,000 square feet and will cost an estimated $184 million.
Predictions
We’re inviting our readership—administrators, facilities managers, architects, engineers, builders, superintendents, designers, vendors—to chip in on their predictions for educational facilities in 2024.
New Construction
Construction recently began on a new 43,000-square-foot charter school near Charleston, S.C., according to a news release. Real estate solutions provider Ryan Companies broke ground on Summerville Preparatory Academy in partnership with Red Apple Development and Charter Schools USA.
Sustainability
Architecture firm DLR Group recently partnered with the Riverside Community College District (RCCD) in Riverside, Calif., to offer a suite of sustainability services, according to a news release. RCCD is composed of three colleges (Moreno Valley College, Norco College, and Riverside City College), each of which will gain a new Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP), a Total Cost of Ownership dashboard (TCO), and Integrated Energy Master Plans (IMEP).
Campus Renovations
Yale University in New Haven, Ct., recently completed renovations to the tallest building on its campus, according to a news release. Kline Tower is part of the university’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences division, stands 16 stories tall, and measures in at 186,000 square feet. The building now includes open-concept programming space to allow for cross-departmental collaborations among its students, faculty, and staff.
Sustainability
Auburn University’s School of Industrial & Graphic Design recently partnered with ABM Industries for a series of student senior projects involving the design of new and innovating EV charging stations, according to a news release.
Healthy Schools
HVAC indoor air quality company Modine has debuted the VidaShield UV24 Active Air Disinfection System for the K–12 school market. The product line combines UV-C light irradiation with air circulating fans and an optional ceiling light, the company said.
- By Kate Lucariello
- 12/14/23
Furniture
Commercial furnishings manufacturer Kimball International recently announced that it has received three Best of Year (BoY) Awards from Interior Magazine. The awards recognize designers, manufacturers, and architects around the world to both showcase modern design and indicate the direction of future trends.
Campus Design
We always knew that it would be great to have a dedicated space for students who needed pull-out testing, different accommodations, and/or more individualized instruction. We also knew that by creating a modern, multipurpose space from an existing facility, we’d be able to meet those needs while also using the space for staff meetings, academic clubs, Bible study, and other purposes.
Product News
Roofing contractor Bitec recently announced that it will merge with Viking Products Group to expand the organizational efficiencies and sales distributions of both organizations, according to a news release. Roofing contractor and distributor customers will gain access to a wide array of roofing materials with benefits like recycled materials and a design allowing for ease of installation.
Campus Renovations
The University of Miami recently announced that renovations to its Student Village on the second floor of the Whitten University Center are complete, according to a news release. The Student Village plays home to departments and suites for student groups and organizations including the Veterans Resource Center, the LBGTQ+ Student Center, the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, and more.
New Construction
The University of California, Riverside recently broke ground on a new student housing project on its campus, according to a news release. The North District Phase 2 Student Housing Development will measure in at 424,000 square feet and cost an estimated $285 million.
New Construction
Hollister High School, part of the San Benito High School District (SBHSD) in Hollister, Calif., recently broke ground on a new student union building, according to a news release. The new facility will provide the school’s 3,500 students with multipurpose gathering spaces, food service area, and state-of-the-art kitchen.
Campus Technology
The San Isidro Independent School District in south Texas recently announced that it used a federal grant program to purchase virtual reality (VR) headsets for its middle- and high-school students, according to a news release.
Healthy Schools
Incorporating sensory movement pathways in schools can offer several benefits for students' physical, cognitive, and emotional development. These pathways are designed to engage multiple senses and provide students with a structured way to engage in physical movement throughout the day. Sensory movement pathways, also known as sensory pathways or sensory trails, have gained attention for their potential benefits in promoting children's physical, cognitive, and emotional development.
Facility Focus
The Kirk Kerkorian Medical Education Building (MEB) is the flagship facility for the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV and serves as an anchor for future expansion within the city s burgeoning medical district. With a diverse program that supports learning and collaboration at many scales, the new facility—the med school’s first permanent structure—allows the school to double its graduating class from 60 to 120 students and help address a shortage of healthcare professionals in the state.
New Construction
The University of Evansville in Evansville, Ind., recently celebrated a dedication ceremony for its new Mental Health and Wellness Clinic, according to a news release. The new facility includes the Emily M. Young Assessment Center, which provides advanced therapy and assessment services to the university and local community.
Sustainability
The Electric Vehicle (EV) revolution is upon us. A recent analysis by EY found that EV sales will outpace all other engines three years sooner than expected. This demand will be further driven by the Inflation Reduction Act with new incentives to encourage domestic EV production and ownership. Campuses need to be ready with convenient access to fast and reliable charging stations to support students, staff, guests, and electrified fleets.
Building Blueprints
“Your voice matters” defined the Upper Arlington, Ohio, High School master planning and design process, and it was the catalyst behind the project to improve aging facilities in this high-performing district.
New Construction
The Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School in Marlborough, Mass., recently broke ground on a new 17,000-square-foot academic building, according to a news release. The facility will offer additional classroom and science lab space for the campus, which serves students in grades 6–12.
Staffing
VLK Architects recently announced that it has added a new principal, David Valerius, to the staff of the VLK Houston office, according to a news release. Valerius has a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Texas Tech University and more than 30 years of architectural experience in the commercial and educational verticals.
New Construction
The design-build team of Blach Construction, Quattrochi Kwok Architects, and Gensler recently began construction on a brand-new campus for the Gavilan Joint Community College District in Hollister, Calif., according to a news release. Gavilan was originally founded in Hollister in 1919.
Campus Amenities
The University of Tulsa recently opened the largest Starbucks in the state of Oklahoma, according to a university news release.
New Construction
California State University, Northridge (CSUN) in Northridge, Calif., recently began construction on a new student housing complex that will add room for 198 beds to its campus, according to a news release. The project consists of two four-story buildings and will cost an estimated $55.7 million. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2025.
Designing for SEL
While these design goals sought to balance the various needs of a school, they also supported social-emotional learning (SEL), which focuses on fostering social and emotional skills within school curricula. SEL can take many forms, but it generally adheres to five central competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making.
Lighting
Creating the right environment is essential to maximizing a child’s learning potential, and a critical part of that environment is the right lighting system. Unfortunately, the lighting system at St. Augustine Catholic School in Richmond, Mich., was failing both its students and teachers.
- By Kevin Youngquist
- 11/14/23
New Construction
Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fla., recently broke ground on a new facility for the College of Arts and Letters, according to local news. Construction on the Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building will begin in early 2024 and is scheduled for completion in February 2025.
Maintenance
Fire protection and compliance solutions provider REMEDI8 recently spotlighted one of its dust containment units for use in construction and other heavy-debris environments, according to a news release.
Facility Focus
At Catawba College, home of the first certified net-zero campus in the Southeast and only the seventh in the United States, the Center for the Environment (CENV) features the Environmental Studies Department’s hands-on research laboratory. Built more than 25 years ago, the building needed major systems and aesthetics revitalization.
Campus Design
Creating successful spaces to spark curiosity, collaboration and confidence for students starts with several key programming and design considerations.
New Construction
The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently broke ground on its new Health Education Building, according to a news release. The 500,000-square-foot facility will be the largest academic building in university history and house programs from the colleges of medicine, health sciences and nursing, and public health, as well as the Center for Interprofessional and Community Health Education. The building is projected to open in 2026.
Campus Infrastructure
This strategy for campus renewal and modernization was top of mind for the University of New Hampshire (UNH) as it embarked on one of its most significant infrastructure improvements in recent history––relocating a substantial portion of its utility distribution network connected to the Combined Heat & Power Plant (CHP).
New Construction
The Arlington Independent School District in Arlington, Texas, recently broke ground on a new athletic complex designed by VLK Architects, according to a news release. The Michael Glaspie Field Athletic Complex is the district’s third competition field and will be funded through a bond package passed in 2019.