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.
Theaters/Performing Arts
Getting a student out from behind a desk; having them work with others in a self-directed way; allowing them to explore and express themselves and make things; having them learn skills that can be applied in life and in possible career paths—those are goals behind today’s push to change how students learn, to get them to want to come to school every day. Education in the theatrical and performing arts promises much of these.
Textiles
Sustainable textiles and acoustical management solutions provider Carnegie recently launched a new series of fabrics called the Full Spectrum Collection, according to a news release. The series features 45 colors and patterns across a variety of price points that were designed for use in commercial spaces and offer high degrees of performance, style, and durability.
Sustainability
Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, recently gained a new 1,375-MW solar farm on its campus through a partnership with Alliant Energy, according to a news release. Alliant installed 3,300 solar panels on campus that will generate energy and provide opportunities for education, agriculture research, and more.
New Construction
The University of Hawaii at Mānoa in Honolulu, Hawaii, recently completed the first phase of construction on a new housing facility for graduate students, according to a university news release. Groundbreaking for the Residences for Graduate Students took place on Oct. 4, and the project will cost an estimated $170 million.
Facilities Maintenance
Cleaning equipment and solutions provider Tennant Company recently launched two new products—the T260 and the T391—to add to its fleet of walk-behind floor scrubbers, according to a news release. The products will be available to order in October 2023.
Indoor Air Quality
HVAC and air-cleaning systems performance testing solutions provider SafeTraces recently announced that the Clark County School District (CCSD) in Nevada has become the first public school district in the U.S. to achieve the UL Verified Ventilation & Filtration (VVF) annual verification mark in its portfolio of facilities, according to a news release.
New Construction
Design-build firm The Neenan Company recently announced progress on five education projects in the state of Colorado, according to a news release. The renovations and replacements are intended to help each individual school achieve programming goals and provide students with spaces that promote opportunity, wellness, and safety.
Awards Program
Spaces4Learning is now accepting entries for the 2024 Readers’ Choice Award program! The program allows you, our audience, to honor the best product development achievements of manufacturers and suppliers whose products and services are noteworthy in K–12 and higher education environments.
New Construction
Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga., recently announced plans to build three new campus buildings simultaneously, according to a news release.
New Construction
Construction activity on university campuses in America is more than noteworthy. In fact, it is being categorized as transformative! Due to a massive increase in students after COVID-19, a construction trend is sweeping college and university campuses in response to the high demand for more housing.
- By Mary Scott Nabers
- 10/19/23
Campus Security
AI-based gun detection video analytics platform ZeroEyes recently announced that Eastern Michigan University in Washtenaw County, Mich., will adopt its solution on campus, according to a news release. EMU is the first higher education institution in Michigan to install an AI gun detection solution.
Facility Management
Robotics artificial intelligence solutions provider Brain Corp recently launched a new feature in its line of autonomous robots, according to a news release. The BrainOS software now features “Site Maps,” which grant facility managers new insight into site operations to ensure efficiency and provide a clearer picture of proof of work.
New Construction
Real estate solutions provider Ryan Companies recently announced that ground has been broken on a new 56,000-square-foot charter school near Nashville, Tenn. Rutherford Collegiate Prep (RCP) will be the fifth public charter school in the region from the local nonprofit organization Noble Education Initiative (NEI).
Indoor Air Quality
There is a growing level of both interest and requirements to improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) through improved ventilation, temperature and humidity control, and filtration to improve the health of students and teachers in K–12 schools. Aging equipment often is not designed to meet these requirements, prompting replacement. But this replacement comes with an added benefit—that being significantly improved efficiency.
- By Michael Schires
- 10/17/23
New Construction
The Central Arizona College Superstition Mountain Campus in Apache Junction, Ariz., recently broke ground on a new campus expansion project, according to a news release. The project will result in new buildings for the Allied Health and Skilled Trades, as well as renovations to the existing C building.
New Construction
The University of California Board of Regents recently approved the design and budget for a new research and academic building at UC San Francisco, according to a news release. The $842-million project will move forward into the construction phase.
Facility Focus
Home of The Barton School of Business, Woolsey Hall at Wichita State University (WSU) bridges the traditional academic campus with a newer complex of makerspaces, labs, and research facilities.
Campus Operations
The Providence Public School District in Providence, R.I., recently announced a partnership with ABM Industries to enhance the custodial, grounds, and maintenance operations of its 37 schools, according to a news release.
Grants
National nonprofit organization KidsGardening.org recently announced the launch of the 2024 Youth Garden Grant, which will provide grants to 50 local youth garden programs, according to a news release.
Campus Renovations
The Berkeley School District in Berkeley, Ill., recently announced the completion of a $111-million Capital Improvement project with the grand opening of a renovation and addition at Riley Intermediate and Northlake Middle Schools, according to a news release.
Architects
Baker Barrios Architects recently announced the addition of a new leadership position to its staff, according to a news release. William Maffett, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, MBA has been named as the firm’s new national director of higher education.
New Construction
Owatonna Public Schools in Owatonna, Minn., recently completed construction on a new high school for the district and celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony in late September, according to a news release.
Facility Management
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has announced the release of a new white paper, according to a news release. “Evolution is Never Finished: Insights From IFMA’s Emerging Topics Working Group on How Six Key Topics are Transforming the FM Industry” discusses the implications of six high-impact issues, drivers, and trends in the facility management industry.
Architects
Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc., recently announced the promotion of Todd Waskowitz, LEED AP, to the position of Associate Principal, according to a news release. Waskowitz is a 20-year veteran of Spiezle whose contributions include establishing the firm’s Construction Administration department and thousands of K–12 and higher education projects in the Tri-State area.
Campus Safety
As storm shelter codes adapt to worsening climate conditions, schools are left struggling to meet stringent, unfunded requirements on tight budgets. Every school has a unique set of obstacles and opportunities that require individualized consideration – there is no one-size-fits-all. Still, here are a few key areas to focus on as you consider the most affordable option for your school’s specific needs.
Podcast
Acoustics isn't only about creating quite classrooms. It's a critical part of the overall IEQ of a school—from classrooms to nurses' offices to administration spaces. New and better technologies exist to give schools solutions that achieve what is needed in today's world while keeping budget parameters in mind. These acoustical solutions start at the top with ceilings, and not all ceilings are alike. Join us as Sean Browne, Senior Manager of Research & Development for Armstrong World Industries, walks us through choosing the right ceiling to optimize acoustics for better learning experiences.
Sustainability
Nominations are now open for the 2024 Best of Green Schools Awards program, sponsored by the Center for Green Schools (part of the U.S. Green Building Council) and the nonprofit Green Schools National Network.
Campus Renovations
International Baccalaureate school Alameda International Junior/Senior High School, part of the Jeffco Public Schools district in Lakewood, Colo., recently opened its retooled campus to the community, according to a news release. The facility was originally built in 1961 and required a series of major renovations to meet the needs of modern students.
New Construction
The Lamar Consolidated Independent School District in Rosenberg, Texas, recently celebrated the dedication and grand opening of a new elementary school, according to a news release. Ariadne Mathews Gray Elementary School opened this year with an enrollment of 447 students, local news reports, and was designed in partnership with VLK Architects.
New Construction
The Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Independent School District (PBTISD) recently celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newest facility, Austin Elementary School, according to a news release. The facility was designed by VLK Architects and serves students in grades PreK–1.
New Construction
T&T Construction Management Group, Inc., recently announced that construction has begun on a new facility for the existing Highlands Elementary School in Jacksonville, Fla., according to a news release. The new school will replace the existing facility on the same site.
Campus Technology
Airtame, developer of a hardware-enabled SaaS platform allowing collaboration in schools, and furniture designer and manufacturer Orangebox recently announced a partnership to demo their solutions in Orangebox’s showroom in New York City, according to a news release.
New Construction
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.
Facility Maintenance
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.
K–12 Infrastructure
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.
Storm Shelters
Reliable storm shelters must include the engineering necessary to ensure safety, comply with required guidelines and create comfort during emergencies.
Campus Facilities
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.
New Construction
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.
New Construction
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.
New Construction
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.
Healthy Schools
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.
- By Cheryl Aquadro
- 09/05/23
Campus Audio
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.
New Construction
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.
New Construction
The Boulder Valley School District in Boulder, Colo., recently broke ground on a new facility for New Vista High School, according to local news.
Campus Renovations
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.
Healthy Schools
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.
- By Michael Schires
- 08/25/23