New 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
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
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.
New Construction
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
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 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
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
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.
Universal Design for Learning
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
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
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
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 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 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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.