Staffing
Architecture and design firm Perkins&Will recently announced that it has appointed Aimee Eckmann to the position of firmwide practice leader for K–12 education, according to a news release. Eckmann has been with the firm since 1999 and has served as the Chicago studio’s K–12 practice leader since 2017.
Healthy Schools
Western Wyoming Community College recently announced the launch of a new partnership that will expand mental-health support resources to rural and working students, according to a news release. The college is partnering with Uwill, a Boston-based mental-health and wellness solution for university students, to provide teletherapy opportunities to its more-than 3,000 students.
New Construction
The University of North Florida recently announced the groundbreaking of a new Honors Residence Hall on its campus in Jacksonville, Fla., according to a university news release. The facility is set to open in fall 2025 and will be the university’s first new residence hall since 2009.
Resources
Here at Spaces4Learning, we recently launched a new resource on our website—the Glossary of School Facility Planning and Maintenance. It offers clear and concise definitions of key terms and concepts used in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of K–12 and higher-education facilities.
Building Blueprints
Following decades of advancements in teaching and learning, two public high schools in Champaign, Ill., were challenged to adapt their buildings to support future-ready education. Through renovation, addition, and reorganization by global architecture and design from Perkins&Will, the transformed Champaign Central and Centennial high schools—located four miles apart—are aligned with the community’s vision and designed to meet the evolving needs of contemporary education.
Campus Technology
Da-Lite, a brand of AV technology company Legrand | AV, recently announced the addition of a new Tensioned Advantage electric screen and SightLine cable drop to its Modus VR visual experience product library.
Classroom Furniture
As someone with ADHD, I struggled quite a bit when I was in school. I was the kid who would always get reprimanded by teachers for moving around—or, anytime I really needed to stand up or go for a walk. When I started teaching, I knew firsthand that the rigid rows of desks and chairs in the typical classroom were an antiquated approach not only for traditional students, but definitely for anyone who couldn’t “conform” to this structure.
New Construction
Kennesaw State University’s Marietta Campus recently broke ground on a new Interdisciplinary STEM Building (ISTEM) on its campus, according to university news. The facility will measure 70,000 square feet and feature both research and teaching space across a variety of disciplines.
New Construction
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) recently announced that construction will soon begin on a new Arts and Media Building, according to university news. The facility will stand two stories, cover 85,000 square feet, and was designed by BGK Architects and Bora Architects.
Campus Renovations
New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y., recently opened the doors of its newly renovated Basic Sciences Building (BSB), according to a news release. The college partnered with DIGroup Architecture’s Healthcare Studio team for the project, which cost $6.2 million and covers an estimated 18,755 square feet.
Healthy Schools
Clean air isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, schools can protect their students and staff at an affordable price. With so many entry points for threats to student and staff well-being, a single solution can’t cover every hole. Adopting a layered approach that utilizes multiple technologies allows schools to address the broad range of potential entries for pollutants. Here are a few key components of a multidimensional solution to ensure the highest air quality for your school.
Predictions & Trends
We asked our readership to send us their predictions for 2024 trends in educational facilities. Across K–12 and higher-education campuses both, we asked for opinions on topics like technology, flexible learning spaces, campus safety & security, disaster response, and more. This article is the third in a three-part series compiling responses from educational professionals and vendors.
Restrooms
Commercial restroom solutions company Bradley Company recently launched a new collection of washroom accessories, according to a news release. The Elvari Washroom Accessories offer an integrated design across the entire collection to “unify and elevate” the aesthetic of professional restrooms, the release reports.
T&T Construction Management Group, Inc., recently began construction on a replacement facility for Jean Ribault High School in Jacksonville, Fla., according to a news release. The original facility was built in 1957.
Predictions & Trends
We asked our readership to send us their predictions for 2024 trends in educational facilities. Across K–12 and higher-education campuses both, we asked for opinions on topics like technology, flexible learning spaces, campus safety & security, disaster response, and more. This article is the second in a three-part series compiling responses from educational professionals and vendors.
Campus Renovations
Nestled within the vibrant landscape of Midtown Atlanta stands FORTY FIVE, an architectural gem that combines residential, academic, and wellness facilities on the grounds of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Offering residence to more than 400 art students, FORTY FIVE provides more than just a place to stay.
Predictions & Trends
We asked our readership to send us their predictions for 2024 trends in educational facilities. Across K–12 and higher-education campuses both, we asked for opinions on topics like technology, flexible learning spaces, campus safety & security, disaster response, and more. This article is the first in a three-part series compiling responses from educational professionals and vendors.
New Construction
The Gavilan Joint Community College District recently announced the topping out of Phase 1 of a new campus in Hollister, Calif., according to a news release. Gavilan gathered with representatives from partners Blach Construction, Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA), and Gensler to celebrate the ceremonial placement of the final steel beam in the building’s structure.
Campus Renovations
The Texas City Independent School District near Houston, Texas, recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new STEM and Robotics Center geared towards students across grades K–12, according to a news release. The district partnered with Pfluger Architects and Bartlett Cocke for the project’s design and construction.
Campus Renovations
The Mendocino Unified School District (MUSD) in Mendocino, Calif., recently completed a renovation and modernization project on Mendocino High School, according to a news release. The “near-total reconstruction” included updates to educational and student spaces, energy conservation, and the incorporation of all-electric features to be paired with renewable energy sources in future phases.
New Construction
Fort Worth Country Day (FWCD), a college-preparatory school in Fort Worth, Texas, has broken ground on a new 32,720-square-foot, $25 million Lower School.
Energy
The University of Houston System has entered into a multi-year partnership with TXU Energy to provide electricity across the entire system, including its university campuses and instructional sites as well as its athletic facilities. The agreement includes investments in UH scholarships as well as energy-efficiency projects.
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
Project of Distinction 2023 Education Design Showcase
Grand Prize 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.
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.