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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.