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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Campus Parking
The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently launched a new service to help the community pay for parking at meters and visitor lots around campus, according to a university news release.
New Construction
Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., recently announced a construction initiative that will replace its existing library with a new Library Learning Commons, according to a news release.
Cybersecurity
The University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Okla., recently announced the launch of the Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute, which will focus on research to identify, test, and develop new cyber-workforce and cybersecurity solutions, according to a news release.
Campus Security
Adrian Public Schools in Lenawee County, Mich., recently announced that it has deployed ZeroEyes’ AI gun detection solution to protect students, faculty, and staff against the backdrop of a rise in active shooter events, according to a news release.
Staffing
Wold Architects & Engineers recently announced that it has promoted three of its staff members, according to a news release.
New Construction
Commercial real estate solutions provider Ryan Companies U.S., Inc., recently announced that it has completed four charter schools in the southeastern United States in time for the 2023–24 academic year.
New Construction
The University of Southern Maine in Portland, Maine, recently celebrated the opening of its first on-campus residence hall and a new parking garage, according to local news.
New Construction
The Manor Independent School District in Manor, Texas, recently celebrated two ribbon-cutting ceremonies for two new schools opening just in time for the 2023–24 academic year, according to a news release.
New Construction
The University of Alabama at Birmingham recently announced that it celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony for the new home for its School of Engineering, according to a university news release.
Campus Renovations
Construction firm Kraus-Anderson recently announced that work has begun on a $24-million renovation project for Central Middle School in White Bear Lake, Minn., according to a news release.
Faculty Housing
By championing affordable housing development for teachers, school districts can take a major step forward in ensuring the hiring and retention of the best faculty possible.
New Construction
The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va., recently announced that construction has begun on a ten-year project that will lead to the replacement or renovation of 80% of on-campus residences, according to college news.
Funding
The University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, recently announced that it has received a $3-million gift that will go toward student scholarships and building out the university’s branch campus—Frisco Landing—in Frisco, Texas.
Campus Technology
If you’re purchasing a smart board for your school, you’re in luck. There are plenty of options out there. However, in my own purchasing experience as director of technology for Gladewater ISD, it came apparent rather quickly what interactive displays features meaningfully made a difference among competing smart boards.
Campus Renovations
A junior high school in Illinois recently announced that construction has begun to expand its facility into a full-service, modern middle school, according to a news release.
Architects
Design firm DLR Group recently announced that it has hired a new educational learning designer, according to a news release. Former teacher and K–12 administrator Dr. Tim Shimp will offer his experience from the trenches to help provide high-impact, innovative, and engaging learning environments out of the firm’s Chicago office.
Awards
Program management firm HPM recently announced that one of its recent projects—the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center at Auburn University—has been recognized by the South Atlantic Chapter of Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) as a 2023 Project Achievement Award winner.
Campus Renovations
Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Penn., recently announced that it has selected a construction and development firm for a $70-million renovation project on campus, according to local news. Skanska will spearhead the redevelopment of Clayton University Center, a two-year project that will involve revamping its facilities while also preserving historic elements and nuances of the building.
Campus Technology
Classroom technologies are vital to help today’s educators engage students, provide hybrid learning opportunities and enhance familiarity with new tools commonly deployed in modern work environments.