Industry News


Sustainability

California K–12 District Debuts 17.5-MW Solar Energy, Storage Portfolio

The Fresno Unified School District in Fresno, Calif., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new 17.5-MW, district-wide solar energy and storage portfolio, according to a news release. The district partnered with ForeFront Power, a developer and asset manager of large-scale solar energy projects, to develop the project.

New Construction

Boston Technical College Announces Groundbreaking of New Campus

Franklin Cummings Tech, a private technical college in Boston, recently celebrated the groundbreaking of a new, 66,000-square-foot facility as its new campus, according to a news release. The college partnered with Studio G Architects and Studio ENEE for the facility’s design.

New Construction

The American University in Cairo Selects Design Firm for Campus Expansion Project

The American University in Cairo (AUC) recently announced a Campus Expansion Project that will take place across 65 acres in Cairo, Egypt, according to a news release. The English-language, American-accredited institution will launch five new projects to serve its community of about 7,000 undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate students.

New Construction

DLR Group to Design New High School for California K–12 District

The Compton Unified School District in Compton, Calif., recently selected DLR Group to design its new Centennial High School, according to a news release. The Board of Trustees unanimously selected the design firm among six submissions in a design competition.

Campus Renovations

California Elementary School Celebrates Halfway Mark for Music Building Construction

Oak Park Elementary School in San Diego, Calif., recently celebrated the halfway point of construction on a new music building for its campus, according to a news release. District leaders and students gathered on March 7 to watch the school’s music students—the Tempo Tigers—perform in front of the new facility.

Campus Renovations

California High School Celebrates Groundbreaking for Campus Improvements

Kearny High School in San Diego, Calif., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the construction of a new classroom building and a slew of campus upgrades, according to a news release. The latest in an ongoing series of bond-funded upgrades includes a new, two-story classroom and student services facility; renovations of nine classrooms, the dining area, and the softball field; and the creation of outdoor learning spaces.

Classroom Furniture

Kimball International Releases New Season of Alternative Design Podcast

Commercial furnishings company Kimball International recently released the fourth season of its Alternative Design podcast, according to a news release. Host Kaelynn Reid, design futurist at Kimball International, will interview industry experts about the future of education through the lens of design and architecture. Episodes are available via Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, and more.

Campus Safety

Liberty University Faces $14M Fine for Violation of Federal Campus Crime-Reporting Law

National news reports that the U.S. Department of Education has fined Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., a record $14 million for failure to comply with a federal campus crime-reporting law. An investigation uncovered multiple violations of the Clery Act, which requires colleges and universities to record and distribute information about campus crimes and other potentially dangerous situations.

Staffing

Architecture & Design Firm Announces New Higher Education, Technology Leaders

Architecture, interiors, landscape, and planning firm Carrier Johnson + Culture (CJ+C) recently announced that it has filled two significant leadership roles within the company. Nash Reyes, Assoc. AIA, will serve as the new Director of Technology; and Craig Atkinson, AIA, NOMA, DBIA, LEED AP, as the new Director of Higher Education, according to a news release.

Indoor Air Quality

Essential Springtime HVAC Upgrades for K–12 Schools

Spring is a wonderful time of year. The days are longer, the weather begins to warm up, and everything is in bloom. However, for many people, this also means seasonal allergies will set in. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 25% of adults and about 20% of children will suffer from seasonal allergies.

Awards Program

Spaces4Learning Extends Education Design Showcase 2024 Deadline

Spaces4Learning recently announced that it has extended the deadline for its annual Education Design Showcase awards program. The new deadline for submission is Friday, March 15, 2024. EDS was established in 1999 to share innovative and practical solutions in planning, design, and construction.

Campus Renovations

University of Arkansas to Renovate Athletics Facility

The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., recently announced a 15-month renovation project for its HPER (Health, Physical Education, and Recreation) Building on campus, according to a university news release. The renovations will feature infrastructure and architectural updates, as well as an additional 13,000 square feet of fitness center space.

New Construction

Greenville, S.C., Sees Construction of New Elementary School

Local news reports that construction has begun on a new elementary school in Greenville, S.C. The facility will measure in at 110,000 square feet and will stand on the former site of J.L. Mann High Academy.

Staff Promotions

Wold Architects & Engineers Promotes Three to Associates Leadership Team

Planning, architecture, and engineering firm Wold Architects & Engineers recently announced that it has promoted three of its staff members to the Associates Leadership Team, according to a news release. Heather Yaple, AIA, MBA, LEED GREEN is located in the Brentwood, Tenn., office; Alyssa Menolascino, AIA, is in the Chicago, Ill., office; and Jacob Windschitl, AIA, in the Saint Paul, Minn., office.

New Construction

Design Firm Completes Six Schools in 2.5 Years for Maryland K–12 District

The Prince George’s County Public School System in Maryland recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its sixth new school in two and a half years, according to a news release. The Feb. 21 ceremony marked the completion of The Colin L. Powell K–8 Academy, which opened in November 2023.

New Construction

University of the Ozarks Starts Construction on New Residence Hall

The University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Ark., recently began construction on a new $27-million residence hall, according to a university news release. The facility will stand four stories tall, include space for 250 beds, and will cover 64,000 square feet. It’s scheduled to open in time for the beginning of the fall 2025 fall semester.

New Construction

Boston Community College Debuts Student Success Center

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of a new Student Success Center on its campus in Boston, Mass., according to a news release. The 56,000-square-foot building is the college’s first new facility in more than ten years, and it plays home to the College Library & Learning commons, academic advising, coaching, and wraparound services to support students.

Building Envelope

IMETCO Launches New Line of Architectural Roof Panels

Metal product manufacturer IMETCO recently launched a new line of architectural metal roof panels, according to a news release. The Batten-Tile panels are designed for vertical walls or slopes of 3 inches or more, and they come in smooth or embossed surfaces in a wide variety of metals.

Staffing

Perkins&Will Names New Firmwide Practice Leader for K–12 Education

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 Expands Access to Teletherapy

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.

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