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.
New Construction
The University of California, Riverside recently broke ground on a new student housing project on its campus, according to a news release. The North District Phase 2 Student Housing Development will measure in at 424,000 square feet and cost an estimated $285 million.
New Construction
Hollister High School, part of the San Benito High School District (SBHSD) in Hollister, Calif., recently broke ground on a new student union building, according to a news release. The new facility will provide the school’s 3,500 students with multipurpose gathering spaces, food service area, and state-of-the-art kitchen.
Campus Technology
The San Isidro Independent School District in south Texas recently announced that it used a federal grant program to purchase virtual reality (VR) headsets for its middle- and high-school students, according to a news release.
New Construction
The University of Evansville in Evansville, Ind., recently celebrated a dedication ceremony for its new Mental Health and Wellness Clinic, according to a news release. The new facility includes the Emily M. Young Assessment Center, which provides advanced therapy and assessment services to the university and local community.
New Construction
The Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School in Marlborough, Mass., recently broke ground on a new 17,000-square-foot academic building, according to a news release. The facility will offer additional classroom and science lab space for the campus, which serves students in grades 6–12.
Staffing
VLK Architects recently announced that it has added a new principal, David Valerius, to the staff of the VLK Houston office, according to a news release. Valerius has a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Texas Tech University and more than 30 years of architectural experience in the commercial and educational verticals.
New Construction
The design-build team of Blach Construction, Quattrochi Kwok Architects, and Gensler recently began construction on a brand-new campus for the Gavilan Joint Community College District in Hollister, Calif., according to a news release. Gavilan was originally founded in Hollister in 1919.
Campus Amenities
The University of Tulsa recently opened the largest Starbucks in the state of Oklahoma, according to a university news release.
New Construction
California State University, Northridge (CSUN) in Northridge, Calif., recently began construction on a new student housing complex that will add room for 198 beds to its campus, according to a news release. The project consists of two four-story buildings and will cost an estimated $55.7 million. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2025.
Lighting
Creating the right environment is essential to maximizing a child’s learning potential, and a critical part of that environment is the right lighting system. Unfortunately, the lighting system at St. Augustine Catholic School in Richmond, Mich., was failing both its students and teachers.
- By Kevin Youngquist
- 11/14/23
New Construction
Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fla., recently broke ground on a new facility for the College of Arts and Letters, according to local news. Construction on the Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building will begin in early 2024 and is scheduled for completion in February 2025.
Maintenance
Fire protection and compliance solutions provider REMEDI8 recently spotlighted one of its dust containment units for use in construction and other heavy-debris environments, according to a news release.
New Construction
The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently broke ground on its new Health Education Building, according to a news release. The 500,000-square-foot facility will be the largest academic building in university history and house programs from the colleges of medicine, health sciences and nursing, and public health, as well as the Center for Interprofessional and Community Health Education. The building is projected to open in 2026.
New Construction
The Arlington Independent School District in Arlington, Texas, recently broke ground on a new athletic complex designed by VLK Architects, according to a news release. The Michael Glaspie Field Athletic Complex is the district’s third competition field and will be funded through a bond package passed in 2019.
Textiles
Sustainable textiles and acoustical management solutions provider Carnegie recently launched a new series of fabrics called the Full Spectrum Collection, according to a news release. The series features 45 colors and patterns across a variety of price points that were designed for use in commercial spaces and offer high degrees of performance, style, and durability.
Sustainability
Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, recently gained a new 1,375-MW solar farm on its campus through a partnership with Alliant Energy, according to a news release. Alliant installed 3,300 solar panels on campus that will generate energy and provide opportunities for education, agriculture research, and more.
New Construction
The University of Hawaii at Mānoa in Honolulu, Hawaii, recently completed the first phase of construction on a new housing facility for graduate students, according to a university news release. Groundbreaking for the Residences for Graduate Students took place on Oct. 4, and the project will cost an estimated $170 million.
Facilities Maintenance
Cleaning equipment and solutions provider Tennant Company recently launched two new products—the T260 and the T391—to add to its fleet of walk-behind floor scrubbers, according to a news release. The products will be available to order in October 2023.
Indoor Air Quality
HVAC and air-cleaning systems performance testing solutions provider SafeTraces recently announced that the Clark County School District (CCSD) in Nevada has become the first public school district in the U.S. to achieve the UL Verified Ventilation & Filtration (VVF) annual verification mark in its portfolio of facilities, according to a news release.
New Construction
Design-build firm The Neenan Company recently announced progress on five education projects in the state of Colorado, according to a news release. The renovations and replacements are intended to help each individual school achieve programming goals and provide students with spaces that promote opportunity, wellness, and safety.
Awards Program
Spaces4Learning is now accepting entries for the 2024 Readers’ Choice Award program! The program allows you, our audience, to honor the best product development achievements of manufacturers and suppliers whose products and services are noteworthy in K–12 and higher education environments.
New Construction
Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga., recently announced plans to build three new campus buildings simultaneously, according to a news release.
Campus Security
AI-based gun detection video analytics platform ZeroEyes recently announced that Eastern Michigan University in Washtenaw County, Mich., will adopt its solution on campus, according to a news release. EMU is the first higher education institution in Michigan to install an AI gun detection solution.
Facility Management
Robotics artificial intelligence solutions provider Brain Corp recently launched a new feature in its line of autonomous robots, according to a news release. The BrainOS software now features “Site Maps,” which grant facility managers new insight into site operations to ensure efficiency and provide a clearer picture of proof of work.
New Construction
Real estate solutions provider Ryan Companies recently announced that ground has been broken on a new 56,000-square-foot charter school near Nashville, Tenn. Rutherford Collegiate Prep (RCP) will be the fifth public charter school in the region from the local nonprofit organization Noble Education Initiative (NEI).
Indoor Air Quality
There is a growing level of both interest and requirements to improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) through improved ventilation, temperature and humidity control, and filtration to improve the health of students and teachers in K–12 schools. Aging equipment often is not designed to meet these requirements, prompting replacement. But this replacement comes with an added benefit—that being significantly improved efficiency.
- By Michael Schires
- 10/17/23
New Construction
The Central Arizona College Superstition Mountain Campus in Apache Junction, Ariz., recently broke ground on a new campus expansion project, according to a news release. The project will result in new buildings for the Allied Health and Skilled Trades, as well as renovations to the existing C building.
New Construction
The University of California Board of Regents recently approved the design and budget for a new research and academic building at UC San Francisco, according to a news release. The $842-million project will move forward into the construction phase.
Campus Operations
The Providence Public School District in Providence, R.I., recently announced a partnership with ABM Industries to enhance the custodial, grounds, and maintenance operations of its 37 schools, according to a news release.
Grants
National nonprofit organization KidsGardening.org recently announced the launch of the 2024 Youth Garden Grant, which will provide grants to 50 local youth garden programs, according to a news release.
Campus Renovations
The Berkeley School District in Berkeley, Ill., recently announced the completion of a $111-million Capital Improvement project with the grand opening of a renovation and addition at Riley Intermediate and Northlake Middle Schools, according to a news release.
Architects
Baker Barrios Architects recently announced the addition of a new leadership position to its staff, according to a news release. William Maffett, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, MBA has been named as the firm’s new national director of higher education.
New Construction
Owatonna Public Schools in Owatonna, Minn., recently completed construction on a new high school for the district and celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony in late September, according to a news release.
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.