Planning & Design


The Berkner STEM Exploration Center features flexible and adaptable spaces.

First Look: Berkner STEM Exploration Center

When students return to school at Richardson Independent School District near Dallas, Texas, they will be able to utilize a brand-new state-of-the-art STEM facility that is open to all K-12 students in the district. Designed by Perkins and Will, the Berkner STEM Exploration Center was created for students of all ages.

4 Reasons to Build Choice into Classroom Design — and How to Make It Work for Students

4 Reasons to Build Choice into Classroom Design — and How to Make It Work for Students

Teaching and learning are undergoing significant transformation, but, by and large, the design of classrooms has not transformed at the same rate. Here are six key elements of a modern and highly engaging learning space that both supports and encourages 21st century learning: choice, comfort, versatility, connection, stimulation and technology.

Learning in Lounge Areas

Extending the Classroom

Learning is no longer restricted to the classroom or the library. Increasing the use and appeal of the space in between classrooms and other traditional learning environments can play a key role in teaching and learning.

Caption: Single leaf sliding doors support North Creek High School’s (NCHS) collaborative culture in Bothell, Washington. Credit: © Chris Eden / edenphotography.us

Collaborative Design Through the Lens of Interior Sliding Doors

In Bothell, Washington, Dykeman, Inc. worked with the Northshore School District to create a flexible, innovative learning center for 1,600 students centered on collaboration. They incorporated state-of-the-art interior single leaf sliding doors and hardware into eight "collaboration cubes" to pave the way for project-based and problem-based group learning, without compromising design.

Schools In Focus Podcast logo and Todd Ferking, principal at DLR Group

Schools In Focus Podcast: 2020 Education Design Trends

In this episode, Todd Ferking of DLR Group talks about education design that is geared toward the future.

North Carolina School of Science and Math Morganton Greenway

Master Planning the Outdoors: Spaces for the Life of a Campus

Some common strategies and parallel considerations are at play in all master planning for the outdoors. Each campus must first be approached on its own terms, free of predispositions on planning.

Pathfinder Kindergarten Center: photo ©Chris Roberts, courtesy of DLR Group

K-12 Design Trends to Watch in 2020

Just as Winston Churchill once said, “we shape our buildings and thereafter they shape us,” designers must consider how education environments of the next decade will shape student behavior.

Children using tools like a screwdriver to tinker with a robot on a table.

Design Trends Influencing STEM Education

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are crucial parts of today's curriculum. When it comes to maximizing learning outcomes, many schools focus on the equipment and technology available. However, design also has a significant impact.

New Fairfield Public Schools recently selected JCJ Architecture to design two new school projects — the expansion of the Grades 3 through 5 Meeting House Hill School and a new high school.

New Fairfield Schools Select JCJ Architecture for New Projects

New Fairfield Public Schools recently selected JCJ Architecture to design two new school projects — the expansion of the Grades 3 through 5 Meeting House Hill School and a new high school.

Spaces4Learning recently launched Schools In Focus, a podcast spotlighting K-12 school design, planning and management.

Introducing Schools In Focus Podcast

<em>Spaces4Learning</em> recently launched a podcast focused on K-12 school design, planning and management.

Burial Grounds Found on Tampa School Property

A Florida school board recently discovered nearly 150 unmarked graves on the property of King High School in Tampa, Florida after receiving a tip.

Designing Faculty Spaces

The Time Is Now to Create High-Performing Faculty Spaces

Increasingly, leading institutions are recognizing that the time is now to focus on workspaces that allow their faculty members to perform research and other academic activities effectively while simultaneously nurturing meaningful relationships with their students.

Spotlight on Infrastructure Investment

College and university administrators routinely keep their eyes on the market for capital investment in infrastructure for higher education institutions. What is the current outlook on and expectations for trends on this front?

Laboratory Design

Lab Design: Keeping People in Mind

A people-centered focus of the design of lab spaces can encourage engagement and place more emphasis on the purpose of the lab, leading to success for the institution.

adaptable educational space

Preparing Students for an Unpredictable Future

Creating an adaptable space is only one component of the agile classroom. What we teach and how we teach are just as important.

College students

Optimizing Campus Space to Create a Better Student Experience

Colleges and universities are rethinking the traditional use of space, taking innovative approaches, and using analytics and advanced scheduling technologies to optimize their existing resources.

A new survey by Corgan, a global architecture and design firm, takes a look at how school design impacts teacher happiness and effectiveness in the workplace.

School Design Impacts Teacher Happiness and Effectiveness, New Research Finds

Nearly all teachers surveyed (98%) say that a well-designed classroom makes teaching more enjoyable.

renovations

Transforming Traditional Campus Buildings

With careful planning and craft, architecturally significant buildings can take on new life through interior renovations that create up-to-date spaces while retaining historic integrity.

The $85 million neighborhood school is brightly lit, with lots of windows and features colorful murals and inspirational words on the walls that integrates STEM symbols with traditional West African art patterns.

Englewood STEM High School Debuts After Four School Closures

The $85 million neighborhood school is brightly lit, with lots of windows and features colorful murals and inspirational words on the walls that integrates STEM symbols with traditional West African art patterns.

storm shelter

Winds of Change: Storm Shelter Design Guidance

In recent years, the International Building Code has mandated that all new construction for K–12 schools in most of the Midwest and South Central United States include a community storm shelter. This article will explain the requirements of storm shelter design and explore best practices for planning and construction.

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