Schools In Focus Podcast: 2020 Education Design Trends

Welcome back! Schools In Focus is a Spaces4Learning podcast dedicated to K-12 school design, planning, and management. Each episode will feature a conversation with industry experts, facility managers, architects, and thought leaders on everything from security technologies to best practices for sustainable facilities and so much more!

Thank you for listening to the inaugural episode of Schools In Focus Podcast! We spoke to Andrew Hausmann, an associate principal at Perkins + Will about innovative library design. If you missed the first episode, I invite you to go back to listen to it.

If you have suggestions on topics you would like to hear us cover, feel free to email me.

Schools In Focus, Episode 2: 2020 Education Design Trends

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

Today we have an exciting new episode on education design trends to watch in 2020. I spoke to Todd Ferking, a principal at DLR Group. He lives for school design and has become recognized as an expert in forming spaces that enable student-focused learning and that takes advantage of new and emerging technologies in the learning process. 

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

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

In this episode, we talked about education design that is geared toward the future. Ferking talks about the shift from classrooms being the dominant teaching space to multiple spaces that include collaborative commons and makerspaces. We explore the use of “flipped classrooms,” collaborative technology, and a flexible infrastructure to support emerging technologies. We also talk about going back to the basics of building relationships and how learning environments can support a sense of belonging for teachers and students. 

Where to Listen

Schools In Focus is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Stitcher. Subscribe today, or listen below! Stay tuned for more episodes!

About the Author

Yvonne Marquez is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

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    The Creighton Elementary School District near Phoenix, Ariz., recently broke ground on a campus replacement for Biltmore Preparatory Academy, according to a news release. The new space will allow the school to expand its enrollment by 50 percent for K–8 students and accommodate modern, collaborative learning styles.

  • Virginia Tech Tops Out New College of Engineering Building

    Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., recently celebrated the topping out of Mitchell Hall, which will soon stand as the largest College of Engineering building on campus, according to a news release. The university partnered with Skanska on the 285,500-square-foot facility, which has an expected completion date of winter 2028.

  • University of Kentucky Reopens Scovell Hall

    The University of Kentucky recently reopened Scovell Hall, part of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE), following comprehensive renovations to the 120-year-old facility in Lexington, Ky., according to a news release.

  • Tennessee Middle School Completes Health, Life Safety Renovations

    The Giles County Board of Education in Pulaski, Tenn., recently announced that a series of renovation projects has been completed at Bridgeforth Middle School, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects & Engineers and Brindley Construction to modernize building systems at one of the district’s oldest schools.