RTA Architects Wins Planning and Design Award from A4LE

Colorado-based architectural and interior design firm RTA Architects announced recently that it has received the LEsolutions Planning and Design Award from the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE). The award, one of A4LE’s most prestigious honors, was presented at the association’s LearningSCAPES conference in Denver, Colo., for RTA’s design of the Lake City Community School (Hinesdale County School District RE-1, Lake City, Colo.) in the category of Renovation / Major Addition.

A news release explains, “A4LE’s LEsolutions Awards recognize learning environments that positively impact teaching and learning and are a result of a thorough planning process. Award-winning projects show stimulation of systemic change in the educational system, embodiment of leading-edge architectural design solutions and incorporation of an interactive process that engages multiple stakeholders during the planning phase.”

Lake City Community School
Lake City Community School

The Lake City Community School renovation and addition project included work like a full interior renovation; construction of a new gymnasium; critical upgrades to safety, security and HVAC systems; construction of a classroom for Career and Technical Education (CTE); construction of a commercial kitchen for both hot lunches and culinary arts classes; and a new nurse’s room. RTA Architects collaborated closely with the town’s board of trustees and the county’s historical society to match the character of the design with the feel of the area that has been designated a National Register Historic District.

“What I’ve realized the most with this renovation/addition is that a facility can really drive and change educational planning for students (for instance, the Career Technical Education classroom), community outreach (our community plays Pickleball every week on our sports court while the weather is nice), and the beauty and pride our building brings to the community!” said Rebecca Hall, M.A. Ed, Superintendent and Principal of the Lake City Community School.

Further details about the LEsolutions Award for Lake City Community School, as well as all 2021 winners and entrants, is available at the A4LE awards website.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Houston-Area High School Receives Best Project Award from ENR

    Tomball West High School near Houston, Texas, recently received a K–12 Education Best Project Award in Engineering News-Record’s 2026 Texas & Southeast Best Projects Awards, according to a press release. The new facility was completed in May and opened its doors to students for the fall 2026 semester.

  • Construction Begins on 100+ Acre K–12 Campus Designed for Lakota Culture

    The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) and the Cheyenne-Eagle Butte School District in Eagle Butte, S.D., recently broke ground on a new K–12 campus that will cover more than 100 acres and serve students and families across 1,600 square miles, according to a news release.

  • Cleveland High School Breaks Ground on Modernization

    Portland Public Schools in Portland, Ore., recently announced that construction has begun on a modernization project for Cleveland High School, according to a news release. The existing building will be replaced with a new, 300,000-square-foot facility at the same site.

  • University of Washington Opens New Broadcast Studio

    The University of Washington in Seattle, Wash., recently announced the opening of Sundodger Studios, a new broadcast, production, and content facility, according to a news release. The university partnered with Anthony James Partners for the design and development of the studio, which will host about 100 live broadcasts and 120 live videoboard shows per year.