VLK Architects Principal Named to School Safety Group

VLK Architects recently announced that Principal Lauren Brown was recently named a 2023 Co-Chair for the Texas Society of Architects School Safety Work Group, according to a news release. The committee was founded after the 2018 shooting at Santa Fe High School as a means to address issues that state leaders put forward as means to prevent further incidents of violence in schools.

“Emotional and physical safety is a basic human right that can be fortified by the actions and abilities of those who can inspire change and implement proactive measures to protect the most vulnerable,” said Brown. “Engaging in conversations with like-minded peers in the School Safety Work Group is an opportunity to be that instrument of change in this ever-changing environment. As co-chair, I look forward to the opportunity to continue to build upon school safety resources and share perspectives from a bevy of school district clients and first responders, as well as best practices.”

The Texas Society of Architects School Safety Work Group engages in activities like researching school violence and potential solutions like state laws and regulations, and also engages in conversations with state officials.

“Lauren’s dedication to responsible environmental design for public education leaves no stone unturned as it pertains to the safety of all students and teachers,” said Sloan Harris, CEO and Partner of VLK Architects. “Her passion for safe and secure schools and experience in school design brings great contribution to this council.”

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Sam Houston State University Completes Athletic Stadium Renovations

    Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, recently announced the reopening of Elliott T. Bowers Stadium after an extensive renovation project, according to a news release. The university partnered with Stantec and DLR Group for the project’s design.

  • Health & Science Building

    Health & Science Building

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The College of Western Idaho's Health & Science Building has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

  • Planning with Clarity: Using AI to Make Better Campus Decisions, Not Just Better Designs

    Higher education leaders are being asked to make increasingly high-stakes decisions about campus facilities amid greater uncertainty than ever before. Social and economic pressures, shifting enrollment, and evolving learning models compete with growing deferred maintenance needs to strain even the most robust infrastructure budgets.

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.