Components and Materials


Georgia Schools Add Ionization Devices to HVAC Systems

The Bibb County School District in Macon, Ga., announced in a press release that it will be adding needlepoint bi-polar ionization devices to the HVAC systems in each of its schools.

Smart locker

Quadient Nearly Doubles Number of Smart Locker Installations in U.S. During 2020

Quadient has become the second-largest provider of parcel locker solutions worldwide after it reached 13,000 installation sites and more than 600,000 lockers overall during FY2020. During the first nine months of the fiscal year, which ended on Jan. 31, 2021, the company reported a 78% increase in the number of packages delivered to its smart lockers.

Oakwood Schools to Receive New HVAC System

One of the only remaining components of the $18 million Oakwood City Schools renovation project in Dayton, Ohio, is the installation of a brand-new HVAC system for the high school/junior high building. Currently, about half of the 97-year-old building is running on a new system, and the other half still uses an outdated, steam-heated network, according to school district Operations Coordinator Todd Scott.

Open-air classrooms

Schools Consider Return to Open-Air Classrooms

Solutions to modern problems sometimes find their roots in the past. During the tuberculosis epidemic in the early 20th century, many U.S. schools used open-air classroom designs to prevent the virus’ spread among students. Now, during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, schools are once again turning to this model to allow students the fresh air and proper ventilation necessary for a healthy learning environment.

3M Announces New Floor Care System

3M’s Commercial Solutions Division launched a new line of products that reduces the labor and product costs associated with routine floor maintenance, according to the company.

Epoxy flooring at school in Texas.

Sustainable Flooring Solutions for High-Traffic Educational Facilities

Sustainable flooring is a smart choice for schools interested in providing a healthy learning environment and demonstrating their commitment to a better global environment.

Student washing hands with touchless faucet.

How to Improve Infection Control and Handwashing in School Restrooms

How do you create a hygienic and safe environment equipped to handle everyday usage and increased handwashing activity by students, faculty, administration and staff? And, how do you improve the restroom experience to make it more appealing to its users?

Office spaces at Scott Hall.

Retrofitting University Buildings for Sound Masking

When a physical space offers a little passive noise control, such as high cubicle walls, private offices or softer, sound-absorbing materials, the effects on the well-being of each person — as well as their productivity — can be profoundly impacted.

Maintenance of a building

4 Ways Schools Can Improve Indoor Air Quality to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission

A building’s HVAC technology can help decrease the transmission rate or mitigate the risk of exposure. Thus, schools must consider their HVAC system as part of their overall COVID-19 mitigation strategy, in addition to social distancing, cleaning, screening, signage and operational practices.

Walker Grant Center. OddBox Studios; courtesy of Rockfon

How the Right Acoustic Ceiling Can Improve a School's Performance

If there is not enough sound absorption in spaces for learning, they are overly loud, reverberant and stressful; not an environment conducive for effective education. Up to one of every four words cannot be understood by students in many classrooms, according to guidelines by the Acoustical Society of America.

Energy Harness

Ceiling Unit Uses UVC Light to Clean Classroom Air

A Florida company with an office in Purdue Research Park has introduced a technology it said would help schools reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Examples of various signage for schools. Illustrations By Chelsea Lott, Graphic Designer (PBK)

Signs of The Times: Utilizing Graphics to Safely Transition Back to School

Overall, signage provides a cost-effective and direct solution to the question, “How does the coronavirus change our schools?” Signage plays a role in helping people feel comfortable in their environments and understanding what is expected of them in certain spaces.

Elementary students in a classroom working at their desks.

Comfort Is Critical for Student Success. Here Are 3 Simple Factors to Consider.

Why address comfort in the design of a learning space? When students are physically comfortable, they’re more at ease: They can relax, block out negative thoughts and focus more effectively on instruction.

Carrie Busey Elementary School library carpet tile. Credit: Scott Berman

It’s All in the Details: Walls, Ceilings and Floors

Walls, ceilings and floors, along with all interior and other building elements, must meet budgetary, acoustic, resilience, sustainability and maintenance requirements, with builders weighing such factors and others. Here are some ways that schools are making their interiors stand out.

Fabricate, the new carpet collection by designer Jhane Barnes.

Tarkett Launches New Carpet Collection by Designer Jhane Barnes

Tarkett, a flooring and sports surface solutions company, launched a new carpet collection in partnership with menswear designer Jhane Barnes.

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.

The 333,606-square-foot high school includes the addition of railing infill panels made by Banker Wire, a manufacturer of woven and welded wire mesh for architectural and industrial applications.

Wisconsin HS Renovation Features Wire Mesh Infill Panels

The 333,606-square-foot high school includes the addition of railing infill panels made by Banker Wire, a manufacturer of woven and welded wire mesh for architectural and industrial applications.

Campus is a Bauhaus-inspired collection of carpet tiles offering a range of patterns and tones for different spaces.

Shaw Contract Adds New Carpet Tiles, LVT to Flooring Lineup

Shaw Contract has launched two new flooring lines for education institutions.

timber building

Constructing Community

The largest mass timber building in America, Adohi Hall at the University of Arkansas, exemplifies a new generation of wood-framed and light-filled residence halls designed to foster connections.

adaptive reuse

Thinking Outside The Box: Adaptive Reuse For Education

There are countless opportunities to create new and innovative learning environments within existing buildings.

Turnkey Renovation Solutions for A+ Aesthetics

A few solutions to minimize renovation costs and support sustainablity goals.

Roof vents at Kansas State University

Raising the Roof at Kansas State

A renovation that included the repair of storm damage to the roof of McCain Auditorium on the campus of Kansas State University was a coordinated effort that required the replacement of custom-fabricated smoke vents.

Wall Heaters