Educational architect Robin Randall shares realistic advice about the challenges of adding developmentally appropriate, play-based kindergarten classrooms while respecting budget limitations. As of December 2022, 41 states and Washington, D.C. require school districts to offer kindergarten, but only 19 states and D.C. require children to attend kindergarten, according toThe Education Commission of the States. There […]
Learning
College of Lake County Advanced Technology Center redefines industrial manufacturing training
Big-box store turned advanced technology center ushers in new programs, supports Lake County workforce, and upends stereotypes about industrial manufacturing. Massive press brakes that bend metal. Ovens that reach 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Robotic welding systems. Laser cutters. Programmable logic controllers. These are just a few examples of the $5.5 million worth of industry-grade equipment within […]
Jay Johnson celebrates 30 years of working out the details at Legat Architects
Meticulousness and clarity drive Jay Johnson’s three decades at Legat Architects On a freezing morning in 2011, coworkers Jay Johnson and Ted Haug studied precast concrete panels at a construction site on College of DuPage’s (COD) Glen Ellyn, Illinois campus. The project was the college’s new Campus Maintenance Center, and Johnson wanted to see how […]
Hancock High School named Midwest’s best K-12 education project by ENR Midwest
A standout in Clearing: John Hancock College Preparatory High School design and construction earns “Best Project, K-12 Education” commendation from ENR Midwest Just after the construction of John Hancock College Preparatory High School started in Chicago’s Clearing neighborhood in 2020, Illinois’ Governor JB Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The […]
Ohio University’s OHIO Esports Arena redefines video gaming
Modest investment transforms Ohio University basement storage space into esports hub for gaming, gathering, and building workplace skills If a college student enjoys film studies, there is probably a place on campus where they can join other film buffs. Similarly, performing arts fans likely have spaces where they can ply their craft with like-minded students. […]
Robin Randall elevated to American Institute of Architects College of Fellows
Educational architect Robin Randall’s focus on setting up others for success leads to American Institute of Architects’ highest honor During meetings and presentations, architect Robin Randall is often seen smiling and nodding while other participants — client representatives, community members, coworkers — share their thoughts. The drive to listen, ignite dialogue, promote client ideas, and […]
10 ways to achieve therapeutic learning environments
Today’s school should be much more than a place to learn — it should be a nurturing setting that celebrates achievements and responds to the challenges of many different users. School leaders, architects, and interior designers face a challenge when it comes to educational settings: how can they create a facility that improves the lives […]
An architectural view of school safety and security
Communication forms the foundation of a safe school environment. With threats ranging from severe weather to active shooters, school leaders, designers, and security consultants face many challenges in creating safe environments that allow children to thrive. Paul Timm, PSP, school security expert and vice president at Facility Engineering Associates, explains the one thing that underpins […]
How to pass school construction referendums
Passing a school construction referendum requires a careful balancing act of showing the need, making the right ask, and most importantly, building community support. LaSalle-Peru Township High School District 120 operated a 90-year-old campus that had not received major updates in more than 50 years. The Illinois district needed to modernize its aging facilities, but […]
John Hancock College Preparatory High School receives HACIA’s 2022 Project of the Year award
Architectural/engineering/construction team prioritizes diversity/local involvement in the design and building of Public Building Commission of Chicago/Chicago Public Schools’ John Hancock College Preparatory High School The new John Hancock College Preparatory High School received the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association’s (HACIA) 2022 Project of the Year award. The 178,000-square-foot high school, Chicago Public Schools’ only new […]
A.E.R.O. Therapeutic Center to raise bar for Illinois special education facilities
Research into cognitive/physical disabilities and behavior/emotional diversities drives design of A.E.R.O. Special Education Cooperative’s new multi-program facility Often, special education students and their teachers must make do with standard educational spaces that lack the amenities they need to excel. The A.E.R.O. Therapeutic Center now under construction in Burbank, Illinois will turn that reality on its […]
Does your school’s furniture support learning styles and improve performance?
Choosing the best furniture for students means accepting that not just any chair will do. When it comes to educational facilities, furniture becomes the last powerful element of a strong architectural statement. Furniture responds to function, but also helps create the feel of a space. Students interact with furniture more than any other design element. […]
