A most personable analyst: Legat Architects’ Michael Lundeen achieves three decades of leading influential projects, advancing higher education campuses, and setting an example for emerging architects In the mid-1980s, Michael Lundeen nearly dropped out of the architectural program at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). “I was struggling with design studio,” he said. “It […]
Learning
Simulation means success: immersive public safety training comes to college campuses
When classrooms are not enough: how higher education campuses can use immersive environments that replicate real-world situations to enhance public safety training. Featuring a case study of Cuyahoga Community College’s Simulated Scenario Village. Today’s national conversation about law enforcement focuses on issues ranging from community-based policing to domestic terrorism and natural disasters. This proves the […]
Jefferson Early Childhood Center recognized among Illinois’ best educational environments
Jefferson Early Childhood Center one of three Illinois schools honored with Award of Merit in statewide competition In 2016, Community Unit School District 200 (District 200) launched a competition that challenged two top Chicago educational architecture firms to design a replacement for its ailing early learning center in Wheaton, Illinois. The community wanted a facility […]
Think Tank Encourages Reinvestment in Educational Infrastructure
The courage to call out a problem and create change on “the other side of town”: Legat Architects’ 2021 Think Tank launches with ideas for addressing educational disinvestment At her first meeting with the Future Ready Columbus (Ohio) Board of Directors,Jane D. Leach gave each board member a picture of a child under five years […]
Playing to Learn: Playful Learning Comes to Chicago (Part 2)
Learning underfoot: vibrant installments of words, letters, shapes, and numbers migrate from Philadelphia to Chicago In my last post, we reviewed the many benefits of incorporating play into early learners’ educational experiences. This time, we’ll show how the same innovative outdoor learning principles that began in Philadelphia inspired new installations in Chicago. That initial Playful […]
Galesburg schools modernizations revive learning environments, support districtwide consolidation
Nearly 400,000 square feet in additions and renovations at four schools pave the way for major improvements in Galesburg Community Unit School District #205 The population of Galesburg, Illinois has experienced a slight decline over the past decade. During that time, Galesburg Community Unit School District #205 had to contend with the upkeep and expenses […]
Jefferson Early Childhood Center a haven for discovery, nature, and accessibility
Early learner research and community/teacher/specialist input inspire design of Jefferson Early Childhood Center in Wheaton, Illinois When three- to five-year-old students look out the child-height classroom windows in Jefferson Early Childhood Center, they never know what they’re going to see in the courtyard at the heart of the school—it could be classmates planting sunflowers in […]
Illinois school tornado shelters: an architect’s perspective
From ventilation and projectile defense to water supply and signage: a closer look at the complex code requirements for tornado shelters at Illinois schools In June 2021, an EF3 tornado swept through several suburbs located 20 miles southwest of Chicago. It struck residential areas just after 11 pm . . . only minutes after wireless […]
College of DuPage Institutional Resource Center named finalist in Chicago-area design/construction competition
Chicago Building Congress names College of DuPage’s Institutional Resource Center finalist in 2021 Merit Awards for outstanding design and construction Several of Wendy E. Parks’ colleagues were somewhat skeptical when College of DuPage (COD) planned to convert an early childhood center into office suites. They questioned whether a facility designed for three- to five-year-olds could […]
Playing to Learn: The Benefits of Playful Learning (Part 1)
Research shows that when kids have fun, they learn more. Time for cities to step up. At a recent conference for educators, some attendees were surprised to find that one activity involved “free-playing” with colorful scraps of paper. They had complete freedom to build, rip, fold, and do whatever they wanted with the scraps. After […]
ARP ESSER Fund: how can school districts best navigate COVID-19 relief spending?
A once-in-a-generation opportunity: EDengage roundtable explores how school districts can spend ESSER III COVID relief funds for the greatest impact What projects qualify for COVID relief? How can we use the funds to improve our dated ventilation systems? Will the funds cover remodeling? What about new construction? These are just a few of the questions […]
School architecture: 3 examples of research transforming educational design
A design process that starts and ends with research results in school environments that energize learning. When it comes time to build, whether it’s new construction or renovations, design teams can transform purpose into place by putting the educational institution’s mission at the center of the design approach. But how can we bridge the learning […]
