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Healthy schools benefit students, communities, and the environment - learn more about our holistic approach to sustainability in this article for Green Building and Design https://lnkd.in/ep5a4Ys8 #healthyschools #sustainability

This story is about the future structure of schools. Not the curriculum, or teaching delivery methods, but the actual structures in which lessons will be taught. When we think of school buildings, we tend to think of the single-story buildings surrounded by ample sports fields and other play spaces. You probably don't think of a skyscraper. The fact is that land is much scarcer and more expensive so that style of school building won't exist in future schooling. This article outlines the details and benefits of 'vertical schools' -- including how they could revitalise city centres. It's worth a read if only for the reason that there are cities where school buildings are crumbling while vacancy rates for offices - thanks to the post-covid remote working boom - are steadily increasing and owners have pondered turning office buildings into apartments. From a construction and logistics standpoint, wouldn't it be easier to turn those empty offices in classrooms? In Australia, vertical schools such as the Adelaide Botanic High School are housed in former office buildings, revitalising commercial areas and attracting nearby students. Perhaps schools could consider a CBD-based satellite campus for senior students? #independentschools #classrooms #verticalschools #education #teaching #downtownschools #microschools

Nature-inspired spaces are not just for students. Piper Van Buskirk writes “In the evolving world of education, classrooms aren’t the only spaces in need of a makeover. Picture this: a teacher’s lounge transformed into a nature-infused haven, where the stress of grading papers and planning lessons melts away under the calming influence of greenery and natural light.” Read more about how nature-inspired spaces can be transformed as teacher lounges to help educators plan for instructional practices with their students. #OutdoorLearning #EducationResearch #CurriculumDesign #TeacherResources #ResearchCenter #NatureEducation #ExperientialLearning #OutdoorClassroom #STEMeducation #HandsOnLearning #OutdoorEducation #LearningOutdoors #NatureBasedLearning #EducationalResources #Loudoun #STEM #ChildrenNature #NorthernVirginia #Frederick #Hagerstown #EndofYear #GivingTuesday

Perkins Eastman and Drexel University's School of Education’s research study, “Addressing a Multi-Billion Dollar Challenge,” is highlighted in the latest story from Building Design+Construction Media. Funded by the The American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows #LatrobePrize and J+J Flooring, the study evaluated more than two dozen schools, both modernized and non-modernized, across school districts in Washington, DC, (District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)) and Baltimore (Baltimore City Public Schools). After measuring the #indoorenvironmentalquality and the design, layout, and ambiance of each building’s interior and exterior, as well as interviewing people who use the schools and community members, the research team found that modernized schools outperformed non-modernized schools to the significant benefit of students, teachers, and staff in almost every category. “Tackling the nation’s inadequate school facilities is a critical step toward supporting equitable education and community resilience,” says Principal Sean O'Donnell FAIA LEED AP, co-principal investigator of the study. “Our research suggests that modernized schools can make a marked difference in terms of educating our children, enhancing the lives of teachers and administrators, and better engaging with the surrounding communities.” In essence, “modernized schools look toward a better future for all.” Learn more about the report on BD+C: https://lnkd.in/e6ai5fRE. Read more insights and download the free report here: https://lnkd.in/evFcjZYs. #SchoolDesign #PerkinsEastman #HumanByDesign #EducationDesign #Sustainabilty #Education #Design #Architecture

Nature-inspired spaces are not just for students. Piper Van Buskirk writes “In the evolving world of education, classrooms aren’t the only spaces in need of a makeover. Picture this: a teacher’s lounge transformed into a nature-infused haven, where the stress of grading papers and planning lessons melts away under the calming influence of greenery and natural light.” Read more about how nature-inspired spaces can be transformed as teacher lounges to help educators plan for instructional practices with their students. #OutdoorLearning #EducationResearch #CurriculumDesign #TeacherResources #ResearchCenter #NatureEducation #ExperientialLearning #OutdoorClassroom #STEMeducation #HandsOnLearning #OutdoorEducation #LearningOutdoors #NatureBasedLearning #EducationalResources #Loudoun #STEM #ChildrenNature #NorthernVirginia #Frederick #Hagerstown #EndofYear #GivingTuesday

The US public schools educate more than 49.4 million children across the country, and the average age of a public school in the US is 49 years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Furthermore, the annual shortfall in maintenance and improvements for those buildings is $85 billion, according to a 2021 report titled The State of Our Schools. Check out this excellent study conducted by Drexel University's School of Education along with Perkins Eastman. “Tackling the nation’s inadequate school facilities is a critical step toward supporting equitable education and community resilience,” says Principal Sean O'Donnell FAIA LEED AP , co-principal investigator of the study. “Our research suggests that modernized schools can make a marked difference in terms of educating our children, enhancing the lives of teachers and administrators, and better engaging with the surrounding communities.” In essence, “modernized schools look toward a better future for all.” Thanks to Building Design+Construction Media for the feature. #PerkinsEastman #HumanByDesign #DrexelUniversity #Education #BetterTestScores #HigherGraducationRates #Design #Sustainability #Architecture #K12Education #EducationDesign

BD helps rural communities explore ways to maximize resources and save money on new school construction. While remodeling and adding onto school facilities are often the first option, converting existing buildings into new schools can also be a budget saver. Australia has creatively repurposed existing spaces, creating modern, multi-story classrooms and facilities. This innovative approach used “Down Under” and on the plains of America not only reduces construction costs but also gives buildings a new purpose, preventing them from going to waste. https://lnkd.in/g7_X-QJm

Ever wondered what happens to school buildings when they outlive their original purpose? Instead of letting them become obsolete, there?s a creative solution that not only preserves history but also breathes new life into these structures - adaptive reuse. In our blog post, "Beyond Obsolescence: Creative Strategies for Adaptive Reuse of School Buildings," our incredible Project Manager, Hannah Terrell shares an innovative approaches to transforming outdated educational facilities into vibrant, functional spaces. To learn more, head over to https://lnkd.in/erqYfN4n...

Do you know how easy it can be to create extra classroom space at your school? Using a simple modular construction process, resulting in beautiful, sustainable school buildings Take a peek at some outdoor classrooms that you could have built at your school. And that make a real impact to student education and wellbeing. https://lnkd.in/ePdD8zfu #modularconstruction #schoolbuildings #sustainable

From an overcrowded challenge to a sustainable, forward-thinking solution, the transformation of Parkway School District’s McKelvey Primary Center (Parkway Schools) makes for an inspiring case study of collaboration for high performance design. Functional multi-purpose spaces were a priority for the District and our detailed evaluation of existing facilities and programmatic requirements helped them apply this vision. Four additional classrooms and three additional special education classrooms were added to the original project, including a future-proof design to accommodate expansion. In our shared mission to improve academic performance, we agreed on measures to improve comfort for end users of the building like students, faculty and staff, alongside conserving energy and reducing life-cycle costs. We also made sure that project met the Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 School Buildings whenever possible on the existing building and as a minimum requirement on all new additions. #fgma #pk12 #elementaryschools #ParkwayProud #StLArchitecture #StLSchools #WeBuildCommunity