By Sarah Clow

As student housing is a growing part of the higher education design and construction conversation,听糖心少女 attended the Bisnow San Diego Student Housing & Higher Education Conference on May 13. The event brought together developers, university administrators, architects, and construction leaders, with a focus on balancing growth with affordability and changing听needs and听expecations听regarding听student experience. Across the board,听panelists听agreed that听institutions are rethinking听the traditional student housing model, and for many students next-generation housing options are听non-negotiable.听

Building For All 鈥� Balancing Housing Growth with Affordability听

There is a growing听student housing crisis in San Diego, where most universities can only guarantee housing for first- and second-year students. Panelists听were听candid about the structural barriers to building more attainable housing 鈥� and financing topped the list. When asked to听identify听the biggest hurdle 鈥� financing, land,听or approvals 鈥斕齨early every听panelist听pointed to听financing but also pointed听to strategies听for bringing costs down. Chief among them: increasing density.听听

Adding more beds to existing builds helps spread construction costs across more units, improving the economics of a project without sacrificing quality. Delivery methods also came up as a key lever, with progressive design-build highlighted as an effective tool for faster, more cost-efficient delivery.听

Panelists听noted a听distinct听shift in how institutions are thinking about the relationship between unit size and community space. Square footage per student is shrinking, while investment in recreation and amenity spaces is growing 鈥� a deliberate strategy to push students toward shared community while also keeping per-bed costs down. When asked听about must-have听amenities for higher education projects, panelists pointed to outdoor programmatic space and collaborative, community-focused interiors as essential.听

Speakers included:听Hemlata Jhaveri, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor at UC San Diego; Bob Schulz, University Architect and Associate VP of Real Estate at SDSU; Abbie Hawkins, VP of Development at The Michaels Organization; Lindsey Sielaff, Operations Manager at Hensel Phelps; Richard King, Principal at Gensler; and Lisa Norombaba, Executive Director of Wesley House.听

Panel 2: From Dorms to Destination 鈥� Redefining the Student Living Experience

Today鈥檚 students听value听quality over quantity, and the听student housing听industry is responding.听

The ongoing听shift toward wellness-focused design听is听bringing spas, fitness centers, relaxation spaces, and mental health-supportive environments听into student housing. Interestingly,听these offerings听are no longer听considered听amenities 鈥斕齮hey鈥檙e听expectations. Panelists noted that younger students are willing to trade square footage for higher-quality finishes and thoughtful design, a trend that is reshaping unit mix strategies toward smaller one- and two-bedroom configurations.听

Landscape and outdoor space took center stage, particularly in the Southern California context. Panelists from McCullough Landscape Architecture emphasized the growing importance of connection to nature, flexible outdoor听programming听and visibility 鈥� both for community building and for safety. Transparency and sightlines in outdoor spaces were called out as important design tools for creating environments where students feel secure.听

However, the panel pushed back on trend-chasing in amenity design. For example,听rather than听including a听golf simulator听鈥斕齛 shiny听amenity that听doesn鈥檛听hold long-term value听鈥斕齪anelists听emphasized听creating genuine 鈥渢hird spaces鈥� for socialization: areas that听aren鈥檛听over-programmed, allowing students to use them organically.听

Walkability and bike-ability also听emerged听as a priority, with several panelists听advocating for听pedestrian-focused campus design as a means of supporting both student health and affordability by reducing transportation costs.听

The panel also highlighted an interesting tension in the market: while many developers are moving toward smaller bed counts and higher-end amenities to attract students willing to pay a premium, San Diego Community College District is taking a different approach 鈥� building higher-density housing with fewer amenities to maximize access for lower-income students. Both strategies reflect the breadth of need in the market.听

On the technology and security front, panelists pointed to smart package and food delivery lockers as an increasingly expected feature 鈥� a practical response to the realities of how students live today.听

Finally, the Southern California advantage was hard to ignore. The indoor-outdoor lifestyle is a genuine differentiator in design, and solar energy adoption is accelerating. Core Spaces highlighted a project near UCSD where rooftop and parking structure solar arrays are expected to cover听the majority of听the building鈥檚 energy costs 鈥� a compelling case for sustainability as both a听values听play and a financial one.听

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By Rob Filary, AIA

Across the country, Transitional Kindergarten is moving from pilot to policy, from niche offering to a foundational layer of public education. As districts expand access, a practical question comes into focus: where do four-year-olds fit within systems built for older children?听

The answer is beginning to reshape the physical environment of schools in ways both subtle and consequential. Transitional Kindergarten is not a program that can simply be absorbed into existing classrooms. It asks for spaces tailored to a different stage of development, where independence is听emerging听but not yet assumed, and where the first experience of school can shape a child鈥檚 long-term relationship to learning.听

Design, in this context, becomes less about accommodation and more about calibration.听

A Different Kind of Classroom听听

Traditional elementary classrooms are organized around independence and routine. Transitional Kindergarten听operates听on a more fluid threshold. Students are learning how to be at school, and the environment plays听a central role听in that transition.听

Classrooms are larger, more听flexible听and intentionally zoned. Distinct areas for quiet reading, active play, group instruction, and sensory exploration allow students to move between modes of learning with clarity. Fixtures,听storage听and visual cues are scaled to a child鈥檚 perspective, supporting autonomy without overwhelming choice. In-class restrooms reduce disruption and reinforce independence, while material shifts from soft flooring to durable surfaces support a range of activities throughout the day.听

These intentional adjustments shape how students navigate space, build听confidence听and begin to understand the rhythms of school.听

The Architecture of a First Experience听

For many families, Transitional Kindergarten marks a child鈥檚 first sustained interaction with the school system. Design decisions at the campus level carry weight beyond the classroom.听

Locating Transitional Kindergarten classrooms near the front of campus, with direct access to drop-off zones, can ease daily routines and reduce stress for caregivers and children alike. What appears to be a logistical decision becomes part of a family鈥檚 sense of trust and belonging.

Within the classroom, access to daylight, views to nature, and controlled sensory input support focus and emotional regulation. Just beyond it, outdoor environments extend this experience in more physical, immediate ways.听

Outdoor Transitional Kindergarten play yards do more than providing a space recess by functioning as a dynamic extension of the classroom where learning becomes physical,听sensory听and directly connected to the surrounding environment. A well-designed outdoor space carries the same intentionality as its indoor counterpart, supporting exploration,听discovery听and skill-building across developmental domains.听

These environments play a critical role in social and emotional development. Open-ended areas invite collaboration, negotiation, and problem-solving, as children learn to navigate shared spaces and group activity. The ability to move freely and make choices fosters independence,听confidence听and self-regulation which are skills that underpin long-term academic readiness.听

Support for the student鈥檚 physical development is embedded in the landscape itself. Climbing elements, varied terrain, and adaptable materials support coordination, spatial awareness, and both fine and gross motor skills. At this stage, movement is fundamental to well-rounded learning.听

Thoughtful outdoor classrooms also reflect a broader commitment to inclusivity. Shaded areas, quiet nooks, sensory gardens, and flexible play features create multiple points of entry, allowing all students to engage in ways that align with their individual needs and comfort. Designing a yard with these elements in mind provides even the youngest students with an environment that broadens the definition of learning while听remaining听legible and supportive to every child.听

Here, play is not separate from learning but one of its primary vehicles.听

Fitting into the Larger Whole听

As Transitional Kindergarten expands, its integration into existing campuses becomes a strategic exercise. These classrooms do not听operate听in isolation but instead influence circulation,听supervision听and daily operations across the site.听

Proximity to kindergarten can support developmental continuity, while a degree of separation helps听maintain听an appropriate scale听for younger students. Many schools are beginning to cluster early learning environments into dedicated zones, creating a 鈥渟chool within a school鈥� that balances connection with protection.听

Operational patterns shift as well. Drop-off and pick-up routines change when families听accompany听younger children. Supervision lines, restroom access, and security measures must account for different behaviors and needs. Even the orientation of windows and outdoor spaces contributes to a sense of safety and enclosure.听

These considerations extend beyond design in the narrow sense and shape how the campus functions over the course of the day.听

A Foundation with Lasting Impact听

Well-designed Transitional Kindergarten spaces help students understand where they are, what is expected, and how to move through the school day with growing confidence. They offer families clarity and reassurance and give educators environments that support a range of teaching approaches.听

As districts continue to invest in these programs, the question is no longer whether Transitional Kindergarten belongs on the elementary campus, but how its presence can strengthen it for everyone.听

By getting it right early, schools can reduce friction for families, support educators more effectively, and create environments aligned with how young children learn and develop. A stronger start for students and a more responsive campus begins with treating the first step into education as a moment worth designing with care.听听

Rob Filary, AIA, is an Education Sector Leader at听.

Get more weekly reports and听timely听updates by subscribing for free at听schoolconstructionnews.com/subscribe.听

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By Lindsey Coulter

Dorian Maness, GGP, is a Senior Project Manager and Mechanical Engineer for the Education Division of Matern Professional Engineering in Maitland, Fla.听Focusing on听project management and mechanical systems design, Maness听delivers听innovative,听tailored听HVAC systems听that allow听students and educators to focus on learning, while giving school leaders operational peace of mind.听

鈥淪chool environments are often occupied and require continuous, rapid maintenance,鈥� Maness said. 鈥淪o, there鈥檚 a听balance to be struck between what the owner wants, what mechanical system听success听needs to meet the functionality of the school, and what the maintenance team can maintain to ensure the system operates effectively.鈥�听听

Maness joined the 糖心少女 (SCN) Editorial Advisory Board in 2025, bringing valuable听expertise听in听engineering and mechanical systems for听K-12 and higher education.听As school facilities must contend with more extreme temperatures, changing codes, shifting maintenance budgets听and听higher听performance expectations, Maness听spoke with SCN about听what it takes to design and deliver systems that work and last.听

SCN:听What鈥檚听your philosophy on balancing performance and cost in HVAC design?听

Maness:听Each project is听unique听and听it鈥檚听critical we have the right conversations to figure out what works within the framework of the project and the owner.听My philosophy breaks down to 鈥淢ake it make sense.鈥� There is a fine line between the performance听of听a system and the cost of getting that performance out of the system. Clients often approach a project with the notion that they want the highest performance system. However, there is a听[financial]听tradeoff. As an engineer and project manager,听it鈥檚听my job to understand things like budget and Life Cycle Costs to be able to have conversations with the owners or clients to guide them in a way that makes sense for their needs and the needs of their school. Sometimes听I鈥檓听able to design a听cool听high-performance system and give them the most efficient HVAC system,听which can save money over time or get tax rebates for the district. At other times, due to first costs and budget, we must design a more robust system that is more easily听maintained听and that the district is more familiar with.听听

SCN:听What innovations in mechanical system design are most promising for schools?听

Maness:听Schools are becoming more complex.听They’re听constantly听changing and听offering many听new programs听that used to be听available听only in colleges or technical schools. Mechanical equipment has become smaller and more powerful, allowing us to support various programming spaces, such as auditoriums, large gymnasiums, welding labs, automotive听labs听and robotics labs. Along with mechanical equipment, innovations in programming and BAS control have also been crucial to the advancement of how mechanical systems听operate. Adjusting to various school loads, allowing owners to see real-time alarms and failures on the equipment, are all innovations that have allowed us to change the way we design schools and give value back to the owners and clients.听

Additionally, in Florida, high temperatures and high humidity will always drive the mechanical system design in schools. Ensuring that the mechanical system has capacity to cool all spaces as required will become more challenging as the climate increasingly gets warmer or stays warmer longer. However, one trend I鈥檝e seen is mechanical equipment becoming more efficient and better at handling high humidity or high temperatures. Utilizing this equipment in newer designs will be crucial to keeping up with future demands.听

SCN:听What鈥檚听a misconception owners often have about mechanical design?听

Maness:听Owners underestimate the cost and space听required听to house mechanical systems. Most owners care听first and foremost听about how their building looks aesthetically, not about the space inside the building that no one sees. Ironically, this is the space that mechanical engineers care about the most:听the cavity above ceilings, the space on the roof, or mechanical rooms on a floor plan that no one will ever go into or see. These are the areas that house our听ductwork and听air听handlers,听chillers,听exhaust听fans听and many more pieces of mechanical equipment that are crucial to our design. Often, I hear how surprised they are about how many mechanical rooms we need on a floor plan or how much space we need outside for our chillers. This makes it crucial for us to be involved in early talks with the owner and architect when designing the footprint of a new building.听

SCN:听In what听other听ways do you collaborate with architects and planners to听optimize听student comfort?听

Maness:听I collaborate very closely with architects and planners to be sure the overarching designs maximize student comfort. While the architects design the layout of a school in respect to hallways, classrooms, gymnasiums, and more,听it鈥檚听my job to ensure that our mechanical design听maintains听the various spaces and makes them听comfortable听鈥斕齨o matter what the students are doing. The same type of mechanical system that serves a classroom听wouldn鈥檛听be useful in a gymnasium or a cafeteria. Ensuring that these different areas of a school have the听appropriate mechanical听design is our most important job. Working closely with architects and planners is critical, and we communicate extensively about the spaces we need for all these different areas to ensure we can fit our equipment and have enough space above the ceiling for our larger ductwork.听

SCN: What project taught you the most about energy-smart system design?听

Maness:听Whether听it鈥檚听elementary,听middle听or high school, the first question is always about costs. Since most schools are听supported by taxpayer dollars, cost savings and energy savings are always the first topics with owners.听In my experience, high-school projects present the most opportunity to听utilize听high-energy saving designs because they are larger and have more diverse student programming; kitchens, culinary labs, chemistry labs, auditoriums, and gymnasiums are all high-energy use spaces. These unique spaces create opportunities such as Bi-Polar听Ionization or听Demand Control Ventilation, which are energy-saving designs that help to reduce energy and life cycle costs over time.听

Get more weekly reports and听timely听updates by subscribing for free at听schoolconstructionnews.com/subscribe.听

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By Greg Cromer听

Public school systems across the country are entering a period of sustained enrollment decline, driven by a convergence of demographic and behavioral shifts, particularly听evident听along Colorado鈥檚 Front Range.听As explained in Part I of this article, Colorado听is projected to lose more than 15,000 children ages 0鈥�17听over the next five years, due to factors such as听persistently low birth rates, high housing costs, an aging听population听and slower immigration.听

Online programs, private schools or homeschooling offer further competition for public schools across the country, helping to accelerate enrollment losses that exceeded 10,000 students this year alone, the largest drop since COVID-19. 听

Part I of this article discussed how听declining听enrollment听across the nation听is forcing听leaders to consider听consolidation,听closures听and replacement. However, this shift is also听creating听opportunities听to modernize aging facilities and rethink how space supports evolving educational models, from flexible, data-informed facility plans听to right-sizing听school capacity through consolidation and reconfiguration. Read further recommendations here:听

Establish Shared Understanding to Align Community and System Needs听

Engaging communities in school closures or consolidation is one of the most challenging responsibilities for school boards because it sits at the intersection of personal impact and systemwide necessity. Families often focus on identity, commute听changes听and neighborhood stability, while districts must address enrollment decline, underused facilities, financial听pressure听and equity. Bridging this gap requires transparent, data-driven storytelling that connects individual decisions to broader trends while also acknowledging the real loss communities feel鈥攁n essential step in听maintaining听trust.听

These decisions also require courage from district leaders, as delays or inaction can deepen inequities and strain limited resources. The transition also offers a powerful opportunity for community renewal by reimagining school identity through a new name, mascot,听colors听or symbols, which allows architectural teams to embed that identity into the built environment and shape a unifying community asset.听

Additionally, districts are increasingly designing schools for flexibility from the outset by positioning facilities as civic assets. Through adaptable layouts and coordinated shared-use spaces like flexible commons, gyms or auditoriums, schools can better serve both students and communities year-round, maximizing public investment and long-term value. This approach positions facilities not as static assets, but as adaptable infrastructure and dynamic tools that can continue to deliver student success and community buy-in.听

Unlock听Value in听Existing听Assets听

Reframing existing school assets is a key strategy for districts facing enrollment decline and uneven听utilization, shifting underused schools from excess capacity to flexible hubs that can be repurposed to meet emerging needs. Converting space for early childhood education, expanding special education or alternative programs, co-locating community services and even exploring workforce housing to support educator recruitment and retention can make an impact. Alongside physical reuse, specialized models such as STEM, Career and Technical Education (CTE) or arts-focused programs can also re-energize underenrolled facilities by drawing students across traditional boundaries.听

Partnering with architecture and design firms can help reimagine and maximize the value of existing assets. Consider repurposing underutilized wings into collaboration zones, student听services听or community spaces. At Sheridan High School, the design team revitalized an abandoned pool building into a trades skills workshop where students could work alongside trade professionals to develop hands-on skills in carpentry, plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems.听

Districts such as Aurora Public Schools are leaning into programmatic strategies to attract and听retain听students in a competitive enrollment landscape. As choice expands and demographic pressures intensify, districts are moving beyond boundary-based enrollment to emphasize what makes each school distinct. This includes developing and branding focus-based schools built around themes, specialized听programming听or community partnerships to create a clear value proposition for families. For example, in response to shifting enrollment patterns, the Clara Brown Entrepreneurial Academy leaned into its identity rooted in entrepreneurship and innovation, using its programmatic focus to differentiate itself and re-engage families.听

Designing for听consolidation and future repurposing is essential to creating resilient school environments that attract and听retain听students. Flexibility helps future-proof facilities against demographic shifts, funding听changes听and broader disruptions, enabling districts to respond to enrollment changes without stranded assets and keeping buildings relevant and impactful over time.听

Greg Cromer is an education practice leader at听Wold听Architects and Engineers with more than 40 years of experience designing K鈥�12 learning environments. He can be reached via email at听gcromer@woldae.com.听

Get more weekly reports and听timely听updates by subscribing for free at听schoolconstructionnews.com/subscribe.听

The post Right-Sizing Schools, Part II: Turning Enrollment Decline into Opportunity appeared first on 糖心少女.

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By Greg Cromer

Public school systems across the country are entering a period of sustained enrollment decline, driven by a convergence of demographic and behavioral shifts, particularly听evident听along Colorado鈥檚 Front Range. Over the next five years, the state is projected to lose more than 15,000 children ages 0鈥�17, as persistently low birth rates, high housing costs, an aging听population听and slower immigration reduce the number of school-aged students.听

With more families considering online programs, private schools or homeschooling, public schools across the country are facing declines in student enrollment, accelerating enrollment losses that exceeded 10,000 students this year alone, the largest drop since COVID-19. According to projections from the National Center for Education Statistics, this downward trend is expected to continue nationally, placing increasing pressure on district funding, staffing and long-term planning, especially in high-poverty communities where per-pupil revenue is critical.听

Within this challenge lies a strategic inflection point: declining enrollment is forcing long-delayed conversations around consolidation,听closures听and replacement, while simultaneously creating an opportunity to modernize aging facilities and rethink how space supports evolving educational models. As some districts grapple with underutilized buildings and shifting community needs, the question is no longer whether change is necessary, but how to approach it. Below are strategies to unlock strategic investment in existing assets, align facilities with evolving educational programs and position schools to attract and听retain听students in a more competitive, choice-driven landscape.听

1. Build flexible, data-informed facility plans

In neighborhoods with aging populations, schools are听operating听below capacity, prompting consolidation or closure, while growth areas on the urban fringe听and in听redeveloping corridors face rising demand and need targeted expansion. This divergence is pushing districts toward more nuanced, data-driven strategies that balance right-sizing in legacy neighborhoods with growth planning elsewhere.听

To respond, districts are adopting more disciplined, long-range planning approaches that integrate enrollment projections, birth rates, housing trends and migration patterns with facility condition,听capacity听and educational adequacy data. Financial modeling grounded in per-pupil revenue forecasts and capital funding scenarios helps weigh renovation versus replacement, while scenario planning prepares districts for shifting demographic and policy conditions. Paired with transparent, community-informed engagement, this approach enables districts to move beyond reactive decisions and build flexible roadmaps that align facilities with evolving programs,听optimize听existing assets and support long-term sustainability.听

2. Right-size school capacity through consolidation and reconfiguration

Many schools were built during the post鈥揥orld War II boom (1950s鈥�70s), with a second wave in the 1990s鈥揺arly 2000s tied to suburban growth. As a result, much of the portfolio, especially in established听districts,听is听now 45 to 65 years old, with some buildings exceeding 70 and requiring significant modernization. While newer schools exist in growth areas, portfolios are听largely defined听by older campuses in mature neighborhoods and newer ones on the fringe. This imbalance is driving complex capital decisions, as districts weigh modernization against replacement amid declining or uneven enrollment.听

Rather than defaulting to replacement, districts are rethinking aging assets and are prioritizing renovation and adaptive reuse to better match capacity with current and projected enrollment. At听Peakview听Academy at Conrad Ball, declining enrollment prompted consolidation efforts, with Thompson School District merging a middle school and two elementary schools into a听new schools听into a new PK鈥�8 campus designed to better align staffing,听programming听and enrollment needs. Similar models, including High Plains School and Riverview PK-8 School, reflect a broader shift toward right-sizing facilities while听maintaining听neighborhood access to education.听

This approach supports more strategic capital investment, reduces long-term maintenance听costs听and improves operational efficiency while enabling evolving instructional models. By听consolidating听underused facilities and reconfiguring grade structures, districts can better balance educational quality with fiscal responsibility, transforming aging infrastructure into more sustainable, future-ready learning environments.听

Stay tuned for Part II of this article later this week, focused on establishing shared understanding to align community and system needs and how to unlock value in existing assets.

Greg Cromer is an education practice leader at听Wold听Architects and Engineers with more than 40 years of experience designing K鈥�12 learning environments. He can be reached via email at听gcromer@woldae.com.听

Get more weekly reports and听timely听updates by subscribing for free at听schoolconstructionnews.com/subscribe.听

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By Lindsey Coulter听

In the heart of downtown Portland, a once-stark Brutalist building is now alive with light, greenery, and the energy of听nearly 2,000听students. The Vernier Science Center, formerly Science Building One, has been completely reimagined to foster collaboration, curiosity, and cultural inclusivity. Glass-wrapped entryways, climbing vines, and oversized planters frame a human-scaled entrance, signaling that science education at Portland State University (PSU) is no longer听just about labs听and lectures 鈥斕齣t鈥檚听about people,听community听and the stories they bring.听

The original 1967 structure, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, was constructed for $2.9 million. The new iteration of Vernier Science Center, however, features a mezzanine between the first and second floors, two basement levels, and a covered pedestrian skybridge connecting the second floor to the adjacent Science Research and Teaching Center. Then reimagined six-story, 88,795-square-foot building, completed in 2024 by Bora Architecture and Skanska, however, now serves as an inclusive hub for STEM education, combining advanced laboratories, collaborative听classrooms听and community-centered spaces.听听

The renovation not only updated the facility for contemporary STEM education but also created a new campus landmark. From the expanded entry level to the striking glass facades, every element reflects a thoughtful balance of accessibility, cultural responsiveness, and technical performance.听

Inclusive Design Process听

Engaging PSU鈥檚 diverse student body was critical to the project鈥檚 success. The team intentionally sought input from Black, Indigenous, and students of color to ensure the building met teaching and learning needs while celebrating the university鈥檚 diverse cultural backgrounds. Student voices informed everything from room programming to circulation patterns, lighting, and informal learning areas.听

鈥淐reating inclusive, collaborative spaces was a priority in our new听building鈥檚听design,鈥� said Todd Rosenstiel, Dean of PSU鈥檚 College of Liberal听Arts听and Sciences. 鈥淚n building this transformative and Indigenous-focused space, we brought to life a place of science and discovery created by and for Portland State University鈥檚 diverse population. We built an entire building based on stories of people.鈥�听

The renovation also听leveraged听a Critical Race spatial lens to address historic inequities in science education. Engagement with BIPOC and Indigenous students guided a variety of project elements including programming, the integration of open and informal learning areas, artwork selection and even lighting design. Spaces such as a community gathering room, a decolonized library, and a food/plant teaching kitchen expand the typical lab offerings, allowing Indigenous communities to explore science in culturally meaningful ways. A 鈥渟cience on display鈥� concept permeates the building, giving students opportunities to听showcase听their work collaboratively.听

Skanska Senior Superintendent Troy Boardman highlighted the thematic approach to the building鈥檚 facades.听听

鈥淓ach of the four facing external facades has a unique theme including north toward the Columbia Gorge, east toward the Cascade Mountain Range, south toward the Willamette Valley and west toward the mountainous Coastal Range, which honors the Indigenous journeys to get here,鈥� Boardman said. 鈥淓ach design and construction consideration points to access in multi-disciplinary, collaborative spaces that promote engagement and co-creation.鈥�听

This intentional inclusivity translated into a design that balances transparency and privacy, ensures accessibility, and incorporates material finishes that reflect local ecosystems and Indigenous culture. Human-scaled entryways and communal spaces embody PSU鈥檚 commitment to听equitable听access to STEM education.听

Engineering Excellence听

From an engineering perspective, the project posed significant technical challenges. Integrating seismic upgrades into an active campus environment听required听meticulous planning, careful sequencing, and constant coordination with faculty and staff.听

鈥淪cience buildings are inherently complex, and going听vertical听adds layers of coordination, especially when integrating dense mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to support advanced lab environments,鈥� said Schneider.听

The team employed laser scanning and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to capture precise conditions from the original 1967 structure. By听consolidating听MEP-intensive labs on upper floors, constructability was听optimized, and classroom construction could progress in parallel. The vertical layout also enhances interdisciplinary collaboration by stacking STEM disciplines within a compact footprint, improving connectivity between students and faculty.听

Additionally, the main floor was pushed outward by eight feet and wrapped in glass to strengthen connections to greenery and natural light. The resulting transparency creates visual access and encourages interaction, reflecting the building鈥檚 community-centered mission.听

Construction Strategy and Phasing听

Skanska developed the facility through a $62.8 million, three-phase plan to accommodate the active campus and research labs. Phase I involved demolition of Stratford Hall and relocation of research and lab services into nearby buildings. During demolition, concrete shears and real-time vibration听monitoring听minimized disruption to sensitive labs nearby.听

Phase II focused on the renovation of 48 rooms in the Science Research and Teaching Center while the building remained operational. Work was scheduled around class times, with noisy activities starting as early as 5 a.m., ensuring faculty and students moved only once during the transition.听

The final phase transformed Science Building One into the Vernier Science Center. Adjacent buildings were protected through air quality monitoring and safe pedestrian access management. Schneider emphasized the importance of combining technical precision with human-centered planning.听听

鈥淥ur approach blended technical expertise with human-centered planning,鈥� he said.听

The downtown campus location also posed logistical challenges, including high pedestrian traffic, narrow one-way听streets听and proximity to听the Portland听Streetcar. Just-in-time deliveries and real-time updates via QR codes along the fence line enabled uninterrupted material flow while keeping the campus community informed.听

Sustainability and Resilience听

Sustainability was a core principle throughout the project. Reuse of the original structure minimized embodied carbon, while mechanical upgrades and new double-glazed windows significantly improved energy efficiency. Smart energy practices, including LED lighting, controllable systems, low-emitting materials, and forestry-conscious wood products, supported the building鈥檚 pursuit of LEED Gold certification.听

Waste diversion exceeded 90%, achieved by rigorously sorting materials and prioritizing recycling and reuse. The demolition of Stratford Hall also created opportunities for regeneration, as the site now hosts a campus park with meandering paths, log seating, and native grasses, extending the building鈥檚 focus on wellness,听gathering听and reflection.听

Project Data听

• Project Name: Vernier Science Center听
• Location: Portland, Ore.听
• Area:听89,500 square feet听
• Construction Cost: $64.7 million听
• Architect: Bora Architecture & Interiors, Studio Petretti Architecture, Woofter Bolch Architecture听
• General Contractor: Skanska Building USA听
• Structural Engineer: Catena Consulting Engineers听听
• Consulting Engineers: VEGA, Pace, Affiliated Engineers Inc., Samata, O-LLC, Jacobs Consultancy, PBS Environmental, Project PIVOT, Reichle听
• Acoustical and A/V Consultant: The听Greenbusch听Group听
• Technology Consultant: Vertex Technology Design & Consulting听
• Code Consultant: Code Unlimited (now Jensen Hughes)听
• Roofing: Professional Roof Consultants听
• Sustainability: SORA Design Group听
• Historic Preservation: ARG听
• Geotechnical Engineering: Geotechnical Resources Inc.听
• Foodservice Design: JBK Consulting & Design, Bargreen Ellingson听
• Commissioning: Precision Test and Balance听
• Abatement: Performance Abatement Services, Environmental Resource Inc.听
• Environmental Consultant: Anderson Environmental听
• Excavation: Weitman Excavation听
• Concrete Cutting and Drilling: Bedrock Commercial Concrete Cutting, Finish Line Concrete Cutting听
• Construction: Interior Exterior Specialists, Turtle Mt. Construction,听NativeWorks听LLC, Performance Contracting Inc.听
• Landscape Design: Pac Green Landscape听

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By Arturo Vasquez, AIA, NCARB

Across the United States, universities and healthcare institutions are entering a new phase of transformation driven by artificial intelligence. Academic programs are rapidly evolving to incorporate AI, data analytics, and computational science into fields ranging from medicine and life sciences to architecture and engineering. Yet while educational programs are advancing quickly, the physical environments that support听them听including听campuses, laboratories, and clinical听facilities听are only beginning to catch up.听

For architects and planners, this moment presents a fundamental challenge: how to design buildings and campuses that can support technologies and educational models that are still听emerging.听The use of artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and computational modeling technologies听is听shaping the future of healthcare and research听to rethink how academic health campuses are conceived, planned, and built听for the future.听

A New Generation of Academic Health Environments听

Academic healthcare campuses have always been complex ecosystems where education, research, and clinical care intersect. But artificial intelligence is accelerating the convergence of these disciplines.听Across the country, universities are launching听new programs听focused on AI in medicine, biomedical sciences, and computational research. These programs are reshaping not only what students learn but how institutions organize their campuses. Increasingly, universities are looking to create integrated academic health environments where clinical care, research laboratories, data science, and education coexist in a flexible ecosystem.听

Many of these organizations are recognizing that the traditional separation between academic facilities, research laboratories, and healthcare clinics is no longer听viable.听Instead, they are moving toward hybrid environments where life sciences, healthcare delivery, and computational research converge.听听

This convergence is particularly听evident听in healthcare education, where artificial intelligence is becoming deeply embedded in diagnostics, patient analytics, and treatment planning. As a result, the physical infrastructure that supports medical education must evolve as well.听

Designing for an AI-Driven Future听

One of the most significant implications of artificial intelligence for campus design is flexibility.听Traditional laboratory buildings were designed around fixed programmatic uses听like听wet labs, lecture halls, and specialized research spaces. But AI-driven research and digital medicine increasingly rely on computational laboratories, data analysis environments, and collaborative research spaces that evolve rapidly as technology changes.听

To address this, flexible building typologies听can听be developed to听adapt between听different types听of research and learning environments.听By using AI-enabled planning tools and simulation software,听a model听can show听how听spaces might evolve over time. For example,听testing听how a laboratory floor might transition from traditional wet labs to computational research environments, or how teaching spaces could support simulation-based medical training.听These models allow architects to听anticipate听future program shifts before construction even begins.听Rather than designing buildings for a single purpose,听adaptable听frameworks听are designed听that can evolve alongside the technologies and academic programs they support.听

Data-Driven Campus Planning听

Artificial intelligence is also transforming how universities plan entire campuses.听In the past, campus master planning relied heavily on demographic projections and long-term enrollment forecasts. Today, AI-enabled analytics allow planners to analyze vast datasets related to enrollment trends, research funding, healthcare demand, and patient experience.听

Predictive analytics听are integrated听into campus planning to help universities align physical infrastructure with long-term institutional strategy. These models allow us to examine how student populations may grow, how clinical demand may shift, and how new research programs might affect space听utilization.听By connecting these datasets to architectural planning, institutions can make more informed decisions about where to invest in new facilities and how those buildings should function over time.听

A Case Study in Miami听

A clear example of this emerging design approach can be seen at Florida International University鈥檚 Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine campus in Miami.听

The听new 120,000-square-foot academic and clinical facility will support the partnership between FIU and Baptist Health South Florida. The building integrates outpatient healthcare services with academic training environments, creating a platform for the next generation of physician education and clinical research.听The $162-million project听represents听more than just a new medical facility. It reflects a broader shift toward AI-enabled academic health environments where data analytics, digital medicine, and medical education听operate听in tandem.听听

To support this vision, AI-assisted tools,听including advanced rendering platforms and computational听analytics听are used听to prototype building layouts, test workflow scenarios, and explore how the campus may evolve over time. These tools allow the design team to simulate clinical operations, optimize patient flow, and ensure that academic and healthcare functions can adapt as medical technologies evolve.听

The Architect鈥檚 Role in an AI Era听

The rise of artificial intelligence is transforming many industries, and architecture is no exception. But rather than replacing the architect鈥檚 role, AI is expanding it.听Architects now have the ability to analyze more information, test more design scenarios, and better understand how buildings will perform long before they are constructed.听This allows designers to become strategic partners in shaping institutional growth rather than simply responding to predefined building programs.听

In academic healthcare, this shift is particularly significant. Universities are competing to attract students and research talent in emerging fields such as AI-driven medicine and computational biology. The campuses that succeed will be those that can rapidly听adapt听their physical environments to support these disciplines.听Architecture therefore becomes part of a larger institutional strategy,听helping universities visualize the future of education, research, and healthcare delivery.听

From Machines Learning to Humans Learning听

Artificial intelligence is often described as machines learning from human data. But in the built environment, the relationship is increasingly reciprocal.听Designers are now learning from machines听by听using computational tools to uncover patterns, analyze data, and explore design possibilities that were previously impossible to see.听

For academic healthcare campuses, this partnership between human creativity and machine intelligence is opening a new frontier.听The next generation of medical campuses will not simply house classrooms and clinics. They will听operate听as dynamic environments where students, physicians, researchers, and data systems interact continuously.听

And as artificial intelligence reshapes how we learn, teach, and deliver healthcare, architecture must evolve with it,听transforming campuses into living systems designed for discovery, innovation, and better patient care.听

Arturo Vasquez, AIA, NCARB, is Design Principal and Senior Architect, Stantec in Miami.

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By Alberto Scirocco

Campus design has entered a new era. Colleges and universities are integrating experiential and digital environments as core infrastructure 鈥� not ornamental additions, but deliberate extensions of institutional mission and identity.听

A recently completed project at Oakland Community College’s Culinary Studies Institute illustrates what this looks like in practice.听

A Living Part of the School’s Identity听

When design firm Ideation Orange engaged听leftchannel听to create a for OCC’s new culinary building, the brief was open 鈥� but the opportunity was clear. The artwork needed to do more than fill a wall. It had to embody the school’s focus on creativity, craft, and the art of cuisine.听

The result was听Food Is Art听鈥� a large-scale moving image piece that explores cuisine as both an artistic and emotional experience, transforming the language of cooking into a living, cinematic sculpture. Using macro lenses and high-speed cinematography, the team captured the slow rhythm and motion of ingredients as they move, transform, and combine. Designed as a long-form evolving composition rather than a loop,听it’s听displayed across large screens that merge seamlessly with the building’s architecture.听

“It inspires our students, faculty, and community with its visual interpretation of how food preparation truly听is a craft听to be appreciated,” said Peter Provenzano Jr., Chancellor of Oakland Community College.听

That response points to something important.听Food Is Art听isn’t听decoration 鈥斕齣t’s听become a living part of the school’s identity, connecting everyone who enters the space to the creative essence of the culinary arts.听

Why Colleges Are Reimagining Campus Spaces听

Higher education faces intensifying competitive and demographic pressures. Institutional identity has become a recruitment asset. Campus experience directly influences student satisfaction and retention.听

When designed strategically, experiential environments serve multiple functions at once: communicating mission and values at a visceral level, creating memorable moments that reinforce student identity with the institution, and signaling investment in student experience 鈥� a meaningful differentiator in competitive markets.听

The key word is听strategically. The distinction between decoration and infrastructure听determines听whether these investments deliver real value.听

What This Means for Institutional Planning听

For colleges evaluating facility investments, three principles听emerge听from projects like this one:听

Start with story, not technology. What does this space need to communicate? What student outcomes are you trying to influence? Technology and design听follow from听those answers, not the reverse.听

Integrate with the environment. Effective experiential design merges with architecture and reflects the energy of the space it lives in. Installations that feel bolted on quickly become invisible 鈥� or worse, liabilities.听

Partner with experts who think systemically and focus on making the story visible, finding the emotional or conceptual thread that connects a piece to the place it lives in. That kind of thinking requires collaboration across architecture, digital craft, and institutional strategy 鈥� siloed expertise produces disconnected results.听

The institutions winning in enrollment and reputation understand that every surface, every moment, every transition can communicate value. Experiential and digital design, when deployed strategically, transform buildings from static containers into active participants in student success and institutional mission.听

The question for facility leaders is no longer whether to invest in experiential design 鈥� but how to do it in ways that earn their place.听听

Alberto Scirocco is President and Creative Director at leftchannel, a motion- and experiential-design studio based in Columbus, Ohio. The OCC Culinary Studies Institute installation was completed in 2025 in partnership with Ideation Orange.听

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By Ryan Akers

Learning spaces are evolving across every level of education. From elementary schools to university campuses, today鈥檚 classrooms must support varied teaching styles, inclusive experiences, student health and well-being, long-term operational resilience, and sustainability.

In K鈥�12 settings, learning has become more active and movement-based. Students regularly transition between floor activities, small-group collaboration, and individual study, making it more common for teachers to reconfigure classrooms throughout the day. While flexibility looks different in higher education, it is no less essential. Lecture halls, labs, studios, and shared campus spaces often serve multiple departments and functions over time.

Across schools and universities, flooring plays a critical role in how spaces function, feel, and perform. Resilient flooring is frequently specified to help create adaptable learning environments that support students and are built to last.

Designing for Health and Well-Being at Every Age

Student health and well-being remain central drivers of education design, from early childhood through adulthood. While K鈥�12 and higher education have distinct needs, the built environment plays an important role in supporting both emotional and physical well-being.

Emotional Well-Being

Welcoming school environments can help students feel safe, engaged, and ready to learn鈥攑articularly in early grades, where sensory experiences strongly influence behavior and focus.

Emotional well-being is also a growing concern in higher education. Inside Higher Ed鈥檚 2025 Student Voice survey found that 29% of respondents rated their mental health as below average or poor, indicating that nearly one-third of college students may be struggling.

Material choices can contribute to calmer, more comfortable learning environments that support well-being. Today鈥檚 resilient flooring options, including LVT and rubber, are available in a wide range of styles that support biophilic and human-centered design strategies.

Research suggests these approaches can positively affect occupants by:

• Reducing visual stress through natural color palettes and organic patterns
• Adding warmth and comfort with tactile surfaces underfoot
• Supporting calmness and sustained focus through subtle references to nature

Recent advancements in LVT and rubber flooring have expanded aesthetic options, allowing designers to specify materials that feel refined and welcoming without sacrificing performance.

Physical Health

Indoor air quality, cleanability, and material emissions also affect students of all ages.

In K鈥�12 environments, reducing exposure to harmful substances is especially important as children continue to develop physically. In higher education, where students spend long hours in classrooms, labs, and libraries, healthy indoor environments support comfort, concentration, and overall learning outcomes. Research published in Cureus shows that improving ventilation and indoor air quality in schools can support cognitive performance and help reduce asthma-related symptoms. Resilient flooring can contribute to healthier indoor environments in several ways:

• Low-VOC materials help minimize indoor air contaminants
• Non-porous surfaces resist moisture and dirt, making spaces easier to clean
• Many LVT and rubber floors can be maintained without harsh chemicals that negatively affect air quality

By supporting healthier indoor environments, resilient flooring helps create spaces where students and educators can thrive鈥攆rom elementary classrooms to college campuses.

Supporting Focused Learning in a Noisy World

Noise is one of the most significant barriers to learning, particularly in flexible and open classrooms. Higher noise levels are linked to reduced attention, impaired working memory, and decreased comprehension. A 2025 meta-analysis of classroom noise spanning 21 international studies found a moderate negative impact on student cognitive and academic performance, with younger students especially affected. These findings underscore the importance of acoustics in learning environments.

Many resilient flooring solutions offer noise-dampening properties that help reduce impact sound from footsteps, rolling furniture, and daily movement. This contributes to quieter, more focused classrooms, corridors, and shared campus spaces.

Withstanding High-Traffic Learning Environments

Few building types experience the daily wear that schools and universities do. Floors must withstand constant foot traffic, frequent furniture movement, and regular cleaning.

In K鈥�12 schools, durability and ease of maintenance help minimize disruptions to learning and reduce strain on facilities teams. In higher education, long service life and life-cycle value are equally critical for large campuses managing multiple buildings and budgets.

Resilient flooring supports these demands by offering:

• Non-coated options that eliminate the need for waxing, stripping, and chemical-intensive maintenance
• Modular formats that allow individual tiles to be replaced rather than entire floors
• Long service life that helps reduce downtime and total cost of ownership

These characteristics support both school districts and higher-education institutions planning for long-term use and evolving space needs.

Lowering Environmental Impact Over Time

Sustainability expectations continue to rise across the education sector. Schools and universities are increasingly evaluating materials based on environmental impact, transparency, and longevity. According to Metropolis Magazine鈥檚 2026 Sustainable Design Report, 75% of surveyed U.S. architects and design professionals want to incorporate more sustainability into their projects. The good news? Tools such as Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Health Product Declarations (HPDs) allow institutions to evaluate materials based on carbon impact and material health across the full life cycle.

Resilient flooring options that combine long service life with responsible material choices support these goals. Durable, high-performance surfaces like rubber flooring help reduce replacement frequency, lower maintenance demands, and minimize environmental impact over time.

Supporting the Next Generation of Learning

Flooring choices play a meaningful role in how education spaces adapt to changing needs, support learning outcomes, and endure over time. As schools and campuses continue to evolve, materials must meet shared demands for flexibility, health, performance, and sustainability.

Resilient flooring, including rubber and LVT, helps K鈥�12 schools and higher-education institutions meet these challenges by delivering reliable performance in high-use environments. When foundational materials work harder and last longer, learning environments are better positioned to do the same.

Ryan Akers is Vice President of Segment Sales at Interface.

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By Courtney Schmitz

When Mississippi State University (MSU) gave final approval for renovations to expand the premium seating options at Dudy Noble Field in the winter of 2024, the directive was clear: complete the upgrades in time for the highly anticipated home baseball series against in-state rival Ole Miss. With just six weeks from approval to completion, the turnaround time left little room for error.

A Flexible Seating Solution

University stakeholders sought to improve the game-day experience at the MSU Bulldogs鈥� home stadium, which holds the NCAA on-campus attendance record of 16,423. At the same time, they wanted to avoid committing to a static, single-use solution. The goal was to create a flexible solution that could deliver a strong return on investment while enhancing the game-day experience for a loyal fanbase that has supported the team and Dudy Noble Field for decades.

To meet these objectives, the university worked with Sightline, which offers the Flex Suite system, a modular premium seating solution designed for flexibility and scalability. Built on a forkliftable aluminum frame, the system is designed for rapid deployment, reconfiguration and transport, whether within a single venue or across campus. Delivered as fully assembled units, each section integrates platforms, railings and seating into a single structure, with customizable and optional features like signage, drink railing, TVs and fridges. This approach minimized on-site construction and enabled a faster installation without sacrificing functionality or quality.

An Enhanced Fan Experience

The team carefully chose materials and finishes that are durable enough to withstand outdoor conditions while blending seamlessly with the stadium鈥檚 existing structural elements. Custom fabrication capabilities allowed Sightline to incorporate tailored design elements in-house. A decorative speckled walking surface, custom cable railing and integrated drink rails contributed to a more premium environment while maintaining the system鈥檚 flexibility.

Additional enhancements further elevated the experience. Integrated drink rails with custom acrylic backsplashes and Di-Noc infill panels were installed to reinforce a cohesive, premium aesthetic. Despite the compressed timeline, the renovations were completed in time for the Ole Miss series, one of MSU鈥檚 most electric sporting events of the year, which the Bulldogs ultimately won.

Scaling and Evaluating the Solution

Based on the positive feedback from fans and university staff, MSU expanded the Flex Suite concept beyond its baseball facility. What began as a fast-track solution for Dudy Noble Field quickly proved its value as a cross-venue strategy. Flex Suite was later introduced to Humphrey Coliseum, home to the university鈥檚 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 basketball teams. This transition from an outdoor stadium to an indoor arena highlighted the system鈥檚 adaptability.

Adapting the system for 鈥渢he Hump鈥� required targeted modifications to align with the venue鈥檚 layout. Additional infill platforms and step units were installed to ensure seamless integration within the arena, while a dedicated concessions area exclusive to the Flex Suite sections at Humphrey Coliseum allowed the university to offer a differentiated experience at an affordable price point.

This project also provided an opportunity to evaluate the system in real-world conditions. By observing fan interactions and gathering feedback during the baseball season, the team identified opportunities for refinement. Insights from Dudy Noble Field informed adjustments that further improved comfort and usability when the system was implemented at Humphrey Coliseum.

Looking Longterm

As colleges and universities continue investing in athletic facilities, balancing premium experiences with long-term flexibility is becoming increasingly important. Solutions like Flex Suite that can adapt across venues and evolving programs offer a strategic alternative to traditional fixed construction, which may be difficult or costly to modify in the future.

At Mississippi State University, what began as a time-sensitive installation evolved into a scalable model for premium seating across campus while also creating new revenue opportunities. Collaboration with university stakeholders enabled the team to deliver a solution that met immediate demands for the Ole Miss series while supporting future use across athletic programs.

Courtney Schmitz is Director of Sales at Sightline Commercial Solutions.

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