By Justin Sinnott

With decades of local experience and a diverse portfolio, Erickson-Hall Construction Co. continues to set the standard for building world-class educational facilities across Southern California. And while summer typically signals a quiet period on school campuses, this is when the San Diego-based firm steps into its busiest, high-energy season: the annual 鈥淪ummer Sprint.鈥�听

During a tight, eight-week window, Erickson-Hall delivers major infrastructure improvements across multiple district sites before the school year begins. By making the most of the summer months, Erickson-Hall听is able to听upgrade campuses with minimal disruption to students and staff. As the firm gears up for another summer sprint in 2026, it is building off the momentum of several recently completed milestone projects. These large-scale builds听showcase听Erickson-Hall’s deep听expertise听in design-build, construction听management听and multi-phase modernizations.听

Erickson-Hall鈥檚 delivery of brand-new Upper Athletic Fields at Beverly Hills High School in March marked a major milestone in Beverly Hills Unified School District鈥檚 multi-phased campus transformation. This ambitious design-build project required upgrading aging recreational infrastructure while carefully听maintaining听the school鈥檚 historic character. The scope of work included the construction of brand-new tennis courts, a lighted softball field, comprehensive utility improvements,听retaining听walls and a permanent modular restroom building 鈥� delivering a dynamic environment for the district鈥檚 3,300 students.听

With a similar focus on multi-use athletic spaces, Erickson-Hall also unveiled the听state-of-the-art听Wiseburn Sports Complex for Wiseburn Unified School District in April. Designed to function as both an athletic engine for student-athletes and a cornerstone for local youth sports organization events, the complex integrates fields for Little League baseball, high school听softball听and youth soccer. More than upgrades to playing surfaces, the scope of work extended to player and spectator amenities, including new dugouts, batting cages, scoreboards, upgraded parking and a full concession building with modern restrooms. These facilities are backed by heavy infrastructure upgrades including underground utilities, irrigation,听fencing听and low-voltage systems.听听

Shifting focus from athletics to the arts, in April, Erickson-Hall also cut the ribbon on a new Center for the Arts at Hesperia High School in San Bernardino County. This project听represented听a significant investment in the school鈥檚 arts education, providing modern, high-capacity spaces designed for student learning, professional听development听and community engagement. At the heart of this 40,500-square-foot versatile hub is a 500-seat performance stage and a flexible multi-purpose area. To accommodate the new facility, the project team also managed broader campus adjustments, including the relocation of existing tennis courts, alongside landscaping and surrounding site improvements to enhance the general campus environment.听听听听

The seamless delivery of these projects highlights Erickson-Hall’s strong focus on preconstruction and early planning. Engaging corporate expertise early provides school districts and civic leaders with听constructibility听reviews and cost-saving strategies that eliminate expensive surprises and delays down the road.听听

Ultimately, navigating these complex, multi-phase builds听requires听deep trust and transparent communication among owners,听architects听and subcontractors. As an employee-owned company, this collaborative spirit is built directly into Erickson-Hall鈥檚 culture. Every team member has a stake in the firm鈥檚 success, translating a personal commitment to quality into tangible, high-efficiency results for clients.听听听

This dedication to community-driven excellence is fully on display as Erickson-Hall works on this year鈥檚 Summer Sprint, which is well underway. The firm is carrying this momentum forward to build the next generation of spaces where Southern California communities can thrive.听

About Erickson-Hall Construction Co.听

Celebrating 28 years of excellence in the construction industry, Erickson-Hall is a recognized industry leader,听having completed听over $4.9 billion in successful construction projects, of which $4.3 billion has been for K-12 and higher education developments.听听The employee-owned company has been serving the Southern California markets of San Diego, Imperial, Orange, South Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties since 1998. Services include preconstruction, general contracting, construction management, design-build, progressive design-build, design assist-build, lease-leaseback听and program management for educational, fire, essential services, civic, parks, recreation, faith-based, office and healthcare facilities. The company has an award-winning portfolio of completed projects and has received听numerous听awards for safety. For more information, visit听. Find us on LinkedIn and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.听听鈥�听

Justin Sinnott is Vice President of Corporate Services听at Erickson-Hall Construction.听听

See this article featured in the Design & Construction issue of 糖心少女, available now.

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By Jennifer Tulley

A place where movement, reflection, and community converge, the new Wellness, Athletic听& Aquatics听Center for Convent & Stuart Hall, designed by TEF, advances the mission of a Sacred Heart education through its focus on students鈥� total development.听听Centrally located along one of the City鈥檚 major east west corridors, the 66,000-square-foot, four-story complex is designed to integrate wellness into the daily life of roughly 1,200 students from kindergarten to 12th grade, while expanding athletic, physical education and gathering spaces for the school community.听听

Founded in 1887, Convent & Stuart Hall is an independent K-12 school rooted in the Sacred Heart tradition of Catholic education, offering an educational model that听utilizes听both single-sex and coeducational learning environments. Across all grade levels, instruction is anchored by a common curricular commitment to educating the whole student: 鈥渕ind, body and spirit.鈥� Expanding the school鈥檚 athletic facilities to meet current and future program demands is an institutional initiative focused on elevating students’ physical and holistic development. Together, these pedagogical and strategic goals, along with a sensitivity to the compelling student mental health crisis nationwide, led to the project鈥檚 conceptualization.听

Maximizing Program on a Constrained Site听

Despite the fortune of finding a location roughly within a mile of the school鈥檚 two campuses, with front door access to public transit, a number of notable site constraints added to the project鈥檚 complexity. The Center had to be designed around an existing two-story mixed-used building at the northeast corner of the property.听听The rest of the site, occupied by a concrete structure originally designed as a car showroom, proved infeasible for reuse, given the compact site and substantial scale of the project鈥檚 main program components: a gymnasium and natatorium, stacked one above the other, as well as educational spaces.听

The new Center is organized around these three program zones. The partially-below grade natatorium supports swim instruction for all ages, with aquatics programming including competition swimming, water polo, and more. Above it, the double height gymnasium provides a collegiate-size court and seating for more than 500 spectators.听听Instructional spaces 鈥� for fitness, nutrition, meditation and wellness education 鈥� are adjacent to the gym. In addition, an enclosed rooftop turf field further expands the school鈥檚 athletic program. 听

The sloped site, while not uncommon to the City鈥檚 infamous topography, also affected the entry elevation and exiting strategy. The natatorium was carefully designed to be sufficiently below grade in order to meet code-requirements for ground-level egress of younger students, with three general exits at pool level and two additional stairs dedicated to kindergarten through second grade students.听听

Harnessing Daylight听

Natural light was a critical priority. Studies continue to validate the importance of daylight to improving sleep, concentration, physical performance, and overall well-being of students and athletes alike. Ample glazing across the building鈥檚 entire north, street-front facade brings abundant daylight into the building. Its expression of horizontal bands 鈥� featuring a meaningful pattern language of glass and aluminum panels on the first and third levels 鈥� articulate the Center鈥檚 three primary program zones, while providing a balance of visibility and privacy. Glazing along the interior walls

overlooking the gymnasium and natatorium also pull essential daylight into the large internal volumes, the latter enhanced by听additional听skylights along the west side of the building. Educational spaces are strategically听located听along the building鈥檚 perimeter to maximize exposure to daylight and the surrounding neighborhood.听听听

Generous circulation corridors featuring furniture and seating options encourage informal human connection while flexible academic spaces听support a听variety of social activities.听听

Nurturing Connection and Belonging听

Transparency also plays a key role in connecting the life of the school to the city and students to each other. According to the , creating an environment where students feel seen, included, and part of a community is essential to supporting mental health and听well being. The welcoming lobby, flexible gathering areas, and range of uses are some of the design features that reduce isolation and strengthen social relationships that are closely tied to emotional well-being, resilience, and school engagement.听

The Center鈥檚 built-in flexibility, to accommodate large assemblies and informal gatherings, strengthens connections across the student body and the broader school community. Generous circulation zones integrate a variety of furniture and seating options to encourage informal interaction and peer support, while visual and physical connection through transparency between major program spaces facilitate shared experiences. Providing an array of spaces for diverse modes of interaction was also a priority. Spaces like the classroom with a demonstration kitchen and the studio for yoga, dance, and meditation provide students with a multitude of options. When students can choose how and where to connect, the building can support individual social confidence and community building. 听

Environmentally Responsible, Connected to Nature听

The LEED Gold targeted, all electric building leverages biophilic and sustainable design strategies to听optimize听student health.听The design team prioritized biophilic warmth听through the use of听wood and organic forms in the development of the Center鈥檚 interiors.听Curved walls intuitively guide circulation around major program areas, and a muted, nature-inspired color palette, originating from nearby landscape elements including ocean, sand, and听sky, support听a calm backdrop to the diverse activity within the building.听听听听

Indoor air quality, essential to health and comfort 鈥� and a notorious design challenge for natatoriums across the city鈥檚 microclimates 鈥� was a critical factor. A robust mechanical and electrical system exhausts chloromines from the deck level and leverages heat recapture, to warm the pool only at night, allowing it to gradually cool down during the day to conserve energy. Additional green features include solar panels, two bioretention areas, one elevated on the first floor, as well as rooftop plantings to slow stormwater drainage. The majority of interior materials are red list free or approved and have EPDs (environmental product declarations) and/or HPDs (health product declarations). 听

The project is slated for听completion听2029.听听

Jennifer Tulley is Principal In Charge at TEF Design.

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By Lindsey Coulter听

School restrooms have long been viewed as purely functional spaces, but educators, architects and administrators are increasingly recognizing that听restroom design can听have an outsized impact on safety,听wellness听and the overall student听experience. Rather than focusing solely on gender inclusion, many districts are rethinking restroom design as an opportunity to improve comfort,听privacy听and supervision听for all users.听

That shift is prompting architects to move beyond traditional multi-stall restroom layouts in favor of designs that create greater openness in shared spaces while offering significantly more privacy where students need it most.听Prompted in part by the AIA鈥檚听鈥淚nclusive restrooms & locker rooms in K-12 schools鈥� report听from听2024,听more education leaders and design partners are听reimagining听these critical spaces to offer听a more dignified approach to the traditional听restroom听experience听that also nets听better student health outcomes.听

Rethinking the Restroom听

According to Joel Williams,听Studio Director for Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) in the firm鈥檚 Castle Rock, Colo., office,听the conversation has evolved well beyond accommodating specific student populations.听

“Restrooms are one of the most challenging spaces on a school campus,听from the student听experience standpoint and from the supervision standpoint,” Williams said. “It’s not a space听that听administrators can easily moderate. The bad stuff that happens on听a campus听often happens in a restroom.”听

For Williams, the discussion begins with a simple question: Are school restrooms actually serving students?听He often听references Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs when discussing restroom design with听education听clients.听Before students can fully engage academically, they must first feel physically safe and comfortable meeting their most basic needs.听

“Having things like air, food, water, shelter, sleep and clothing are foundational, and I think bathrooms fit in that layer,鈥� Williams said.听鈥淲hen students听avoid听using听the bathroom at school, that’s a very clear sign that it’s a problem.”听

Stakeholder engagement sessions reinforce that conclusion. When Williams asks students,听parents听and teachers to describe school restrooms, the responses听often include words such as “smelly,” “dirty,” “dark,”听and听“sketchy.鈥澨齎aping,听bullying听and general discomfort are听also听recurring concerns.听

Balancing Privacy听With听Supervision听

The greatest design challenge lies in balancing two competing priorities: creating听enough听privacy for students while听maintaining听enough visibility to discourage inappropriate behavior.听Rather than hiding the entire restroom behind a single door, many newer concepts shift openness deeper into听the space. Shared handwashing areas become visible from adjacent corridors, while individual toilet rooms are enclosed with full-height walls and doors听for more visual and acoustic privacy.听听

Because the shared areas听remain听visible, staff members no longer听have to听enter enclosed restroom spaces to听monitor听activity. Students moving in and out naturally create听additional听accountability, while security cameras can听monitor听circulation zones without compromising privacy inside the toilet rooms.听

The approach also addresses newer concerns such as digital bullying. Traditional partitions leave gaps above, below and beside stalls that can expose occupants to unwanted photography or harassment. Full-height compartments听largely eliminate听those vulnerabilities.听

Small Details Can Improve Comfort听

Beyond the overall layout, Williams believes听seemingly minor听design decisions can significantly improve the user experience.听Things like听door hardware听and听occupancy听indicators听to reassure users that the door is secured听contribute to reducing anxiety.听听

Accessibility is another opportunity to improve restroom functionality.听

Williams advocates听for听including sinks within larger accessible toilet rooms. While originally intended to serve wheelchair users, these spaces can also provide听additional听privacy for students dealing with medical conditions, menstrual听hygiene听or other personal needs.听

“It’s about providing space that accommodates other people who need whatever special considerations they may have on that particular visit,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淭hat’s an example of how we can make these spaces better for听everybody.”听

Read the full article in the Design & Construction issue of 糖心少女, available now.

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By Lindsey Coulter听

HMC Architects听recently welcomed听Oliver Nicolas听to听the firm鈥檚 PreK-12 practice as听Principal-in-Charge.听

With a dual foundation in architecture and civil engineering,听Nicolas听brings more than 23 years of experience delivering impactful PreK鈥�12, healthcare, and residential projects. He also spent听six years at a structural engineering firm and as a specification sales representative for a wood manufacturing company, giving him a comprehensive perspective on efficiently managing and delivering school construction projects.听听

鈥淢y background gives me a unique perspective on design and delivery,鈥� Nicolas said. 鈥淯nderstanding structural engineering and听available materials influences how I view听a space. Everything we design must be buildable, so as I design,听I鈥檓听already thinking about how structural and architectural elements will be attached and how important detailing is in construction.鈥�听

Based in the firm鈥檚 Ontario, Calif.,听studio, Nicolas will work closely with district clients across Southern California, ensuring strong collaboration and听a seamless听client experience. Drawing on more than two decades of experience guiding projects from design through construction administration and certification, he will provide strategic oversight to align project goals with client priorities throughout the project lifecycle.听

Nicolas spoke with 糖心少女听about听regional trends, how districts are听approach听deferred maintenance projects and听how听early collaboration can help听prevent problems later in the project lifecycle.听

SCN:听What makes working within an existing school building particularly challenging,听and where do you see the greatest opportunities for creative design?听

Nicolas:听Renovations challenge designers because existing buildings impose strict听parameters. We听must deliver听everything the client needs within听a听confined space.听I听once worked with a healthcare client to听develop听a tiny听ADA听code-compliant single-user restroom. Due to space limitations, we听couldn’t听expand听and听had to find every听opportunity听to听meet code听within the tight space.听Schools face these听same听challenges,听and听I听find that the spaces that seem the听smallest听are the听most challenging听to work听within yet听provide听amazing opportunities for success.听

SCN:听Across Southern California, what are you hearing听most听frequently听from school districts about their facility needs and priorities right now?听

Nicolas:听Our听district clients are most听concerned about听declining enrollment and how听to听repurpose听underutilized or aging spaces.听Schools don鈥檛听want to听sell听extra听property,听finding new uses for these spaces听will be听one of the biggest challenges, and opportunities, for听school architects听in the near future.听Districts are also听exploring听ways to serve diverse community needs with workforce housing, wellness spaces, and other shared use spaces.听This听approach听raises听important questions about听after-school access,听operations听and maintenance听鈥斕齛nd how to open听the campus to the听wider听community听while听maintaining听student safety.听听

SCN:听Many districts are balancing aging facilities and deferred maintenance with limited funding. How should districts think strategically about modernization versus new construction?听

Nicolas:听Before a district focuses on repurposing underutilized or aging spaces,听it should听start with a听comprehensive,听long-term听facilities听masterplan. The planning process should听evaluate听each school site听in its full context, considering听existing conditions,听educational adequacy, adaptability, and total cost of ownership, rather than relying solely on a building鈥檚 age.听听Modernization is often a smart investment when听a听structure has good bones and can be transformed听to meet the听district鈥檚 needs. New construction should be considered听when the existing site听or building limitations prevent the district from achieving its goals.听

SCN:听What are some of the biggest misconceptions about what can听鈥斕齩r cannot听鈥斕齜e听accomplished听within an existing school building or site?听

Nicolas:听The听biggest misconceptions about working within an听existing听space are听that听it is听expensive or听tearing it down听is easier.听However,听I鈥檝e听seen that working within an听existing听space听often costs less,听promotes听sustainability,听and听produces听magnificent learner-focused spaces. Architects听can听make something out of听anything. If听the district has a vision,听architects are savvy enough to听come up with听a solution.听When听we think creatively and look at a space in its full context,听we can听always听come up with听something听that achieves the client鈥檚 vision.听听

SCN:听With your experience on the construction and materials side, what are some of the decisions architects and districts can make earlier in the process that have the greatest impact on cost,听constructability听and schedule?听

Nicolas:听It鈥檚听important that architects and designers understand that cost escalation is a major听issue, and听we must听deliver the project sooner听rather听than later听to help clients save time and money.听It鈥檚听important to find the right balance of听the program,听materials听and construction type.听For example,听I know听building听with听wood听might present听an听up-front听savings听compared to steel.听However,听with an efficient design and construction strategy, steel can听also help听reduce听timelines and听the听overall budget.听When听we听involve听every voice听鈥斕齞istricts,听community听and builders听鈥斕齟arly in听our thought process,听we can听speed up the听process听and create a visionary project on time and within budget.听听

SCN:听How can architects improve collaboration among districts, contractors,听engineers听and other project partners early enough to prevent problems later in the project lifecycle?听

Nicolas:听At HMC Architects,听we engage clients听and partners in听a听multi-day听immersive design process.听During the day,听we host interactive workshops听and brainstorming sessions听with听all interest holders.听After hours,听our听design team听works on听a听preliminary听design based on听these conversations. We听reconvene with the full team听to听refine the design.听This approach听allows us to resolve听issues that often take weeks or months to settle in a week or less.听When we bring听everyone together听early,听we听see听the听best solutions to problems,听identify听previously unrecognized听opportunities, and allow听everyone to see the project develop in real听time.听听

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By Michael听Bucalo, President & Owner, Friedrich Watkins Construction听

Higher education campuses rarely have the luxury of shutting down for construction. Libraries remain filled with students preparing for exams. Faculty continue teaching and conducting research. Staff maintain daily operations. Yet across the country, colleges and universities are investing heavily in modernizing aging facilities to meet evolving academic, technological and student needs.听

For contractors and campus leaders alike, the challenge is no longer simply completing a project on time and within budget. Success is measured by how well construction teams minimize disruption while听maintaining听a safe, functional environment for everyone who continues to use the building.听Working on occupied educational facilities has reinforced an important lesson: construction planning must begin with the people who rely on听the space听every day.听

Start With the Campus Experience听

Every educational facility serves a different purpose. A library operates differently than a science building, student union, or athletic facility. Before construction begins, project teams should understand how students, faculty, visitors and staff interact with the building throughout the day.听

Questions such as peak occupancy times, critical academic schedules, special events, and accessibility concerns should all be addressed during preconstruction planning 鈥� not after work begins.听When contractors understand how a building functions, they can develop phasing plans that reduce unnecessary interruptions and allow the institution to continue听operating听as smoothly as possible.听

Communication Is as Important as Construction听

One of the most overlooked aspects of occupied campus renovations is communication.听

Project owners, facilities teams, contractors, subcontractors, faculty, and campus leadership all need clear expectations before work begins. Regular updates help minimize confusion, reduce frustration and allow departments to prepare for temporary changes.听

Simple communication tools, including weekly planning meetings, updated construction schedules, clear signage, and designated points of contact often prevent small issues from becoming significant operational challenges.听The goal is not only to keep the project moving but also to听maintain听confidence among everyone affected by the work.听

Safety Extends Beyond the Jobsite听

Occupied campuses require contractors to think differently about safety.听Unlike a closed construction site, universities have thousands of students, faculty, visitors, and staff moving through adjacent spaces each day. Construction activities must account for pedestrian traffic, emergency access, deliveries, accessibility routes and changing campus schedules.听

Safety planning should include more than OSHA compliance. It should focus on protecting the campus community while allowing construction activities to听proceed听efficiently. Thoughtful听logistics听planning, secure work zones, dust and noise mitigation, and close coordination with campus facilities departments all contribute to a safer project.听

Flexibility Is Essential听

No occupied project unfolds exactly as planned.听Academic听calendars shift. Campus events听are听added. Deliveries change. Building occupants听identify听unforeseen needs after construction begins.听

Successful contractors recognize that flexibility is not a disruption to the听process,听it is part of the process.听Teams that communicate early, adapt quickly, and remain focused on solutions rather than obstacles create stronger partnerships with their clients and听ultimately deliver听better outcomes.听

Success Means More Than Completing the Project听

Construction teams naturally focus on schedules, budgets, and quality. Universities measure success a little differently.听

• Did students continue learning with minimal disruption?听
• Did faculty remain productive?听
• Did campus operations continue safely?听
• Did communication remain proactive throughout the project?听

The answers to those questions often听determine听whether a contractor becomes a long-term partner rather than simply completing a single project.听

Building Relationships Alongside Buildings听

As higher education institutions continue investing in renovations and modernization, contractors have an opportunity to become more than builders.听They can become partners who understand campus operations, anticipate challenges before they occur and deliver projects that support the institution’s broader mission.听

The most successful educational construction projects are not remembered because construction happened.听They are remembered because learning never stopped.听

Mike听Bucalo听is the President and Owner of Friedrich Watkins Construction of Tampa.听Learn more by visiting听.

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By Erin Bellis, Senior Manager of Security Products & Specifications, McGrory Glass Systems

In K-12 school architecture, a shift is occurring. For years, school-safety discussions focused on reactive, visible reinforcements. The immediate response to security threats involved retrofitting schools with steel bars, security听shutters听and windowless concrete entryways. While these measures听were intended听to protect, they听frequently听transformed centers of learning into cold, institutional spaces. Today, educational architects and school districts recognize that physical security must coexist with a student鈥檚 psychological well-being.听

The mandate for school construction requires achieving life-safety protection while preserving an open,听transparent听and welcoming environment. This balance is known as Human-Centered Design听(HCD). By prioritizing daylighting, clear lines of sight, and biophilic connections, architects can foster an atmosphere where students focus on academics. Central to this design philosophy is the implementation of “invisible hardening”听鈥斕齛dvanced security glazing systems engineered to withstand physical and ballistic attacks while听remaining听indistinguishable from standard architectural glass.听

鈥淲e can make almost any space secure, but if you鈥檙e not careful, it can end up looking like a jail,鈥� says Chad Snyder,听Senior听Director of the听Security听Division at McGrory Glass. 鈥淭hat challenge has forced manufacturers to develop security glazing that performs like a hardened product but听doesn鈥檛听have to be installed in heavy, industrial-looking hollow-metal frames. Instead, these products can work in aluminum storefront systems and other framing while still providing attack resistance.鈥�听

Two recent elementary school projects听demonstrate听how specialized glazing fabrication transforms security from an imposing obstacle into a protective layer of a听building鈥檚听envelope.听

Unifying History and Security: DCPS Truesdell Elementary School听

In Washington, D.C., the modernization of DCPS Truesdell Elementary School presented an architectural challenge. Designed by VMDO Architects, the project required unifying historic 1920s structures with high-performance modern additions. The school needed to create an environment that felt open and connected to the surrounding听community, yet听structurally prepared for unauthorized听breach听attempts.听

To bridge the gap between life safety and aesthetic transparency, the design team听utilized听McGrory Glass鈥櫶�听security glazing. Engineered specifically for high-traffic educational environments, this attack-resistant glass features a proprietary interlayer designed to prevent body passage during physical attacks. Tested to standards such as ASTM F1233 and ASTM F3561, the glazing can withstand sustained physical assaults from tools like bats,听hammers听and crowbars for听nearly 15听minutes. This structural durability offers school administrators a tactical advantage: the time听required听to execute lockdown protocols and await emergency response.听

The baseline of how manufacturers approach these spaces has undergone听a paradigm shift. As Erin Bellis,听Senior听Manager of听Security听Products and听Performance听Specifications at McGrory Glass, points out, school security requirements look vastly different today than they did a couple of decades ago.听

鈥淔ifteen years ago, the industry wasn鈥檛 really thinking about security glass in schools,鈥� Bellis explains. 鈥淭hat changed significantly after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. It forced manufacturers to rethink their products, especially for schools that might not be able to afford more robust ballistic glazing.鈥�听

What makes the Truesdell Elementary installation a benchmark for human-centered design is its technical integration. Rather than treating security zones as isolated barriers, the security glazing was integrated with听Solarban庐 low-e coatings. This allowed the specialized security panels to match the visual appearance of standard IGUs (insulated glass units) used throughout the rest of the campus.听

By听eliminating听the visual cues of a security barrier, the building听maintains听aesthetic uniformity. Students and staff move between security perimeters and open community spaces without any added psychological weight. Several of the security glass panels feature custom decorative gradient fades fabricated in-house. These gradients enhance occupant comfort and localized privacy while allowing natural light to flood into the learning spaces, proving that proactive school safety and clean design can coexist within the same square foot.听

Erin Bellis is the Senior Manager of Security Products & Specifications at McGrory Glass Systems.

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By Lindsey Coulter

Construction听recently topped out听on听Metropolitan State University of Denver’s听(MSU Denver)听Summit House, a 12-story student housing development that marks the university’s first on-campus residence hall in its 60-year history. Scheduled for completion in听summer听2027, the approximately $118听million mixed-use development will provide听more than听550 student beds, dining and retail space, and a permanent home for the university’s Classroom to Career Hub.听听

Located on the Auraria Campus听(also shared with the Community College of Denver and University of Colorado, Denver) and听across from Ball Arena听(home to the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche sports teams), the project expands affordable housing while听demonstrating听how mass timber construction can accelerate project delivery and enhance the student experience.

Making a听Mass Timber听Statement

When complete,听Summit House听will be the tallest structure on the downtown-adjacent听tri-institutional听campus. As the tallest mass-timber structure in the state, it will also be听a听showcase听for听the听design and construction听advantages of听this highly renewable building material.

Ryan Marshall, Superintendent for听project builder听PCL Construction, noted that the听thoughtful use of mass timber听helped accelerate construction, as many听components could be听fabricated听off site听down to听a听1/16-inch听tolerance.听By maximizing panel sizes, the design听requires approximately 25 cross-laminated timber panels per residential floor, with the two podium levels composed of concrete.听

听“I’ve got to tip my hat to our architect and structural designer,听because this project was听really听designed around maximizing the capabilities听and efficiencies听of mass timber,” Marshall said.听“”The width of the structure on the dormitory floors is 60 feet,听which is听the longest听[cross-laminated timber]听panel you can feasibly ship without it being an astronomical cost.听In turn,听that makes for a quick install,听because it goes faster and you’re covering more area.”听

While prefabrication speeds construction, it听also听required听significantly more coordination听with听supplier听Mercer Mass Timber听during design.听

“Every penetration in the whole building had to be dialed in,” said听Macy Huffaker, Project Architect with designer SAR+ Architects. “Every light fixture, every shaft, every dimension that they were making out of mass timber had to be locked in a lot earlier than听it听would on something that’s听site built.”听听

Martha Nelson, Director of Planning, Design and听Construction for MSU Denver, noted that mass timber was听a good choice听for helping meet the project鈥檚听timeline and听sustainability听goals, but also for enhancing student experience, campus identity, market听differentiation听and long-term institutional value.听听

“The most important decision wasn’t choosing mass timber; it was understanding how student housing could advance MSU Denver鈥檚 mission to provide a high-quality, accessible and enriching education. Mass timber became one of the ways we delivered on those institutional goals in a sustainable and cost-effective way,鈥� Nelson said.

“There’s plenty of data showing that students who live on campus perform better academically and stay enrolled at higher rates than those who commute,” added Ben Diaz听Senior Development Manager with听Columbia Ventures, which serves as the project鈥檚听developer.听“We’re proud to bring students for a true on-campus college experience, and we hope this project is the first of many听鈥斕齢elping shift the Auraria campus from a commuter campus to an active, live-in community that blurs the line between downtown and the university.鈥�听听

Solving Urban Construction听Challenges

While mass timber and early collaboration听helped听accelerate the building鈥檚 timeline, constructing听a large-scale听residence hall听just听off听downtown Denver听required听careful logistical planning.

“One thing that was definitely a concern when I got the project was听figuring听out if a 60-foot panel could make its way into downtown Denver,” Marshall said. “Just making turns and pulling in can be a challenge.”

Getting all materials to the project site required a significant level of planning, including run-throughs with 60-foot semis and coordination with trucking companies that understood the limitations of oversized loads. The team also head to adhere to curfews enforced within the city limits, which prevented deliveries during rush-hour traffic periods.

Delivering Through Partnership

Innovation and creative problem solving was a theme for the project even down to the funding mechanisms. Columbia Ventures, which serves as the project鈥檚 developer, partnered with the Auraria Higher Education Center and MSU Denver on this public-private partnership (P3) structure, which leveraged Auraria’s unique P3 statutory authority that helped accelerate project delivery.听听

“From a P3 perspective, we could move at a pace and cost structure that’s hard to achieve through traditional public procurement,鈥� said Diaz. 鈥淭hat let us release work quicker and often at a more competitive negotiated rate.鈥�听

This strategy was one reason the project was able to move听from concept to groundbreaking in听just听eight months, which Diaz said is notable for a P3 project听with multiple stakeholders听and goals听happening听on such a dynamic campus.听听

“Part of our success听here was MSU Denver’s commitment听to听the project,鈥� Diaz said.听鈥淲e would not have been able to make it听at听that pace without their support in this execution methodology.”

Read more about the project in the Design & Construction issue of 糖心少女, available now.

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By Lindsey Coulter听

School design has entered a new era. While conversations once centered on flexible classrooms, daylighting and collaborative spaces, today’s education planners are asking a more fundamental question: how does the environment itself influence learning?听

For Erika Ashauer, ALEP, EDAC, Human Experience Research Lead with the Denver office of HCM, the answer begins with understanding how people of all ages think,听feel听and move through space. With a background in cognitive science,听neuroscience听and evidence-based design, Ashauer works alongside architects,听educators听and other project stakeholders to translate research into practical design strategies that support attention, emotional regulation,听belonging听and long-term student success.听

鈥淚’ve always been fascinated by how children learn and develop,鈥� Ashauer said. 鈥淚f we can create environments that help students feel safe,听supported听and ready to grow 鈥� and help educators do their best work 鈥� that has a lasting impact. Helping create happier kids and healthier learning experiences is something听I’m听incredibly proud to be part of.鈥�听

For districts investing in new schools,听renovations听and modernization projects, Ashauer believes the greatest opportunity听isn’t听simply creating more flexible buildings;听it’s听creating environments that are intentionally designed around the people who use them every day.听

“Design and school culture have to work together,鈥� Ashauer added. 鈥淲e can create movement spaces, sensory rooms or restorative environments, but if school policies don’t support students using them, they won’t achieve their intended purpose.鈥�听

Ashauer, who will share more of her research and insights at the 糖心少女 Design & Construction Symposium in Denver Aug. 5, spoke with the publication about why human experience research is becoming an increasingly common听component听of PK-12 school design and procurement.听

SCN: Your role is still fairly unique within architecture firms.听Is this becoming a larger field?听

Ashauer: It’s definitely growing.听Six or seven years ago, I听wasn’t听even sure there were other people doing this work. Today there are more professionals working in design research across education, senior听living听and other sectors.听We’re听building a community that shares research and best practices while helping move the profession forward.听

[Clients] may not know what to call it yet, but听they’re听absolutely asking the questions. More RFPs include language around student engagement,听belonging听and human experience. Those ideas are becoming expectations rather than nice-to-have features.听

SCN: You describe schools as “active regulatory environments.”听What does that mean?听

Ashauer: We used to think of schools as containers where learning happened.听That’s just听not true. From the moment a student arrives on campus,听they’re听unconsciously assessing whether they feel safe,听welcome听and ready to learn.听

A four-year-old experiences that journey very differently than a high school student or a fifth grader with special needs. Design influences those experiences through spatial sequencing, visibility, acoustics,听comfort听and countless other factors. Our goal is to reduce unnecessary cognitive stress so students can spend more energy learning, taking academic听risks听and building relationships instead of simply navigating the environment.听

SCN: Does your research apply to renovations as much as new construction?听

Ashauer: Absolutely. Renovations often require even greater intentionality because every investment matters. Before deciding what to change, we听have to听ask why听we’re听renovating, who听we’re听serving听and how students听actually use听the building. Understanding those answers helps prioritize where design dollars will have the greatest impact.听

SCN:听You’ve听also talked about the concept of 鈥渆mbodied learning environments.鈥� How is that different from terms like 鈥渟tudent-centered鈥� or 鈥渇lexible learning鈥�?听

Ashauer: Embodied learning recognizes that learning happens through the body as much as through the brain. Our brains constantly process sensory information. If students are spending energy dealing with glare, noise, visual听clutter听or uncomfortable temperatures,听they’re听using cognitive resources that could otherwise support learning.听Essentially, we听don’t听think with just our brains 鈥� we think through our entire bodies.听Good design听acknowledges that.听

SCN: How does that philosophy influence听designing听for neurodiversity?听

Ashauer: One of the biggest lessons from neuroscience is that there really听isn’t听a “typical” learner. Every person’s cognitive needs change over time through age, stress, injury,听illness听or life experiences. Rather than听designing for听one type of student, we should create environments that offer layers of choice and support. Those decisions听benefit听students who identify as neurodiverse, but they also improve learning for everyone.听

SCN: Does that expand the traditional definition of accessibility?听

Ashauer: Very much so. Physical accessibility听remains听incredibly important, but accessibility also includes sensory,听cognitive听and emotional experiences. The more we understand how people听actually move听through and experience buildings, the better we can design environments that allow everyone to听participate听fully.听

Read more in the Design & Construction Issue of 糖心少女, available now.听

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By Evelyn Long听

Playground design has evolved beyond swings and slides. For architects, contractors and facility managers, project briefs now emphasize measurable outcomes like motor skill development, emotional听regulation听and social connection. Standard equipment placement no longer meets expectations from schools,听parks听and communities. Design choices, from layout and materials to sensory elements and terrain, support children’s physical, emotional and social wellness, giving professionals a practical framework for their next project.听

Moving Beyond Basic Accessibility听

The听ADA guidelines for play听areas听听for newly constructed and altered playgrounds, including accessible routes and equipment. While compliance is legally required, meeting these standards alone听doesn’t听create the inclusive, high-quality play experience communities increasingly expect. Accessible design addresses physical access. Inclusive design addresses the quality of the play experience itself.听

According听to playground manufacturer Landscape Structures, a well-designed playground听听for kids with various ability levels. “Both a physical and social event,听inclusive play is not solely听about accessibility,” it听states.听听

Genuine equity happens when children with different ability levels engage in the same activity together, rather than being directed to separate experiences. Design professionals can achieve this by grouping similar activities with multiple challenge levels into a single shared space, enabling varied participation without segregation.听

How to Choose Playground Equipment That Promotes Physical Development

Selecting听playground equipment that promotes physical development听starts with variety. Different movement patterns, including climbing, swinging and听balancing听target different muscle groups and build distinct motor skills. Research shows that well-equipped, varied play environments support improved听听in children.听

Equipment variety allows children to听, according to听Little Tikes Commercial.听“Various play elements encouraging climbing, jumping, hanging, swinging, and balancing help kids activate primary muscle groups and define their activity preferences,” it explains. The company recommends sequencing equipment by age and ability, with low-level structures for toddlers and progressively challenging elements for older children. This approach builds physical confidence over time.听

Layout matters as much as individual pieces. Equipment should flow together rather than sit as isolated units, creating continuous movement opportunities that keep children engaged and active throughout the space.听

Designing Play Areas for Emotional Regulation and Sensory Needs听

Emotional wellness in playground design requires offering a spectrum of sensory experiences. High-stimulus features such as spinners, textured climbing panels and interactive sound elements serve children seeking sensory input. Low-stimulus quiet areas with seating, shade and natural materials provide spaces for decompression and self-regulation.听

A 2025 study examining听听found that kids value both active, sensory-rich features and retreat spaces with seating, quiet听areas听and high-vantage points. These elements support relaxation and social听connection听alongside active play.听

The key is positioning quiet areas within sight of active play sections, not isolated from them. This arrangement supports emotional regulation while听maintaining听opportunities for continued social connection when children are ready to re-engage.听

Fostering Social Interaction and Cooperation Through Design听

Social development happens most effectively when children of different abilities play together rather than separately. According to听Child Trends, certain听听and turn-taking. It听notes that听“Playgrounds encourage cooperation听by providing听children听a place to play and work together.” Design can amplify this by grouping similar activity types across multiple challenge levels within a single area.听

For example, placing several climbing options of varying difficulty in a single section allows children with different abilities to听attempt听similar activities side by side. This shared-activity approach builds social connections more effectively than routing children to separate equipment based on ability听level.听

Specific features prompt specific social behaviors.听Sand and water tables, seated spinning equipment and rolling slides naturally encourage turn-taking and teamwork.听Research on听inclusive community playgrounds听shows that these designs听听as well, with higher activity levels听observed听among all users.听听

Integrating Natural Elements and Terrain听

Working with existing site topography introduces built-in physical challenges without incurring听additional听equipment costs. Slopes, grade changes and natural features like boulders or logs provide varied terrain that develops balance, spatial听awareness听and risk-assessment skills. Rather than flattening a site, designers can听听that add visual interest and variety.听

The听Kennedy School playground renovation听in Somerville, Massachusetts,听demonstrates听this approach in practice. The district听, sensory-rich environment that supports physical,听social听and emotional development simultaneously. Real projects like this show how the principles outlined here work together in practice, not just in theory.听

Building Healthier Communities Through Thoughtful Play Spaces听

Playground design addressing physical,听emotional听and social wellness together outperforms treating each element in isolation. ADA compliance听remains听the legal baseline, but it听doesn’t听define genuine inclusion. Equipment variety, sensory balance, thoughtful听layout听and terrain integration are the practical levers available to architects, contractors and facility managers specifying these spaces.听

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By Aaron Jobson听

During the post-World War II population听boom,听school construction accelerated across the country听as听school systems swelled with new students. As many of these听1950s- and 60s-era听campuses听are now 60听to75 years听old,听they present school听districts听with听several听challenges.听听

Many听aging听school听facilities听are in need of听repair,听failing to听meet current building code and safety听standards,听and听requiring听significant investment.听Coinciding with this need,听the modern听approach to educational and community programs,听and听the听understanding of the impact of learning environment quality on educational outcomes听has changed听dramatically.听Older buildings may not provide the flexibility needed for next-generation learning,听or the daylight, ventilation,听and other features that support learning and听wellbeing.听This leaves many听districts听with听the complicated challenge of听deciding whether to modernize or replace existing campus buildings,听all while continuing to听operate听an active school.听听

For each school听facing these听challenges,听it is best to听start with a master-planning level analysis of modernization and replacement options. For each听option听it is important to consider a variety of parameters,听including:听

• Existing building conditions,听including needs for听code and听structural upgrades听
• Construction听budget听
• Schedule听and听phasing听
• Campus听operations听and听safety听during construction听
• Learning听environment听quality听听
• Community impact听

Taking this holistic view ensures that the available funding is used to provide maximum benefit to education.听听听

Looking at the听Long Term:听Los Altos High School听

In some cases, the best course of action is a combination of modernization and building replacement projects phased over听several听years. At Los Altos High School听in听California鈥檚听Silicon Valley,听a carefully planned sequence of projects over a听10-year听period听reimagined a legacy mid-century campus into a flexible, student-centered learning environment that supports academic innovation, student wellness, career technical education听(CTE),听athletics听and community engagement.听听

Guided by a comprehensive campus-planning strategy with multi-layered community engagement,听the听master plan strengthened the relationships between academic buildings, student-centered outdoor听spaces听and shared community resources.听Several听existing buildings that could continue to support the听school’s academic听programs听were renovated to update worn-out finishes and systems听鈥斕齛nd some听more extensively听to address code compliance听issues听and reconfigure learning environments to provide more flexible and modern spaces.听New facilities include a classroom building, CTE building, student services听center听and auxiliary gym.听Prioritizing flexibility and connections to the outdoors, these spaces expand听opportunities听for learning and support student health and wellness.听

The project was designed to achieve听a high level听of sustainability with major projects achieving LEED certification.听All-electric HVAC systems and an extensive solar array combine听to significantly lower the environmental footprint of the campus.听Careful project planning was听required听to听allow construction to continue in phases听while continuing operations of the school听with as little disruption as possible.听Together, these projects have听significantly transformed the campus into a high-performing, future-ready learning environment that directly supports student achievement,听wellness听and long-term听educational听goals.听

A Fresh Start:听Lake Elementary School听

There are also many听cases听where听it makes听the听most sense听to听completely听start听over. At听Lake Elementary School in San Pablo,听Ca.,听the buildings听were old and undersized and no longer supported the school鈥檚 educational programs or the needs of the surrounding community.听These challenges,听and the听cost of upgrading the existing听facilities,听resulted in听a plan for a two-phase replacement of the existing campus on the same site.听听听

The new elementary school听now听serves听470 students in听grades听transitional kindergarten (TK) through听grade six. A welcoming front entrance provides administrative services and library space that can also accommodate community events after school hours.听New听classrooms for听the first through third听grades听are housed within a听learning听suite; a concept听in which听each classroom opens to a large, shared听flexible space听to support a variety of teaching and learning approaches. A separate, similar听learning听suite听supports听students in grades听four through six.听Further, a听distinct听early-childhood education cluster provides dedicated learning environments听and outdoor gathering and play areas听for the听campus鈥櫶齳oungest students.听The multi-purpose building,听located听in the heart of the campus, provides food service, indoor听and听outdoor dining, and performance and gathering space.听听

Lake听Elementary School鈥檚听new campus was designed with significant input from the staff and community and features bright colors and听a strong sense听of identity to engage with the听community and foster pride.听听

Constructing the new campus while continuing to welcome students every day听required听careful planning and collaboration. The first phase of construction built the new administration,听library听and classrooms on the existing听fields,听leaving most of the existing buildings operational.听Following this completion,听the听project听team removed the remaining original buildings and constructed the new multi-purpose听room, early childhood classrooms,听playgrounds听and听athletic听fields in their place.听The end result听is a completely new campus that will serve the community many years into the future.听听听

Read more in the Design & Construction Issue of 糖心少女, available now.

Aaron Jobson is president and CEO of Quattrocchi Kwok Architects in Santa Rosa and Oakland, Ca., and Castle Rock,听Colo.听He听is a member of the 糖心少女 Editorial Advisory Board听and听can be reached at听aaronj@qka.com.听

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