• Project:听MUSC College of Medicine Building听
• Location:听Charleston, S.C.听
• Size:听186,000 square feet听
• Estimated cost:听$175 million听
• Current milestone:听Topped out Aug.鈥�14, 2026听
• Opening:听Late 2027听
• Purpose:听First dedicated home for MUSC鈥檚 College of Medicine in more than 100 years听
• Key spaces:听Active-learning classrooms, study and relaxation areas, wellness spaces, faculty and alumni commons, offices, event听space听and caf茅听

CHARLESTON, S.C. 鈥�听The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) has topped out its new College of Medicine building, marking a major construction milestone for the $175 million project in Charleston.听

Construction crews placed the final structural steel beam on Aug.鈥�14 during a ceremony attended by university leaders, project partners, faculty,听staff听and donors. The 186,000-square-foot facility will become the College of Medicine鈥檚 first dedicated home in more than 100 years and is scheduled to open in late 2027.听

The project is being developed in the heart of MUSC鈥檚 campus at the corner of Bee and President streets and is intended to centralize medical education, student services and academic leadership that are currently distributed among multiple campus buildings.听

Creating a New Hub for Medical Education听

Plans for the building emphasize flexible learning,听collaboration听and student support. Major components will include active-learning environments, large classrooms, student study and relaxation areas, wellness spaces, faculty and alumni commons, faculty and staff offices and the College of Medicine dean鈥檚 office. MUSC鈥檚 project information also听identifies听event space and a caf茅 among the planned amenities.听

Students and faculty contributed input to the building鈥檚 design, with the facility planned to provide flexibility and capacity to accommodate the college鈥檚 educational mission and future growth. MUSC recently welcomed 186 students into its College of Medicine Class of 2030.听

The new facility also responds to the challenges of operating without a dedicated College of Medicine building. Medical students currently share classrooms and study areas with students from MUSC鈥檚 five other colleges, while academic and student support personnel work across multiple buildings.听

鈥淭oday marks an exciting milestone and gets us one step closer to our goal of elevating the medical education experience for students, staff, faculty and alumni at MUSC,鈥� said Terrence E. Steyer, M.D., dean of the College of Medicine and vice president for Medical Affairs.听

Part of Long-Term Campus Investment听

The College of Medicine building is part of MUSC鈥檚 long-term campus master plan and broader investment in facilities supporting education,听research听and patient care.听

MUSC President David J. Cole, M.D., FACS, said bringing future physicians together in a dedicated environment is expected to strengthen collaboration while supporting the university鈥檚 education,听research听and healthcare missions.听

The approximately $175 million project, designed by SLAM in collaboration with Liollio Architecture and built by Thompson Turner Construction, is being funded through a combination of public and private sources. Construction is expected to conclude in time for a late 2027 opening.听

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• Project:听New Fort Pierce K-8 School听
• Location:听St.鈥疞ucie County, Fla.听
• Size:听215,000 square feet听across six buildings听
• Capacity:听Approximately 1,800 students听
• Architect:听Spiezle听Architectural Group听
• Construction Manager: The Morganti Group Inc.
• Key spaces:听Academic environments, gymnasium,听auditorium听and supporting facilities听
• Project goal:听Replace aging schools with a unified,听flexible听and resilient K-8 campus

LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. 鈥� St.鈥疞ucie Public Schools has broken ground on a new 215,000-square-foot K-8 campus in Fort Pierce designed to replace aging school facilities and create a modern learning environment for approximately 1,800 students.

District leaders joined project architect听Spiezle听Architectural Group and other members of the project team for a groundbreaking听ceremony听July 27. The new campus will听consolidate听students into a unified K-8 environment intended to serve families in the Fort Pierce community for generations.听

The project encompasses six buildings supporting academics,听recreation听and broader school community activities. Plans include contemporary instructional spaces as well as a gymnasium,听auditorium听and supporting facilities designed to accommodate students across multiple grade levels.听

Spiezle Architectural Group is providing design services for the project. The construction manager is The Morganti Group, Inc.

Creating a Flexible K-8 Environment听

The campus is听being designed听around听flexibility,听safety听and long-term adaptability. Academic and support spaces will accommodate the different developmental and educational needs of elementary and middle school students while connecting them within a single campus community.听

Resilience is also a听component听of the design, reflecting the importance of durable educational infrastructure in Florida and the district鈥檚 goal of creating a facility capable of serving the community over the long term.听

鈥淏reaking ground on the new Ft. Pierce K-8 School marks an exciting step forward for St.鈥疞ucie Public Schools and the families it serves,鈥� said Steven G. Siegel, AIA, LEED AP, principal at听Spiezle听Architectural Group. 鈥淭his campus is designed to help connect a learning community that will give 1,800 students safe, flexible and inspiring spaces to learn, grow and thrive.鈥�听

The new school continues an existing relationship between听Spiezle听and St.鈥疞ucie Public Schools focused on adaptable K-8 and K-12 learning environments.听

During the groundbreaking ceremony,听Spiezle听representatives presented St.鈥疞ucie Public Schools Superintendent Dr.鈥疛on R. Prince with a commemorative gold shovel recognizing the project milestone and collaboration between the district and project team.

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly listed Wharton Smith as the construction manager on the project. The Morganti Group Inc. is the construction manager. 糖心少女 regrets this error.

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By Henry Weinberg, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, and Laura Rushfeldt, AIA, LEED AP

Humans have an innate desire to connect with nature, yet we spend听nearly 90 percent听of our lives indoors. In academic settings, where students learn,听live听and socialize, this disconnect can have real consequences for focus, mental听health听and well-being. Mass timber construction offers a powerful way to bring the warmth,听texture听and psychological benefits of nature indoors, while also advancing sustainability goals and, in many cases, matching or outperforming traditional steel construction on cost.听听

A growing body of research shows that biophilic design, the integration of natural elements, particularly wood, into the built environment can improve cognitive performance, creativity and mood while reducing stress and fatigue. Spaces that incorporate visible wood elements are consistently perceived as warmer and more welcoming, fostering social interaction and a stronger sense of belonging. For higher education institutions focused on student wellness and community-building, these qualities are increasingly viewed as essential.听

CBT Architects is applying these principles at听Cornell University鈥檚 Maplewood Graduate Housing Phase II, a new off-campus residential community designed to house 800 graduate students. At the center of the project is a freestanding听Community Center, referred to as the Clubhouse, conceived as the social and programmatic 鈥渉eart鈥� of the development. Entirely constructed from mass timber, the pavilion-style building听demonstrates听how biophilia, sustainability and cost responsibility can align.听

The 11,000-square-foot, single-story Clubhouse will听consolidate听wellness and community programs into a single central location, becoming a highly visible show point and social hub for leisure and connection.听听A floor-to-ceiling window wall wraps the public areas and reinforces the project鈥檚 strong indoor-outdoor connections by offering unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape and flooding the interior with daylight.听Adjacent to听the building, a generous spill-out terrace supports听indoor-outdoor听dining,听events听and daily relaxation鈥攆urther strengthening the connection between architecture and nature.听

The Biophilic Advantage of Mass Timber听

Utilizing approximately听84 cubic meters听of mass timber, including glue-laminated (glu-lam) columns and beams and cross-laminated timber (CLT) ceiling panels, the fully exposed structural elements allow occupants to experience the material directly, visually,听spatially听and emotionally.听

This exposure is key to maximizing biophilic听benefit. Unlike steel, which typically requires layers of fireproofing and finish materials, mass timber can remain visible, allowing its natural grain,听color听and texture to define the interior character. The result is a simpler, thinner assembly made up of fewer materials, reducing embodied carbon while enhancing aesthetic impact.听

By centralizing both community programming and mass timber construction into the Clubhouse, the design听consolidates听benefits for all residents. Rather than spreading timber features thinly across multiple buildings, the project achieves maximum impact with a focused investment, creating a shared social hub where biophilic design is experienced daily.听

Rethinking the Cost Conversation听

One of the most persistent misconceptions about mass timber is cost. While early projects carried premiums tied to perceived risk and uncertainty around emerging building systems, as well as limited supply, market conditions have shifted rapidly. As more manufacturers come online and design teams gain experience, mass timber is increasingly achieving cost听parity with, and in some cases outperforming, traditional steel construction.听

At Maplewood, the design and construction team conducted side-by-side cost analyses of steel and mass timber structural systems at multiple design milestones. The results consistently showed comparable material and construction costs. Several factors influenced this听outcome-.听听

First, the Clubhouse鈥檚 modest scale made it less efficient for steel fabrication shops, while mass timber providers, particularly those听seeking听to expand in the Northeast, were eager to deliver a highly visible, proven project. Competitive bidding at one pricing milestone showed mass timber coming in lower than steel.听

Second,听designing for听mass timber from day one allowed the team to听optimize听the building around material efficiencies. As a single-story, Type V structure with a听relatively small听footprint, the building does not听require听a fire-rated ceiling assembly. This enabled the use of 3-ply CLT panels instead of thicker 5- or 7-ply assemblies, reducing material volume and cost.听

Third, efficient structural spans further streamlined construction. Glu-lam elements are spaced at 15 feet on center, allowing simple one-way spanning without the need for deeper primary framing elements such as girders. This structural clarity simplified mechanical distribution, reduced coordination complexity, and supported faster installation鈥攄elivering schedule efficiencies alongside cost control.听

Finally, pricing stability played a role. Steel costs are historically volatile, influenced by global demand,听tariffs听and energy prices. Mass timber pricing, by comparison, has tended to be steadier, offering owners greater predictability during design and procurement.听

Henry Weinberg, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is an Associate Principal at CBT Architects.

Laura Rushfeldt, AIA, LEED AP, is an Associate Principal at CBT Architects.

Read more and see additional project images in the 2026 Higher Education issue of 糖心少女.

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• UNC-Chapel Hill鈥檚 Board of Trustees selected Ayers Saint Gross to lead the master planning process for the Carolina North campus expansion.听
• The听selection听comes as UNC launches a new stakeholder advisory committee intended to provide public-facing feedback on access,听innovation听and community integration.听
• UNC says the advisory committee will meet in public forums every two months and is advisory only, with no decision-making authority.听
• Carolina North is planned as a 230-acre 鈥渓ive, work, play and learning鈥� district on听University-owned land along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.听

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. 鈥� In May, UNC-Chapel Hill made progress听on its Carolina North campus expansion project, naming a stakeholder advisory committee and selecting a master听plan听designer听to help shape the project鈥檚 layout,听infrastructure听and phased development.听

The University announced the creation of the Carolina North Stakeholder Advisory Committee, a group of representatives from the University, community,听alumni听and students charged with providing feedback on how the 230-acre expansion aligns access,听innovation听and community integration,听.听

鈥淐arolina North is a generational opportunity to build on our mission, our values and our responsibility to serve the state of North Carolina,鈥� Chancellor Lee H. Roberts said,听.听

UNC said the committee will meet in public forums every two months and听emphasized听the group is advisory only and does not have decision-making authority.听Two days after the committee announcement, the UNC Board of Trustees unanimously selected Ayers Saint Gross, a Maryland-based firm, as the master plan designer for Carolina North after reviewing 17 proposals.听

Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations Nate Knuffman told trustees the firm showed 鈥渟trong alignment鈥� with the University鈥檚 request for qualifications and will help develop a land-use plan for the site,听.听

The firm鈥檚 scope includes a traffic impact analysis, drainage study, concept plans for utilities and sustainability benchmarks, with the master planning process expected to take 12 to 14 months. UNC previously worked with Ayers Saint Gross on the University鈥檚 2019 physical master plan.听

On the Carolina North听project听website, UNC describes the project as its largest campus expansion since its founding, covering听230 acres听of 鈥渓ive, work, play and learning鈥� spaces. The planned first phase includes shared spaces for learning and community, research and bioengineering facilities, student and family housing, and retail,听dining听and entertainment.听

This article is based on reporting originally published by UNC-Chapel Hill on May 12, 2026; reporting originally published by Chapelboro.com on May 14, 2026; and project details published on the Carolina North website.听

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By Evelyn Long

School playgrounds and indoor play spaces are increasingly expected to do more than support recreation. These environments now represent an opportunity to strengthen inclusion, emotional regulation and social development for students with diverse sensory needs. Among the design variables receiving more attention, color placement stands out as one of the most adaptable and underused tools.听

For neurodivergent students, sensory processing can influence how they experience movement, social听interaction听and environmental stimulation. Strategic color use can reduce overwhelm, support听transitions听and encourage more confident play.听

Why Color Matters in Neurodivergent Play Environments听

Sensory experiences significantly affect neurodivergent students鈥� comfort and engagement in school settings. According to a 2022 population-based study supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,听听who听participated听demonstrated documented sensory features, underscoring how environmental stimuli can shape day-to-day experiences. These differences may include heightened sensitivity to visual input, difficulty filtering听distractions听or a stronger need for predictable surroundings.听

For example, autistic children may respond to colors differently based on how they perceive visual stimuli, with many听听than others. As for children with ADHD,听,听and intense lighting can create discomfort for those with sensory sensitivities. Color can influence mood,听behavior听and learning in interior environments, so thoughtful听selection听is important when designing spaces for their needs.听

Using Color to Create Predictable Zones听

One of the most effective strategies involves assigning colors to different activity zones. Rather than applying bright shades evenly across an entire playground, designers can use distinct palettes to communicate function.听

Colors such as red,听orange听and yellow are often associated with听, while blue,听green听and purple tend to create a calmer, more soothing atmosphere.听

Thus, different palettes may be more effective depending on the intended function of a space. Brighter, warmer shades are often better suited for active or social environments,听whereas听cooler tones may work best in areas designed to encourage rest,听focus听or emotional regulation.听

A child moving from a stimulating activity to a calming area may recognize the transition through color changes before signage or adult prompts are necessary. Indoor sensory rooms often use this principle by visually separating active,听tactile听and calming areas through coordinated finishes and wall treatments.听

At Our Lady of Confidence School 鈥� a Pennsylvania K-12 school serving students with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) 鈥� Fun & Function created a hybrid sensory room intentionally designed to balance calming experiences with opportunities for movement and energy release. The planning process considered how visual elements and room organization would serve a wide age range without overwhelming students.听

Surfacing as a Design Tool, Not Just a Safety Requirement听

Playground surfacing often enters conversations through the lens of fall protection and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. However, for neurodivergent-inclusive design, surfacing color can serve an听additional听behavioral purpose. Poured-in-place rubber systems may help visually define pathways, waiting听areas听or sensory-friendly zones.听

A challenge for many project teams is that standard surfacing manufacturers often limit available palettes, making it difficult to align color placement with neurodivergent design goals. This becomes especially relevant when schools want to avoid visually chaotic environments while still听maintaining听playfulness.听听

An example worth noting is No Fault Surfaces鈥� color mixer resource, which allows designers to experiment with custom color surfacing materials for playgrounds rather than relying exclusively on standard presets. For schools听seeking听more precise control over visual environments, tools like this can support early-stage planning of quieter color gradients, transition听zones听or visually intuitive pathways without requiring major structural interventions.听

Supporting Navigation Through Color Cues听

Color placement can also reduce friction in how students navigate shared spaces. For neurodivergent children who struggle with transitions or executive functioning, visual cues embedded in flooring and equipment may reinforce movement patterns without relying heavily on verbal instruction.听听

Some schools and inclusive playground projects have experimented with colored ground markings to听indicate听movement sequences, waiting听positions听or social gathering areas.听At specialist school Acorn Park School that serves students with ASD, KOMPAN redesigned the outdoor play environment to create clearer sensory organization and predictable activity zones.听

Signage throughout each zone helps explain which equipment encourages high-energy movement and which is intended for calmer, sensory-supportive experiences. These visual guides also听benefit听caregivers and therapists who may be less familiar with the role different play activities have in sensory development.听

Designing for Inclusion Through Intentional Color Choices听

As school facilities evolve toward more inclusive models, color placement is moving from being an aesthetic afterthought to a strategic design decision. The strongest outcomes tend to听emerge听when color is tied to functions like guiding transitions, reinforcing predictability, softening sensory听load听and helping students better understand how to engage with a space. Whether through custom color surfacing materials for playgrounds, surfacing, zoning or navigation cues, smart color placement can make play feel more intuitive,听accessible听and meaningful for a broader range of learners.听

Evelyn Long is a commercial interior design writer with specialized听expertise听in accessible, ADA-friendly spaces and designing environments that support mental health and听inclusivity.听

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EL PASO, Texas 鈥� Students at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) will soon live in a state-of-the-art residence hall equipped with a fitness center and brand-new dining facility near the center of campus. University officials recently broke ground on a new $102 million complex, named Miner Crossing, that will provide a much-needed expansion of UTEP鈥檚 on-campus housing.听

鈥淭his will be a traditional freshman dorm with an integrated dining hall at a reasonable price for our students and their families,鈥� said UTEP President Heather Wilson in a statement. 鈥淲ith more and more students applying to UTEP from beyond West Texas, we need to expand our on-campus housing.鈥�听

The new 155,500-square-foot facility will add approximately 507 new beds in single and double occupancy rooms. The five-story residence hall will be听located听on the north side of the track at Kidd Field.听

The complex includes a new 22,000-square-foot dining room with seating for 400 guests, serving more than 1,400 meals per day. It will be equipped with a full kitchen, bakery, allergen-free zone, pizza听oven听and office spaces for staff. Students will have the听option听to choose from 11 food stations, including a salad bar, deli, grill, pizza听station听and ice cream bar.听

Study rooms and open study nooks will be听located听throughout the building, as well as a first-floor amenity space with a gaming area, living room,听a multi-purpose space and a mailroom. A 1,350-square-foot fitness center will include a mixture of cardio equipment and free weights.听

The exterior of the building will reflect UTEP鈥檚 distinctive Bhutanese architectural style, complemented by native Chihuahuan desert plant landscaping designed by Ten Eyck Landscape Architects. The firm is also behind the decorative courtyard and breezeway that will sit on the south side of the building, connecting the housing facility to Kidd Field.听

The building was designed by Ayers Saint Gross and is being built by Sundt Construction.听听

鈥淭his new housing option will allow students to be fully integrated with campus life,鈥� said Catie McCorry-Andalis, Ed.D., Vice President of Student Affairs, in a statement. 鈥淪tudents can easily access the track for exercise; the Union for additional dining options; and classes.鈥�听

Construction will take about two听years听and the dorm will be complete and available for students in the Fall 2028 semester. UTEP has 1,000 beds on campus currently and has had a waiting list for housing for the last four years.听

The project team also includes Project Control and PC Sports听and Mijares Mora Architects Inc.听

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By Elizabeth Link听听

The new 77,000-square-foot, two-story Myrtle Grove Elementary School in Pensacola, Fla., serves PreK through fifth-grade students with 29 contemporary classrooms, a STEM lab, and outdoor learning spaces. The design celebrates the school鈥檚 history, while providing state-of-the-art educational technologies. Rather than erasing the past, the architectural approach transformed historical elements from the original 1939 building into meaningful design features, which听required an in-depth process design and construction.

Honoring 150 years of educational legacy in Escambia County, the new school needed to solve three distinct challenges: honor the school鈥檚 legacy in the community, bring state-of-the-art learning environments to the county, and be seamlessly built on the same site as the existing school on an active campus. 听

What started as a single-phase project evolved into multiple phases during the programming stage, as studies and evolving stakeholder needs determined that more of the campus and facilities required replacement than originally anticipated. The only structure from the original school that the project team retained was the library/media center, which had been built in the 1990s and was still in good condition.听

For Escambia County Public Schools, keeping the campus intact during construction was paramount. With two campus buildings no longer fully functional, the DAG Architects team began by creating a new master plan for the site that included acquiring 20 relocatable classroom buildings to be utilized during construction. The DAG team also renovated a separate existing building onsite to temporarily house the school’s administration department. As certain facilities, including a music and art building and an eight-classroom building, had to remain functional, a single-phase approach wasn’t possible. Instead, the design team opted for a phased approach to the project which offered many benefits, including: 听

• Minimal Operational Disruption 鈥� Phased construction allowed the school to remain open and operational (with minimal interruptions) by strategically sequencing tasks so specific areas remain accessible and functional throughout the project construction.听
• Lower Risk Management 鈥� Each new construction phase built on the previous phase, making the overall construction process more manageable, as it was easier to source materials and labor. This reduced the likelihood of costly delays or complications.
• Flexibility to Adapt 鈥� Completing initial phases allowed stakeholders to provide feedback that informed subsequent stages, such as increasing the scope of the project. It also helped to mitigate possible challenges in the design, though this required increased diligence to the project and site. 听

Overcoming Project Challenges听

The biggest challenge involved unknown conditions such as locating existing utilities and establishing water, sewer, fire and telecommunications connections to the temporary campus. Additionally, all power had to be rerouted in a manner that allowed the team to demolish buildings while still maintaining campus functionality. To further complicate the project, for a period in the construction process, all existing, temporary, and new systems had to function together, requiring careful coordination of fire alarm and telecommunications switches. 听

Additionally, because buildings were being demolished at different times, the project team had to carefully stage access while students were on campus. Intense scrutiny of the site was required, and the project team strictly adhered to safety requirements, such as installing double fences and closing off the temporary campus to maintain student safety. 听

When Phase I was completed, students and administrators moved into the newly constructed building. Currently, all temporary classrooms, buildings, and walkways are being removed, making way for future additions on the campus. 听

Developing the Design Philosophy听

As a true neighborhood school, the project needed to preserve Myrtle Grove Elementary’s significance in the community. Rather than replicating the previous building’s appearance; the design team chose to provide something special to reinforce the school’s long history and its connection to the community.

DAG researched historic schools throughout Pensacola for inspiration, seeking to restore traditional elements that have been lost over time. The design ultimately incorporated traditional gables, red brick, brick patterning and white trim. All exterior surfaces feature real brick to give the building a timeless quality, while the interior uses elements such as terrazzo flooring, patterned tile and clay masonry that allude to its history. 听

Some elements of the school were even salvaged for use in the new facility. The decision as to which historic elements would be preserved was driven by stakeholders, including the school鈥檚 previous principal, who (during past interior upgrades) had saved the old wooden doors from the cafeteria. These became the doors to the balcony in the new building. Additionally, the wooden stage planks became a conference table and the historic cafeteria doors frame views from an upper balcony that overlooks the modern cafetorium.

Similarly, DAG salvaged bricks and the old school letters from the demolished buildings and incorporated them as a feature of the main stairway in the new facility, mimicking an 鈥渆ntryway鈥� to the exterior. Adjacent to this reconstructed wall is a two-story photographic mural containing photos spanning decades. The combination of elements creates an almost museum-like atmosphere. While this project is not a reconstruction, the building attempts to convey the same feeling as passing through the old school building. This solidifies space as a true member of the community, a place where generations of students will learn, grow, and maintain the legacy of Myrtle Grove Elementary School.

Phase II is set to be completed in 2027, which will add 16,000 square feet of multipurpose spaces for arts and physical education.

Elizabeth Link is Communication Manager for DAG Architects.

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By Lindsey Coulter听

In Boston鈥檚 Nubian Square, the new home of Franklin Cummings Tech reflects a fundamental shift in how the institution delivers technical education. The project expresses the college鈥檚 mission through architecture, aligning physical space with evolving workforce demands, student听needs听and institutional identity.听

Designed by Studio G Architects, with听collaborating architect听STUDIO EN脡E,听the approximately $75 million,听68,000-square-foot facility replaces a significantly larger legacy campus while expanding programmatic capability, advancing sustainability goals and reshaping the student experience. The result is a highly efficient, purpose-built environment that reflects both the realities of urban development and the future of technical education.听

Bringing the project to life听required听a highly iterative, collaborative process spanning years, leadership听transitions听and shifting institutional priorities. From site听selection听through programming, design and construction, each phase required careful coordination, producing a building that functions not only as a place of learning, but as a teaching tool itself.听

Site Selection as Strategic Foundation听

The Franklin Cummings Tech campus welcomed its first students in January, but the path to opening day began with a听nearly four-year听programming and planning effort, beginning with听identifying听the right site鈥攁n approach rooted in access,听equity听and alignment with the college鈥檚 mission.听

鈥淲e were initially hired听for听site selection and programming,鈥� said Gail Sullivan, managing principal and founder of Studio G Architects. 鈥淭he school needed to be in the city of Boston and located near public transportation.鈥�听

Given Boston鈥檚 density and real estate constraints, finding a suitable parcel proved challenging. However, when a site on Harrison Avenue became available, the decision came quickly.听

鈥淲e went and saw the site and within 24 hours the offer was made,鈥� Sullivan said. 鈥淚t was a unanimous, fairly instantaneous decision.鈥�听

The location placed the institution directly within the community it serves, strengthening accessibility for students and embedding the college within the fabric of Nubian Square. The move also contributes to the neighborhood鈥檚 ongoing revitalization, reinforcing the institution鈥檚 role as both an educational and civic anchor.听

Programming Through Change and Constraint听

While site听selection听was swift, programming proved more complex. The design process unfolded amid leadership transitions, financial听constraints听and evolving academic priorities.听Studio G听Architects听began by interviewing all department leaders, but balancing the distinct needs of each program presented inherent challenges, particularly as the college worked to align its offerings with emerging workforce demands. At the same time, financial realities required a significant reduction in overall building size.听

鈥淲e shrank the facility from听104,000 square feet听to听70,000 square feet听because cost was a big factor,鈥� Sullivan said.听

Despite the reduced footprint, the new building听ultimately delivers听greater efficiency and functionality than its predecessor.听

鈥淭he previous facility had a lot of wasted space,鈥� said Marvin Loiseau, Ed.D., Chief Academic听Officer听and Dean of Academic and Student Affairs for Franklin Cummings Tech. 鈥淐onstructing听a purpose-built space really allowed us to be efficient.听Everything is placed purposefully and strategically so that we can ensure that听we’re听supporting our students.鈥�听

At the same time, the institution鈥檚 academic direction continued to evolve,听prompting听design听adjustments.听

鈥淣ew programs in wind-turbine maintenance and solar installation were introduced midway through the process,鈥� Sullivan said. 鈥淪o, we had to revisit the program to adapt to new needs. It was a multilayered process.鈥�听

These shifts underscore the dynamic nature of modern technical education, where facilities must remain adaptable to changing industry demands and student pathways.听

Designing for Flexibility and Utilization听

With a smaller footprint came an increased emphasis on maximizing every square foot.听

鈥淚f you鈥檙e shrinking your听space by听that much, you have got to create a lot of flexibility,鈥� Sullivan said. 鈥淵ou have to guarantee that every space is used through the whole day and into the evening.鈥�听

To achieve this, the design听eliminates听traditional single-use spaces such as a dedicated auditorium and reduces the number of private faculty offices. Instead, it introduces听well-appointed hoteling spaces for educators and teaching听environments that can shift based on need.听

A key example is the second-floor learning space, where operable partitions and a large movable glass wall system allow three classrooms to combine听with The Commons听into a single space accommodating up to听500听people. This approach provides the functionality of a large assembly space without sacrificing daily usability.听

Flexibility also extends to informal and student-centered spaces, addressing a critical gap听identified听in the听previous听facility.听

鈥淚n the previous building, there really wasn鈥檛 student-centered space, but here there are dedicated areas for students:听study commons, meeting rooms or places to just hang out,鈥澨齃oiseau听added. 鈥淚t gives them flexibility and a sense of ownership.鈥�听

Read more and see additional project images in the 2026 Higher Education Issue of 糖心少女.

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THORNTON, Colo. 鈥� Adams 12 Five Star Schools celebrated the official groundbreaking for the new Thornton High School on Tuesday, May 19, marking a major milestone in the district鈥檚 voter-approved 2024 bond program and the future of one of the district鈥檚 longest-standing high school communities.听

鈥淭oday’s groundbreaking is about honoring history, while looking ahead to new chapters,鈥� said Thornton High School Principal Charles Arellano, a Thornton High alumnus, according to a statement from the district. 鈥淭he new Thornton High School will create new opportunities for students and staff and will also carry over the pride, the relationships and the rich traditions that make the school so special.鈥�听

The new Thornton High School is one of the core projects included in the district鈥檚 2024 bond, which was approved by voters to support investments in schools throughout the district.听

Construction begins this month and will be completed in phases, allowing Thornton High School to continue serving students while the new building is constructed. The first wing of the new school is scheduled to open in summer 2028. The second wing is scheduled to be completed in winter 2029, with the completed building ready for students in fall 2030.听

The project will replace the existing Thornton High School with a modern learning environment designed to support current and future students while honoring the school鈥檚 history and deep community ties. Student leaders from Thornton Elementary, a Thornton High feeder school, also听participated听in the ceremony,听representing听future Trojans who could be among the first students to attend the fully completed new school.听

On the project website, Treanor noted that the design team listened closely to what project stakeholders loved, hoped for and felt was missing from the current Thornton High School facility. That feedback ultimately shaped the design. 听

鈥淲hat鈥檚听emerged is not just a school but a cultural hub: a welcoming, inclusive space that honors tradition and fosters innovation,鈥� the firm said.听鈥淭ogether,听we鈥檙e听creating a place of pride that honors the school鈥檚 rich heritage and paves the way for a bold, bright future.鈥�听

From open, light-filled spaces that invite collaboration to听features听that promote academic growth, student confidence,听accessibility听and wellness, the new THS is designed to support the whole student.听听

The design was intentionally developed to support听six听core听career and technical education (CTE)听pathways:听听

1. Advanced Manufacturing
2. Media Arts and Entertainment
3. Computer Science and Digital Technology听
4. Culinary and Consumer Science
5. Business and Entrepreneurship
6. Interpretation and Translation Services

These听educational pathways听are听woven into the layout, creating opportunities for听hands-on learning spaces where students explore real-world skills and discover their passions, according to Treanor.听The new curriculum is designed to accommodate the full spectrum of students who attend THS, including those听seeking听to build skills and enter the workforce听immediately听after graduation, as well as students planning to pursue higher education.听听

The project team also includes Accenture and Adolfson & Peterson Construction.听

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• CESD鈥檚 new campus will feature a combined 86,000 square feet of learning space that celebrates Biltmore Prep鈥檚 dual immersion learning model听

• Through a phased approach, the campus will remain fully operational during construction of new buildings.听

• The project is scheduled to be completed in Winter 2027, with students transitioning to new classrooms in time for the 2027-2028 school year.听

PHOENIX听鈥� Creighton Elementary School District (Creighton) recently broke ground on a comprehensive campus replacement project for Biltmore Preparatory Academy in Phoenix, which will provide entirely new infrastructure to accommodate increased student populations and modernized, collaborative learning. Designed by SPS+ Architects and being constructed by McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (McCarthy), the project听aims to celebrate the unique biliterate learning culture and rich history of the Biltmore Prep community through a redefined campus design.听

District leaders described the听project听(Creighton鈥檚 first-ever active campus rebuild)听as听a historic milestone for听the听community.听听

鈥淥ur priority is ensuring that our students听remain safely engaged in their learning without missing a beat, even as a brand-new future rises right beside them,鈥� the district shared in a statement.听鈥淲e听aren’t听just building classrooms; we are creating a space that celebrates our rich, biliterate culture and mirrors the vibrancy of the Latin American heritages we honor every day.鈥�听

Biltmore Prep鈥檚 reimagined campus will听include a听brand-new administration and cafeteria building, and a two-story elementary classroom building with modernized K-5 classrooms. With its dual immersion teaching model, where students transition from English to Spanish learning throughout the week, every space has been thoughtfully designed with color and texture tied to the language of instruction. Students will associate the physical learning environment with the learning content.听

The two-story middle school building will house all sixth through eighth grade classes, featuring听a state-of-the-art media and learning center, hands-on STEM labs,听a maker听space, and dedicated rooms for music and the arts. The crown jewel is a 鈥榣earning stair鈥� 鈥� a large amphitheater-style staircase designed to provide flexible reading spaces, group听work听and collaboration for students.听

Each building will feature distinct, vibrant collaboration spaces, equipped with flexible seating to encourage students to engage in bilingual conversations and create opportunities for inspiration and creativity within these multicultural areas.听

Tying it all together, the campus will make听great use听of its existing multipurpose gymnasium (built in 2019) as a central hub for play and gathering throughout construction. All four buildings will frame a stunning central courtyard anchored by a larger outdoor learning stair as a key architectural feature, cascading from the second story of the elementary building into the courtyard. This feature will provide opportunities for outdoor classes, student performances, assemblies, and parent-teacher events.听

“The Creighton District started the project with a lofty goal, to go beyond the surface and embody biliteracy at a deeper level, in materials, spatial relations and site planning,鈥� said Morgan Ellis, K-12听Director at SPS+ Architects. 鈥淎s an architect, these are the projects we dream of.”听

The project听will also embrace opportunities to engage with students and staff in both Spanish and English,听as all communication and signage surrounding the project will be conducted in both languages.听

鈥淢cCarthy has had the honor of walking these halls, supporting this campus, and being a part of this community for years, and we are excited about this next chapter for BPA,鈥澨齭aid Project Director Paul Kubik.听鈥淓very time we take on a campus rebuild, we have the privilege of becoming ingrained into the school鈥檚 culture, and that runs especially deep here.鈥�听

With the project scheduled to complete around November 2027, the newly reimagined Biltmore Prep will celebrate the long-standing culture of the community while expanding the school鈥檚 capacity from听nearly 500听students and 60 staff to听roughly 750听students and 75 staff.听

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