“The best school environments don’t just support learning—they ignite imagination, nurture belonging, and empower every student to thrive.”
JCJ Architecture
Barack H. Obama Magnet University School
New Haven, CT
Client: New Haven Public Schools
Size: 63,000 sf
Completion: 2022
Architect: JCJ Architecture / Pickard Chilton
General Contractor: Giordano Construction Co
Originally located on Orchard Street in New Haven, the Strong School was opened in 1808 and has been relocated multiple times within in the City of New Haven. With a vision “to empower 21st Century learners by giving them the communication, academic, and social skills necessary to succeed in a technologically advancing world,” this PreK-4 lab school was relocated in 2019 to a new site on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU). From this location, the School and the University have been able to deepen their collaboration and provide a dynamic project-based educational experience for students and valuable opportunities for students and faculty of SCSU’s School of Education.
Schmidt Associates
Washington Township Early Learning Center
Indianapolis, IN
Client: MSD of Washington Township
Size: 37,000 SF
Completion: 2024
Architect: Schmidt Associates
General Contractor: Smoot Construction
Following a full assessment and campus master plan, MSD of Washington Township decided to add a one-story building to the existing Community and Education Center (CEC) to make room for a new Early Learning Center for the district's youngest learners. This location would also benefit from shared infrastructure support.
The facility now serves as the new home for both a developmental preschool and a daycare for employees’ children, ages 2-5. The preschool addition includes administrative areas, a multi-purpose room, an activity zone, and classrooms arranged in “pods” with all associated support spaces.
Legat Architects
Jefferson Early Childhood Center
Wheaton, Illinois
Client: Community Unit School District 200
Size: 43,000
Completion: 2022
Architect: Legat Architects
General Contractor: Nicholas & Associates
Jefferson Early Childhood Center encourages exploration, environmental education, and peer interaction for students of all developmental stages. Evidence of the facility’s focus on early learners appears in everything from the playful facade and classroom window placement to the energetic color scheme and quiet HVAC system. The efficient design reduces construction costs, and an energy-efficient geothermal system lowers heating and cooling costs.
Legat Architects’ designers drew inspiration not only from administrators, teachers, and parents, but also from community members and specialists ranging from physical and occupational therapists to speech and language pathologists.
Educational Environments
Joliet Township High School Culinary Labs
Joliet, Illinois
Client: Joliet Township: Joliet Central & Joliet West High Schools
Size: 18,000 SF
Completion: 2025
Architect: Wight & Company, Dealer: Educational Environments
General Contractor: Gilbane
Joliet Township High School District 204 is redefining career-connected learning through thoughtfully designed environments that prepare students for life beyond graduation. Structured around five Career Academies, the district offers students individualized Programs of Study aligned with real-world industries. Within the Academy of Business Management & Information Systems (BMIS), the Culinary Arts & Hospitality pathway exemplifies this approach—blending academics, technical skill development, and professional practice in spaces designed to mirror industry standards.
Patent # 11,103,072-A
Fleetwood
Soft Rock
5 Shifts Transforming School Design
School design is evolving quickly, driven by a convergence of technology, flexibility, and human-centered priorities. From AI-powered learning tools and multi-use classrooms to smarter infrastructure, wellness-focused environments, and visible sustainability strategies, today’s schools are being rethought from the ground up. These five innovations highlight how districts, designers, and manufacturers are working together to create spaces that are more adaptable, connected, and responsive to how students and educators actually learn and teach.
