“The best school environments don’t just support learning—they ignite imagination, nurture belonging, and empower every student to thrive.”
Frost Barber of Louisiana
Brownfields Elementary
Baton Rouge, LA
Client: Brownfields Elementary School / EBR Parish Schools
Size: 61,000
Completion: 2024
Architect: Domain Design / CDI Solutions
With over 65 years of service to the community, Brownfields Elementary is celebrated for its deep-rooted connection to the area. This modern facility honors that legacy, providing a state-of-the-art educational environment that supports approximately 550 students from Pre-K through 5th grade. Brownfields Elementary includes an administrative wing, media center, multi-purpose room, cafeteria, and classrooms for music, art, and dance. Each grade has its own wing featuring a collaborative flex space, supporting adaptable learning and fostering interaction.
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.
Interface
Christa McAuliffe Elementary
Concord, New Hampshire
Client: Christa McAuliffe Elementary School
Size: 50,000 square feet
Completion: 2024
The Concord School district took a long-term planning approach for their facilities and went with nora® rubber, citing benefits around cost savings, durability, and ease of maintenance. Over a decade later, the floors have retained their original beauty and performance.
MARCO
Eleanor Roosevelt School
Marco Partners with Heart of America to Transform Eleanor Roosevelt School's Library
The Challenge
Existing library retrofit with multiple entry points and sightline challenges.
• Staff needed clear visibility across the entire space for supervision.
• Central location within the school required a design that looked cohesive from every angle.
• Outdated furniture created a dreary, uninspiring environment.
Patent # 17.072.852
Artcobell
NXT MOV Seating
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.
