Cleveland, Ohio –October 9, 2023– LEARNING BY DESIGN has published the annual Fall 2023 Architectural and Interior Design Awards of Excellence. The October 2023 edition features an assortment of 102 exemplary PK-12 and post-secondary campus buildings. These recently activated projects include newly constructed entire schools and or renovated spaces that house early childhood, middle school, high school, specialized education, higher education college and university learning environments. In total one hundred four entries were judged and scored based on six submission criteria: Innovation; Sustainability; Interior Design; Next Generation Learning; Planning and Functional Design; Community Needs.
A distinguished panel of seven architects and education facility professionals reviewed and debated the merits of all submissions. Twelve of the highest scoring submittals were bestowed top awards. These well-designed projects stood out for their novel design thinking, transparency, connectivity, safety, sustainability, great interiors, and sophistication. Four of those entries were awarded Grand Prize Awards; three for over 100,000 square feet and one for a project under 100,000 square feet. Four runners-up were designated with Citation of Excellence Awards, one for over 100,000 square feet and three projects under 100,000 square feet. Four unique Honorable Awards in the categories of Adaptive Reuse, Climate Action, Renovation and Unbuilt Project.
The selected four “architecturally brilliant” Grand Prize Award winners combined all the elements that make a learning environment successful
Grace Hebert Curtis Architects (Baton Rouge, LA) for the Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy at the John Martyn Campus (Jefferson, LA) <100,000 sq. ft. – “The school celebrates fun and play at every corner, this design awakens imagination. The integration of large window seats is a great addition to the classroom that brings a cozy, homey element into the learning environment. The intentional use of color and patterns feels sophisticated and timeless, while still feeling appropriate for the age level.”
Stantec Architecture Inc. (Berkley, MI) for the Kettering University Learning Commons (Flint, MI) >100,000 sq. ft. – “Innovative design for a building that operates round the clock 24/7, plays very well with transitions from day to night, season to season and fits today's generation's understanding of performance and productivity. The learning commons nicely integrates workplace and academic experiences. it provides a variety of spaces to meet, gather and study. The use of stone and wood brings nice texture and interest against the softer interior materials, the furniture selections also elevate the spaces to feel more corporate than typical education environments.”
Stantec (Arlington, VA) for the Meridian High School (Falls Church, VA) >100,000 sq. ft. – “The exterior massing and window patterning has a modern and dynamic appearance that celebrates the forward-thinking mentality of the school community. The public gathering spaces have a nice balance of warmth, contrast, and visual interest that are timeless. The attention to sustainability and using the building as a learning tool is impressive and carried throughout all aspects of the design.”
Kirksey Architecture (Houston, TX) for The Branch School, Hightower Middle School (Houston, TX) >100,000 sq. ft. – “This project presents a coherent, engaging visual concept both on the exterior and interior, and the overall experience is stimulating but not overly "busy." The sustainability features are many and the wind scoop and wind hearth are a unique implementation that can double as real-world teaching tools. Labs and flex spaces for group projects are abundant, supporting the school's goal of cultivating collaboration skills in its learners.”
The Four CITATION OF EXCELLENCE Awards, include:
- Explorer Academy at Lewis & Clark Elementary (Fargo, ND) - BWBR (Saint Paul, MN) <100,000 sq. ft.
- Fort Bend ISD Lakeview Elementary School (Sugar Land, TX) - Kirksey Architecture (Houston, TX) <100,000 sq. ft.
- Hobbs Career & Technical Education (CTECH) Center (Hobbs, NM) – Stantec (Plano, TX) <100,000 sq. ft.
- Sun Prairie West High School (Sun Prairie, WI) - Bray Associates Architects, Inc. (Milwaukee, WI) >100,000 sq. ft.
The Four HONORABLE MENTION Awards, include:
- Romney Hall (Bozeman, MT) – Cushing Terrell (Boise, MT) for Adaptive Reuse
- Ballfield Road Campus (Lincoln, MA) - EwingCole (Philadelphia, PA) for Climate Action
- Saint Gertrude High School (Richmond, VA) – Glave & Holmes Architecture (Richmond, VA) for Renovation
- Casa Blanca Neighborhood School (Riverside, CA) – GO Architects, Inc. (Upland, CA) for Unbuilt Project
###
TO REVIEW ALL 104 FALL 2023 PROJECTS VISIT: WWW.LEARNINGBYDESIGNMAGAZINE.COM
For more Information Contact:
Mark Goodman, Publisher | mark@learningbydesignmagzine.com | p: 216-896-9333
Learning By Design Magazine is a publication of Designquest Media, LLC.
