A Focus on Wellness for a Healthier School Environment
The physical spaces in schools can support a healthier school environment, promoting the overall wellbeing of students, teachers, and staff. By Paul Klee, AIA, ALEP, LEED AP, NCARB, LE Fellow, Design Principal at FGMA Originally published in Next Generation Learning Challenges in May 2026 Innovations in teaching and learning have had little impact on modern […]
Carrying Their Stories Forward: The Lasting Legacy of 9/11 in the Fire Service
Twenty-five years after September 11, the impact of that day continues to shape the fire service. Through remembrance, memorials and the stories carried forward in firehouses across the country, first responders ensure that those who served are never forgotten.
Inclusive Design: Strategies to Enhance Student Success Through Choice, Movement, and Intentional Design
Inclusive design is a key philosophy and approach for the creation of successful and supportive learning spaces. Learning environments that incorporate inclusive design processes and solutions support all students, including those with diverse cognitive, sensory, and physical needs. By Alyssa Marshal, Freedom Middle School; Celeste Karier, NCIDQ, IIDA, ALEP, FGM Architects; Lizzie Scott, M.Ed, Artcobell; […]
Designing Connections: The Power of Parks and Recreation to Strengthen Communities
Parks and recreation spaces play a central role in bringing communities together. Through thoughtful design, these environments support connection, encourage active lifestyles and enrich everyday experiences for people of all ages. Recreation naturally brings people together. From spontaneous games on a playground to organized leagues and community events, shared experiences connect people across generations and […]
Designing Higher Education Spaces for Workforce Readiness and Regional Impact
From Career Preparation to Regional Impact: Designing CTE Spaces for Higher Education Across higher education institutions, workforce education programs are expanding pathways into essential industries. These programs are becoming central to how colleges and universities respond to workforce needs. They connect academic purpose with student mobility, helping student and adult learners gain skills, credentials and […]
Building Tomorrow’s Workforce Starts Long Before Graduation
From High School to High-Demand Careers: Designing Career and Technical Education for Future Generations While every career and technical education (CTE) program is unique, the most successful projects begin with the same question: How can a facility create meaningful connections between learning and life after graduation? A high school student may learn to weld in […]
Inside Schools and Beyond the Building: Authentic and Experiential Learning Spaces
Authentic and experiential learning can happen anywhere: outside of school, in a classroom or lab, or within common areas in a school. By Paul Klee, FAIA, ALEP, LE Fellow, LEED AP, Principal at FGMA Originally published in Next Generation Learning | April 2026 Innovations in teaching and learning have had little impact on modern space […]
Immersive Learning Inspires at St. Charles Community College
At St. Charles Community College, immersive technology and intentional design are helping students connect more deeply with their coursework and with each other. A New Way to Experience Learning Through VR A student settles into their seat, pulls on a headset and pauses for a moment before the room fades away. In its place, a […]
School Construction News | Supporting Neurodiverse Learners and the Evolving Needs of Higher Education
Higher education is changing fast, and learning spaces must keep pace. By Carol Stolt, Allied ASID, WELL AP, Design Principal at FGMA Originally published in School Construction News | May 2026, Volume 27, Number 2, Page 22 As technology, pedagogy, and mental-health awareness reshape how students learn, designing for neurodiversity has become essential—not optional. The […]
Designing a School Entrance That Balances Safety, Visibility and Community
Albright Middle School's new entry vestibule is a direct reflection of Salt Creek School District 48's values, culture and vision for its students. The renovated space, designed in close collaboration with district leadership, offers a friendly, secure front entrance for the school and reinforces the sense of belonging that defines the community. Filled with natural […]