Reimagining Campus Potential: Building the Future from Within
As higher education evolves, the most impactful opportunities for transformation often already exist within the campus. Repurposing existing buildings and underutilized spaces offers colleges and universities sustainable, flexible solutions to support student success and plan responsibly for the future. Universities and colleges are navigating shifting enrollment, constrained budgets and evolving pedagogy, and these spaces raise […]
Trauma-Informed Design Shapes Spaces that Heal, Empower and Support Community
When residents of Juniper Creek stepped into their new homes, they found a housing environment intentionally crafted to support well-being, dignity and connection. Central to this apartment complex is a design approach that reaches beyond aesthetics and function: Trauma-informed Design (TiD). The walk from home to the courtyard feels intuitive. Residents can see where they're […]
Designing a Fire Station With Community Engagement
Engaging residents and neighbors early in the design process for a new firehouse strengthened bonds between the department and the community. By Katie Atwater, AIA, LEED AP BD+C Principal, FGM Architects Firehouses are more than operational facilities; they are civic symbols and community anchors and often create or reinforce local identity. They represent safety and […]
Designing for Early Learners: How Highland Primary School’s Interiors Inspire Confidence and Curiosity
Highland Primary School is a learning environment where students in grades PK-2 find safety, inclusivity and joy at school. Highland Primary School’s new 90,000 sf facility was designed with one goal in mind: to create a safe, welcoming environment for the youngest students that provided a sense of belonging the moment they set foot inside. […]
A Shared Vision for Community: The Downers Grove Civic Center Redefines Collaboration and Sustainability
How can one building connect a community? A vibrant new civic center in the heart of Downers Grove, Illinois bridges architecture and community leadership, reimagining how people connect and engage in civic spaces. The Downers Grove Civic Center is a powerful beacon of civic unity. Completed in February 2025, the center brings together village administration, […]
Modern Policing Meets Historical Inspiration in Elgin, TX New Police Station Design
The Elgin, TX Police Department had quite the challenge: its small 102-year-old downtown building had far outlived its useful life, but they thought that a new building concept could not be achieved with their budget. After FGMA proactively presented a comparison of a renovation/addition concept vs. an all-new construction concept, it became clear that the […]
Integrating Transition and Breakout Spaces into Higher Education Architectural Design
College campuses encompass a wide variety of primary teaching environments such as classrooms , lecture halls, seminar rooms and labs. Outside of these, students need a variety of other support spaces to complement their learning and engagement with the college community. These spaces are known by a variety of terms: breakout, gathering, connecting or transitional. […]
Leveling Up: Making Space for Esports
Esports, a form of competitive video gaming, has near universal appeal among young people as shown by a 2024 Pew Research Center study, which found that 85% of U.S. teens play video games and 41% do so daily. THE RISE OF ESPORTS IN EDUCATION Not surprisingly, esports are also thriving in education where students from […]
Partnership with FGMA Supports New Era for Queen Bee School District
A New Home for Queen Bee School District Operations Founded in 1860, Queen Bee School District 16 continuously grows and changes to meet the challenges of each generation. Today, the district serves almost 1,800 students in an early childhood center, two elementary schools and a middle school in Glendale Heights, one of Chicago’s western suburbs. […]
Uplifting Wellness Design for Cook County’s “First” First Responders
Emergency dispatchers aren't physically present at the scene of an accident or crime, but handling difficult 911 calls can create stress and trauma. These "first" first responders may find their important work negatively affects their mental health, work and personal lives. Creating opportunities for mindfulness, relaxation and rejuvenation at work is crucial to combating the […]