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 […]
FGMA Advances in National Industry Rankings, Reflecting Continued Growth and Design Leadership
FGM Architects has earned higher positions on two of the architecture, engineering and construction industry's most respected national rankings. FGMA climbed to No. 67 on Architectural Record's 2026 Top 300 Architecture Firms list, rising from No. 76 in the previous year. The firm also advanced to No. 303 on Engineering News-Record's (ENR) 2026 Top 500 […]
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 […]
St. Charles Community College Center for Immersive Learning Earns Outstanding Design Award at SLC3 Show Me Awards Gala
St. Charles Community College is embracing the evolving shifts in higher education through a new kind of learning environment: one that invites students to step into imaginative, immersive worlds that expand how they learn and explore. The college’s Center for Immersive Learning recently received the Outstanding Design/Construction Project Under $20M award at the SLC3 Show […]
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 […]
An Industry in Demand: Designing Auto Tech Facilities for Student Success
This article was originally published in American School & University's November/December 2025 issue. by Mike Behrmann, Lori Everett and Cory Kamholz To remain relevant and successful, colleges and universities continue to adapt to the needs of students and the workforce demands of their surrounding communities. Community colleges in particular share a mandate to support educational […]
FGMA Designs Transformative Learning Spaces for Community Colleges in the St. Louis Region
FGM Architects (FGMA) designs sustainable and future-ready facilities where students can thrive by creating adaptable areas for students to learn as technology evolves. St. Louis Community College (STLCC) recently held its ribbon cutting on July 31 to reveal their new Transportation Education Center (TEC). Shortly after, on Aug. 8, St. Charles Community College (SCC) hosted […]
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. […]
Wayfinding in Architectural Design
More than just architectural signage, wayfinding is a carefully crafted experience that makes built environments intuitive, inclusive and welcoming. Wayfinding in the built environment helps people navigate spaces confidently and efficiently, significantly shaping their overall experience. Clear, intuitive cues — such as signage, maps, design elements, lighting, and even building layout — guide someone from […]