Education Facility Design Awards 2017

The year's best school and college facilities, presented by the AIA's Committee on Architecture for Education

Allan Price Science Commons

University of Oregon Allan Price Commons Research Library Remodel-Expansion. ARCHITECT: Opsis Architecture | IMAGE: Christian Columbres

Education continues to evolve, and the projects from this year’s Education Facility Design Awards program—presented by the AIA and the Committee on Architecture for Education—represent the state-of-the-art learning environments being developed in today's learning spaces. These projects showcase innovation across the entire learning continuum, displaying how today's architects are creating cutting-edge spaces that enhance modern pedagogy.

From early childhood facilities to higher education and throughout the learning continuum, architecture can be used to inspire learners, educators, administrators, and campus communities alike. This year’s five Awards of Excellence and seven Awards of Merit were vibrant examples of the contemporary educational architecture.

2017 Education Facility Design Awards

Bridge for Laboratory Sciences, Vassar College, Integrated Science Commons

Spanning over a creek and connecting two sides of campus, the Integrated Sciences Commons creates a cohesive science precinct that redefines the sciences at Vassar College.

2017 Education Facility Design Awards

Kohler Environmental Center, Choate Rosemary Hall

Designed to achieve net zero energy usage, this environmental center is both environmentally responsible and perfect for teaching environmental responsibility.

2017 Education Facility Design Awards

Music and Arts Center

The visual and performing arts are intertwined in life and can now be found under one roof at Wenatchee Valley College.

2017 Education Facility Design Awards

Northwood Elementary School

This school’s design is an eco-system of flexible and fluidly connected spaces that promote active learning and support the Next Generation Science Standards.

2017 Education Facility Design Awards

University of Oregon Allan Price Commons Research Library Remodel-Expansion

After a redesign, this library has become a technologically robust, dynamic environment for learning and discovery that reflects a modern-day paradigm.

2017 Education Facility Design Awards

Advanced Technology Center

This technology center integrates student, faculty, project, and instructional areas to nurture student growth in STEM and broadcast technologies.

2017 Education Facility Design Awards

Chengdu International School

This structure was transformed from an elementary school for Chinese students to an international school providing a Western-based educational model for foreign nationals.

2017 Education Facility Design Awards

Cherry Crest Elementary School

This school’s integrated experiential environment stimulates both the curriculum and student engagement by offering a variety of learning spaces.

2017 Education Facility Design Awards

Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation

This project is designed as both a team-based educational space and a compelling symbol of the university’s commitment to enlightened, sustainable innovation.

2017 Education Facility Design Awards

The Winsor School, Lubin O'Donnell Center for Performing Arts and Wellness

This new mixed-use facility serves as the home for the performing arts, athletics, and wellness education at the center of the school’s historic campus.

2017 Education Facility Design Awards

University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Electrical and Computer Engineering Building

This 230,000-square foot building was designed with maximum energy efficiency in mind, becoming arguably the most sustainable laboratory classroom in the world.

2017 Education Facility Design Awards

Stephen A. Levin Building

This building identifies itself as an iconic gateway into campus and celebrates a new life sciences precinct by defining a new academic quadrangle.

Image credits

Allan Price Science Commons

© Christian Columbres