Education is becoming flexible with the traditional walls of the classroom evolving into shareable spaces. The traditional classroom has enclosed walls limiting students and teachers to four permanent walls. Creating large, flexible, shared spaces in education facilities encourages malleability for more than just learning.
Read MoreTag: School Design
The information found here is related to the people, projects, clients, or community important to the PRA School Design Studio. Visit often to follow the evolution of K12 Education Facilities Design, and the changing nature of education, itself.
ALEP-Certified Planner
A Unique Credential for School Design
ALEP-certified educational planners introduce knowledge beyond traditional architects when creating learning environments. Their understanding of educational planning is nuanced beyond the physical aspects of the school. These professionals recognize the importance of promoting student engagement, creative and critical thinking, and working with other students through the influence of the space and the curriculum. By including educational principles into the design process, they ensure that the physical space becomes an active participant in the learning journey of students.
Read MoreVideo Interview: On Being an Architect
Larry Schneider and Nicholas Kent discuss life as an architect
In May 2021, our Milwaukee Design Office had the pleasure of hosting Dan Wein, a friend and valued collaborator from AlphaDigitalPro, who expressed a genuine interest in the life of an architect and comparing notes about the challenges of building a resilient design firm. Dan, Larry,
Read MorePRA IS HONORED WITH MULTIPLE AWARDS AT THE 2023 ASID WISCONSIN DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARDS GALA
When working on projects, the sweetest reward is providing functional and aesthetic projects for our clients that fulfill their vision and meets their needs. We exist to help improve their lives by improving their facilities, and it is a great honor when our collaborative efforts with our clients are recognized by our peers for an award. This year at the 2023 ASID Wisconsin’s Design Excellence Awards Gala our collaborative teams were recognized for FIVE awards.
Read MorePlunkett Raysich Architects Adds Superintendent, Dr. Melissa Thompson, as Director of Education Strategy
Superintendent of Swallow School District Transitions to New Role with PRA
We are excited to announce that Dr. Melissa Thompson is joining PRA starting in July as our Director of Education Strategy! Dr. Thompson was most recently the superintendent of Swallow School District for 12 years, where she helped lead, with the school board and staff, the 2018 referendum efforts to update aging facilities. Throughout her career, she has spoken at numerous professional conventions on a variety of topics;
Read MoreProject Review: Forest Park Middle School
Where School Design Meets Curriculum
Traditional school design lacks the flexibility needed for today’s curriculum and often limits student exposure to opportunities outside of core subjects. In the past two decades, our perspective on school design has evolved to be more student-centered and promote collaboration and more personalized learning opportunities. School buildings are no longer simple places we send our children to receive direct instruction for nine months of the year. Instead, they are tools used to enhance learning and provide access to discovery.
Read MoreRethinking Our Educational Environments
Designing Modern Learning Spaces
In rapidly changing world, educators often face with the task of preparing students for careers in industries that do not yet exist. Globalization and increased mobility add to the need to think differently about how and what our students learn and the physical spaces in which learning occurs. The outdated industrialization model of education no longer serves the needs of today’s learners. There is an increasing demand for personalized and individualized approaches in the educational landscape.
Read MorePRA Presents at the 2020 Digital EdSpaces Convention
This year we are excited to have two teams sharing stories at the 2020 Digital EdSpaces Convention. Linda Moses and Steve Kieckhafer are hosting a session about harnessing community engagement to help inform interior design and showcase the cultural diversity within a community. The team of Deborah Kerr, Past Immediate Superintendent of the School District of Brown Deer, and Nicholas Kent will explore how transforming a learning community can take years but ultimately leads to positive educational outcomes.
Read MorePlunkett Raysich Architects, LLP Announces Senior Partners
Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP (PRA) announced the promotion of four to the title of Senior Partner: Scott Kramer, Gregg Golden, Michael Sobczak, and Steven Kieckhafer.
“As a mentor to Scott, Michael, Gregg, and Steve, it’s been rewarding to see their personalities and architectural skills grow and blossom into leaders with our clients and staff,” said David Raysich, AIA, Managing Partner. “They have played a huge part in the firm’s success and I am excited about the firm’s future as they take on Senior Partnership roles.”