Educators and architects gather to discuss critical issues impacting early learning centers in Ohio How can color and light support learning? What facilities upgrades promote accessibility and safety? How does seating impact the classroom dynamic? What can schools do about a lack of storage spaces? Earlier this year, we met with Ohio school district leaders […]
Employee Insights
Train Station Translation: American Arts and Crafts Architecture
Rebelling against industrialization: Arts and Crafts architectural style emphasizes homespun character with strong local materials and attention to detail The late 19th and early 20th century saw a dramatic change in rural communities’ social and economic structures. People moved from an agrarian approach to the long workdays and hardships brought on by urbanization. Weary of […]
Train Station Architecture: Enriching the Civic Landscape
The right architectural design can make the contemporary train station so much more than a place to wait. Every day, hundreds of thousands of commuters across the nation drift through train stations to catch a ride to work. Despite the growing popularity of commuter services, many train stations are in a sorry state of disrepair. […]
Train Station Translation: Richardsonian Romanesque Architecture
Strength and simplicity at the heart of monumental style inspired by 11th century European architecture In the 19th century, renowned American architect Henry Hobson Richardson developed a style influenced by the Romanesque architecture of 11th century Europe. The Richardsonian Romanesque style created a strong civic impression for facilities that play an important public role. Examples […]
Achieve Hospitality Architecture That Impresses – Part 3: Give New Life to an Old Building with Adaptive Reuse
Retrofitting dated facilities offers sustainable and economic benefits for hospitality providers Finding an open site on which to build a new hotel has become increasingly difficult, especially in urban areas. However, many hospitality brands and developers might be surprised to learn that their next property might already be built. The transformation of older buildings into […]
How Interior Designers Use Color Theory to Impact Learning
When it comes to schools, colors can make the difference between a bland, passive setting and an environment where attentiveness and interaction thrive. Have you ever been so angry that you see red? Or maybe something you didn’t expect came out of the clear blue sky? These are well known idioms and, as it turns […]
Train station design: regaining the power of rail
Taking the train used to be an exciting experience. For many travelers, passing by beautiful train stations was an enjoyable part of their journey. However, in the ’60s and ’70s, the train station lost its power as a community focal point and a symbol of connection between towns. Speed of construction and saving dollars took […]
Train Station Translation: American Colonial Architecture
A testament of American values An examination of popular architectural styles used at American train stations starts with the nation’s infancy. More specifically, it begins in the mind of one of our founding fathers. Thomas Jefferson imagined a new kind of architecture . . . one that captured the democratic ideals of his young America. […]
Facilities Directors, Plant Administrators, and OSHA Roof Safety Requirements
OSHA safety standards require building owners to ensure fall protection for all who go on their roofs. Fatal falls are a very real problem on construction sites. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 39% of the 991 construction-related deaths in 2016 were falls. Reputable contractors are sticklers (and rightly so) for Occupational Safety and […]
A Look Inside Interior Design – Part 2: Guide the Way
How to avoid navigation frustration: interior design that intuitively guides users through a space Last time, I revealed some of the techniques interior design uses to fool the eye. This time, I’ll explore how design can help support wayfinding (i.e., how people find their way through a space) and therefore improve the user experience. Colors, […]
The Magic of Metal in Architectural Design – Part 4 (Roofs: The Fifth Façade)
Metal roofing applications offer a mix of flexibility, durability, and attractiveness. Walls surround the three learning gardens at Community Consolidated School District 59’s (CCSD59) Early Learning Center. In each garden, one of those walls is covered in metal panels. It tilts inward, and its window patterns jog up and down as if imitating the activity […]
The Magic of Metal in Architectural Design – Part 3 (No More Thermal Bridging)
Insulated metal panels enhance building envelope performance, prevent thermal bridging, and promote sustainability. My previous post on the use of metal in architectural design focused on the material’s aesthetic flexibility. Though designers place a high value on the looks of a facility, they must also consider more practical matters, such as how a material impacts […]
