From biophilic classrooms and flexible interiors to purpose-built play spaces and smarter campus integration, this leadership insight offers a look into how HED is helping California school districts create Transitional Kindergarten environments that support curiosity, safety, and a strong sense of belonging.

Download the full perspective to learn how thoughtful design can shape a child’s first step into education.

Future-proofing is a strategic approach that architects and builders use when designing buildings. The concept is all about predicting potential future challenges—  anything from environmental pressures, such as extreme weather conditions, to societal changes, like new technology demands. 

By anticipating these factors, a building can remain functional and relevant, even as times change. The goal is to prevent a building from becoming obsolete or outdated, ensuring it can serve its purpose for many years to come. Download our top 4 tips for future proofing your next building below! 

In an era marked by growing environmental consciousness and a pressing need to address climate change, the imperative for high-performance design in school facilities projects has become increasingly apparent.
 

Beyond mere compliance with existing building codes, school districts should proactively prioritize high-performance design for several compelling financial reasons. Download our insights below!

Schools hold the potential to be dynamic centers of community engagement and enrichment, creating learning experiences that touch every demographic. Despite this, many schools are shuttered at the end of the day, or after the last student practice or club has adjourned. 

When schools start viewing themselves as resources in the lives of the entire community, not just its children, it creates opportunities to actively involve the community, creating a reciprocal relationship that benefits both the students and the surrounding neighborhood and maximizes community use and investment. 

Download our considerations for transforming schools into vibrant hubs that enhance not only student learning but also the wellbeing of the entire community below!

The absence of affordable housing in communities across the United States has placed significant strain on career educators, particularly those just beginning their vocations who may be burdened with significant student loan debt. The pandemic has compounded the strains already present in the profession, and many educators are opting to leave the occupation altogether.

Workforce housing initiatives contribute to the retention and overall well-being of teachers by significantly reducing the financial burden and stress levels of the educators. Dedicated workforce housing developments offer numerous advantages for teachers and the communities they serve.

Explore strategies we believe can help below. 

Funding, and the strategies behind securing funding, play a crucial role in the construction and renovation of Pre-K-12 buildings.

While traditional funding sources like government grants and bonds are commonly used, there are alternative funding options available for educational institutions that do not involve bonds or asking for money from the community at large. While none of these are likely to replace traditional funding methods, and not all may be viable, they are all worth  exploring when planning how to fund a project.

Explore alternative funding options available for educational institutions below.

Your healthcare facility reflects your institution’s care — a setting that can foster wellness, empower staff, and instill pride in the community you serve. Design decisions within a healthcare facility can adapt to future changes, balance needs with resources, and be mindful beyond minimum standards.

Download our Restore Elements book below to discover how great design can help your teams reach robust benchmarks, represent good stewardship, inspire, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and most importantly, assist in your mission of restoring health. 

The right elements can result in a facility that stimulates learning and discovery and remains a flexible asset for the changing needs of Pre K-12 education.

What elements and strategies create a school or learning space that gives children and young adults the best chance for success as they prepare for their futures? Download our Opportunity Elements book below to find out!

As technology evolves, so do the demands of society and the skills needed in our workforce and communities. Spaces for movement, exploration, and hands-on knowledge and skill development are becoming the norm, replacing structured, single-use spaces.

Schools are reshaping themselves to facilitate nimble and adaptable approaches to education. Our experts at HED have identified three flexible spaces we’ll see more of, download our insights below.