Designing the Schools of Tomorrow LKV Architects Designing schools today is a complex process for a number of reasons. First and foremost, schools should be a place of curiosity, wonder and joy for children. A place to nurture, educate and inspire the new generation while respecting the past. Behind that, there are many factors to take into consideration, such as safety, functionality and future population growth. Twenty-first-century learning and the advances of technology have changed the way educators deliver education. As a result of our rapidly evolving technology, architects and engineers must also evolve their thinking regarding educational facility design. Architects must embrace the design of future classrooms to be more than just a space to deliver instruction. They must also create environments that are multi-use, adaptable and flexible, as well as include exciting collaborative work areas with cutting-edge technology. To satisfy all these needs, thoughtful and smart planning and design are needed. For 50 years, the team at LKV Architects has been doing just that — designing schools that allow students to flourish. INNOVATIVE DESIGN Idaho schools are increasingly adopting modern architectural strategies to enhance the quality of student education and have evolved to accommodate alternative pathways to career success. As a result, over the last few years, the importance of Career Technical Education (CTE) programs in our schools has been on the rise. These programs target the growing number of children who don’t see themselves in a traditional four- to five-year college setting, and instead, they’re learning skills in multiple sectors such as hospitality, manufacturing and construction. LKV Architects has been fortunate over the past few years to design CTE programs for school districts across the state of Idaho. It’s becoming a big design component of many high schools and even some middle schools. Students are embracing these classes and finding a lot of success. It’s important that these specialized classroom spaces are integrated into traditional school environments, adding another level of technology and equipment that is designed for. Deciding which programs are included in these career centers starts with the school district, its plans for the space and its capacity for the number of students. For CTE programs, figuring out what equipment is needed to teach the class is the next step. There is often a collaboration with local business partners, many of which are happy to help by donating equipment in the classrooms. Then the classroom is designed around that curriculum and equipment. This is a win-win for both schools and businesses. The schools have what they need to teach trades to the employees of tomorrow, and the companies can hire the much-needed skilled workers right out of high school. Amber Van Ocker, Partner Brook Thornton, Partner Ronald Polintan, Partner Toby Norskog, Partner 18 IDAHO ARCHITECTURE | 2025 | aiaidaho.com
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