Category: Insights
- Insights
Celebrating Your School Community Through Architecture
We have all heard, “it takes a village to raise a child.” For a school, it takes a village to provide a well-rounded educational experience. This “village” creates the school community, and while the list might vary by school, most communities include these integral groups: Students Teachers + staff Alumni + past students School Board…
- Insights
Five Tips for Engaging Your Community – Now, and in the Future
School districts are an integral part of the communities they serve. In fact, many would say that they are the heart of a community. Schools have an invaluable impact on students, staff, and the greater community, and the resources they provide are so important. Therefore, it is critical for districts to engage with their communities.…
- Insights
Environmental Branding – Is There an ROI for Schools?
After design plans are finished and furniture selections are underway, schools are often left to consider, whether to invest in branding installations. We often hear, “Will this really benefit our students?” “What is the real value?” “Is it really worth the cost?” In fact, branding offers a valuable way to reflect school culture, reinforce a…
- Insights
- Projects
INTERSECT Case Study: Forest Edge Elementary School
The sixth case study in INTERSECT Volume I takes a closer look at Forest Edge Elementary School. This unique net-zero candidate school was designed to inspire innovation and sustainability by creating an environment that helps teachers leverage its net-zero properties as learning tools. This Forest Edge Elementary case study project explores how classroom design can…
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November 9, 2020
- Insights
- Projects
INTERSECT Case Study: Port Washington High School
The fifth case study in INTERSECT Volume I delves into Port Washington High School. In this three-phased project, learning areas were distributed around the whole building to create a collegiate culture where students are encouraged to utilize all parts of the building to develop independence. This Port Washington High School case study project demonstrates how…
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October 29, 2020
- Insights
- Projects
INTERSECT Case Study: Little Prairie Primary School
The fourth case study in INTERSECT Volume I explores Little Prairie Primary School. The unifying design concepts throughout the school were inspired by local places and community values. The Town Square and its surrounding spaces make up the “public zone” of the building, which includes the cafeteria, gym, and media center. Down the corridor from…
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October 19, 2020
- Insights
- Projects
INTERSECT Case Study: Beloit Turner Elementary School
The third case study in INTERSECT Volume I explores Beloit Turner Elementary School. Here, grade levels are paired into two wings of the school, with each grade identified by its own themed neighborhood representing a local or regional placetype: Industry; Farmland; Wilderness; or Riverfront. Key Elements of classroom design considered in the Beloit Turner Elementary School1…
- Insights
- Projects
INTERSECT Case Study: Muskego Lakes Middle School
The second case study in INTERSECT Volume I explores Muskego Lakes Middle School. In this building, each of the four grade levels—5th through 8th—are organized into separate “neighborhoods.” This case study demonstrates how the neighborhood design at Muskego Lakes Middle School is supported by the Constructivist Theory of Learning, creating an enhanced learning environment for…
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September 24, 2020
- Insights
- Projects
INTERSECT Case Study: Cristo Rey Jesuit High School
The first case study in INTERSECT Volume I explores Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, which was designed to reflect the school’s mission: Cura Personalis; educating the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. This Cristo Rey Jesuit High School case study demonstrates how the classroom design is supported by the Self Determination Theory. Self Determination Theory: “Conditions supporting…
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September 15, 2020
- Insights
INTERSECT Volume I
INTERSECT Volume I, Classrooms: Where Pedagogy Meets Architecture examines six of our K-12 projects. The document explores how real-world design solutions are supported by evidence-based academic theories and aims to capture the possible design interventions – minor and major – that can be made to support a wide array of teaching and learning styles. As…
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August 31, 2020
- Insights
Learning Beyond the Pandemic
“I hate virtual learning!” Those are not exactly the words you want to hear from your 10-year-old daughter as your community is going through the struggle of figuring out what school will look like in the fall. After a quick reminder that she “dislikes” virtual learning, I ask my next question. “So, it looks like…
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July 2, 2020
- Insights
Proven Approach: Referendum Support
Community engagement doesn’t end during the planning process. In our experience, successful referenda are the result of a unified message and months of planning and implementation through the proven approach of referendum support. Bray’s proven approach to referendum support has resulted in an 82% success rate in the past five years. Three steps which lead…
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October 25, 2019