Newark Converts Hospital to School of Architecture and Design

The Newark School of Architecture & Interior Design, the city’s 65th school and the latest addition under the Newark Public Schools’ 10-year strategic plan, is among the first in the state to focus on careers in these disciplines. The school, housed in the former St. James Hospital, welcomed its inaugural class of 212 ninth-grade students in September and will grow by one grade level each year. Pratt, serving as the district’s post-secondary education partner, plays a key role in developing the school’s academic framework. Faculty from Pratt’s School of Architecture and School of Design, alongside the Office of Research and Strategic Partnerships, will develop the curriculum for all four years, introducing students to foundational principles of architectural and interior design, as well as allied fields such as planning, real estate, and construction management.  https://lnkd.in/eU57_qBJ

P E D R The accronym most architecture graduates, Part 3 students, and Part 3 tutors have come to dread. Why? Because many graduates (for many reasons) fail to understand the point of a ‘PEDR’ (at Stage 1), and therefore come to see the barriers to completion more overpowering than the value of the process itself. I think it’s something about the ‘box-ticking’ness of having to quantify your experience in a specific way. Having to ‘reflect on your reflections’, in a robotic and procedural manner, somehow makes it a daunting and inaccessible process. Which is such a shame. In theory - recording and reflecting upon your experience should be enjoyable, and supportive. It should help build confidence and self-esteem. Maybe the issue with the PEDR as we currently know it is that one persons ‘human’ experience of working in architectural practice, could differ greatly to the next. Our students experiences are widespread and extremely individual. It’s often sector-specific, workplace culture-specific and always unique to them (as highly skilled humans with a certain values, ambitions; with their particular present and past etc.), ‘UNIQUE’ being the key point. The laborious’ness of checking your time sheets, wondering if that meeting you went to falls directly within the remit of RIBA Stage 2 or 3… cross referencing criteria and codes - having to ‘reflect on a reflection’, all takes a lot of time and energy. Energy which is often consumed by anxiety about who will read (and judge) your reflections. Worry about what their perception of you will be then. Unless you have a brilliant relationship with your Professional Mentor/PSA; low self-esteem can creep in and unfortunately lead to an innacurate curation of the ‘reflections on reflections’ to subconsciously gain approval from the people reading it. Counterintuitive! At Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) Part 3, we prioritise the value of this process before students are even offered a place on our programme. We suggest students use the RIBA or the MSA Recording Process. However, we encourage simplicity in the language used to convey experience, enabling the graduate to invest more time into critical reflection and future planning - the ‘gold’ which can come through the PEDR process, when used effectively. It’s not easy, and we’re evolving as we go along - but it feels as though we’re making progress. If you’re a Part 1 or Part 2 graduate looking for support, mentorship, advice - contact us. Places still available for Jan 26 start of our Part 3. Talk to us to find out how we do things differently, this is Manchester 🙌 https://lnkd.in/eS-8nB36

For school districts, every construction decision is about more than just a building — it’s about stewarding resources wisely while creating spaces that will serve students for decades to come. Living in Kentucky the past 6 years it is great to see why more districts across Louisville and the state of Kentucky are turning back to a proven solution: concrete masonry units (CMUs). Here’s why CMU makes sense for schools: ✅ Built to Last – Schools should serve 75–100 years, not just 15 or 20. CMU delivers that kind of longevity. ✅ Lower Total Cost – Streamlined construction, fewer trades, and minimal maintenance mean more dollars stay in the classroom — supporting teachers and students, not repairs. ✅ Energy Efficiency – With strong thermal performance, CMU schools stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter, reducing utility bills for decades. ✅ Sustainable Choice – Locally sourced, material-efficient, and continuously capturing carbon throughout its life. As Cory Hupp of Lee Building Products puts it: “When we’re talking sustainability, we’re never talking about building a 5-, 10- or 15-year solution. We’re talking about having a building last 75 to 100 years.” In a time when every dollar matters, CMU is the smart, simple investment that protects budgets today and strengthens learning environments for the next generation. https://lnkd.in/eVUREFtq

Today’s architecture inspiration: “School of Thought: 6 Ways to Reimagine Learning Through Architecture” on Architizer dives into how modern schools are reshaping education through space — think daylight, fluid layouts, indoor-outdoor connectivity, and “teaching buildings,” not just classrooms. Let’s reframe how we teach and learn — one design move at a time. 🔗 Read more: https://hubs.li/Q03LBV4G0 #Architecture #EducationalDesign #LearningSpaces #Innovation

School designers say it will be a legacy building Kent County News – Will Bontrager The two-story school will be a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design–certified building. “We’ll take a holistic approach to incorporate safety features,” Vukmanic said. The building will feature a multi-tiered security design with clear, definable entrances and exits, distinct classroom spaces, open connecting areas for visibility and collaborative workspaces. TheNICP.com #CPTED #USCA https://lnkd.in/eUa8sz8F

School designers say it will be a legacy building Kent County News – Will Bontrager The two-story school will be a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design–certified building. “We’ll take a holistic approach to incorporate safety features,” Vukmanic said. The building will feature a multi-tiered security design with clear, definable entrances and exits, distinct classroom spaces, open connecting areas for visibility and collaborative workspaces. TheNICP.com #CPTED #USCA https://lnkd.in/e7TpTJuc

School designers say it will be a legacy building Kent County News – Will Bontrager The two-story school will be a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design–certified building. “We’ll take a holistic approach to incorporate safety features,” Vukmanic said. The building will feature a multi-tiered security design with clear, definable entrances and exits, distinct classroom spaces, open connecting areas for visibility and collaborative workspaces. USCPTED.com #CPTED #USCA https://lnkd.in/eZNdtuG5

Designing for Safety: How Architectural Planning Helps Protect Our Universities At Dekker, we believe great campus design does more than inspire learning, it keeps students safe. Architectural planning plays a vital role in how universities prevent incidents, foster a sense of security, and create environments where students and faculty can focus on what matters most. Through thoughtful design strategies like Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), our teams integrate safety seamlessly into the built environment. From the earliest planning stages, we look at how: -Building placement and circulation guide natural movement and reduce isolated areas. -Lighting, sightlines, and landscaping enhance visibility and deter unwanted behavior. -Defined zones—public, semi-public, and private—reinforce boundaries while preserving openness. -Collaborative outdoor spaces foster community, increasing the “eyes on campus” effect that makes spaces safer by design. Safety shouldn’t feel restrictive, it should feel intentional. The best campus environments balance freedom, community, and protection through smart architectural choices. At Dekker, we’re proud to help universities across the Southwest and beyond design spaces that educate, connect, and safeguard future generations. #CampusDesign #SafetyByDesign #ArchitectureMatters #Dekker #CPTED #UniversityPlanning #HigherEducationDesign #CommunitySafety

Campus safety through design: How UNM uses architecture, landscaping and urban planning to keep campus safe UNM News by Dani Rae Wascher When walking or driving through a space, our instincts can tell us whether an environment feels safe. Dark corners, narrow corridors, or hidden passageways can trigger unease. At The University of New Mexico, campus planners are using architecture, landscaping and urban design to create spaces that feel secure and welcoming. UNM follows Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), a national strategy that reduces opportunities for crime by shaping the physical environment. “Designation and definition are central to a university campus and its brand,” said Rosie Dudley, director of Campus Capital and Space Planning. “We want people to immediately know when they’ve arrived at UNM. Our campus character should signal, ‘welcome to the land of the Lobos.’” TheNICP.com #CPTED #USCA https://lnkd.in/gzNXtR6P

Campus safety through design: How UNM uses architecture, landscaping and urban planning to keep campus safe UNM News by Dani Rae Wascher When walking or driving through a space, our instincts can tell us whether an environment feels safe. Dark corners, narrow corridors, or hidden passageways can trigger unease. At The University of New Mexico, campus planners are using architecture, landscaping and urban design to create spaces that feel secure and welcoming. UNM follows Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), a national strategy that reduces opportunities for crime by shaping the physical environment. “Designation and definition are central to a university campus and its brand,” said Rosie Dudley, director of Campus Capital and Space Planning. “We want people to immediately know when they’ve arrived at UNM. Our campus character should signal, ‘welcome to the land of the Lobos.’” TheNICP.com #CPTED #USCA https://lnkd.in/e95KR77c