Vendor vs. Partner: What Superintendents Should Look For in a Design Firm

Over the past two summers I have had the joy of working with Northwest Local Schools to design blended learning […]

The dramatic changes in technology over the past few decades has greatly impacted the way we design spaces – and […]

With school starting back soon, it’s interesting to see technology changes being implemented into the classroom. One of the popular changes is one-to-one or mobile technology as a teaching tool. Schools can adopt this change fairly easily because the school can provide and support the infrastructure while students provide their own tablet or smart phone. According to CNET tablet sales will exceed laptop and desktop sales by 2015.

When I was in architecture school I had a professor, Udo Kultermann, who was legendary for his encyclopedic knowledge of world architecture. As one would expect of a resident authority on architectural history, he knew everything about Byzantine, Medieval, Gothic, Greek Revival and all the rest of the significant architectural periods and styles as well as all of the important figures throughout the course of history which was impressive, but nowhere near as impressive is his comprehensive knowledge of contemporary architecture.

Recently, I was asked to speak at AIA Minnesota’s Innovative Practice Forum on the topic of Owner’s Advocates and Partnerships.  When I was preparing my talk, I wanted the audience to have a light bulb moment about how to create lasting and meaningful partnerships with clients.  In truth, it’s not that complicated. 

I’ve been told I can be kind of a font snob. I’ll admit it. I am. I have a copy of the movie Helvetica at home. Yes, it’s a movie about a font.  And no, I don’t think that’s weird.  Well, maybe not too weird…

Recently, I attended a conference at the University of Cincinnati on Surfaces.  The conference was put together to honor Jay Chatterjee the former dean of the College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning (DAAP) and the orchestrator of UC’s Campus Master Plan and building renaissance (not to mention one of my own planning professors).  Many of the signature architects responsible for various new and renovated buildings attended the conference including Peter Eisenman and Michael Graves.   Eisenman was responsible for redesign and expansion of the DAAP building where the conference was held. 

If you’re involved in the design of public higher education facilities you’re well aware of the funding challenges facing all […]