Education

Building renovations and adaptive reuse on campus have become a key development strategy.

As higher education institutionsstrive to stay relevant and reduce operating costs, they must focus on the highest and best use of their physical assets. Data-informed strategies can help colleges and universities right-size their infrastructure, lower embodied carbon, and optimize campus space use, such as converting aging classroom buildings into student collaboration space or student housing, rather than new construction.

As hybrid learning becomes an expectation, institutions will find new ways to support different methods.

Hybrid learning is here to stay, and developing the right learning models, technologies, and physical environments will remain a priority. In 2024, we’ll see educational institutions invest in the spaces, technologies, faculty, and staff to support different hybrid approaches — whether activity-based, schedule-based, or HyFlex (where students can choose to attend in-person, online, or both).

The benefits of social connection and well-being demands new types of amenities at schools.

From K–12 through higher education, it is crucial to design places on campus that facilitate community and promote physical, social, and emotional well-being for students. Collaboration spaces and residence halls are vessels for cultivating a sense of belonging. Schools, colleges, and universities are supporting “the whole student” and often providing non-academic support services, from affordable meals and housing to mental health and other wraparound services.