Several members of CPL’s K-12 and Higher Education practice team participated in the 2023 EDspaces Education Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina.
This annual event convenes architects, interior designers, administrators, educators and distributors, all driven by a common goal: to reimagine and elevate learning spaces for better educational experiences and outcomes.
Central to our involvement were two dynamic presentations that sought to unite with education leaders, stimulate idea exchange and pioneer fresh approaches to designing inspirational learning environments.
Designing for a Brighter Future — Imagining Learning Environments to Support Social & Emotional Well-being
During this insightful presentation, CPL Interior Designers, Marissa Colucci, CID, NCIDQ, WELL AP and Ashley Sansom, NCIDQ, shared how integrating the WELL Building Standard into K-12 design can significantly increase student engagement.
This discussion explored the current state of educational institutions, shedding light on how antiquated systems and environments can impede academic success. Attendees learned about key design features such as learning alcoves, flexible furniture, and quiet zones that can be implemented to enhance students’ well-being and boost learning achievements. Additionally, the team helped facilitate the brainstorming of better ways to support all ages and types of students.
School to Career — Leveraging Partnerships to Foster Growth Paths
In a second presentation, CPL Practice Leaders, Ken Mayer, FAIA, LEED AP and Chris Colby, AIA, LEED AP, joined forces with Jeffrey Wyco, Dean of Industrial, Construction, and Transportation Technologies at Guilford Technical Community College. Together, they delved into the incorporation of technology into educational settings for higher education, career training and entrepreneurial pursuits.
This conversation underscored the importance of including technology-based trade skills into the K-12 curriculum, highlighting its profound effects on critical thinking, student engagement and inclusivity. The audience gleaned valuable insights into the programming and implementation of career-oriented pathways through strategies like reverse-engineering market demand. Additionally, they discovered how private industry partnerships can benefit educational programming, offer direct avenues to success and minimize student debt.
In addition to the presentations, CPL hosted a Cocktail Hour at our booth, providing an ideal opportunity for networking, unwinding and sharing experiences. Attending events like EDspaces is more than just an opportunity to forge connections; it carries immense value for our clients and, above all, our children.
“By remaining at the forefront of supportive educational design and technology integration, we can consistently offer our clients the best solutions to empower students, enabling them to excel and thrive,” Mayer emphasized.
Together, we can design a brighter future for our most important clients—our children.
