COMPTON, Calif.—The Compton Unified School District Board of Trustees unanimously selected DLR Group to design the new Centennial High School. In a monumental decision for the district, DLR Group’s design was selected from a field of six submissions in a design competition for the new high school.

The announcement is a continuation of the relationship that DLR Group and CUSD share. Centennial High School will begin construction following the completion of Compton High School, which also features DLR Group’s design and scheduled to be completed in January 2025. The two historic projects reinforce CUSD’s commitment to provide exemplary educational facilities for its students and community.

“This signifies a continued fulfillment of the educational excellence for Compton Unified School District that we started seven years ago with Compton High School,” says DLR Group Principal and K-12 Education Leader Jesse Miller, AIA, DBIA. “These two, brand-new high schools coming online shine a light on the commitment the community and district have made so that their scholars have every opportunity to excel in the ever-changing world.”

Compton is one of the oldest and most notable incorporated cities in Los Angeles County. The district serves approximately 20,000 students in 37 schools. Centennial High School is one of three comprehensive high schools in the district and has an enrollment of approximately 1000 students.

DLR Group’s integrated design team will work with students, staff, and community stakeholder groups to design a campus that celebrates its rich history while incorporating flexible learning environments that support the district’s vision of providing an innovative educational experience.

“We’re excited to select DLR Group for the design of the new Centennial High School,” says CUSD Board President Denzell Perry. “They presented a bold, aspirational, and modern design that complements the look of the new Compton High School, while capturing the history and legacy of Centennial. This project signifies the Compton Unified Board of Trustees’ long-term vision and commitment to our district and community, creating state-of-the-art new schools that will elevate our scholars and city to all-new levels.”

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FORT WORTH, Tex.—Fort Worth Country Day (FWCD) school, the oldest college prep institution in the city, is expanding its footprint with the addition of a nearly 33,000-square-foot lower school building, to be called the Annie Richardson Bass Lower School, which will host some 350 students in grades 1-4.

The $25 million project, due to be completed in the spring of 2025, will replace the former Lower School first constructed at the 104-acre campus in 1964. Among the scope of work for the new Lower School are a 2,000-square-foot library, commons area, two dedicated science labs, a first- and second-grade wing, third- and fourth-grade wing, as well as a dedicated playground and sports court.

Project partners include Lake|Flato Architects of San Antonio, landscaper Hocker Design as well as general contractor Linbeck of Fort Worth.

Sustainable design features will include LED lights, rainwater collection and planting of grasses and other flowers native to the region. In addition, storm shelters will exist at the new building to deal with severe weather in the tornado-prone region.

“Our new Lower School is designed to create exceptional learning environments within classrooms and communal spaces while delivering dramatic improvements for safety and efficiency,” Eric Lombardi, head of school at FWCD, said of the project. “It will have a strong connection to our campus’s amazing outdoors, while also giving our faculty and students first-class spaces to inspire the highest level of elementary-appropriate learning.”

Funding for the work came from FWCD’s “Forward Together” Comprehensive Campaign, which helped raise $31 million from the community.

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Contractor and architect Marrillia Design has given the Kentucky Wildcats a whole new common area at the state’s flagship university campus. Working in conjunction with Mark Arnold and Bell Engineering, Marrillia has opened up a portion of Rose Street that has been closed for nearly a decade as the school has sought to re-envision the campus’s design.

The new Alumni Commons offers a gathering space for students, faculty and visitors. The design for the commons offers water features, tables and umbrellas, gardens, and other amenities. The commons is meant to be a place for students to discuss not only coursework but also to meet and talk about their favorite shared activities. Performances are also envisioned for this unique space at the heart of the campus.

The work required refurbishing certain buildings along Rose Street, including the 1962-era Chemistry-Physics Building, which now hosts new lab spaces. A nearby parking structure has also been redesigned. Rose Street sees nearly 20,000 daily crossings via foot traffic, the university reports.

The UK Alumni Association pledged $3 million to the $9 million project in 2022. The association and other organizations ultimately agreed on the name of Alumni Commons to honor those students who have previously walked these hallowed byways.

Marrillia Design and Construction is based in Lexington, making the firm a logical choice for this uniquely homegrown project.

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BERKELEY, Calif.—Design firm LEDDY MAYTUM STACY Architects will reimagine the University of California, Berkeley’s Dwinelle Annex Renovation as the new home of the Center for the University’s Disabled Students’ Program (DSP) as the DSP has outgrown its current space.

The architect will oversee efforts to retrofit the annex building for earthquake preparedness, as well as perform other safety improvements. Additionally, the 9,000-square-foot renovation will enhance capabilities for disabled students and consolidate staff currently spread out at different buildings into a single location. The new DSP will be able to service more than 4,000 students when completed.

LEDDY MAYTUM STACY’s plan calls for a redesigned entry plaza that blends seamlessly with the new lobby. The east and west wings will connect on the second floor via a transparent passageway that allows people to see both in as well as out. Additionally, the building abuts a nearby creek, which thereby blends Berkeley’s urban setting with Northern California’s natural beauty.

Project partners will include Sherwood Design Engineers, Forell | Elsesser, The Engineering Enterprise, SGH and Buro Happold. The renovation project, which aims to attain LEED Gold, is projected to be completed later this year.

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CLEMSON, S.C.—The under-construction Clemson University Alumni & Visitors Center has topped out, marking a major mile post in its construction, due to be completed later this year.  Brasfield & Gorrie is working on the project at the South Carolina college along with design partners Goodwyn Mills Cawood and Cooper Carry.

This five-story, 98,000-square-foot building will be home to various Clemson institutions, including the Class of 1944 Visitors Center, the Michelin Career Center, alumni association and admissions office.

“Topping out is an exciting time because we get to recognize the people whose skill and hard work make construction projects possible,” Brasfield & Gorrie Vice President and Division Manager Ben Barfield said at the event. “The Alumni & Visitors Center topping-out milestone is particularly special because most of our project team are Tiger alumni.

“What a great feeling and accomplishment for our team to invest in their alma mater and college community.”

Brasfield & Gorrie’s other projects at Clemson University include the Memorial Stadium renovations and Clemson University Women’s Sports Program expansion. The firm has 13 offices in total encompassing 3,500 employees and was ranked by Engineering News-Record as the 21st largest contractor nationwide in 2023.

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FORTVILLE, Ind.—Structural engineering firm O’Donnell & Naccarato has topped out at the Mt. Vernon School District’s 151,000-square-foot Fortville Elementary School, which will serve nearly 1,000 students in grades K-4 when completed.

The $85 million two-story school will offer a media lab, flexible STEM lab, a dual-purpose cafeteria and the latest tech-enabled learning tools throughout.

O’Donnell & Naccarato is working with Indianapolis-based Ratio Architects on fashioning a steel structural system for the school, which will also feature braces and moment frames for added stability.

The school is due to open for the 2025-2026 school year.

“O&N is proud to partner with our colleagues and the Mt. Vernon School District to deliver this state-of-the-art project on time and within budget,” O&N Principal Tom Miltner said at the topping-out ceremony.  “Students at Fortville Elementary will be equipped with the latest and greatest resources in an innovative space that promotes discovery and growth.”

O’Donnell & Naccarato’s previous structural engineering work for school-related projects in the state includes the McNutt Residence Center at Indiana University.  In addition to Indianapolis, the firm operates from offices in Orlando, Philadelphia, New York and Miami.

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FLORENCE, Ala.—The University of North Alabama has chosen HPM to oversee construction of the campus’s new Bank Independent Stadium. Baseball, soccer and football will all be played at the stadium, which is expected to be up and running for those sporting events in time for the 2026-2027 school year. Davis Architects will serve as architect-of-record for the sports-and-entertainment complex, which will stand where the school’s current turf field, Mike D. Lane Field and a grass practice field are located.

HPM will provide preconstruction services including budgeting, design management, contract negotiation and risk assessment. The design phase, anticipated to be completed later this year, will be followed by a more detailed construction and cost plan.

“The forthcoming Bank Independent Stadium is an exciting addition to our extensive portfolio of sports and recreation projects across the country, and we have seen immense demand for these types of facilities in Alabama as our state’s population continues to grow,” HPM Vice President of Program Development Ben Henson said of the stadium project. “We’re looking forward to working alongside the University of North Alabama to deliver this highly anticipated multipurpose facility, which will serve as a transformative community venue and a catalyst for Florence’s burgeoning growth story.”

Added Evan Thornton, UNA CFO and Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs at the university: “We are excited about this next step in the process of seeing the Bank Independent Stadium come to life at the University of North Alabama. HPM and Davis Architects will be tremendous assets to us as we embark on this historic project.”

Among HPM’s many other notable educational performance venue projects are several for the University of Alabama as well as Daniel Meyer Coliseum and Lupton Baseball Field at Texas Christian University.

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SAN MARCOS, Texas—Swedish-based construction and development firm Skanska has been hired by the Texas State University System to build a new science, technology, engineering and math building for the San Marcos campus, located about midway between San Antonio and Austin.

The $100 million project will entail an eight-story, 155,900-square-foot facility that will be home to the college’s departments of computer science and math. The building will house traditional classrooms as well as research labs and offices.

The construction work requires significant site improvement as well as renovations to ensure the new building will be able to function properly when it is completed.

Skanska is due to commence construction this summer, with a projected completion date of May 2026. PGAL is the architectural firm for the undertaking.

Skanska has existed for over a century and reported 2022 revenue of SEK 162 billion. Some of the company’s other recent educational construction includes a net-zero elementary school in the Washington, D.C., region. The firm oversees construction projects in North America and Europe.

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ORLANDO—General contractor Balfour Beatty has completed work on Lake Highland Preparatory School’s Porter Family Center for Innovation & Academics, designed by SchenkelShultz Architecture. The 14-month-long, 71,000-square-foot project replaces the campus’s former Johnston and Hale Halls.

The first floor features the school’s new student center, which includes the Scott Family Commons, Kind Family Library and Vivar Student Union. Administrative offices and counseling centers are also on the ground floor. The building is home to the Innovation Institute and Carmany Family Innovation Hub, a two-story, makerspace that includes areas devoted to engineering, robotics, computer science, physics and virtual reality. Meanwhile, the third floor contains the Morsi Mathematics Institute, and the fourth floor is the home for the school’s Center for Literary Arts program for coursework in English and language arts. Finally, the top floor features the Starling Gallery for meetings, events and other activities.

On the exterior, the Steinmetz Family Innovation Courtyard and the Jackson Breezeway will take ample advantage of the Florida sunshine and LHP’s location on the lakefront for students and faculty to enjoy.

“We are grateful to our construction partner Balfour Beatty for their outstanding work as general contractor of the Porter Family Center for Innovation & Academics,” Lake Highland President Jim McIntyre said of the work. “Our school’s bold dream to build an academic center unparalleled in our region has come to life, and the remarkable learning and teaching there are producing innovative, talented, and inspired leaders who will change the world.”

“The Porter Family Center for Innovation & Academics is a stunning facility strategically built and designed to promote an enhanced learning experience for students in Central Florida,” added Scott Skidelsky, Balfour Beatty president in the Southeast. “Balfour Beatty is proud to partner with Lake Highland, its donors, and industry partners to deliver this state-of-the-art learning space for the future generations of tomorrow.”

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IMPERIAL, Calif.—Imperial Valley College is celebrating the renovation of three campus buildings thanks to the work of Erickson-Hall Construction Co. and designer Sanders Inc.

Part of the work entailed replacing the older buildings’ roofing and interior systems.  The contractor also worked on acoustic ceilings and other improvements meant to bring the school buildings into a more modern aesthetic and pave the way for later campus improvements.  The contractors also had to demolish older building spaces so that the modernization to the three buildings to be updated could be completed.

“We appreciate the excellent work that was accomplished by Erickson-Hall,” Superintendent of Imperial Valley College Lennor Johnson said of the work.  “The modernization of these three buildings is a great improvement and enhancement to our educational environment and student learning experience.”

“Erickson-Hall is thrilled to have partnered with the Imperial Valley College District in developing these new additions to the school,” added President of Erickson-Hall Mat Gates. “This modernization project reflects both Erickson-Hall’s and Imperial Community College District’s commitment to educational excellence.”

Erickson-Hall Construction Co. has over $2 billion in construction work to its credit, more than half of which is in the educational sector.

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