Industry News


Facilities Management

IFMA Releases AI Guide for Facilities Managers

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) recently released a guide to understanding and using AI in built environments, according to a news release. “Gamechanger: A Facility Manager’s Guide to Building a Relationship with AI” is available to IFMA members through IFMA’s Knowledge Library.

New Construction

N.C. District Receives $62M Grant to Build New K–12 Innovation Center

Edgecombe County Public Schools in Edgecombe, N.C., recently announced that it has received government funding to go toward the development of the new North Edgecombe School of Innovation, according to a news release.

New Construction

Texas District, Balfour Beatty Partner for Multiple Construction Projects

General contracting, construction management, and design-build services provider Balfour Beatty recently announced that two of its joint venture teams were selected by the Crowley Independent School District (CISD) in Fort Worth, Texas, for a series of district construction projects.

Sustainability

Fellowes Announces Sponsorship of Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Program

Fellowes, a worldwide provider of WorkLife needs product solutions, recently announced that it will be a Platinum sponsor of the Healthy Green Schools & Colleges program, according to a news release. The program from the Healthy Schools Campaign is intended to help facility professionals improve the educational experience for students and staff through sustainable facility operations and green schools.

New Construction

California District Completes Second Phase of Construction on Innovation Campus

The Milpitas Unified School District (MUSD) in Milpitas, Calif., recently announced that Phase Two of construction is complete on the MUSD Innovation Campus, according to a news release. The district is partnering with Blach Construction and Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) on the education and workforce development center, which will support Calaveras Hills High School.

New Construction

Virginia District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) in Prince William County, Va., recently broke ground on Occoquan Elementary School, according to a news release. The new facility will become the district’s first net-zero school and replace its oldest facility. The school is scheduled to open for the fall 2026 semester.

Campus Renovations

Minneapolis Public Schools Continues Work on New Construction, Renovation Projects

Minneapolis Public Schools in Minneapolis, Minn., is working with integrated construction management firm Kraus-Anderson on renovations to North High School that include a new Career & Technical Education (CTE) Center, according to a news release. The three major components of the project are new academic and athletic spaces, a new central student commons, and a North CTE Center.

Campus Funds

Adelphi University Launches $100M Fundraising Campaign

Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y., recently launched The Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact, a $100-million fundraising initiative, at a gala on campus, according to a news release. The campaign is set to last through 2027 and fund six strategic priorities to improve success on campus.

New Construction

TCU Completes Construction on New Medical School Building

Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, recently completed construction on a new home for the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine, according to a news release. Arnold Hall, standing four stories and covering 95,000 square feet, is the university’s first major off-campus development.

Campus Renovations

Colorado State University Starts Construction on Liberal Arts Building Renovation

Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., recently began construction on a $137-million renovation project to one of its largest academic buildings, according to local news. Last week, one of the three wings of Clark Hall (“Clark B”) was demolished to clear the way for a ground-up replacement.



Campus Renovations

University of Kentucky Opens New Design Building

The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Gray Design Building, the new home for the College of Design. The renovated building formerly served as a tobacco warehouse that had been empty for years, according to a news release.

Staff Promotions

DLR Group Appoints New Senior Design Researcher

Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that it has appointed Dr. Kati Peditto, Ph.D., EDAC, as the new senior design researcher for its research team, according to a news release. Peditto is a design psychologist who specializes in inclusive design and neurodiversity, joining the firm’s office in Denver, Colo.

Building Envelope

IMETCO Releases IntelliWrap PR Roofing Underlayment

IMETCO recently announced the release of the IntelliWrap PR self-adhering roofing underlayment, which provides a water- and air-tight, vapor-permeable seal for roofing systems. The product was designed for steep slopes (2:12 or more) of standing seam metal, clay tile, slate tile, cedar shingle roofs, and more.

Smart Lockers

LocknCharge Launches App-Based Smart Locker System

LocknCharge, a developer of mobile phone charging, storing, security, and technology management solutions, recently launched the new FUYL Enhanced Smart Locker System, according to a news release. The app-based kiosk allows self-serve access to devices while also providing full security and control.

New Construction

St. John’s University Dedicates New Health Sciences Center

St. John’s University in New York, N.Y., recently held a dedication ceremony for the new St. Vincent Health Sciences Center, according to a news release. The fully-energy efficient, sustainable, and all-electric facility will serve as an academic building for the university’s healthcare students.

New Construction

NRC Issues Construction Permit for Molten Salt Reactor at Texas University

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently issued a construction permit to Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, to build the Natural Resources molten salt reactor, according to a news release. The Natura MSR-1 will become the first NRC-licensed liquid fueled salt reactor in U.S. history and the first U.S. university research reactor that has been approved in more than 30 years.

Staff Promotions

Pfluger Architects Appoints New Chief Operating Officer

Pfluger Architects in Austin, Texas, recently announced that it has appointed business leader Lauren Paver as its new Chief Operating Officer, according to a news release. In her new role, she’ll lead operational strategies for the firm’s five locations and 130 employees in Texas.

New Construction

College Station ISD Opens District’s New Agriculture Science Center

College Station ISD (CSISD) in College Station, Texas, recently held a grand opening ceremony for the district’s new Agriculture Science Center (ASC), according to a news release. Amenities include about a hundred pens for animal housing, washing and grooming stations specialized by animal species, and a practice arena.

New Construction

Georgia Gwinnett College Construction Project Nears Completion

The Georgia Gwinnett College (GCC) Gateway Building and Infrastructure project in Lawrenceville, Ga., is on track for its November 2024 completion date, according to a news release.

New Construction

Harvard University Breaks Ground on New Performance Venue

Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., recently announced that construction has begun on a new performing arts center for the campus, according to a news release. The David E. and Stacey L. Goel Center for Creativity & Performance will serve as the new home for the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.), as well as a wide variety of performances, public gatherings, teaching opportunities, and international research.

New Construction

NDSU Completes Construction on New Agricultural Complex

North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D., recently announced that construction is complete on its newest agricultural facility. The Peltier Complex will play home to research in fields like food science, meat science, muscle biology, food safety and nutrition, consumer sensory traits, and developing new agricultural products, according to a news release.

Life Safety

Quam Launches Combination Paging and Fire Signaling Speaker

Commercial loudspeaker manufacturer Quam recently announced the release of its UL24 Series, a tile-replacement loudspeaker featuring both a paging speaker and a fire signaling speaker, according to a news release.

Campus Technology

Avantis Education Wins Educators Pick Best of STEM 2024 Award for ClassVR

K–12 virtual reality technology solutions company Avantis Education recently announced that it has received an Educators Pick Best of STEM 2024 Award, according to a news release. For the second consecutive year, Avantis’ ClassVR product won the category of “Trailblazer: Immersive Reality (AR/VR).”

Staff Promotions

PBK Names New Managing Principal for Dallas Office

Architectural planning and design firm PBK recently named Danny Berger as the new Managing Principal for its Dallas office, according to a news release. He’ll fill the role following the retirement of Rick Blan on Oct. 31 after almost 30 years with the firm.

Research

KI Joins Education Design Research Consortium as Founding Sponsor

Furniture solutions manufacturer KI recently announced alongside the Center for Advanced Design Research and Evaluation (CADRE) that it will become a founding sponsor for the Coalition for the Advanced Understanding of School Environments (CAUSE). A news release reports that the coalition’s research will focus on the relationship between K–12 physical environments and educational outcomes.

college student sitting at a desk, studying on a glowing laptop with geometric shapes representing technology in the background

Campus Technology

Pearson Introduces New AI-Powered Study Tools

Digital learning company Pearson has launched several new AI-powered tools to help provide students personalized help from within their e-textbooks or study platforms.

Purdue University

Campus Technology

Purdue Celebrates Grand Opening of Large Esports Facility

Purdue University has officially opened a new gaming lounge for students training and competing in esports as well as casual gamers. The institution partnered with Dell Technologies to outfit the 2,000-square-foot-space with Alienware gaming equipment.

New Construction

New Elementary School Opens in South Bronx, N.Y.

Forte Construction Corp. recently announced that it has completed construction on P.S. 487, a new four-story elementary school in the South Bronx, according to a news release. The school is open for the current academic year and will serve more than 500 students in grades PreK–5.

Dining and Food Service

Chef Ann Foundation Awards Grants to Purchase Bulk Milk to 15 K–12 Districts

The Chef Ann Foundation recently announced that it has awarded 29 grants to 15 school districts around the U.S. to go toward purchasing milk in bulk instead of single-serve containers. The Bulk Milk program is in its second year and provides recipients with the equipment, training, and materials required for schools to make the shift, according to a news release.

New Construction

San Diego High School Hits Construction Milestone

Part of a whole-site modernization project at Mira Mesa High School in San Diego, Calif., recently reached a construction milestone. The final steel beam of the new classroom and student services facility was put into place, completing the building’s structural framework.

New Construction

Saint Francis University Opens Aviation Education Center

Saint Francis University in Loretto, Penn., recently held a Blessing and Dedication ceremony for its new Aviation Education Center at the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, according to a news release. The building’s opening coincides with the inaugural year of the university’s FAA-certified Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) program.

Campus Renovations

Riverside Community College District Completes $29.3M Renovation Project

Riverside City College recently announced the completion of a $29.3-million renovation project, according to a news release. The college partnered with Nineteen Six Architects and builder C.W. Driver Companies to convert a 1960s-era academic building into a new Business, Law, and Computer Information Systems Building.

New Construction

Pick Everard Completes New Special Education School in England

Multidisciplinary consultancy Pick Everard recently announced that construction is complete on a new specialist school for students with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs in Shepshed, Leicestershire, England, according to a news release. Bowman Academy will open in September 2024 and serve students ages 4–16.

Staff Promotions

PBK Announces New Chief Strategy & Growth Officer

Architectural planning and design firm PBK recently announced the hiring of a new Chief Strategy & Growth Officer for its office in Houston, Texas, who will lead the firm’s strategic growth initiatives like mergers and acquisitions.

New Construction

Minnesota K–12 District Completes New Elementary School

Rock Ridge Public Schools in Virginia, Minn., recently announced that construction of the district’s newest elementary school is complete. North Star Elementary cost $28.5 million and has the capacity for 600 students in grades 3–6, according to a news release.

Breck School

Campus Technology

3 Institutions Digitize Campus Facility Operations

Property operations and maintenance software provider Facilio has onboarded three new education institutions, the company announced in a press release. Breck School in Minnesota, Purdue University Fort Wayne in Indiana, and Acorn Early Years in the United Kingdom will all implement Facilio's Connected CMMS suite.

geometric pattern of mobile devices

Campus Technology

LocknCharge Launches Smart Locker System for Device Management

LocknCharge, a developer of solutions for charging, storing, securing, and managing mobile technologies, has announced the FUYL Enhanced Smart Locker System, a software, hardware, and app-based kiosk solution for authenticated self-serve access to mobile devices with integrated device management.

illustration of a building renovation

Renovation

11 Greater Atlanta Schools to Undergo Renovations

Eleven schools across DeKalb County School District and Atlanta Public Schools in the Greater Atlanta metropolitan area are undergoing renovations totaling over $120 million. The districts selected construction company Balfour Beatty for the projects, which will tackle a variety of building and system upgrades.

Cañon City High School groundbreaking

Renovation

New Addition, Renovations to Bring Major Upgrade to Cañon City High School Campus

Colorado's Cañon City Schools has broken ground on a new construction project at its flagship institution, Cañon City High School.

open laptop with screen depicting a glowing, holographic figure surrounded by floating symbols of knowledge like books, equations, and lightbulbs

Emerging Tech

Cengage Launches Gen AI Student Assistant in Beta

Education technology company Cengage has announced Student Assistant, a generative AI tool designed to guide students through the learning process with personalized resources and feedback, now available in beta.

Sponsored Content

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