Design Principles

Several design principles drive our work:

Commitment to a collaborative process — We believe in a team approach to design and feel that inclusion of a variety of points of views will provide the best possible design and result in a facility that is useful now and far into the future.

Commitment to contextual design — Each facility must reflect its community’s historical, cultural and social values as well as the specific needs of students and staff. It should also harmonize with its site and be designed with a timeless quality in mind.

Commitment to functionality and maintainability — We design schools for long term functionality, durability, maintainability and cost efficiency. This is a high priority for not only architects but educators and taxpayers as well.

Commitment to sustainable architecture — Educational facilities should be models of sustainability. Use of natural design elements, energy conservation techniques and environmentally responsive materials are all part of our design considerations.

Commitment to healthy indoor learning environments — Ample daylight and natural ventilation, use of non-toxic building materials, and mechanical systems that maximize outdoor air and ventilation are essential to quality school design.

Commitment to inspirational architecture — We believe that inspiring and innovative educational environments will enhance student performance. Thus, scale, quality of space, texture, form and color are critical design factors.

Our design principles are firmly grounded in real-world experience, and we are well versed in every step of the planning, design and construction phases—expertise essential to bringing projects to completion on time and within budget. We have extensive construction planning and administration capabilities, and we employ rigorous quality and cost-control measures. As a result, every project done by our team has been completed and ready for use within the planned timeframe.