Departments – Page 2 – Learning By Design Magazine

The Association for Learning Environments

Summer 2026

Letter from the CEO

The Power of Belonging to a Community Dedicated to Learning Environments

Editorial

Summer 2026

Design for Change, Build for Growth

Change is one of the few constants in education

The Association for Learning Environments

Summer 2026

Why the ALEP Is Right for You:

The Coalition for the Advanced Understanding of School Environments

Spring 2026

What Gets Measured Gets Better: Part 3

Welcome to the third installment of What Gets Measured Gets Better, a series focused on how evidence-based decision-making can meaningfully enhance educational experiences. This issue explores thermal comfort—and its impact on both students and teachers—an area of growing attention as schools seek to improve learning environments through design, operations, and policy

The Association for Learning Environments

Spring 2026

Advancing Learning Environments Through LED Retrofits and Intelligent Control

Research consistently shows that classroom lighting plays a meaningful role in how students focus, process information, and learn. Well-designed lighting—balanced for brightness, color temperature, and visual comfort—has been linked to improved attention, reading performance, and overall academic outcomes. In contrast, outdated lighting can contribute to fatigue, visual discomfort, and distraction.

Association of University Interior Designers

Spring 2026

Under a Canopy: Designing for Discovery

In the field of early childhood education, the environment is often referred to as the “third teacher.” While curriculum and faculty are the primary drivers of development, the physical space provides the essential framework that should support learning

American Institute of Architects: Committee on Architecture for Education

Spring 2026

Trends and Best Practices in Exemplary Educational Facilities

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Education Facility Award recognizes and celebrates leading-edge projects across the full continuum of learning environments—ranging from K–12 schools and community or technical colleges to institutions of higher education, training centers, and non-traditional learning settings. Each year, a jury convened by the AIA selects projects that exemplify design excellence in educational facilities.

The Association for Learning Environments

Spring 2026

Letter from the Chair

Architecture today is responding to pedagogy—thoughtfully, intentionally, and with growing sophistication. Over the last two decades, school designers have worked diligently to translate evolving educational frameworks into space: more flexible classrooms, collaborative learning zones, transparency for supervision and connection, and environments that support social emotional learning and student agency.

Editorial

Spring 2026

Reflections – Spring 2026

Welcome to the Spring 2026 edition of Learning By Design—your trusted source for education design innovation and excellence. In a world defined by constant change, the challenge of creating safe, welcoming, and effective learning environments continues to evolve.

School Bond Update

Fall 2025

2025 K–12 Referendums: Key Issues, Climate, and Predictions

What is the outlook for the 2025 K-12 Bond market, given the end of COVID relief funds, inflation, potential tariffs, and an off-year election?

Association of University Interior Designers

Fall 2025

Designing for Dignity: How Rutgers University Reimagined Student Support Through Space

The Rutgers Basic Needs Center, a new kind of campus resource, is a vibrant, inclusive hub that provides food, clothing, social services, and community programming for students in need. Located on the lower level of the College Avenue Student Center in New Brunswick New Jersey, the 4,212-square-foot space underwent a complete transformation in 2024—turn-ing an underutilized basement into a polished, welcoming, and purpose-built destination.

Editorial

Fall 2025

Planning with a Vision for Tomorrow

When preparing each edition of Learning By Design, I pause to reflect not only on what is happening now, but also on what lies ahead for the future of educational space design. How will societal shifts, emerging technologies, workforce demands, and demographic changes shape the work of our readers?