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? Like many, I sometimes feel the pull of today’s political discourse and the relentless 24/7 news cycle. Yet I always return to a deeper question: What do these larger forces mean for our families, our communities, and the institutions we serve?
In moments like these, I find grounding in the past and in the trusted relationships that have long defined this profession. I think of the strength of our community of educational facility and campus designers, of the institutions and practices that continue to anchor us, and of the spark that comes from face-to-face conversations. There is a quiet power in meeting someone new whose work and passion inspire—a reminder that the journey of purpose is best traveled together.
I believe profoundly that shaping a future where space matters is essential to helping individuals grow and thrive. From the earliest age, the human spirit seeks connection— with one another, with the environment, and with nature itself. Supporting that growth requires more than resources; it requires foresight, intention, and the courage to place the right tools and opportunities within reach at the right time.
What you do—whether as an educator, architect, researcher, manufacturer, designer, or administrator—carries profound meaning. To create lasting impact, you must be both visionary and practical, strategic and hands-on. It is in this balance that the future is built, bold ideas made tangible, ambitious plans grounded in human needs, and dreams translated into spaces where people can flourish.
This edition of Learning By Design is filled with stories that embody that balance. Inside, you will find a tribute to our friend and industry icon Jeanne Narum—a true trailblazer whose influence continues to ripple outward. You will hear the voices of the American Institute of Architects Committee on Architecture for Education and the Association for Learning Environments, calling us to purposeful planning. You will see new developments in workforce housing, and from the Association of University Interior Designers, an inspiring account of dignified space incubation to meet students’ most basic needs.
Each of these contributions reminds us that design is not about repeating what has been done before, but about listening, testing, and learning from the voices of students, faculty, and the communities who inhabit these places. Across the many articles, case studies, features, and award-winning exemplars in this edition, you will find innovative models and elevated standards—evidence that schools, universities, and institutions are not only providing shelter, but cultivating safe, welcoming, and sustainable environments for generations to come.
I am honored to bring to your desk this rich and diverse collection. It is both a celebration of what has been achieved and an invitation to imagine what is possible. May these pages rekindle your own sense of purpose, strengthen your resolve, and remind you that together, through vision and design, we can shape tomorrow