Thanks to Forrest Gump, we all know that “life is like a box of chocolates,” but here at BLDD Architects, we say “design thinking is like making guacamole.” Our design-thinking special sauce is called “Think BIG,” and it’s a recipe for success. Let’s dig in.
Are you the traditionalist? The minimalist? The dreamer? We’ve got the perfect way for you to start your day. Mom always said that breakfast was the most important meal! Now that you’re off to a great start, we hope you’re hungry to learn more about Think BIG … starting with, what exactly is it?
In my 30 years of being in the profession, I have witnessed my fair share of school gymnasiums built in the 50s and 60s. When a school district can finally afford to build a new competition gym, the old gym typically becomes underutilized and often times an eyesore. But it doesn’t have to be that... Continue Reading →
The Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) annual conference is where some of the world's greatest school facility minds get together to share their experiences, knowledge, and accomplishments. Each year I'm eager to go, looking forward to the learning we'll bring back to our practice. This year we had more to look forward to, making our... Continue Reading →
For the past 20 years I've been designing buildings for BLDD. For much of that time as a lead designer submitting and interviewing for prospective work. Invariably the dreaded question will come up; "What is your design philosophy?" Each time I receive the question it triggers an internal eye-roll. It's not that I don't understand... Continue Reading →
When you walk through a school during a typical day there is always a rhythm accompanying you. Every building is different, but there is always a rhythm. Dropped pencils, scurrying footsteps, bells and tones and the din of youthful exuberance populate the symphony. This score gives learning environments a unique pulse. Great learning environments have... Continue Reading →
How do we help large school districts like Springfield Public School District 186 create a long-term vision and master plan for their facilities? One of our PK12 experts, Sam Johnson, says it best, “There’s no elevator to a great plan, you’ve got to take the steps." We are excited to be working with the district,... Continue Reading →
The issue of transgender toilet rooms has been a hot topic in the news a LOT recently! And, I bet, as a building owner, you've been asked how you will accommodate this segment of the population. So, the first thing you did is call a trusted Architect or Engineer to ask this specific question...and the... Continue Reading →
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