Spaces 4 Learning

Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., recently announced the completion of a new virtual reality learning facility developed in partnership with Dreamscape Learn, according to a news release. The 2,450-square-foot lab space is inside the College of Communication and Media building and will serve students pursuing careers in digital media, virtual reality, and content creation.

The University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., recently began construction on a new Student Life building, according to a news release. The university partnered with CetraRuddy for the project’s design. A ceremonial groundbreaking is scheduled for the first week of October, and the facility has an estimated completion date of fall 2027. The building will stand two stories and cover 15,000 square feet.

Fostering independence is fundamental to learning and development for K–12 students. It offers many proven benefits, such as enhanced confidence, problem-solving, decision-making, and social skills. However, this foundational objective loses its impact if it’s not accessible and adaptable to all students.

St. Lucie Public Schools in St. Lucie County, Fla., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new K–8 school, according to a news release. The district partnered with Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc., for the design of the upcoming Ft. Pierce K–8 School, which comprises six buildings covering 215,000 square feet.

Fayetteville State University (FSU) in Fayetteville, N.C., recently celebrated the opening of a new $69.3-million College of Education building, according to a university news release. The four-story, 72,000-square-foot facility consolidates education programs previously located across campus and expands the university’s capacity for teacher and educational leadership preparation. The project was funded through capital appropriations from the North Carolina General Assembly.

Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., recently opened its new $224-million STEM + Agricultural Sciences Complex, the largest research construction project in the university’s history, according to university news. The facility measures more than 265,000 gross square feet and brings six departments from the College of Agriculture and College of Sciences and Mathematics together under one roof. The complex consists of three connected, three-story buildings.

The Duncanville Independent School District in southwest Dallas, Texas, recently held ribbon-cutting ceremonies for three new facilities that resulted from a $170-million bond program passed in 2023, according to a news release. The district partnered with Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) as program manager for the Duncanville High School Career and Technical Education (CTE) Addition, the Clint Q. Smith Early Learning Academy, and the Central Fine Arts Academy.

Laramie County School District #1 in Cheyenne, Wy., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming Mountain View Elementary School, according to a news release. The facility has an estimated completion date of summer 2028, and it will have the capacity for 650 students in fifth and sixth grade. The district partnered with JLG Architects for the project’s design.

The University of Kentucky recently reopened Scovell Hall, part of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE), following comprehensive renovations to the 120-year-old facility in Lexington, Ky., according to a news release. The university marked the completion of the project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 31.

Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) in Fort Wayne, Ind., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new, 600-bed student housing complex on campus, according to a news release. The new facility, Trace, is the result of a public-private partnership; its ultimate purpose is to relieve pressure on existing student housing facilities, which have filled to capacity for the last seven fall semesters.