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Side of Design in Review: Top Episodes of 2025
An evolution is taking place to redefine the role that classrooms and academic centers play in education. Moving past classrooms as lecture platforms, facilities are now places where students partner with teachers in the learning process.
BWBR has designed for educational clients and projects since the firm was established 100 years ago. We develop more than places for students to attend classes; we develop centers that support the intellectual, social, and psychological needs of growing minds. Done right, these spaces inspire students to explore ideas, invite collaborative learning, and turn curiosity into discoveries.
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MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR SPACE
Institutions today are challenged to do more with less. BWBR’s team helps you realize the full value of your existing buildings and understand all of your renovation and repurposing options. Our innovative, problem-solving approach makes the highest and best use of what you have, relying on utilization data to deeply understand your space usage and needs.
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SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Performance design and sustainability are integral parts of BWBR’s design process, whether it is optimizing the project’s use of energy and water resources, reducing the operational and embodied carbon footprint, achieving industry recognized sustainability standards, or meeting financial and wellbeing goals.
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LEARNING AND LIVING ENVIRONMENTS
Academic institutions must be prepared to meet the evolving needs of today’s students. This includes balancing synchronous, asynchronous, and remote learning, and offering hands-on learning experiences through community engagement, makerspaces, simulation, and 3D visualization.
SCIENCE AND LAB PLANNING
Labs were the original active learning classrooms and continue to be hubs of hands-on learning where students can interact with field samples, work safely with hazardous chemicals, or operate highly specialized instrumentation.
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EVERY SPACE IS A LEARNING SPACE
BWBR believes that every space on campus is an opportunity for learning, growth, and community-building. These interactions help students make the most of every moment on campus and maximize every opportunity for growth.
CAMPUS ATHLETICS AND WELLNESS
Athletic facilities aren’t just about sports anymore. These spaces drive enrollment, enhance student wellness, and strengthen institutional identity. Our holistic approach transforms athletic facilities into dynamic hubs serving the entire campus, creating spaces where students thrive, communities connect, and institutions grow.
+Project Spotlight
Sandhills Global Technology Center for STEM Education
Southeast Community College
A transformative project for both Southeast Community College (SCC) and the greater Lincoln area, the Sandhills Global Technology Center is...
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Simulation and Surgical Tech Expansions
Madison Area Technical College
In order to provide students with cutting-edge facilities and training to meet the urgent workforce demands in the healthcare field,...
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Management Education Center
Minneapolis College and Metropolitan State University
A phased transformation creates a seamless connection of the Old Harmon (1917) and New Harmon (1973) facilities on the Minneapolis...
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Richard D. Offerdahl ’65 Engineering Complex
North Dakota State University
Reflecting NDSU’s deep commitment to placing students and learning at the center of university life, the new Richard Offerdahl ’65...
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Student Health and Counseling Center
Carleton College
The Carleton College Class of 1974 Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) Center creates a student-centered facility that holistically meets student...
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Baseball Clubhouse
St. John’s University
The new Saint John’s University baseball clubhouse provides the team with on-field facilities, enhancing the student athlete experience with lockers,...
06Market Leader
Steve has a strong eye for clean and bold design, which benefits clients from many markets. He is a Licensed Architect and has Bachelor’s degrees in architecture and environmental design from North Dakota State University. He focuses mostly on education projects, but he has also designed non-profit, fitness, and commercial facilities.
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Anatomy of a Simulation Space: Designing for the Future of Healthcare Training
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January 31, 2025
Beyond Athletics: Driving Enrollment, Wellness, and Campus Identity in Higher Education
Athletic facilities do more than house sports programs—they create spaces where students thrive, communities connect, and institutions grow.
August 11, 2023
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Post-Pandemic Lessons: Redefining the Student-Centered Learning Environment in Higher Education
Although we have seen many challenges over the past 23 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has also revealed opportunities to re-envision how and where we teach and learn.
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Every Space is a Learning Space
Learning space design, approached from a holistic perspective, takes into account the spectrum of learning activities and the variety of...