Best Student Facilities Ever?

When I meet new people and they ask me what I do I want to link them to thing like this. It's not the best illustration of what I aspire to, but it is to hand right now and, honestly mate, I really don't give an active fuck about what colour you should paint your bedroom.

Now, I know that the American Institute of Architects is no RIBA and about as progressive as a terribly not very progressive thing. It's all old boy's, overly American and permanently stuck in the 90's but they are a good platform for a bit of diction and it is always heartening that there is interest and discourse.

So, The American Institute of Architects Committee on Architecture for Education (phew) has revealed its pick of five outstanding educational and cultural facilities for this year's annual CAE Educational Facility Design Awards. All these buildings are US-based, explaining why they all look a bit dated already but included in the recipients are two schools, a classroom building, a wellness center, and a university student recreation facility. The CAE selected these five projects based on their demonstrations of form and functionality as well as their community-driven designs.

My favorite is the Mesa Community College, by SmithGroupJJR. Pretty much because it is a renovation they have achieved some interesting points and have endeavored to do a few things differently. The structure retains an industrial charm, but is now a space more suitable for study setting a high standard for the repurposing and reuse of buildings.

The other winners, architects and a wee comment are listed below:

The Cranbrook Kingswood Girls' Middle School, by Lake Flato Architects. Detailed to a high standard reflecting the high standards expected by the school. The design provides several common spaces to aid collaboration while also providing a secure and safe learning environment for students.

Sandy High School, by IBI Group Architects. The school blends into the landscape of the hillside plot with several green roofs. The interior features floor-to-ceiling glass, which creates openness and connects all parts of the school visually.

California State University's Northridge Student Recreation Center, by LPA Incorporated. Probably the most environmentally-focused of the five, the center includes natural lighting, rainwater collection, and natural ventilation for all its recreation and sporting facilities.

The Jobie L. Martin Classroom Building, by Duvall Decker Architects. The building serves as an extra academic building for Hinds Community College and contains classrooms, laboratories, and faculty offices. It has simple gestures and strong forms creating an elegant facade that creates an individual identity on the campus.