The American Institute of Architects' (AIA) Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE) is recognizing 11 projects for state-of-the-art designs of schools and learning centers.

The Education Facility Design Award jury selected six facilities for its Awards of Excellence and five projects for its Awards of Merit. Complete details for each project are available on AIA’s website.

In order to be eligible for AIA’s Awards of Excellence, the architect must demonstrate exemplary practice. Additionally, the design must meet a host of criteria, including enhancing learning in classrooms; balancing function with aesthetics; establishing a connection with the environment; being respectful of the surrounding community; demonstrating high-level planning in the design process; and integrating sustainability in a holistic fashion. Awards of Excellence were bestowed upon the following:

Belmont Day School Barn, Boston | Utile, Inc.

Bluestone Elementary School, Harrisonburg, Virginia | VMDO Architects

Environmental Nature Center Preschool, Newport Beach, California | LPA Design Studios

Home Building at Thaden School, Bentonville, Arkansas | Eskew+Dumez+Ripple

Lafayette College Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center, Easton, Pennsylvania | Payette

The Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact at University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon | Ennead Architects in collaboration with Bora Architecture and Interiors

Projects selected for the Awards of Merit are recognized for being of superior quality. This year’s recipients include:

Flight 93 Visitor and Learning Center, Denver, Colorado | Paul Murdoch Architects

Grant High School Modernization, Portland, Oregon | Mahlum Architects

Minnehaha Academy Upper School Reconstruction, Minneapolis | Cuningham Group Architecture

Pace University Student Landscape, New York | FXCollaborative

Virginia Wesleyan University Greer Environmental Sciences Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia | VMDO Architects

Visit AIA’s website for more information on the Education Facility Design Awards.

About AIA

Founded in 1857, AIA consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through more than 200 international, state and local chapters, AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public wellbeing.

AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation, and world. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards.