As we look back on 2025, the Education Studio staff has much to be thankful for and wanted to share some highlights. Please enjoy this video recap of a wonderful year.
Read MoreTag: Education Design
Dr. Melissa Thompson Talks Education Strategy
Insights from the Director of Education Strategy on Budget Constraints, Staffing Shortages, and Technological Advancements in Learning Environments
Director of Education Strategy, Dr. Melissa Thompson, was recently featured in the Education Market Association’s (EdMarket) Essentials publication, to discuss the status of Education.
Educators, Dr. Thompson highlights, are grappling with budget constraints, staffing shortages, and the rapid evolution of technology. Budget constraints and funding issues prevent updates to learning spaces and furniture purchases,
Read MoreThe Value of Shared Learning Spaces
Education is becoming flexible with the traditional walls of the classroom evolving into shareable spaces. The traditional classroom has enclosed walls limiting students and teachers to four permanent walls. Creating large, flexible, shared spaces in education facilities encourages malleability for more than just learning.
Read MoreALEP-Certified Planner
A Unique Credential for School Design
ALEP-certified educational planners introduce knowledge beyond traditional architects when creating learning environments. Their understanding of educational planning is nuanced beyond the physical aspects of the school. These professionals recognize the importance of promoting student engagement, creative and critical thinking, and working with other students through the influence of the space and the curriculum. By including educational principles into the design process, they ensure that the physical space becomes an active participant in the learning journey of students.
Read MoreVideo Interview: On Being an Architect
Larry Schneider and Nicholas Kent discuss life as an architect
In May 2021, our Milwaukee Design Office had the pleasure of hosting Dan Wein, a friend and valued collaborator from AlphaDigitalPro, who expressed a genuine interest in the life of an architect and comparing notes about the challenges of building a resilient design firm. Dan, Larry,
Read MorePRA IS HONORED WITH MULTIPLE AWARDS AT THE 2023 ASID WISCONSIN DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARDS GALA
When working on projects, the sweetest reward is providing functional and aesthetic projects for our clients that fulfill their vision and meets their needs. We exist to help improve their lives by improving their facilities, and it is a great honor when our collaborative efforts with our clients are recognized by our peers for an award. This year at the 2023 ASID Wisconsin’s Design Excellence Awards Gala our collaborative teams were recognized for FIVE awards.
Read MorePlunkett Raysich Architects Adds Superintendent, Dr. Melissa Thompson, as Director of Education Strategy
Superintendent of Swallow School District Transitions to New Role with PRA
We are excited to announce that Dr. Melissa Thompson is joining PRA starting in July as our Director of Education Strategy! Dr. Thompson was most recently the superintendent of Swallow School District for 12 years, where she helped lead, with the school board and staff, the 2018 referendum efforts to update aging facilities. Throughout her career, she has spoken at numerous professional conventions on a variety of topics;
Read MoreProject Review: Forest Park Middle School
Where School Design Meets Curriculum
Traditional school design lacks the flexibility needed for today’s curriculum and often limits student exposure to opportunities outside of core subjects. In the past two decades, our perspective on school design has evolved to be more student-centered and promote collaboration and more personalized learning opportunities. School buildings are no longer simple places we send our children to receive direct instruction for nine months of the year. Instead, they are tools used to enhance learning and provide access to discovery.
Read MoreRethinking Our Educational Environments
Designing Modern Learning Spaces
In rapidly changing world, educators often face with the task of preparing students for careers in industries that do not yet exist. Globalization and increased mobility add to the need to think differently about how and what our students learn and the physical spaces in which learning occurs. The outdated industrialization model of education no longer serves the needs of today’s learners. There is an increasing demand for personalized and individualized approaches in the educational landscape.
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