DENVER—The University of Denver has officially taken possession of a trio of new structures at the campus located in the Colorado capital city. The three buildings were built in phases during the covid-19 pandemic, when instructors and students were largely remote.

The new buildings entail a career center, community commons and first-year residence hall. The buildings were designed, respectively, by Lake|Flato of San Antonio, Moore Rubel Yudell of Santa Monica, California, and Anderson Mason Dale Architects of Denver.

The various architectural teams met the challenge of ensuring the new buildings would fit into the campus aesthetic of Richardsonian construction, dating back to when the school’s initial buildings were first built in the late-19th century.

“For the Community Commons, our team worked closely with DU to build inclusive and welcoming environments that promote cultural awareness and empathy as part of daily life and create a sense of belonging,” Jeanne Chen, principal with Moore Ruble Yudell, said in an email.

“Our built environments have the potential to contribute to a more equitable and interconnected society in the ways we engage each other and the kinds of spaces we create.”

Added Erin Hillhouse, principal with Anderson Mason Dale Architects, who designed the Design new first-year residence hall: “A recent national study found that 64% of college students struggle with feelings of loneliness and isolation. These feelings can contribute to drop-out rates, which are especially high for first-generation students, one-quarter of whom leave college after their first year.

“The primary challenge of the Dimond Family Residential Village was to help residents form connections with one another to counteract these trends.”

The post University of Denver Debuts Three New Venues appeared first on School Construction News.

Here is a roundup of the seven projects currently under construction:

• Condit Elementary was the first groundbreaking for the 2012 bond program. Construction on the century-old school broke ground on Nov. 1. The new facility is designed to accommodate 750 students.
• On Dec. 18, students, teachers, staff and alumni gathered for the groundbreaking of a brand-new Milby High School, which will be built inside the historic shell of the existing facility. Plans include updated facilities for manufacturing and engineering programs, with specialized spaces for welding, performing and visual arts, a student-run cafe and a print shop.
• Construction is underway on North Houston Early College High School, one of HISD’s five early college campuses, where students can take free college-level courses for credit. The three-story, $13.5 million facility will feature new science labs, flexible learning centers, small breakout areas and a living room-style dining area, according to the school district.
• DeBakey High School for Health Professions is moving into a new facility on land donated by the Texas Medical Center. The facility will accommodate up to 1,000 students and will house health science, dental, medical engineering and patient-care labs as well as learning centers, a library and flexible learning spaces. Construction began on Dec. 15.
• The new High School for the Performing and Visual Arts will be built on the same city block that formerly housed Sam Houston High School and HISD headquarters. The new five-story building will feature a main theater, mini theater, black box and studios for music and art. A roof garden and outdoor studio are other highlights.
• Worthing High School is the first school in the 2012 bond program to expand vertically. Construction of the vertical expansion was initiated in a Dec. 11 groundbreaking.
• A groundbreaking for the Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion Magnet School was held Dec. 6. The new 118,000-square-foot facility was designed around a sun and moon concept. It is located adjacent to the School at St. George Place, allowing both schools to share sports fields and green spaces. The language school offers full-immersion Mandarin Chinese for pre-kindergarten through second grade, and additional grades will be added to create a kindergarten-through-eighth-grade program.

The post 7 Houston Schools Break Ground appeared first on School Construction News.