HMC Architects’ Design Principal Marko Blagojevic, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, BD+C, and Principal Jesse Miller, AIA are speaking at the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) Southwest Conference in San Jose, California.  A4LE is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the places where children learn.  This year’s conference is scheduled for April 24-26. Blagojevic and Miller are scheduled to speak about current best practices in education design.

During the conference, attendees can tour Evergreen Valley College’s Math, Science, and Social Science building. Led by Blagojevic, visitors will learn about the mathematic and scientific theories that inspired the building design and how it resulted in a building that encouraged exploration, connection, and learning.

Building as a Teaching Tool: Using Science to Galvanize Social Collaboration and Learning Environments

Marko Blagojevic, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, BD+C

To boost student retention and increase student enrollment, community colleges aim to expand educational opportunities for students through a collaborative and innovative learning environment. Evergreen Valley College Math Science and Social Science (MS3) is a LEED Platinum certified building which incorporates science and sustainable design in ways that engage students and enhance their campus experience. Mathematic and scientific theories inspired the building design. As a result, the building space cultivates scientific exploration, connects students, and creates a vibrant learning and social environment.

Making Adaptive Reuse Work: How educators are using big box buildings to teach, train and take care of their communities.

Jesse Miller, AIA

‘The Amazon effect’: the ongoing disruption of the retail market resulting from increased e-commerce has resulted in state and local community officials, architects and urban planners asking: What becomes of these large abandoned big-box buildings when the companies have closed and moved on? San Bernardino County tackled this head-on by purchasing an empty box and adaptive re-using it to provide a facility that exceeds the technological capabilities they originally thought possible. The impact of this solution for educational facilities moving forward has been a powerful story in the community and provides insight to an unknown future.

Visit A4LE’s website for more information on the conference.