Perspectives

Category: Blog
Blog

Our Greatest and Most Important Investment

SCOTT MILDER | PRINCIPAL, K-12 EDUCATION SPECIALIST Public schools are the foundation of Texas’s prosperity. Our state’s economy is one of the largest in the world, fueled by a skilled workforce educated in Texas public schools. Despite their critical role in our success, our schools are under attack—underfunded, politicized, and increasingly burdened with mandates that […]
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The Rebuilding of a District

A PARTNERSHIP OF VISION AND COMMUNITY MONIKA CASTILLO | PRINCIPALBRAD EWING | SENIOR ASSOSCIATE, DESIGN ARCHITECT In the small remote West Texas town of Pecos, Texas, an amazing transformation is underway. The Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Independent School District (PBTISD) has embarked on an ambitious journey to redefine educational and community spaces for its students, staff, and wider […]
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Not Your Grandpa’s Courtyard

THE EVOLUTION OF OUTDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS RICHARD HUNT | SENIOR ASSOCIATE, DESIGN ARCHITECT Throughout the 20th century, outdoor learning became integrated into educational models as an increased interest in the natural sciences arose. However, as the 21st century approached, the priority of outdoor learning was lost to an increased preparation for standardized testing and increased […]
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Breathing New Life into Outdated Schools

CLINTON SCHIVER | PRINCIPAL In the vast expanse of Texas, from bustling urban centers to serene rural landscapes, the heartbeat of public education resonates within the walls of countless school buildings. Yet, as time marches forward, many of these structures find themselves facing the inevitable challenges of age and obsolescence. The decision to renovate or […]
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VLK | EDGE® – Bridging Education and Architecture

WHO IS THE VLK | EDGE® TEAM AND WHAT DO THEY BRING TO THE DISCUSSION? So how are architecture and education connected? From the time of a one-room schoolhouse model serving all students in one classroom with one set of services, to now when public educators are tasked to serve all students with all instructional […]
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The Architect Series: Architect Does What? Project Management!

LAUREN V. BROWN | PRINCIPAL When I tell people that I am an architect the initial reaction is, “That’s amazing!” Generally, they don’t know what an architect does. The architect solves problems, develops contract documents, and holds the liability for the contract documents that he or she signs and seals. The architect works on behalf […]
Blog, Research

Student Voice: VLK Spaces and Social Emotional Well-Being

The processes through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions, achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. (CASEL. “Fundamentals of SEL.” CASEL, 11 Mar. 2022, https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/)
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Allen ISD STEAM Center Earns Caudill Award

(Fort Worth, Texas) —VLK is proud to announce the Allen ISD’s STEAM Center received the Caudill Award, the highest honor in the TASA/TASB Exhibit of School Architecture (EoSA) competition. The jury noted the design of the Allen STEAM Center stood out due to its “innovation that solved community needs and enrollment growth while looking to the horizon for determining future […]
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How to Design a Fantastic High School Science Lab for Inquiry-Based Learning Within TEA Design Requirements

LAUREN BROWN | PRINCIPAL “Scientific inquiry is the planned and deliberate investigation of the natural world. Scientific methods of investigation can be experimental, descriptive, or comparative.” [1] With 40% of instructional time dedicated to scientific investigation, having sufficient floor space for students to explore safely is critical. Equipment and technology work hand-in-hand in the investigative […]