MELBOURNE, FLA. March 3, 2022 – BRPH, a nationally ranked architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firm, won two first place ribbons at the Florida Educational Facilities Planners’ Association (FEFPA) Winter 2022 Conference and Architectural Showcase in Palm Coast this week. The firm submitted two entries and took first place for each one: Seminole County Public Schools’ Lyman High School Career Innovation Center in Longwood (high school, addition/remodel/renovation category) and The Answer Center at the Broward College Student Union in Davie (college, addition/remodel/renovation category).
Firms may enter new construction projects as well as additions/remodel/renovations for elementary, K-8/mid/combo, high school, college, university, and special projects. Award criteria included: Innovative Enhancements to the Educational Program; 21st Century Learning Environment Fundamentals; Aesthetics and Use of Materials; Community Use and Engagement; Technology Integration; Sustainability Initiatives; Health and Wellness; Site Design, Safety and Security; and Design Flexibility.
“We are thrilled to be recognized among facilities planners, educators and our AEC peers throughout Florida for our work on these two schools,” said Christina Hoehn, Florida director of education for BRPH. “We are passionate about providing
forward-thinking solutions for our education clients, particularly their teachers and their students, and these awards are a testament to the validity and functionality of our designs.”
Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) engaged BRPH to create the Lyman High School Career Innovation Center (CIC), a cross-disciplinary learning environment for students and a showcase for SCPS’s Career & Technical Education (CTE) program, which prepares graduates for “high-wage, high-demand employment.” Built as a replacement facility for two outdated buildings, the CIC expands the school’s existing Academy of Building & Design and creates new facilities for The Academy of Engineering and The Academy of Automotive Technology. Inside the CIC, a “Collaboratorium” features a hybrid space equipped with a maker bar and flexible furnishings to promote engagement among engineering, building and design, and automotive technology students. The CIC also features two high-bay labs, more than 4,000 square feet of exterior work areas with additional car lifts and mechanical equipment, and covered space for students to work outdoors on carpentry projects. The construction contractor on the project was WELBRO Building Corporation.
Project manager for Seminole County Public Schools, Tim Gough, PE, submitted a letter of recommendation for the showcase which stated in part, “BRPH understands the financial requirements of public projects, and consistently considers the best needs of the teachers and students. No matter the size of the project, BRPH has consistently provided a high level of quality with an emphasis on customer service.”
The Answer Center at Broward College is not simply a redesign of the student services space in its student union, but instead, a complete reimagining of how offerings such as academic advising, financial aid, accessibility resources and career services are delivered, managed and housed. BRPH used design to create an efficient, streamlined process that provides Broward College students with a more positive customer experience and helps them better navigate the complexities of enrollment and registration throughout their college careers. The remodel opened the building plan from its previous “shopping mall” setup to maximize efficiencies among previously compartmentalized departments and create more open spaces for added personnel, queuing stations, and collaboration/waiting areas. The design provides the functionality to identify students’ needs upon entry and filter them through the appropriate levels of services. The new Answer Center empowers students to “shop” the space and travel through various levels of engagement akin to the Apple store model or to an emergency room, where they first visit triage to assess their issue and are then directed to the appropriate generalist or specialist. This new way of thinking created a more student-centered process and utilizes the existing space more efficiently to allow the college to expand in other areas. The construction contractor on the project was Fastrack MCI.
Of BRPH’s work, Broward College AVP of Design and Construction, Deborah Czubkowski, said, “BRPH’s thought leadership, planning and design execution provided inspirational and easily navigable spaces for students to access their services with ease. BRPH creatively collaborated with facilities team members and with the stakeholders (Financial Aid, Veterans Services, Career Services, Admissions, Advising, etc.) and precisely delivered functional and exciting spaces for this important student and staff interaction.”
The Florida Educational Facilities Planners Association (FEFPA) was started in the early 1960s as a cooperative effort between a small group of school districts’ facilities planners and the Department of Education, Office of Educational Facilities (OEF). The intent, as it is now, was to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and promote cooperation between Florida School Districts and the OEF. For more information, visit fefpa.org.
ABOUT BRPH – BRPH is a technically focused, creative architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) company providing solutions to mission-driven clients’ most challenging programs. Drawing from its technical AEC talent, the firm partners with clients in the aerospace, defense, manufacturing, commercial, education, entertainment, and hospitality markets to identify gaps in their program delivery and to create innovative solutions. Founded in 1964 to support America’s space program, BRPH is consistently ranked among the nation’s top firms and has completed a wide range of projects across the United States and throughout the world. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, BRPH operates regional offices in Orlando; South Florida; Atlanta; Charleston, South Carolina; Huntsville, Alabama; Seattle; Dallas/Fort Worth; and Palmdale, California. For more information, visit www.brph.com.
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