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AAF School Design Institutes

Testimonials

AAF’s school design institutes have received outstanding reviews from participants and observers. Below are some personal statements that provide an overview of the program and its benefits.

“Discussions were incredibly useful. I began to think about elements of school design I hadn’t yet considered. It was useful to see other projects and the rationale for the superintendent’s focus. Regionally, we may fall into the same philosophy (or no philosophy) over and over again. It was refreshing to confirm current ideas and to be introduced to new ways of thinking. Superintendents rarely have enough time to meet with colleagues to discuss common issues. To this point, we haven’t ever had time or guided expertise to discuss school design with colleagues. We never discuss design with other superintendents. We are hungry for those opportunities. Thank you for this magnificent opportunity. It will, without question, color our approach to school design and student learning for the rest of our careers. ... I am thoroughly convinced that the school environment is not a neutral element in the learning process; it either weakens or strengthens student learning.”

W. Bryan Bowles, Ed.D, Superintendent Davis School District, Farmington, Utah

“It was an interesting experience and the information obtained was very worthwhile. I am in a better position to ask the right questions as we work through the planning of a new facility.”

V. Sue Cleveland, Ed.D, Superintendent, Rio Rancho Public Schools, Rio Rancho, N.M.

“The American Architectural Foundation School Design Institutes provide a wonderful opportunity for school leaders and their districts -- an opportunity to dialogue, receive counsel, and learn from experts in the field of architecture, school design, and construction. The Institute provided me with invaluable advice and feedback on a current school project and new learnings to apply to future projects. The American Architectural Foundation School Design Institute is a one-of-a-kind experience that will benefit and be reflected in the schools we are building today and in the future.”

E. Susan Gourley, Ph.D., Superintendent, Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln, Neb.

“Many seminars, conferences and charrettes do not obtain the same synergy that I experienced with this event. Dr. James Williams, superintendent, has already scheduled two meetings to discuss the work we did at the design institute, and I know he was completely energized by what he saw, heard and experienced. Our hope is that this project will be a living recommendation for future educators and architects to see the value of using the Institute, and then combining that with the support of the business community.”

Donald E. Gray, AIA, Architect, Wendel Duchscherer, Amherst, N.Y. (consulting architect for Riverside High School in Buffalo)

“In an educational setting, architectural design can help shape the learning environment and help a school achieve its goals. The American Architectural Foundation’s school design institutes effectively convey the power of design in a school setting.”

Paul D. Houston, Executive Director, American Association of School Administrators

“Having the Institute present visionary school designs exposes a district to new and innovative ideas. The Institute challenged current thinking and forced the participants to consider solutions that were new.”

Ellis Kaufman, Director of Small Learning Communities, Facilities Services Division, LA Unified School District, Los Angeles, Calif.

“School Design Institutes provide superintendents with the rare opportunity to share their challenges with architects, design professionals and other superintendents in a unique setting where day-to-day constraints have been removed. The collegial environment and the talent in the room open the door to new perspectives, which become the genesis of ideas to be taken home, nurtured and allowed to develop.”

Kerry Leonard, Principal and Senior Educational Planner, OWP/P; Former Chair of the AIA Committee on Architecture for Education

“Having the opportunity to work directly with renowned architects at the Great Schools by Design program was an extraordinary experience for me and my team members. I highly recommend this great opportunity to school districts that are just beginning a school construction or renovation process.”

Sue Matheson, Ed.D., Superintendent, Pass Christian, MS School District, Pass Christian, Miss.

“It was very beneficial to hear about the efforts in other districts. You were right when you told us that we would see unexpected parallels. You gave us a tremendous gift!”

Linda Nix, Natrona County School Board Member, Casper, Wyo.

“I was totally enthralled by the structure of the charrette and the flow of the 3 days, much more appealing to me than conferences and seminars. I felt that all 5 districts left with tangible results which will help them achieve their goals, and the spirit of collaboration between both the district representatives and the design professionals was inspiring to observe. Kudos to everyone at AAF for having the vision and passion to put this together!”

John Pfluger, AIA, LEED AP, Principal, Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A., Minneapolis, Minn. (resource team member)

"Participation in the Great Schools by Design institute and charrette was very valuable for our Buffalo team. With the assistance of the national experts and architects, we were able to move our vision for a new School for Entrepreneurship to reality."

James A. Williams Ed.D, Superintendent of Schools, Buffalo, N.Y.