By��Sarah Eynon

The modern classroom is no longer defined by��the typical��four walls and a chalkboard. Today’s students learn across physical and digital environments simultaneously, and the spaces designed to support them must evolve accordingly. As schools continue to balance in-person and remote learning, equity has become the central design challenge��ensuring every student, regardless of where or how they learn, has access to the same quality of��accessibility,��technology, and experience.��

Energy Efficiency & Addressing Aging Infrastructure��

At the foundation of classroom equity is energy efficiency and infrastructure modernization. Many school buildings across the country, particularly in urban centers like Washington, D.C., date back to the early 1900s. These facilities were never designed to support today’s electrical demands, digital tools, or climate requirements. In some cases, classrooms still rely on open windows for ventilation��or��operate��using��a limited number of electrical outlets, constraints that directly affect learning outcomes.��

Energy-efficient upgrades are essential not only for sustainability, but also for reliability and comfort. Net-zero energy��buildings, (those that��produce as much energy as they��consume),��are becoming a benchmark for new construction. Achieving this requires comprehensive HVAC upgrades, proper ductwork, and building systems that support consistent indoor air quality. In D.C., new buildings must meet strict energy efficiency standards, reinforcing the need for solutions that are both compliant and adaptable over time.��

Technology Integration & Space Adaptability��

Addressing aging infrastructure often requires a range of strategic approaches.��Some projects involve removing interior walls to create flexible, open learning environments, in an effort to��preserve��historic exteriors.��Others require full replacements of outdated��electrical��and HVAC systems to meet modern educational demands. For buildings constructed in the 1960s through the 1980s, demolition and rebuilding may be the most practical option when renovation is no longer��feasible��when comparing cost benefits.��

Technology integration is another critical��component��of��equitable��classroom design. Today’s classrooms are expected to support smart boards, projectors, speaker-tracking cameras, and robust Wi-Fi infrastructure as standard tools, not��just as��enhancements. These technologies enable hybrid learning models that allow remote students to��participate��meaningfully alongside those in the room��and provide the accessibility needed.��

Technology alone, however, is not enough. Staff training is essential to ensure tools are used effectively and consistently. Recorded training sessions, user manuals, and accessible resources��allow educators to learn at their own pace and revisit materials as needed. Environmental controls also play a key role. Dimmable lighting��and quiet HVAC systems reduce distractions and give students greater control over their surroundings.��Sound equity is particularly important��as��students should never have to ask a teacher to speak louder due to poor acoustics.��Similarly, having an adaptable sound or lighting environment is conducive for those that have visual or learning sensitivities.����

Beyond technology, classrooms must be��malleable��for the��range��educational learning platforms.��A single space may host lectures, arts programming, or STEM activities throughout the day. Portable furniture and modular layouts allow rooms to transform quickly, while dedicated maker spaces and outdoor learning environments support experiential learning and student engagement.��

Funding & Policy Considerations��

Funding and policy considerations add another layer of complexity, especially in Washington, D.C. Unlike municipalities that rely on bonds, D.C. school funding is partially provided by the federal government in two-year increments, requiring careful phasing and long-term planning. Projects must also pass through multiple regulatory bodies, including the Historic Preservation Board and the Commission of Fine Arts. Even demolition and new construction often require historic evaluations that affect schedules and budgets.��

As a result, budget planning is a critical success factor.��Inadaquate��cost forecasting can derail even the most well-intentioned projects.��It is advisable to have��a full-time cost consultant��to help��schools align funding cycles with realistic construction timelines and long-term operational goals.��

Equity, Community, and Stakeholder Engagement��

Equity also extends beyond students to the broader community. Schools increasingly serve as community hubs, hosting afterschool programs, arts events, and civic gatherings. Designing spaces that are welcoming, flexible, and accessible ensures facilities support both educational and community needs. Inclusive classrooms prioritize accessibility and participation, allowing remote learners to engage fully rather than��observe��passively.��

Stakeholder collaboration is essential in achieving these outcomes. Educational projects involve administrators, teachers, students, parents, engineers, designers, and preservationists, each with distinct priorities. Transparent communication and clear expectation-setting help manage feedback and build consensus, particularly when translating complex construction concepts for non-technical audiences.��

Challenges & Looking Ahead��

Looking ahead, schools are increasingly open to emerging technologies, including AI-driven tools, with minimal resistance. The focus is on balancing technological fluency with the development of��critical thinking skills.��Ultimately, classroom��modernization is not about technology for its own��sake,��it is about creating environments that are engaging, inclusive, and future-ready, where every student has an equal opportunity to learn,��participate, and succeed.��

Sarah Eynon is Senior Director with MGAC.

The post Classroom Equity by Design: Bridging the Gap Between Remote and In-Person Learning appeared first on �鶹������.

The post Classroom Equity by Design: Bridging the Gap Between Remote and In-Person Learning appeared first on �鶹������.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—While the world-renowned Johns Hopkins is based in Baltimore, the respected institution of higher learning has opened a new facility just 35 miles south in the nation’s capital. Key players on the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center—located at 555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, just off the National Mall—included architect of record SmithGroup, construction manager Clark Construction, project management and owners’ representation firm MGAC, exterior architect Ennead Architects and interior architect Rockwell Group.

All of the D.C.-based graduate studies for the university will take place in the Bloomberg Center. The 435,000-square-foot Bloomberg Center houses the School of Advanced International Studies, Carey Business School, as well as the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences.

The Bloomberg Center exists inside the site of the former Newseum, which closed at the end of 2019. The space has now been transformed to host 38 classrooms, a 375-seat theater, study spaces, lounges, and terraces overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue and the nearby Capitol. The Bloomberg Center also hosts a coffee shop, fitness center and library.

The unique design for the building entails two cantilevered floating classrooms that hang from trusses. The classroom space allows for extensive views of the facility’s main atrium space. Other amenities include an open meeting space, dubbed “The Beach,” for students and staff to congregate and chat in between classes. The Beach is named in honor of a greenspace at Johns Hopkins University’s Homewood campus, located near central Baltimore.

The designers incorporated Tennessee Pink marble in the facade, which matches other famous buildings nearby such as the National Portrait Gallery, the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, as well as the Smithsonian along the Mall. The architects aimed to achieve LEED Silver Certification.

“The Hopkins Bloomberg Center is a new landmark facility for Johns Hopkins University,” said MGAC Project Manager Vincent McLaughlin. “We are pleased to deliver a building that will contribute to the cultural and academic landscape of Washington, D.C.”

“Converting the Hopkins Bloomberg Center from a museum into a modern education facility to support Johns Hopkins University’s programs has been an exciting challenge,” said Amy Mercurio, associate vice president of capital projects for Johns Hopkins University. “We have greatly benefited from having the original building’s architects and engineers on our team.”

MGAC was hired in 2019 to provide project management support and cost management services.

“The dedication and technical experience of the team members involved in the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center project made it possible to navigate any obstacles,” Sarah Eynon, MGAC’s senior director, said in a statement emailed to �鶹������. “Their technical expertise and commitment resulted in a remarkable overhaul of the building, creating a collaborative workspace that truly reflects the progressive ethos of a forward-thinking University.”

MGAC’s services include cost and project management, technological solutions, FF&E procurement and relocation management.

The post Johns Hopkins Wraps Work at New D.C. Campus appeared first on �鶹������.

The post Johns Hopkins Wraps Work at New D.C. Campus appeared first on �鶹������.