As part of a district-wide master plan implementation for Champaign Schools, BLDD brought the International Prep Academy (IPA) to life. This transformational educational environment supports diverse students in learning through future-focused methods. Intentional features like operable walls and flexible seating facilitate collaboration and project-based learning, while bilingual teams and faculty can share students without leaving the classroom area.
At IPA's heart is a two-story commons space serving as a multipurpose hub. This open gathering area hosts sporting and cultural events, serves as a dining space, and transforms into a performance venue with a tiered seating area and stage access. The upper commons overlooks the stage and provides access to a large media center, home to a bilingual library supporting the school's diverse student community.
Awarded 2023 Exhibition of Educational Environments Honorable Mention
- Two-story, multi-use commons space
- Dedicated spaces for ESL, intervention and special programs
- Large media center with bilingual library with space for 15,000 volumes
- Dedicated art spaces with kiln and gallery
- Flexible furniture, operable walls and collaboration spaces
Phase 2 of the Pleasant Plains High School Additions and Remodel serves as an extension of the Phase 1 project, completed in 2012. The second phase completes the expansion of the high school into a 600-student school.
The Mahomet-Seymour School District wanted to take advantage of their high school expansion to create an image that reflected the strong civic pride in their school’s education, music and athletic programs.
With the implementation of a county-wide sales tax that provided additional funds to public schools across the region, the Mt. Zion School board wanted to invest funds into facilities that bolstered the community's small town traditions. The new athletics field house and auditorium within Mt. Zion High School provide ample space for a myriad of academic and civic events.