BLDD appreciates and is proud of all applicants who took the time to apply. In recent years, scholarships have been awarded to graduating seniors throughout Illinois and Missouri, including Williamsville-Sherman, Athens, Palmyra, Mattoon, Effingham and Rockridge.

When a failed school referendum threatened to derail progress in Rockridge School District, they discovered that the path to success wasn't just about having the right plan – it was about bringing the whole community along for the journey.

Who says dining in senior living communities has to be boring? In 2025, mealtime is all about choices, variety, and a little bit of flair! Whether it’s a fine-dining experience, a laid-back café stop, or an afternoon spent enjoying the fresh air with al fresco eats, residents are savoring the moment like never before.
With more ways to personalize meals, dining is becoming less of a routine and more of an adventure!

Why is branding your NEW K-12 School important?

Building or establishing a new K-12 school is an exciting challenge, and one of the most important factors for long-term success is a strong, cohesive and engaging brand. Effective branding helps shape how your school is perceived by students, parents, teachers, and the community. Here’s the 411 on why branding matters for new schools:

When should an existing K-12 school consider rebranding?

Rebranding can feel like hitting the refresh button for your school’s identity. It’s not something you always need, but there are definitely times when your school’s image could use a little glow-up. So, when’s the right time to hit the refresh button? Let's dive in and find out.

For a 5th year, BLDD Architects, Inc. has partnered with Macon County CASA for their annual Casas for CASA Playhouse Fundraiser. Casas for CASA is a charity raffle for one of two custom playhouses. Each playhouse is designed, built, and painted by a team of local volunteers. BLDDers have big hearts for helping their communities and truly believe in our mission “Because Life Deserves Design.”

Every district, campus, and facility is unique, which means the planning process isn't one-size-fits-all. A customized facility plan (or master plan) based on your district needs and budget can help you identify the smartest path for long-term success. Keep reading to learn 7 ways a long-range facility master plan will help your team!

BLDD Architects, Inc. is proud to welcome four new faces to its architecture team. President Steve Oliver says, “It is a pleasure to welcome these four outstanding and creative individuals to our team. Each brings an array of knowledge and innovative ideas to the firm that we are thrilled to share with our clients.”

BLDD Architects, Inc., is pleased to announce the recipients of the annual Because Life Deserves Design Scholarship: The scholarship — named for BLDD’s mission “Because Life Deserves Design” — recognizes senior high school students for their creativity, artistic passion, and potential in contributing to the world of architecture, interior design, or graphic design.

In March, the BLDD Senior Living Team attended the Leading Age Illinois conference. While there, the team presented How to Use Informed Data to Choose The Best Master Plan for Your Community. Through the presentation, the team discussed how BLDD's very own QLEO Software is breaking into the Senior Living market!

School athletics are at the core of building and fostering a community. But despite the enthusiasm for high-school and collegiate athletics, many schools face similar challenges with outdated athletic facilities. Having access to modern, flexible athletic spaces for students and community members has become a priority for many schools.

Let’s be honest, there’s a reason the phrase “leave it to the pros” exists. Most of us can spot a DIY architecture project from a mile away, but we also know that looks aren’t all that matter. Whether you’re dreaming of a new facility or planning a renovation to your current buildings, hiring an architect can be one of the smartest investments you can make.

When it comes to designing performance spaces like theatres, auditoriums, or concert halls, you need an expert at your side. BLDD Architects has more than 90 years of experience in helping educators, churches, and communities bring the stage to life for audiences, big and small.

​​​​​​​Agriculture is a staple of the rural education curriculum, and while a majority of students are involved in those programs, there is often little funding and inadequate spaces to support them. The future farmers and agribusiness leaders are frequently taught in regular classrooms or modified shop rooms, without access to the tools and resources they need.

BLDD Architects is pleased to announce the recent promotion of three long-time employees. These staff members have continuously moved BLDD forward by becoming leaders in their fields and going above and beyond for clients and projects.

To celebrate Read Across America day, we wanted to highlight the current innovative trends that are bringing school libraries and media centers to LIFE. Once a quiet museum for books, school libraries are transforming to support the whole student.