Show-Stopping Performance Spaces: How Four School Districts Put Their Fine Arts Programs on Center-Stage

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the importance of fostering creativity and artistic expression has never been more pronounced. As schools across the nation strive to provide immersive and dynamic environments for their students, four institutions stand out for the revitalization of their fine arts spaces.  From state-of-the-art auditoriums to versatile performance venues, let's take...

Williamsville-Sherman School District: Creating Continuity with Highly Functioning Learning Environments

The Williamsville-Sherman School District implemented a $40 million bond referendum for significant upgrades to their junior high and high schools, including new classrooms, fine arts and athletics spaces, and improved facilities.

BLDD Acquires Dickinson Hussman Architects: Both Firms Known for Award-Winning K-12 Design

St. Louis, MO – BLDD Architects, with offices throughout Illinois plus one in St. Louis, has acquired Dickinson Hussman Architects (DHA) of St. Louis. Both firms specialize in helping school districts address their need for facility improvements. Between the two firms, 28 major design awards have been won in the past 20 years. “From our...

Crispin Hall: Inspiring Achievement Through Innovative Learning Environments

A reinvented Crispin Hall greeted Illinois College students this fall semester. The $12.6 million renovation transformed Crispin into a 21st-century learning environment, creating new academic programs to attract top students, and refreshing a key part of campus that greets campus visitors and the community on College Avenue. "The building opened in August 2023, and is...

Playhouses with Purpose

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...

7 Benefits of a Long-Range Facility Plan

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 plan will help your team! 1. FORM A...

New Talent Added to BLDD’s Growing Architectural 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.” Brandan...

Five Illinois Students Recognized for Promise in Architecture and Design

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.  BLDD Principal...

Senior Living Team at Leading Age

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! So who is this...

Award-Winning Facilities for Award-Winning Teams

It’s a Friday night, the smell of popcorn fills the air. Student-athletes are warming up, preparing for the big game, while students, staff, and visitors eagerly watch from the stands. Who doesn’t love to cheer for the home team?  School athletics are at the core of building and fostering a community. But despite the enthusiasm...

6 Ways Architects Add Value & Save You Money

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...

4 Tips for Creating Children’s Spaces

There is no rulebook for designing a house of worship. Churches come in a variety of shapes and sizes, serving congregations ranging from single digits to thousands. While each congregation has different needs and ideologies, they typically share a common goal: to create safe and engaging houses of worship for members of all ages. Even...

5 Key Questions when Hiring a Performance Space Architect

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. Millikin University, Center for Theatre & Dance If you’re ready...

Back to Their Roots

How Okaw Valley Found Greatness in Agriculture Education by Going Back to the Basics 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...

What’s Popping at Waltham

For more than 10 years, the Waltham Elementary School District in North Utica, Illinois, dreamed of having one building for all their K-8 students who had been spread among two outdated elementary schools. Serving a student population of fewer than 250, the project goal was never to redesign how education environments are used. Instead, the...

BLDD Architects Welcomes New Leadership and Creative Staff

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. Damien Schlitt, AIA, LEED AP, has been promoted to Principal. Damien, who has been with BLDD since 2007, has...

Emerging from the shadows…How to put your School Library in the SPOTLIGHT

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. You may be wondering, "What are these trends?" "What do they mean for my school?" Look...

Refocusing to Student-Centered Learning: RCC Renovations Persevere through Pandemic

Several of Richland Community College’s high-performing programs were in need of renovated spaces to refocus learning to a student-centered model. As part of a multi-phase long-range facilities plan, the $11.6 million first phase updated two exterior spaces and 45,000 s.f. of interior renovations were made to facilitate critical thinking and allow experiential learning through real-world...

Choosing the Best Master Plan with Confidence: Introducing QLEO

Your facilities require continued investments to meet the varying demands of census change, evolving models of care delivery, and infrastructure maintenance. However, determining the optimal investment strategy can be complex.  What is the best investment to make?  Should you prioritize new construction?  Or is renovation or expansion the more prudent choice?  Perhaps a hybrid approach...