I have been impressed by the design team’s ability to actively listen to the needs of our teachers, staff, community and students, and to translate those ideas into thoughtful, imaginative spaces that embody our values and forwardthinking STEAM curriculum.
– John Puglisi Superintendent, Rio School District
Architecture for Education plans and designs environments that inspire every student to excel, supporting a lifelong love of learning that is encouraged by multiple educational pathways.
We are passionate about our work, believing that our designs have significant social purpose; influence that reaches beyond individual buildings and campuses to positively impact neighborhoods and communities, while celebrating education’s fundamental importance. In close partnership with our clients, we build oneof-a-kind facilities reflective of their unique goals and aspirations; contemporary learning environments that evoke community heritage and traditions while adapting to new uses and evolving program strengths. Our complete approach to education-based architecture promotes curiosity, imagination and wonder in every indoor and outdoor space – today and tomorrow.
Architecture / Interior Design
Visioning / Stakeholder Workshops
Master Planning
Existing Facilities Assessment
Strategic Planning
Pre-Design & Programming
Educational Specifications
Design Guidelines
ADA & Barrier Removal Projects
Construction Administration
MANAGEMENT
Jennifer Dubon Associate Design Principal
Cassandra Fenyk Marketing Manager
Principal
Operations | HR Manager
A4E’s design took a bare bones school and made it an attractive campus.
– Elliot Duchon
Superintendent, Jurupa Unified School District
Since its founding in 2002, A4E has focused exclusively on educational facilities, with a particular emphasis on Early Childhood and K-12 projects. In 2017, after 15 years in business, A4E successfully transitioned to a new organizational structure and has since been thriving as a woman owned and operated small business under the leadership of its two partners, Rachel Adams and Olivia Graf Doyle. In 2022, A4E expanded our presence on the West Coast by opening an office in Portland, Oregon.
A4E designs educational facilities and learning environments that carry significant social purpose and celebrate education’s fundamental importance, while reaching beyond individual buildings to positively impact the surrounding community.
In close partnership with our clients, we create one-of-a-kind facilities reflective of each client’s unique goals and aspirations. Our designs for contemporary learning environments evoke community heritage and traditions, while adapting to new uses and evolving program strengths. In addition, we are proud of our ability to create spaces that promote curiosity, imagination, and wonder. Our team is made up of designers and technical leaders who are committed to building innovative schools of the highest quality.
I can’t understate the impact of being able to work in an environment where it’s immediately evident that it’s designed for form and function. From the color schemes that subtly separate the individual and collaborative zones to the thoughtful integration of technology throughout, it’s a workspace in which our team takes great pride!
– Justin Lim
Online Learning Director, El Monte Union High School District
At A4E, we believe that every project, building, or site should tell a story that is specific to the traditions of the students, the history of those who came to the area before us, or the culture of the community. For example, a new school can be designed to celebrate local history or tradition, reflect environmental sensitivity, or even celebrate the life of a hero.
As thought leaders in engagement strategies, we are committed to telling your unique story. We believe it is important to look beyond immediate stakeholders, and also work with citizens and community groups, incorporating their priorities into the design process alongside District goals and values.
SCALE
TEXTURE
COLOR INTENSITY
MASSING
CIRCULATION
THE LIVING LAB THE GROVE
OBSERVATION DECK
RIVER OF KNOWLEDGE
// CIRCULATION PATH GUIDES STUDENTS FROM KG TO HS, LEARNING ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT + SUSTAINABILITY AS THEY GROW
THE GROWTH PROCESS OF A TREE = DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE ATMOSPHERES FOR EVERY GRADE LEVEL
BUILDING FORM RELATES TO DEVELOPMENTAL AGE
// KG TO HIGH SCHOOL
MATERIALITY & CONSTRUCTION TYPES CHANGE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL AGE
WINDOW SIZE INCREASES WITH DEVELOPMENTAL AGE
// SMALL PUNCHED OPENINGS TO CURTAINWALL
// WARM TRANSFORMS TO INDUSTRIAL
COLOR THEORY BASED ON DEVELOPMENTAL AGE // BRIGHT TO DARK
With our focus on education architecture, A4E recognizes that physical environments can have a significant impact on learning. We view our role as facilitators of our clients’ vision; we create learning environments that inspire. Our design philosophy emphasizes the following concepts:
` We believe schools should be reflective of community traditions/values, and serve as physical examples of resource stewardship.
` Our work positively impacts education, community, and the natural environment, while promoting curiosity, imagination, and wonder among users.
` We utilize our interactive “Futures Conference” process to gather input and stretch the horizons and imaginations of all who participate.
` Everyone works together – teachers, students, administrators, maintenance personnel, parents and members of the community.
` We provide exceptional facility design and client service, viewing the two as inseparable components of project success.
` We deliver educational buildings that provide immediate value, while also contributing to longterm operational goals.
` Our team is constantly researching opportunities for innovation in methods and materials concerning the design of learning environments.
` We actively seek out and present new ideas that can spark exciting changes for our clients’ facilities and campuses.
` Students learn more effectively when the environment becomes a memorable experience.
` Our architecture inspires curiosity, imagination, and wonder by tying physical environments to mental exercises and our clients’ curriculum.
` Our designs promote student participation – a learning strategy for enhancing information retention – and offer a multiplicity of unexpected teaching/ learning opportunities.
Rio Unified School District | Oxnard, CA
Alhambra Unified School District | Alhambra, CA
El Monte Union High School District | El Monte, CA
Gateway Community Charters | Sacramento, CA
Jurupa Unified School District | Riverside, CA
El Monte Union High School | El Monte, CA
El Monte Union High School District | El Monte, CA
Flintridge Preparatory School | La Cañada Flintridge, CA
CA
Colusa County Office of Education | Colusa, CA
Ojai Unified School District | Ojai, CA
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District | Santa Monica, CA
La Cañada Unified School District | La Cañada, CA
ROBERT G. FREEMAN CENTER FOR CAREER & COMPLETION
Pasadena City College | Pasadena, CA
Pasadena City College | Pasadena, CA
California State University, Domiguez Hills | Carson, CA
Coalition for Adequate School Housing (C.A.S.H.) Leroy F. Greene Design & Planning Award of Honor
Elliott N. Duchon Concert Hall at Rubidoux High School // 2024
Project of Distinction Award, Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) Planning & Design Awards
Rio del Sol K-8 STEAM School // 2022
Citation Award, Institutional/Educational, American Institute of Architects Pasadena Foothill (AIAPF) Chapter Design Awards
El Monte Union High School District Community Education Center // 2022
Outstanding Design, Student Centers/Service Areas, American School & University Magazine Educational Interiors Showcase
El Monte Union High School District Community Education Center // 2022
Honor Award, New Construction, Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) Southern California Awards of Excellence
Rio del Sol K-8 STEAM School // 2020
Grand Prize, Combined-Level School, New Construction/Addition, Learning by Design Awards of Excellence
Rio del Sol K-8 STEAM School // Fall 2020
Merit Award, Institutional/Educational, American Institute of Architects Pasadena Foothill (AIAPF) Chapter Design Awards
Boy’s Republic Max L. Scott Culinary Arts Center // 2020
Honorable Mention, Specialized Education Facility, New Construction/Addition, Learning by Design Awards of Excellence
Boy’s Republic Max L. Scott Culinary Arts Center // Fall 2020
Citation Award, Institutional/Educations, American Institute of Architects Pasadena Foothill (AIAPF) Chapter Design Awards
Rio del Sol K-8 STEAM School // 2019
Outstanding Project, Combined-Level School, New Construction/Addition Learning by Design Awards of Excellence
Gateway Community Charters, Rancho Del Paso K-12 Campus // Fall 2019
A4E captured our goals perfectly. I love the final design, which was a perfect combination of the options they shared and our feedback.
– Erick Steelman CCTO, Director of Information Services, El Monte Union High School District
At A4E, we believe in pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation in every project we undertake. We aim to inspire transformation and foster a deeper understanding of the design principles that shape our world.
We are excited to feature an insightful article by Olivia Graf Doyle. Titled “Using Story-Driven Facility Design to Engage Users and Inspire Transformation”, this piece delves into the innovative approach of story-driven facility design. Olivia explores how crafting a narrative within design can profoundly engage users and drive transformative experiences in educational environments.
