Cleveland, Ohio –April 9, 2026 – Since 1991, LEARNING BY DESIGN has highlighted innovative approaches that strengthen learning, collaboration, and the human connection to educational environments. This spring, we feature 52 exceptional projects—from Pre-K through university—and elevate nine projects as top award winners, designated with Grand Prize, Citations of Excellence, and Honor Awards. Including three projects sized under 100,000 square feet, one small project. a Climate Action project, and an Immersive Learning Environment.
All entries were evaluated based on six key criteria: design challenges and innovation; sustainability and social impact; interior architecture and design; next-generation learning environments; functional design and effective space planning; and responsiveness to community needs. Projects represented throughout the entire awards compendium where recently completed or nearing activation, span new construction and renovations across a wide range of space types, including early childhood centers, elementary and middle schools, high schools, specialized education facilities, and higher education campuses.
Across the submissions, one message is clear: educational design is moving beyond facility planning toward holistic, community-embedded, research-informed environments that shape human potential.
Three GRAND PRIZE AWARD winners combined all the elements that make a learning environment successful
DLR Group (Overland Park, KS) for the Del Mar Heights School (San Diego, CA) <100,000 sq. ft. Grand Prize Award – “This amazing campus has resulted in a dynamic, student-centered space that celebrates the natural beauty of the site with breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding reserve. Wonderful example of programming beyond serving students as a school, the campus is designed as a vibrant hub and an asset for the close-knit community.”
Grimm + Parker (Landover Hills, MD) for the Ellen Ochoa Middle School (Calverton, MD) >100,000 sq. ft. Grand Prize Award – “As a Net Zero Energy project with LEED Gold certification, geothermal systems, and a large photovoltaic array, it exemplifies strong sustainability. The project also integrates flexible, efficient learning environments and supports community resilience through generator-backed emergency spaces and shared park amenities."
HMFH Architects (Arlington, MA) for the Arlington High School (Cambridge, MA) >100,000 sq. ft. Grand Prize Award – “This stunning project exemplifies forward-thinking high school design, blending interdisciplinary, light-filled learning spaces with strong sustainability strategies. Thoughtful detailing, elegant light wells, and a vibrant central spine with outdoor learning areas create a connected, inspiring campus that skillfully addresses complex phasing and site constraints."
The four CITATIONS OF EXCELLENCE AWARD winners include:
- Agricultural Resource Center Campus (Takoma, WA) – McGranahan PBK (Takoma, WA) Small Project
- Cucamonga Elementary School (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) – PBK (Houston, TX) <100,000 sq. ft.
- Expedition Elementary School (Puyallup, WA) – NAC (Seattle, WA) <100,000 sq. ft.
- Hares Hill Elementary School (Phoenixville, PA) – SCHRADERGROUP Studio (Conshohocken, PA) <100,000 sq. ft.
The two HONOR AWARD recipients are:
- Johnson Science Building (Puyallap, WA) – Integrus
(Spokane, WA) for Immersive Learning Environment - Tobin Montessori and Darby Vassall Upper Schools Complex (Cambridge, MA) – Perkins Eastman (Boston, MA) for Climate Action
To review all Spring 2026 Project's visit the Digital Version of the Magazine
Thank you to the Spring 2026 Learning By Design Jury Members
A distinguished panel of four architects and education facility professionals reviewed and debated the merits of all submissions.
Many well-designed projects stood out for their novel design thinking, transparency, connectivity, safety, sustainability, great interiors, and sophistication.
Renae Mantooth |
Phillip Powers |
Dina Sorensen |
Steven D. Wong |
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