NAC

Join NAC's Philip Riedel, Darice Cadriel, and Dustin Saalman on June 2nd at the A4LE-Association for Learning Environments Midwest/Great Lakes Regional Conference. They will be presenting on "Supporting Special Education Inclusion with School Design." Learn how school design strategies can help Districts interested in maximizing inclusion of special education students, who are more reliant on their physical learning environment, with their general populations. Inclusive strategies require a holistic approach, incorporating trauma-informed design, biophilia, variety and flexibility in the classroom and beyond. As we understand the full spectrum of student needs, it becomes clear that designing for the highest need will enrich the environment for everyone.

“How can we achieve a state of compassionate design? What qualities, characteristics, or features can we imbue into the design of spaces which demonstrates an awareness that traumatic experiences are common, if not universal?” Are you attending the Environmental Design Research Association 57 Conference at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst? Don’t miss out this presentation by NAC RED Director Dustin Saalman, “Evaluating Learning Environments for Trauma-Informed Design: Comparison of Findings from the Trauma-Informed Design Evaluation Tool for K-12 Schools (TiDEvalK12) Used In K-12 Post-Occupancy Evaluations.” “Schools are meant to be a safe space—school districts and designers have unique opportunities to greatly influence the atmosphere of the students' day to day experience. Trauma-informed design considerations have the ability to contribute to the environment in ways that reduce stress and prevent instances of triggering or re-traumatization.” 🗓️ May 29 |📍Amherst, MA Visit https://edra57.org/ to register and learn more!

Project of the Week Transformed from a historic train terminal into a world-class interdisciplinary learning environment, the Cornish College of the Arts FabLab weaves the old and the new into a collaborative and sophisticated makerspace. DCI Engineers NAC Engineering Gateway Construction Services, Inc B+E Consulting Partners 📷 Benjamin Benschneider

Join us on Thursday May 14th for the A4LE Washington Chapter East Side Tour of Joya Child & Family Development Center. Joya Child & Family Development Center is a one-of-a-kind facility designed to serve infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities by reflecting the joy, warmth, and possibility that children and families experience every day in their care. This new facility combines clinical precision with a playful, nature-inspired design, putting children and families at ease from the moment they enter the soft-colored, tactile lobby. Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/gajZtBar Project team: Joya Child & Family Development DCI Engineers Dumais-Romans, Inc SPVV Landscape Architects Design Balance LLC 📸 Benjamin Benschneider

Project of the Week: Designed to provide intensive therapeutic treatment for children experiencing behavioral and emotional problems related to past trauma or mental health issues, the Behavioral and Emotional Skills Training (BEST) facility at Providence Holy Family Hospital is a therapist led, hospital-based day treatment program that includes a nutrition room, team work room, multi-purpose room, quiet rooms, a classroom, an athletic space, and themed rooms where kids and their families can have therapy sessions. NAC Engineering MW Engineers Providence Photography: NAC

We are thrilled to share that Expedition Elementary school has been honored with the Citation of Excellence Award in the Learning By Design Magazine Spring 2026 Architecture and Interior Design Awards! "Excellent evidence-based project the entire industry could learn from. The design creates a holistic learning environment that balances aspiration with pragmatism. This thoughtful integration of form, function, and sustainability ensures that students experience an environment that is warm, inclusive, and future-focused." – Jury Comment Nestled against the backdrop of Mt. Rainier and integrated into a walkable residential neighborhood, Expedition Elementary School was envisioned as both a place of learning and a community hub. The form of the building draws inspiration from a bird’s nest—protective, welcoming, and alive with potential. Like a nest, the school shelters its students while empowering them to grow. Read more here! https://lnkd.in/g5PwUbay Team: Bethel School District Fora Landscape Architects Coughlin Porter Lundeen NAC Engineering Metrix Engineers Sitts & Hill Photography by Benjamin Benschneider

On April 17, our team had the honor of helping cut the ribbon for the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery in Kennewick, WA, a project the community has been eagerly awaiting. This center marks a major milestone for the region as the first inpatient recovery facility in the Tri-Cities, bringing critical resources to Benton County. Being part of this project has meant a great deal to our NAC team, as we deeply believe in the mission to support individuals in need. Operating 24/7 with a “No Wrong Door” approach, the center will welcome anyone seeking help, regardless of the severity of their situation or their ability to pay, while providing a compassionate alternative to jail or emergency departments for those experiencing a behavioral health crisis. A sincere thank you to Bouten Construction, Benton County, and the Benton County Recovery Coalition for the opportunity to be part of such meaningful work. Project Team: Benton County Benton Franklin Recovery Coalition Bouten Construction Company PBS Engineering and Environmental RDH Building Science PLACE Landscape Architecture Photography by Patrick Martinez Opening Videography by Spotted Fox Digital Marketing

We are excited to share that construction is nearing completion on Crescent Harbor Elementary School! Thank you to Verlin for the excellent construction footage. Project Team: Oak Harbor Public Schools TIGER CONSTRUCTION PNW Coughlin Porter Lundeen Fora Landscape Architects Metrix Engineers NAC Engineering

I’m having an awesome time at the AIA CAE Spring Conference! https://lnkd.in/gpYsTunV Touring my City has been a privilege and reminder on how many wonderful educational spaces we have in the region! Each year CAE tours a new place with a very unique no-convention center format. Today we toured NAC and Seattle Public Schools James Baldwin Elementary among a half dozen+ other extraordinary inspiring projects in PK-12 and HE.

Project of the Week: Silas High School's design centers flexible learning, encouraging teacher and student collaboration. Classroom-sized spaces that accommodate up to 30 students feature opaque operable partitions that can be opened to a flexible common space to support both team teaching and larger group activities. Photography by Benjamin Benschneider Coffman Engineers Coughlin Porter Lundeen DA Hogan and Associates Fora Landscape Architects Hargis Engineers Sitts & Hill Engineers, Inc.