Learning Environments are changing at a rapid pace. Experienced Professionals can bring insight to your project. Whether you're balancing the needs and expectations of students, preparing for an unknown future, or looking to align your project with institutional values and mission, we are here to help.

Our committed practice leaders are industry experts, thought leaders, and passionate about your learning environment. We are here to be an outside perspective, provide clarity that can help open eyes, understand problems, and solve for the unknown.

© Progressive AE

AMP Lab

Western Michigan University

13,000 SF

Completed in 2018

Advanced Manufacturing Partnership Lab

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ADVANCING

academic excellence

The heart of any campus is the academic spaces where students and professors delve into topics, collaborate, and ask questions to solve problems and learn together.

We believe in the power of education — we have seen it firsthand working with more than 40 different higher education clients. We also know the role design plays in shaping experiences. Good design can inspire the mind, fuel discovery and promote engagement.

From advanced manufacturing centers to state-of-the-art science buildings, we work to create academic spaces that are flexible, sustainable and will remain relevant far into the future.

YOUR HIGHER EDUCATION

DESIGN EXPERTS

A COMMITMENT TO

the student experience

The majority of a student’s time is spent outside the  
classroom. The experience of dining, housing and student amenities are paramount to creating a healthy, stimulating, and flexible environment that can meet the needs of all students.

Housing. It’s More Than a Place to Live.
Housing is personal. It is where life-long friendships are made. Creating spaces that are safe, comfortable, supportive, and encourage interactions among students are key to long-term success and can play a role in student retention. We have worked with clients throughout the country on a variety of housing projects — from renovating existing facilities, to designing new  residence halls, apartments and townhomes.

Healthy Options in Dining and for the Environment.
Campus life often mirrors that of the greater world. As individuals and organizations continue to champion more sustainable practices in how  and what we eat, those same ideals have found their way onto campuses. Similarly, students, visitors and staff are looking for dining options that  are both healthy and diverse. Much like cafés and coffee shops, dining halls have become a destination for group and individual study, meetings between students and professors, and a catalyst for community engagement. Flexibility to use these spaces  when and how they need is vital to today’s students.

OSPREY COMMONS

University of North Florida

28,000 SF

Completed in 2013

Dining Hall

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We’ve worked with Progressive AE on several projects and it’s kind of like working with family. We trust them and they’ve worked well with us. This made Progressive AE an easy selection to help design and build the Hanson Technology Center.

– Ken Flowers, Dean of Career and Workforce Education, Lake Michigan College

JACK & MARY DE WITT CENTER FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Cornerstone University

42,000 SF

Completed in 2019

Science & Technology Center

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WE ARE PASSIONATE

about the future of learning

The days of static campus buildings are long gone. Today’s students and faculty require flexible spaces that adapt to and actively support the learning process. They expect to see a school’s mission and values reflected in the places they learn and live. Creating a sense of belonging and purpose is more important than ever before.

Driving Performance Through Design.
We live by a fundamental philosophy that design drives performance. We will work with you to develop performance measures that drive each design decision to ensure our work ties-back to your strategic vision. It is not enough to say we will drive performance, we will prove it to you. At established checkpoints after you occupy the space, we will connect  with you to monitor and evaluate the performance measures. We call this  Performance Based Design. We believe in it so much we made it our mission.

Equity in Design.
Inclusive design, also known as 
Universal Design, is the act of creating spaces that can be used and accessed by everyone. In fact, it often goes further  than the American’s with Disability Act to develop a sense of equality among users. We’re experts in the field of Universal Design and our work has been internationally recognized for its dedication to access for all.

BUTTERFIELD HALL

Michigan State University

200,000 SF

Completed in 2014

Residence Hall

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BRODY HALL

Michigan State University

130,000 SF

Completed in 2011

Dining Hall

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HANSON TECHNOLOGY CENTER

Lake Michigan College

49,376 SF

Completed in 2016

Advanced Manufacturing & Skilled Trades

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STEVEN C. ENDER HALL

Grand Rapids Community College

3,850 SF

Completed in 2020

Student Resource Center

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Tod R. Stevens, FAIA, LEED AP

Learning Practice Leader

616.988.4891

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

We believe in sharing our expertise, insights, and research. If we can help solve a problem then that's a win.
Whether you're a client or not, we're here to help.

IUniversal Design the Future? Tod is joined by interior designer Jessica Griffis to talk with Dr. Peter Blanck about his work as a disability advocate and why he believes Universal Design can create a better future for everyone. 

State of the Library. Lee Van Orsdel, Former Dean of Libraries, and Kristin Meyer, User Experience Librarian talk with host Tod Stevens about the Mary Idema Pew Library. Lee, Kristin, and Tod discuss how libraries are like malls, talk about user experience and permissions culture, and the importance of an adaptable service model. 

What can design learn from anthropology? We talk with anthropologist Daniel Maldonado to understand how the study of human behavior intersects and informs the way we design spaces. Daniel shares his unique insights as a first-generation college graduate.

Featured Episodes

From the Blog

Benefits and Challenges of Adaptive Reuse in Higher Education

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Student Housing Trends for 2021

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What Remote Communication Tells Us About the Important of "Place" in Higher Education

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Five Things Higher Education can Learn from Corporate Workplace

NORTH RESIDENCE HALL

Ferris State University

124,000 SF

Completed in 2017

Residence Hall

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