Education
At Simpson Coulter Studio, we are incredibly proud of the work that we have done to create
learning environments that support student, staff, and community needs from pre-K to higher education.
Featured Projects
southeast career & technical academy
Client: Clark County School District
The Southeast Career and Technical Academy (SECTA) Master Plan includes three phases, with a fourth phase planned pending budget approval. The third phase introduced four new buildings to the existing campus. Rooted in a prototypical Career and Technical Academy Master Plan kit-of-parts, initially designed by Simpson Coulter Studio for the Clark County School District in 2009, the SECTA Master Plan underwent refinement through user group workshops involving teachers and administrators. The aim was to tailor the programmatic needs of the campus and its teaching spaces. The project endeavored to replace aging 60-year old facilities with cutting-edge career and technical learning environments, fostering project-based learning spaces, and ensuring adaptability for future evolution. Following completion of this last phase in 2022, the school was awarded a nationally recognized prestigious honor: the Dr. Ronald P. Simpson Magnet School of Merit Award of Excellence.
Universty of Nevada Las Vegas: Student Union
Client: UNLV
In 2019, Simpson Coulter Studio was selected to work with UNLV to help with space planning of their Student Union. The result was a proposed new Student Union environment that would support the diversity of students on campus, solve some of the existing infrastructure challenges, and provide additional spaces to gather and engage on campus. The design team explored multiple types of active spaces for meetings / events, student involvement, recreation, a lounge, administrative uses, food service, and retail. Throughout the process, the team met with and incorporated the view points of a diverse range of student and faculty groups throughout campus. In 2023, UNLV tasked our team with developing design solutions at the Student Union beginning the process of bringing these spaces to life through re-imagined office and conference spaces, student focused areas, and a new multicultural center.
Strong Start Academy
Client: City of Las Vegas
The Strong Start Academy project, completed for Clark County School District, was the City of Las Vegas’ first ground-up Strong Start Academy. It provides relief and educational resources to the surrounding low-income community. The Design Team was tasked with programming for the facility and developing a modern, 21st-century school design that aimed to revitalize and engage community members of all ages. Challenges arose from the site size and its location along a busy road. To solve for this, the play area was strategically placed in the central, shaded courtyard to create a safe circulation route and easily connect classrooms. Additionally, exterior planters were seamlessly integrated into the facade offering increased protection against vehicles. Simpson Coulter Studio was also selected to work on the next Strong Start Academy located at 9th and Bridger.