Prof. Gjertson to lead M.Arch students in collaboration to create K-8 Lab School competition brief

The School of Architecture and Design's Architectural Practice course taught by Professor Gjertson is collaborating with College of Education Dean Roberts and Professors Barber and Williams to create an architectural program and competition brief for the proposed Laboratory School.

The Lab School is an expedition toward innovation, altruism, and excellence. It will merge the innovative models of expeditionary learning, maker-centered learning, school-wide enrichment model, collaborative learning, project-based learning, phenomenon learning, experiential learning, and outdoor adventure learning.

The purpose of the design competition is to create a lab school with spaces that reflect the idea to create and sustain a culture of curiosity, creativity, while encouraging the use of knowledge for a better world.

Ten graduate students in Professor Gjertson's course have conducted research and design charrettes with College of Education students, teachers and representatives from the community in their effort to program the school this fall. Architecture Professors Smith, Saft, and LaSala are serving on the Competition Advisory board and design jury.

Pending approvals and funding, the competition will be conducted in 2019 and the UL Lafayette K-8 Lab School is proposed to open fall 2021.

Please contact gjertson@louisiana.edu for additional information.