Markets

Education

We are architects, planners, interior designers and multi-discipline engineers who are passionate about education and the impact that space and architecture have on people – how we live, how we work, how we learn. We deliver innovative project solutions that span from small spaces to large campuses, from early childhood and high school and vocational centers to universities, and from academic, to long range facility planning, to athletic, to recreational spaces. We provide full-service architecture and engineering services to help create forward-thinking education spaces.

Who We Work With
Pre-K
Early Childhood Centers
Elementary Schools
Middle/High Schools
Career & Technology Centers
Higher Education

At LDG, we recognize the distinct needs of early childhood education spaces and bring proven experience in partnering with administrators, early learning coordinators, childcare providers, and facility managers. From new construction and classroom additions to renovations and outdoor learning spaces, our team delivers tailored design and engineering solutions that foster safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environments — giving young learners the space they need to grow and thrive.

LDG’s team brings focused expertise to the planning and design of early childhood centers, understanding the vital role that safe, engaging and nurturing environments play in early learning. We collaborate with directors, educators, childcare providers and community stakeholders to create spaces that support the growth and development of children from birth through age five. Our experience spans new construction, facility enhancements, security upgrades, and the thoughtful integration of indoor and outdoor learning spaces — each tailored to meet the unique needs of early learners.

We design innovative, student-centered environments that lay the groundwork for learning and growth. Our team partners with school administrators, principals, educators and facility managers to create flexible, inclusive spaces that inspire curiosity and support engagement. From new construction and classroom additions to renovations and upgrades to libraries, cafeterias, and playgrounds, our work with elementary schools is rooted in safety, accessibility, and long-term functionality — ensuring every space meets the needs of students today and well into the future.

LDG understands the evolving needs of students as they progress through middle and high school, and we design spaces that support academic success, collaboration, and personal growth. Working closely with school leaders, educators and district stakeholders, we deliver projects ranging from new construction and facility renovations to modernized science labs, performing arts centers, athletic facilities, and secure entryways. Our designs emphasize flexibility, seamless technology integration, and long-term adaptability — creating environments that empower today’s learners and prepare tomorrow’s leaders.

Our people are passionate about supporting hands-on, real-world learning through the design of forward-thinking Career & Technology Centers. In close collaboration with school districts, administrators and industry advisors, we create dynamic spaces that align with today’s workforce needs and tomorrow’s career pathways. Our experience includes new construction, facility upgrades, and specialized labs and shops for programs like healthcare, automotive, culinary arts, manufacturing, and information technology — empowering students with the skills and spaces they need to succeed in their future careers.

A college or university campus is a vibrant community where people live, learn, work and grow. From classrooms and labs to residence halls, dining facilities, theaters and athletic fields, every space plays a role in the rhythm of campus life. At LDG, we understand the unique infrastructure that supports higher education, including transportation networks, public safety, and wellness services. Our team thrives in these dynamic environments, collaborating with steering committees, administrators, project managers and stakeholder groups to deliver purposeful, high-performing spaces that blend form, function and campus identity.

Specialized Experience

District Administration Buildings
Renovations
Athletic Facilities - tracks, gymnasiums, sports fields, grandstands, indoor training, natatoriums
Long-Range Facility Plans
Safety & Security Planning
Storm Shelters

Education Services

Alternative Delivery

LDG’s staff has in-depth knowledge and experience with a wide variety of alternative project delivery methods including design-build, adapt-build, integrated project design, and public-private partnerships (P3). Our experience with diverse project delivery methods affords LDG the flexibility to employ the best solution to maximize project quality and client value.

Architecture & Interior Design

Architectural and interior design for the education market requires a careful balance of purpose and passion to deliver maximum value for students, educators, and communities. We approach every project with a commitment to technical excellence and creative vision, delivering designs that are innovative, sustainable, efficient, and uniquely tailored to each institution’s identity. The result is an environment that sparks learning and pride, both inside and out.

Civil Engineering

The civil engineering associated with the education market is a core strength at LDG. Our expertise ranges from balancing the site in order to decrease the site preparation costs, to providing for the safe flow of traffic and pedestrians when the project is complete, to ensuring the final site conditions simultaneously accommodate everything from stormwater management and utilities to the parking requirements, permits, and occupancy considerations. Our expert staff have honed the skills required to successfully navigate the myriad of tasks associated with civil engineering projects in the education market.

Construction Services

LDG's cadre of certified construction services staff is dedicated to representing your interests at the construction site. Through a variety of services such as materials testing, schedule coordination, change order management, project documentation, ensuring the work is being performed according to the plans, applicable codes, and specifications, and verifying invoices for payment, we help to ensure the project is completed on time and within budget. When construction takes place during the school year, LDG’s construction services professionals play a critical role in ensuring the safety of students, faculty, and staff.

Geotechnical Engineering

Whether it is evaluating the foundation requirements of an addition to the school or determining the slope stability and retaining wall requirements associated with an expanded athletic complex, a thorough understanding of a project’s subsurface conditions is critical to the design of practically every project. LDG’s geotechnical staff begins work on each project during the concept stage, and their involvement continues through the design phase into project construction. This unique approach to geotechnical engineering ensures our staff is intimately familiar with a project, which helps us deliver right-sized and cost-effective solutions.

M/E/P/FP Engineering

Our engineers take an exceedingly thorough approach to evaluating the unique MEP and fire protection engineering associated with each project. From ensuring the correct level of heating and cooling throughout a building, to providing electrical service supporting current and future operations, and ensuring the appropriate level of fire protection: Our goal is to design systems that are engineered within the context of the project. Additionally, our LEED® certified professionals evaluate the life cycle cost analysis in order to minimize operating expenses and energy needs, increase efficiency, and consider the long-term value for each project.

Planning

The key to successful planning in the education market is understanding how a particular building or facility helps the client meet their overall education mission. Our landscape architects, environmental specialists, engineers, and designers support everything from conceptual sketches to full master plans and design guidelines. We are accustomed to helping clients understand construction costs or justifying millage adjustments. We have even supported filing the required paperwork to obtain project grants and/or matching funds.

Structural Engineering

LDG’s structural engineers understand the specialized engineering that supports energy initiatives and work toward an optimal balance between technical function and economic impact. We review and consider all of a project’s structural requirements as well as the project requirements for the other engineering disciplines and use that input to develop our structural engineering approach. Whether designing collector buildings, structural foundations for wind turbines, or supporting solar panel installations LDG has the expertise to support the design of new structures as well as the rehabilitation and analysis of existing structures.

Transforming Learning Environments
Cache High School Gymnasium
Oakdale Launchpad
Jones High School

This state-of-the-art facility emphasizes energy efficiency, integrating natural daylight through full-height glass walls around the stairs and front entry that enhances the interior environment. The gymnasium features a 360-degree mezzanine with a walking path that offers a full view of the competition space below. Designed to accommodate large gatherings, the gym includes 1,800 fixed seats and a high-quality maple competition floor.

The Launchpad, an outdoor learning environment and playground complex, serves Oakdale Public School and the greater Oakdale community. Its features include an amphitheater, tree-shaded outdoor classroom, shelters, an open area with artificial turf, large natural turf area for soccer, and a fenced basketball/pickleball court, as well as age-appropriate playgrounds for grades K-3, grades 4-8 and special needs students.

Rebuilt after burning down in 2007, the two-story Jones High School houses 400 students and includes 26 classrooms, an art room, science and computer labs, and a life skills room. The design is organized around a large commons area, which serves as the social hub of the building and is utilized for dining, performing arts, and general building circulation. The high school also includes a 1,200-seat gymnasium and a storm shelter.

Honors & Awards

LDG is proud to be recognized for our contributions to educational environments that inspire learning and support student success. From early childhood centers to higher education campuses, these recognitions reflect the dedication of our team and the strong partnerships we build with educators and communities.

News & Insights
News & Insights
Accolades: LDG Debuts on BD+C Giants 400 Top K-12 Architecture Firms List
Accolades: LDG’s Angie Clarkson Earns Prestigious ALEP Professional Distinction
Notes From the Road: LDG’s Angie Clarkson and Jeff Wegener Lead and Learn at Annual Education Leadership Conference

Through Accolades, LDG shares news of the awards, rankings, and professional achievements that recognize our people, our hard work, and our exceptional client service.

Through Accolades, LDG shares news of the awards, rankings, and professional achievements that recognize our people, our hard work, and our exceptional client service.

At LDG, our culture encourages our people to make value-driven decisions for their clients, their communities, and themselves.