Learning lifts us up.

The built environment has power to inhibit or inspire. At OPN, we design flexible, operationally efficient buildings that support learning, innovation, collaboration, and creativity.

Over the past 35 years, we have led the programming and design of hundreds of academic projects, including many renovations and additions. We take particular pride in our reputation as designers of learning environments that meet changing modes of teaching. Our academic team is immersed in the analysis of best practices for K-12 education and closely monitors developing trends in pedagogy and technology as they affect facility design.

We understand that every district has the challenge of an ever-growing list of needs, wants, and dreams for its students, facilities, and community while also maintaining a responsible budget. Having led other districts through similar master planning projects, we recognize the importance of this process in laying the groundwork for a successful long-range plan that will gain community support for improved facilities. Updated schools don’t just improve learning environments for students, they play a critical role in economic development. They are a building block in creating a place where families will want to raise their children, contributing to the long-term vitality of a community.

TECHNOLOGY

Tell your story.

At OPN, we have found technology to be a powerful tool for communication with clients and for community and stakeholder engagement. Video screens inside headsets can allow you to step into your completed project before a brick has been laid. At public meetings, a quick scan of a QR code on a smartphone and VR headset allows the VR experience to be shared with the entire community, who will be able to walk through the project and clearly understand the design. We’re pushing the boundaries of technology innovation in architecture and working towards a more efficient future. Check out the video to see some of the tools we can utilize to visualize and communicate designs.

Walk your space, ahead of time.

In a virtual world, we’ll bring your space to you. Whether during design, or after construction, we can help clients, community members and visitors visualize your space.  Walkthroughs like the one below can be completed with renderings and 3D models or after project completion with the use of our 360 degree camera.

RESEARCH & BUILD CONSENSUS

Crowd source your community.

One way we like to gather information from stakeholders and community members is through surveys. Whether we’re all in the same place, or all in different ones, Mentimeter is a tool that captures feedback from groups of all sizes, from any device. Click here to give it a try, and view responses live below!