Blaine, Minn.

Karner Blue Education Center

Side of Design Podcast: Redefining the Special Education Environment

When Northeast Metro Intermediate School District 916 embarked on a course to build a school specifically designed for children with severe autism and emotional and behavioral disorders, there were no plans to follow as no other school like it was known to exist. Starting with a clean slate, teachers, administration and staff brought in images and ideas of their hopes, dreams, desires, and needs, and the design began to evolve from there.

The solution is like nothing seen previously in elementary school design.

Forgoing the long, double-loaded corridors typical of schools that can present a distraction to this special population, the design team settled on distinctive pods of classrooms to accommodate the different populations the school serves. Curved hallways break the line of sight that could entice children to run down corridors, while daylighting strategies minimize the need for artificial lighting and the noise they can generate. Seating arrangements, windows, common areas and breakout rooms provide a number of options for children who need to break from group learning and find composure. Multiple entrances reduce the crowd, and fear, students can experience when entering school. Safety elements normally found in behavioral hospitals are incorporated throughout the center.

Project Highlights

Top Projects of 2014, Finance & Commerce, Minnesota

Team

Steve Berg

Principal, Director

Steve Busse

Associate Principal, Design Leader

Matt Sletten

Design Leader

Miriam Figueroa

Senior Architectural Designer

Additional Team Members

Brian Buchholz (retired)

Principal, Senior Vice President

Don Thomas (retired)

Principal

Mark Ludgatis (retired)

Principal

Steve Erickson (retired)

Associate Principal

Hanna Kuehl

Project Manager

Liliana Maresh

Interior Designer

Project Specs

Size:

70,000 sq. ft.

Components:

Decentralized entrances and exits; specifically design learning pods for students with autism, behavioral disorders, and emotional-behavioral disorders; skylights and specifically located windows to reduce environmental noise from lights; sensory rooms; indoor and outdoor playgrounds; teacher’s meditation room and shower; connections to nature throughout, including windows for personal views; cafeteria; administrative offices

Completion:

2014

July 22, 2024

Karner Blue Education Center