Client
Boys Town
Project Location
Omaha, NE
Students
450
Area
110,000 SF
Tucked away amidst the trees and historic paths of Boys Town, Nebraska, stands the Boys Town Education Center. The future-ready space creates a safe and inclusive learning environment through research-informed design principles. Most notably it honors the mission of Father Edward J. Flanagan, Boys Town’s historic founder, who worked his entire life to inspire impactful moments in children’s lives.
Founded in 1917 by Father Flanagan, Boys Town welcomes children of all races, genders, and spiritual beliefs. Students at Boys Town come from difficult backgrounds, including fractured families, homelessness, or involvement with the juvenile justice system. Despite these challenges, they arrive seeking guidance and the opportunity to find success in school and in life. Through tailored support, customized educational plans, and empathetic design, Boys Town empowers its students to overcome adversity and build a foundation for success. With over a dozen locations in Nebraska, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Nevada, and New England, Boys Town is the largest nonprofit organization devoted to children and families in the United States. As of 2023, over 3 million children and families have been positively impacted by Boys Town programs.
Designers met with the Boys Town Core Planning Team, teachers, students, and alumni on 30 different occasions. We engaged in teacher and student shadowing, educational workshops, design shares, existing school tours, furniture testing and training, and educator change management training. Early in the design process, Boys Town leaders identified the physical learning environment’s critical role in student success. This empowered our team to have open and candid conversations about crucial design elements that would best serve the unique needs of students and staff.
Through our BOLD (Bridging Organization, Learning, and Design) process, our team led the district in trauma-informed design practices. Beyond visioning, we supported administrators and educators in developing operational systems with clear expectations, practices, and procedures, as well as providing professional development. Educational designers on our team bridged the change management progression for teachers and administrators, helping usher in the new educational culture at Boys Town.
Nearly every student at Boys Town has experienced some type of trauma in their lives. Additionally, the teachers and staff at Boys Town experience secondhand trauma in their day-to-day at the school. From these conversations, we recognized the need to incorporate specific trauma-informed design principles to create a safe and comfortable environment. At Boys Town, these elements include sensory boundaries, nested layers, and spaces that result in dignity, belonging, and comfort. The education center features ample spaces that provide appropriate privacy, combined with open interior environments that facilitate visibility.
Research informed every space at the new school. In addition to trauma-informed design, we also examined how flexibility, individualization, naturalness, and stimulation affect the learning environment. A variety of learning spaces, thermal comfort through the individual control of heating and cooling, ample seating choices, and student-led artwork, all contribute to the positive learning experience at Boys Town Education Center.
Utilizing the students’ creativity and talent adds a unique artistic touch to the interior finishes and an authentic connection between the students and their school. In one project, students worked in teams designing tile patterns that influenced some of the school’s interior finishes. They also collaborated with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln design studio to create full-scale, laser-cut models of their designs. These tile patterns playfully adorn the walls at pivotal connection points to showcase student creativity and symbolize their sense of ownership and agency within the school. In addition to the tile project, students also contributed to a butterfly mural in the media center. Each student decorated a butterfly, which Omaha artist Watti White assembled into a large mural. This mural reflects their journey at Boys Town as they grow, evolve, and soar.
Boys Town seeks to prepare its students for life after Boys Town. Whether that’s returning to their previous school, pursuing an advanced degree, or entering the workforce, it’s important that students have the skills and experience to be successful. The new Education Center builds on Boys Town’s commitment to provide real-world learning to students and provides access to new programming including robotics, coding, and 3D printing. The STEM labs are multifaceted in their value. They enable teachers to facilitate extracurricular activities, like the robotics club, without having to travel to a different building. Students now have access to industry leading resources to be successful in those activities. They also provide exposure to STEM opportunities. Now, students can see STEM classwork and activities as they walk through the building, sparking interest and intrigue.
Elementary and middle school students have access to a shared learning commons for collaboration and “messy work.” A multipurpose room that also serves as a FEMA-rated storm shelter offers activity space for these students to engage in physical education activities. The media center serves all students, grades 4-12, and features a collaborative approach with books focused on leisure and reading.
Spirit Hall is the focal point of Boys Town Education Center – physically and philosophically. This elegant two-story space offers a tranquil environment for students and staff to engage in prayer, reflection, and meditation. Art glass subtly obscures views to ensure privacy while maintaining visibility for supervision. Faith, no matter what religion or denomination, is a cornerstone of Boys Town’s philosophy. Spirit hall reflects Boys Town’s commitment to this spiritual growth and fulfills Father Flanagan’s vision of faith as a foundational part of every student’s journey.
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Architectural Record Continuing Education: Trauma-Informed Design
October 8, 2024Our firm's trauma-informed design principles create a learning environment of inclusion, safety, and optimism at Boys Town Education Center. Read how these principles are enriching the student and educator wellbeing at Boys Town in Architectural Record’s Continuing Education series.
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