HOUxEDU: A Candid Discussion about Students and School Design

Join us on March 23 as Dr. Robert Sanborn from Children at Risk moderates a conversation with 4 leading architects in the field of K12 school design.  This will be a candid discussion about current trends in school design.  We will discuss the challenges districts are facing in terms of security.  What does equity look like in school design?  What are we doing now to address what schools of the future will need to be?  We will not shy away from controversial topics like vouchers and shortfalls in the equitable design process.  Children at Risk will present on data on school environment versus student outcomes and what progressive learning looks like.  The conversation will touch on how education needs to evolve as technology and people evolve and there will be an honest conversation about what really is the architect’s role in the future of education.

Location: ArCH Center, 902 Commerce, Houston, TX

Date: Thursday, March 23
Time: 5pm-6pm – social  
          6pm-8pm – panel discussion

The event is free to attend however we do ask that you register in advance. 

AIA Credit: 2.0 LU 

Panelists:  

• Qeturah Williams, AIA
• Laura Sachtleben, AIA
• Jeffrey H. Chapman, AIA
• Jody Sergi, AIA

Moderator:

• Dr. Robert Sanborn 

About the speakers:

Qeturah T. Williams, AIA, is a Principal with DLR group, inc. She has built an 18 year career focused on leading innovative, collaborative project teams to meet and exceed client expectations. Her diverse portfolio, encompassing multiple market sectors highlights her dedication to all phases of the design and construction process. Through her focus in K-12 education design, she has elevated her core value that architects are stewards of the future, entrusted by their clients as design partners in shaping the human experience. A graduate of the University of Houston, Qeturah holds a Bachelor of Architecture and a B.S. of Environmental Design. She is active in the Texas AEC community, serving as the Texas Society of Architect’s Vice President of Practice and Recognition, volunteering on the Education Outreach Committee and the Continuing Education Committee. She is member of the AIA Houston Women in Architecture and is active in mentorship programs to teach middle school and high school students about architecture.

Laura Flannery Sachtleben, AIA, LEED AP BD+C has dedicated her career to education facility design and has worked alongside educators for twenty years. As the former Global Education and Science & Technology Sector Leader and the leader of the Research + Benchmarking program for Stantec, she actively connected thought leadership throughout the firm to increase collective knowledge, explore industry trends, and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of designs on the educational environment. Throughout her career, Laura has been responsible for building and nurturing client relationships, leading project teams, and sharing her knowledge on topics of resilience, school safety and innovation in education architecture through national conferences, leadership positions with professional organizations, and mentorship. 

Laura is the current President of AIA Houston as well as the current Chair of the Texas Society of Architects Government Affairs Committee where she ties her love of the architecture profession with her passion for supporting and advocating for public education.  In 2014, Laura was named one of Houston AIA’s Young Architects of the year and in 2017 was named as one of ENR’s inaugural National Top 20 under 40 award recipients. Laura spearheaded the 2019 Houston Resiliency Innovation Workshop which aimed at furthering a holistic and interdisciplinary conversation around a resilient future in Houston.  She is an active advocate for the importance of education and resilience within each of our communities.

Jeffrey H. Chapman, AIA, LEED AP, Principal, Chief Process Officer, PBK has been practicing architecture since 2006, and his proficiency in architecture, design, and construction has been a continued asset for the firm. His experience covers educational, commercial, and government buildings with a focus on K-12 and Higher Education. Jeff has helped clients with bond planning, campus and district master planning, educational specifications, facility design and construction, safety and security planning, sustainable design, and disaster recovery. He is responsible for all aspects of design and construction.

Throughout his career, he has overseen over half of a billion dollars in construction from clients including Alvin ISD, Barbers Hill ISD, Magnolia ISD, Houston ISD, Conroe ISD, Klein ISD, Humble ISD, Pearland ISD, Texas Southern University, Central Texas College, Southwestern University, College of the Mainland and Lamar Institute of Technology. As a LEED Accredited Professional, Jeff has overseen 11 million square feet of LEED Certified projects and co-authored a publication entitled the “Green Guide for Schools” and “Guide to the IGCC” with the T.S.A. Jeff has presented at numerous conferences on a variety of topics concerning school facility design.

Jody Sergi is an Architect and Associate Vice President at Kirksey.  Jody has worked in K-12 and Higher Education projects almost exclusively during her 24 year career.  She earned her BArch from The University of Cincinnati and became a LEED AP in 2003.  She has served on the Board of Directors for the USGBC and has Chaired the AIA Gulf Coast Green Conference.  Most recently, she curated the HOUxEDU: Design for Learning exhibit at the AIA Houston Architecture Center. Jody is an advocate for green schools and believes that schools can have a low impact on the earth and a huge influence on the way children learn.

Dr. Robert Sanborn is a noted leader, advocate, and activist for education and children and the President and CEO of CHILDREN AT RISK. He earned his undergraduate degree at Florida State University and his doctorate at Columbia University in New York City. Before entering the non-profit sector, he had a distinguished career in higher education at institutions such as Rice University and Hampshire College.

Under his leadership, CHILDREN AT RISK has expanded its influence considerably. Notable achievements include opening up centers in Dallas and Fort Worth; launching the Public Policy & Law Center, the CHILDREN AT RISK Institute, the Center for Parenting and Family Well-Being and the Center to End Trafficking and Exploitation of Children. Sanborn is the Executive Editor of two peer reviewed, open-access academic journals, the Journal of Applied Research on Children and the Journal of Family Strengths.