Urban School Design
K-12 Portfolio - 2026
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ARCHITECTURE | INTERIORS | ENGINEERING
Firm Overview
Fanning Howey is an integrated architecture, interiors, and engineering firm specializing in learning environments. We use the power of design to create smarter, happier learners, more successful educators and stronger communities. From our offices in Indiana and Ohio, we have designed K-12 and Higher Education learning environments throughout the Midwest and across the country. Our team is devoted to finding ways to conceive and build inspirational places for teaching and learning.
W E A R E LE A D E R S I N :
• Architecture • MEP Engineering • Interior Design • Landscape Architecture • Technology Design • Construction Administration • Master Planning • Educational Visioning • Bond Issue/Referendum Assistance
900K+
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#4
students attend Fanning Howeydesigned schools each day
Impact on Learning Awards for school communities (more than any other firm)
globally in LEED certification design for K-12 schools
3,000+
140+
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K-12 school designs in 36 states since 1961
professionals focused on improving learning environments
years of expertise creating impactful spaces
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URBAN SCHOOL DESIGN
Design for Urban Communities Successful planning and design for urban school districts requires a design team that can effectively engage a broad range of stakeholder groups and offer solutions that work within an urban context. Fanning Howey has worked with urban school communities across the nation, including 23 member districts of the Council of Great City Schools. Our broad perspective connects clients with the wellspring of accomplishments and innovations rising from inner city communities throughout the country. Anchorage School District Anchorage, AK
Long Beach Unified School District Long Beach, CA
Broward County Public Schools Fort Lauderdale, FL
Miami-Dade County Public Schools Miami, FL
Cincinnati Public Schools Cincinnati, OH
Milwaukee Public Schools Milwaukee, WI
Clark County School District Las Vegas, NV
NOLA Public Schools New Orleans, LA
Columbus City Schools Columbus, OH
New York City Public Schools New York, NY
Dayton Public Schools Dayton, OH
Norfolk Public Schools Norfolk, VA
Detroit Public Schools Community District Detroit, MI
Oklahoma City Public Schools Oklahoma City, OK
District of Columbia Public Schools Washington, DC
Orange County Public Schools Orlando, FL
Duval County Public Schools Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Pinellas County Public Schools Largo, FL
Houston Independent School District Houston, TX
The School District of Palm Beach County West Palm Beach, FL
Indianapolis Public Schools Indianapolis, IN
The School District of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA
Little Rock School District Little Rock, AR
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ARCHITECTURE | INTERIORS | ENGINEERING
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School for Creative and Performing Arts Cincinnati, OH
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ARCHITECTURE | INTERIORS | ENGINEERING
Cincinnati's new School for the Creative and Performing Arts houses some of the most technologically-advanced theater and recording spaces in the Midwest. The school includes a commercial-style, 750-seat theatre and 300-seat recital hall. The main theater, with its elaborate woodwork, large stage and great sight lines makes every seat the best seat in the house. Serving 1,350 students, the building has ample rehearsal space, professional grade dance studios, naturally lit art studios, music practice rooms, galleries, gathering areas and other facilities necessary to offer a learning environment designed specifically for the arts.
C LI E N T Cincinnati Public School District SCOPE 252,249 New SF COST $50.6 M C O M P L E T I O N DAT E 2009
Partner Firms: CR architecture and Moody Nolan
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Booker T. Washington High School Houston, TX
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ARCHITECTURE | INTERIORS | ENGINEERING
The main entrance features a highlyengineering look that mirrors the school’s curriculum.
An integrated learning approach at Booker T. Washington High School prepares students for promising careers in engineering, science and technology. Established in 1893, Booker T. Washington High School for Engineering Professions has a long history of changing to meet the times. The design of the new replacement high school marks the next chapter in this story. In the new school, science and engineering laboratories blend into each academic neighborhood, allowing for the integration of engineering, science and technology, as well as general studies. Cross-disciplinary environments make for a collaborative learning experience that builds future-ready skills. Transparency supports the school's integrated approach to learning, allowing students to be inspired by the activities of their peers.
C LI E N T Houston Independent School District SCOPE 180,000 New SF COST $51.7 M C O M P L E T I O N DAT E 2018
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Southwest PK-8 School Detroit, MI
Fanning Howey and Pure Architects partnered with Detroit Public Schools Community District to design the only new, ground-up school in the district's master plan. With no existing staff, the District created an internal stakeholder team of departmental leaders to provide insight to the design team. Additionally, the design team led a discovery process with the broader community, exploring everything from Montessori to Performing Arts models to define the school's “Why.” Through research into neighborhood demographics and weekly design workshops, the team created a culturally responsive program. Transforming a long-vacant, fire-damaged site, the project became a signature example of community engagement and a new standard for DPSCD schools.
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C LI E N T Detroit Public Schools Community District SCOPE 75,000 New SF COST $38.3 M C O M P L E T I O N DAT E 2027
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Coolidge High School/Ida B. Wells Middle School Washington, DC
Renovations to the historic Coolidge High School are bringing 21st century education to DCPS students, with new additions mimicking existing structures to preserve the building’s legacy. Renovations will combine two separate schools (a middle school and a high school) through the modernization of the existing historic building. The campus is designed to be half middle school and half high school, with shared spaces in the center. Flexible classrooms are bringing 21st century learning opportunities to the historic campus, with moveable furniture and integrated technologies that allow the spaces to transform to support various styles of instruction. The school also offers a community clinic, daycare center and parent center. Associate firm: Architecture, Inc.
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C LI E N T District of Columbia Public Schools SCOPE 44,135 New SF 358,865 Renovated SF COST $158 M C O M P L E T I O N DAT E 2019
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River Terrace Education Campus Washington, DC
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River Terrace has established a new paradigm for District of Columbia Public Schools—one where the students in need of the most help receive the best care, facilities and equipment. Before 2015, students with disabilities in the district were educated in one of two facilities: Sharpe Health School for students with medical complications and mobility impairments, or Mamie D. Lee School for students with profound intellectual disabilities. River Terrace has brought these communities together into one comprehensive facility where every facet is customized to meet the students' physical, sensory and mobility needs.
C LI E N T District of Columbia Public Schools SCOPE 40,010 Renovated SF COST $31.7 M C O M P L E T I O N DAT E 2015
The entire campus is a barrier-free environment, allowing students in wheelchairs to go everywhere and experience everything the school has to offer. All students can play on the playground, swim in the pool and explore the multitude of indoor and outdoor paths that wind through campus.
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Eastern High School Additions/Renovations Washington, DC
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ARCHITECTURE | INTERIORS | ENGINEERING
Additions and renovations to Eastern High School created modern, personalized learning environments for students within a historic building. Eastern High School was built in 1923, and is one of the oldest continuouslyoperating high schools in the District of Columbia. Due to its age and size, the school building was renovated and right sized to better meet the needs of students, the community and district standards. The renovations restored the original grandeur of the building while providing modernized classrooms and improved learning environments. All interior spaces were renovated and all building systems upgraded to increase efficiency and decrease operating costs.
C LI E N T District of Columbia Public Schools SCOPE 280,000 Renovated SF COST $67 M C O M P L E T I O N DAT E 2010
Partner Firm: cox graae + space architects
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Denby High School Renovation Detroit, MI
An 81-year-old building on the National Register of Historic Places, Denby High School was renovated to accommodate nearly 1,900 students as part of a $500.5 million bond program passed by Detroit Public Schools in 2009. The $16 million renovation and expansion project included major upgrades to the original 1930s auditorium. Fanning Howey served on the Program Management team and was responsible for the development of bridging documents and the oversight of design by the selected Design-Build team. Along with Denby High School, nine schools were renovated and eight new schools were constructed under the bond program. Phase I of design and construction included renovating the existing school – upgrading existing athletic fields, reroofing the facility and modernizing the entire building.
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C LI E N T Detroit Public Schools Community District SCOPE 242,000 Renovated SF COST $16.5 M C O M P L E T I O N DAT E 2011
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Ecole Kenwood French Immersion School Columbus, OH
The new Ecole Kenwood Elementary School, located on the same urban site as the previous school, allows students to explore language through a variety of learning styles. A main street-like flex studio serves as the organizing spine of each building's academic neighborhoods, supporting individual exploration, group work and presentations. The design meets the challenges of the constricted site while fully supporting the school's pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade French language immersion program with custom signage, teacher-selected quote walls and built-in displays.
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C LI E N T Columbus City Schools SCOPE 66,604 New SF COST $12.0 M C O M P L E T I O N DAT E 2016
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New Orleans Charter Science & Math High School New Orleans, LA
The New Orleans Science and Math High School (Sci High) is being designed to fulfill this need while housing a high-performing science and math curriculum in a dynamic urban setting. Sci High includes high-tech medical, engineering and applied technology labs to support the school's innovative curriculum and STEM programming. A few blocks from the school, a large medical complex is being constructed where Sci High students will be able to intern and job shadow, gaining real-world experience to support their education. Design concepts include 21st century learning environments with integrated technology and advanced flexibility. Re-configurable spaces of varying sizes, movable furniture and equipment with almost no fixed casework allows the school to support current and emerging approaches to educational program delivery. Interior zoning will serve to enhance after-hours use. Partner Firm: Verges Rome Architects
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C LI E N T Orleans Parish School Board SCOPE 110,000 New SF COST $30.8 M C O M P L E T I O N DAT E 2020
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North Avondale Montessori School Cincinnati, OH
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ARCHITECTURE | INTERIORS | ENGINEERING
North Avondale Montessori School provides students and local residents with a community-centered environment that supports education and recreation. The school is located on an occupied site that it shares with an existing community building. The synergy between the two facilities has created a connected community environment with an emphasis on sustainability. A variety of sustainable elements, including a vegetative roof, support the school's Montessori program while also lowering energy costs and decreasing the building's overall impact on the environment. Fanning Howey designed the engineering systems which helped earn LEED Silver certification for the building.
C LI E N T Cincinnati Public School District SCOPE 85,684 New SF COST $12.6 M C O M P L E T I O N DAT E 2010
Partner Firm: CR architecture + design
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Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School Detroit, MI
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ARCHITECTURE | INTERIORS | ENGINEERING
Fanning Howey developed Bridging Documents and early design concepts for the new Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School. The two-story building supports a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum for more than 1,500 students. Once the project was turned over to the Design-Build team, Fanning Howey provided design oversight and approvals as part of the district's program management group. The new high school is a state-of-the-art facility that combines hightech classrooms with collaborative venues such as a cyber cafe and media center. Shared use spaces include an athletic complex with a swimming pool and competition gymnasium and a performing arts wing with a dramatic auditorium and dedicated spaces for dance, band, and choir.
C LI E N T Detroit Public Schools Community District SCOPE 245,413 New SF COST $45.3 M C O M P L E T I O N DAT E 2011
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Bricolage Academy Renovations New Orleans, LA
The historic John McDonogh High School stood abandoned after Hurricane Katrina. The district partnered with Fanning Howey and VergesRome to transform the building into a modern elementary school. The comprehensive renovation project included all new mechanical, electrical, plumbing and technology systems. All electrical systems were designed eight feet above grade allowing the building to flood without damaging critical systems for operation. Generator connections also allow McDonogh to double as a community storm shelter when needed. An overall reprogramming of the building supports the transition to primary education, while preservation efforts kept the school's historic charm. Original wood floors in the corridors were sanded down, repaired and then refinished. The design also brought the historic auditorium back to its former glory.
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C LI E N T Orleans Parish School Board SCOPE 121,901 Renovated SF COST $7.9 M C O M P L E T I O N DAT E 2018
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Phelps High School Washington, DC
Phelps is the first public high school in the nation to offer students both college preparatory and vocational education dedicated exclusively to the design professions and construction trades. A complete overhaul of the existing campus placed the school at the leading-edge of high-tech education. At Phelps, the entire building acts as a teaching tool for real-world learning and observation. The twostory main commons serves as a showcase of construction materials for welding, drywall, flooring and masonry. Students gain practical experience through the use of heavy equipment and crane simulators, high-tech drafting labs and an HVAC laboratory with equipment maintenance trainers. Renovations preserved the rich legacy of the building while creating transparent, 21st century learning environments and collaboration areas. Partner Firm: Bryant Mitchell, PLLC
A B OV E | Renovations preserved the rich legacy of the building while creating transparent, 21st century learning environments and collaboration areas.
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C LI E N T District of Columbia Public Schools SCOPE 17,736 New SF 123,256 Renovated SF COST $58 M C O M P L E T I O N DAT E 2009
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Withrow High School Cincinnati, OH
Withrow High School is a multi-building campus that has been an integral part of Cincinnati's urban fabric since the early 1900's. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the school's 2-story fluted column portico, strong classical entablature balustrade, and renaissance and Palladian windows are outstanding examples of colonial revival architecture. Recent additions were demolished to make way for a new sports complex, offering new gymnasium and locker facilities that can support on-site varsity athletic competition for the first time in over 30 years. Older gymnasium and pool facilities were adapted to house cafeteria and food service facilities, as well as a new central mechanical systems plant. In addition, the existing stadium was renovated to accommodate State standards for track and field and football competition.
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C LI E N T Cincinnati Public School District SCOPE 28,708 New SF 226,500 Renovated SF COST $31.0 M C O M P L E T I O N DAT E 2006
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