Dear CAE community,
It’s an honor to serve as Chair of the American Institute of Architects Committee on Architecture for Education. I’ve dedicated much of my career to exploring how design enhances learning in all its forms, and through this committee, have had the chance to collaborate with those who share this commitment to advancing the quality and impact of educational environments. The opportunity to work alongside this extraordinary group of architects from across the country, as an at-large member and member of the leadership group, has deeply enriched and expanded my work, and I hope it can do the same for all of you.
As an architect in Boston, my work is primarily in higher education. This work is inspired and shaped by my involvement in the CAE, and I’d like to share one occasion where that happened. On the last day of the 2023 CAE Spring Conference in North Texas, we explored an early education center that centered play and exploration as a way of learning- a mix of museum and school. This exploration made me think more completely about learning spaces and challenged me to find the common ground amongst learning spaces of all types. I put this thinking into practice on a multi-disciplinary arts building at a liberal arts college in New England that has many features that encourage students to play and experiment in their work.
This year, I encourage us to highlight the ‘Continuum’ of Learning Spaces in our conversations and our work. Humans learn in so many ways, and at all stages in their life, and I invite us to explore the commonalities in what makes all learning environments excellent—whether they be early childhood, K-12, higher education, alternative education, or corporate learning facilities. As the way people learn continues to evolve, so do the limits of where it can happen- education is no longer confined to one traditional classroom model or building typology. As designers, it is our job to create environments that support this continuum of learning, environments that are adaptable, inclusive, rooted in community, and support the notion that learning takes place over all phases of one’s life.
The 2026 CAE Spring Conference in Seattle will be a highlight this year for our community. The conference will explore diverse spaces that support all modes of learning and provoke dialogues around the future of learning spaces. It will consist of tours, peer-led sessions, and chances to connect with architects from across the country. I encourage anyone who is able to attend to join us!
The CAE leadership group guides and strengthens our work- I am grateful to serve alongside Rebecca Baibak, Tracy Hucul, Susan Morgan, and Brandi Rickels, talented architects working in accomplished firms. Together, we hope to continue the work of the leaders before us in positioning the CAE to tackle the challenges and questions at the intersection of architecture and learning. This effort would not be possible without the hard work of our subcommittees: Research, Advocacy, Awards, Outreach, and Forum—each of which would happy to have you join them.
Thank you for your engagement, your expertise, and your dedication to the mission of the CAE. I look forward to discussing the continuum of educational environments with you at our Spring Conference in Seattle, at the AIA Conference in San Diego, and in our ongoing conversations this year.
The AIA CAE’s mission is to foster innovative and collaborative design of educational facilities and to heighten public awareness on the importance of learning environments.
Jason Forney, FAIA
Chair, AIA Committee on Architecture for Education
Principal, Bruner/Cott Architects