R2I2 wins A4LE Honor Award
May 24, 2018
LS3P’s design for the new Richland Two Institute of Innovation (R2i2), a 200,000 SF multigenerational learning hub in Columbia, SC, recently won an Honor Award from the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE). Constructed as a design/build partnership between LS3P and MB Kahn Construction Co., R2i2 grew from Richland School District Two’s vision for a community center where students, parents, teachers, academic support personnel, community members, and businesses could engage in collaborative educational activities.
The facility weaves together community resources such as a public library, Richland Two’s District Offices, and a student learning lab. The unique two-story learning lab accommodates a variety of programs targeting juniors and seniors from Richland Two’s five high schools, and offers opportunities for college-level and dual-credit courses with a curriculum focused on advanced STEM and vocational programs.
A4LE jurors commended the District’s commitment to educational innovation, evident in the unique programming which encourages meaningful overlap between diverse functions and user groups. A mix of public and private facilities supports lifelong learning and full-scale collaboration between the District and the wider community. “To be involved with the design of this unique facility has been a real privilege for our LS3P design team,” said Mary Beth Sims Branham, LS3P Principal and Columbia Office Leader. “The District has created a leading-edge learning environment which will serve as a model for collaboration for districts nationwide.”
R2i2 opened in the fall of 2016; the Honor Award was presented at the A4LE SC conference held April 25-27 at R2i2.
About Richland School District Two: Richland School District Two is the largest school district in the Midlands area of South Carolina and one of the fastest-growing in the state. We serve more than 27,000 pre-K through 12th grade students in 40 schools and centers: 19 elementary schools, seven middle schools, five high schools, four magnet centers, one child development center and one alternative school. A district of choice, where every school is a great choice, Richland Two offers 37 magnet programs catering to the individual interests and needs of our learners.
About A4LE
The Association for Learning Environments is a professional 501 (c)(3) non-profit association whose sole mission is improving the places where children learn.
About LS3P
Founded in 1963, LS3P is an architecture, interiors, and planning firm with regional roots and national reach. Operating from its eight offices in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington, and Savannah, LS3P is deeply committed to the communities in which it serves, and has been honored with over 560 design awards in diverse practice areas. For more information on LS3P, visit www.ls3p.com.
