The new Forest Hills Elementary School in Lake Oswego will replace an aging 80-year-old facility with a state-of-the-art learning environment supporting student wellness and environmental responsiveness. This presentation will walk attendees through the design and community engagement process and highlight the team’s approach to well-being, safety, biophilia, and student interaction.

CE Pending

Speaker

Carl Hampson, AIA LEED AP
Soderstrom Architects

Carl is the Design Principal for Soderstrom Architects. He demonstrates the influence design can have on our collective well-being through award-winning projects in higher education, healthcare, and civic life. He has held leadership positions with both large- scale global firms and mid-size regional practices where he has focused on enhancing wellness and health through design, mentorship, and innovation. He views each project as an opportunity to enhance human experience, aiming to create positive impacts for clients, our communities, and the environment.

Thank you to our Digital Design Series Sponsor:

Learning Objectives

Analyze the impact of indoor environmental quality (IEQ)—including acoustics, thermal comfort, and daylighting—on students' mental and physiological health.

Evaluate and integrate passive and active security design strategies that secure school facilities against external threats while maintaining a welcoming, accessible, and psychologically safe environment for occupants.

Identify the core principles of biophilic design—including direct visual connections to nature, natural ventilation, and organic materials—and design educational spaces that actively improve occupant health and increasing cognitive performance.

Design inclusive, accessible, and flexible common areas and circulation paths that encourage positive social interaction, prevent bullying by eliminating blind spots, and support the diverse physical and emotional welfare needs of a varied student population.