Randy Fielding, AIA

Randy Fielding, AIA Founding Principal

Say "Hello!" to Randy
randy@fieldingintl.com

Randy Fielding, AIA Founding Principal

Say "Hello!" to Randy randy@fieldingintl.com

An integrated approach to pedagogy and design — student outcomes always comes first.”

Randy champions the firm’s mission to make the world better by improving environments for learning. He serves as an innovation leader, design coach and continues to lead selected projects as a Principal-in-Charge and Lead Designer.

His experience extends from early childhood education to the university level and across 50 countries. The common thread throughout his work is the priority of learners, their relationships, and needs in school facility design. Learning, not buildings, comes first in our architecture.

Randy has received fifteen design awards, including the top two International awards in school planning and design: Planner of the Year and the MacConnell Award from the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE). Randy’s work is grounded in research, which he has shared globally as the co-author of The Language of School Design: Design Patterns for 21st Century Learning.

Randy is also the Creative Director for SchoolPatterns.com, which Fielding International launched in 2021 to create a shared language and library that is accessible to all. More than 70 design patterns illustrate key ideas in school design, with problem and solution statements, an image gallery, and links to learn more. The library is freely available through a Creative Commons License, inviting collaboration and continual growth. He writes about the emerging library of patterns in a blog on Place-based Education at GettingSmart.com.

Randy uses Design Patterns as a tool for evaluating existing and proposed facilities, and as a launching point for developing customized solutions for each individual community, campus, school or district that he works with. In addition to serving as a lead design architect, teamwork underpins all of Randy’s work, which takes him around the world to collaborate with public and private institutions, educators, developers, and local architects.

Explore SchoolPatterns.com Design Patterns for Creative Learning Environments

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With clients, Randy’s style is to invite, include and inspire—to reach out and welcome diverse students, teachers, administrators and specialists, parents, and community members. Randy views himself as an on-site co-leader of learning, and not as an outside expert who drops in to direct and inspect. He also moves easily back and forth from uplifting, unifying ideas to practical, down-to-earth realities.

We were introduced to Randy to transform our existing school from traditional classrooms and corridors to a variety of fluidly connected spaces... [W]e saw firsthand Randy’s commitment to a focus on learning, people and relationships first – not buildings.”

Tony Simmons, Executive Director High School for Recording Arts, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Randy in the News

2023 Annual Impact Report

Introducing Fielding International's 2023 Annual Impact Report: Leading as a Certified B Corporation™ Join us in celebrating our milestone achievement as the first school design firm to earn B Corp certification. Our Impact Report showcases our dedication to using business for good, highlighting our commitment to people, projects, and communities worldwide. Explore our impactful initiatives from the past year and goals for 2024 as we contribute to solving global challenges. What does it mean to be a Certified B Corporation™? Fielding International has the honor of being the first school design company to receive B Corp certification, joining a global movement of companies committed to using business as a force for good. Together, we are a community of businesses using our collective power to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges, such as climate change, inequality, and—in our position—education. B Corp certification is a rigorous process that evaluates a company’s social and environmental impact, accountability, and transparency. By becoming a B Corp, we are committing to a higher standard of social and environmental performance, along with ethical practice. Moving forward, Fielding International committed to using our position as a B Corp to drive positive change in our industry and beyond.

Inside Hopkins - Designing Schools for the Future

Inside Hopkins / A Biweekly Podcast Unraveling Stories of Innovation and Education https://open.spotify.com/episode/4K2XlqFz3CVq8U02TtqwIK Many schools across the nation were built in the industrial age to prepare students for factory work. We know this is an outdated model, and redesigning schools is a complex task. What should schools of the future physically look like, and what are the steps we can take to get there? In this episode, Randy Fielding, AIA, joins Hopkins Public Schools to dive into the future of education by exploring the present state of our schools and the adjustments we could make to promote a more modern style of education.

Pathfinder Exhibition & Gallery Walk

Fielding International Hosts a Night of Community Engagement and Reimagining Learning Spaces Fielding’s Hummingbird Design Studio in Minneapolis was illuminated more than usual this Fall. We had the honor of hosting the much-anticipated Hopkins Public Schools Pathfinder Exhibition. The evening was nothing short of spectacular, echoing the ethos of innovation and design. https://youtu.be/XhoR2QoOpmc?si=YUPcBR1nXKwy06Nv For those who had the privilege of attending, they were treated to an immersive experience like no other. The event was styled as an interactive gallery, providing a unique backdrop for showcasing design concepts. As attendees walked through, they could dive deep into a virtual reality tour, giving them a chance to virtually step into reimagined learning spaces. The blend of technology and design created a seamless bridge between the present and the future, between imagination and realization. In this exciting collaboration with Hopkins, Fielding International unveiled FIVE groundbreaking "Pathfinder" concepts for the district, each project crafted with the idea of revolutionizing how teachers and students interact with and within learning environments. Anchored by the district's Vision 2031, these concepts signal a new direction in educational space design. The schools under this visionary spotlight include: Alice Smith Elementary - Learn More Meadowbrook Elementary - Learn More North Middle School - Learn More West Middle School - Learn More Hopkins High School - Learn More While the designs were undoubtedly the stars of the show, the evening was more than just a showcase. It was an open invitation for everyone present to share their thoughts, to voice their opinions, and to be part of this transformative journey. Feedback is not just welcomed; it's essential. After all, these spaces are being crafted for the community, and who better to offer insights than the community members themselves? The underlying theme of the night was collaboration. Fielding International and Hopkins Public Schools have joined hands with a shared vision, but we’ve also extended our hands to the community, ensuring everyone has a seat at the table. This approach is a testament to the belief that the best designs are those that are shaped through diverse perspectives. For those who missed the event or want to dive back into the experience, keep an eye out for further presentations and feedback sessions. The journey of reimagining the learning spaces has only just begun. Here's to the future of education, to innovation, and to a community that dreams big!