Randy Fielding, AIA

Randy Fielding, AIA Senior Advisor | Co-Founder

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

Randy Fielding is a Co-Founder of Fielding International and now serves as a Senior Advisor, offering design-focused support on select projects. As a champion of the firm’s mission, he serves as a thought leader, learning collaborator, and design mentor.

A global pioneer in human-centered learning environments, Randy has spent more than 35 years designing schools where learners thrive. His work spans over 50 countries and has earned more than 20 international design awards. Blending architecture, systems thinking, and the science of learning, he has helped shape environments that foster creativity, connection, and student well-being.

Together with Prakash Nair, Randy co-authored The Language of School Design: Design Patterns for 21st Century Learning, a foundational text in the field. He also led the creation of SchoolPatterns.com, a Fielding International initiative that offers an open-access library of over 70 design patterns used by educators and designers around the world.

In this consulting role, Randy contributes on a part-time basis through design feedback, team mentorship, and occasional thought pieces or presentations that support the firm’s mission of creating learner-centered environments.

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 senior advisor, 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

2024 Annual Impact Report

Strengthening Our Impact: Fielding International’s 2024 B Corp Journey As the first school design firm to achieve Certified B Corporation™ status, our commitment to using business as a force for good continues to grow. This year, we’ve set new benchmarks for social and environmental impact, deepening community connections and expanding our reach worldwide. Through transformative projects in new countries and renewed partnerships with longstanding clients, we’ve helped shape future-ready learning environments that empower students and educators alike. Internally, we’ve invested in our team with enhanced benefits and professional development, fostering a culture of growth and support. Our Global Learning Commons network has expanded, connecting educators and leaders globally, while our Future-Ready Fund continues to provide essential resources for students. Engaging in worldwide events has strengthened our mission, reinforcing education’s role in driving positive change. Looking ahead, we remain focused on innovation and impact—dedicated to shaping thriving schools, supporting our team, and leading the way in responsible business practices. Read our 2024 Impact Report below: 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 have committed to a higher standard of social and environmental performance, along with ethical practice. Moving forward, Fielding International remains committed to leveraging our B Corp certification to drive meaningful change in our industry and beyond, advancing innovation, equity, and sustainability in education.

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.