Prek-12 Archives - 91ԭƬ /tag/prek-12/ K-12 + Higher Education Market Coverage Thu, 10 Sep 2026 16:00:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.5 /wp-content/uploads/2026/01/cropped-SCN_favicon-32x32.png Prek-12 Archives - 91ԭƬ /tag/prek-12/ 32 32 HMC Architects’ Oliver Nicolas on Regional Trends,Deferred Maintenance andEarly Collaboration /2026/09/09/hmc-architects-oliver-nicolas-on-regional-trends-deferred-maintenance-and-early-collaboration/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:31:22 +0000 /?p=55811 HMC Architectsrecently welcomedOliver Nicolastothe firm’s PreK-12 practice asPrincipal-in-Charge.

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]]> Pacific Elementary School TK-Classroom Modernization for Manhattan Beach Unified School District, designed by HCM. | Photo Credit (all): Courtesy of HMC Architects

By Lindsey Coulter

Located at Pacific Elementary School in Manhattan Beach, California, the project forms part of a broader district-wide initiative to support expanding Transitional Kindergarten (TK) programs and modernize aging early education environments
The Pacific Elementary School project is part of a district-wide initiative to support expanding Transitional Kindergarten programs and modernize aging early education environments.

HMC Architectsrecently welcomedOliver Nicolastothe firm’s PreK-12 practice asPrincipal-in-Charge.

With a dual foundation in architecture and civil engineering,Nicolasbrings more than 23 years of experience delivering impactful PreK–12, healthcare, and residential projects. He also spentsix years at a structural engineering firm and as a specification sales representative for a wood manufacturing company, giving him a comprehensive perspective on efficiently managing and delivering school construction projects.

“My background gives me a unique perspective on design and delivery,” Nicolas said. “Understanding structural engineering andavailable materials influences how I viewa space. Everything we design must be buildable, so as I design,I’malready thinking about how structural and architectural elements will be attached and how important detailing is in construction.”

Based in the firm’s Ontario, Calif.,studio, Nicolas will work closely with district clients across Southern California, ensuring strong collaboration anda seamlessclient experience. Drawing on more than two decades of experience guiding projects from design through construction administration and certification, he will provide strategic oversight to align project goals with client priorities throughout the project lifecycle.

Nicolas spoke with 91ԭƬaboutregional trends, how districts areapproachdeferred maintenance projects andhowearly collaboration can helpprevent problems later in the project lifecycle.

SCN:What makes working within an existing school building particularly challenging,and where do you see the greatest opportunities for creative design?

Nicolas:Renovations challenge designers because existing buildings impose strictparameters. Wemust delivereverything the client needs withinaconfined space.Ionce worked with a healthcare client todevelopa tinyADAcode-compliant single-user restroom. Due to space limitations, wecouldn’texpandandhad to find everyopportunitytomeet codewithin the tight space.Schools face thesesamechallenges,andIfind that the spaces that seem thesmallestare themost challengingto workwithin yetprovideamazing opportunities for success.

SCN:Across Southern California, what are you hearingmostfrequentlyfrom school districts about their facility needs and priorities right now?

Nicolas:Ourdistrict clients are mostconcerned aboutdeclining enrollment and howtorepurposeunderutilized or aging spaces.Schools don’twant tosellextraproperty,finding new uses for these spaceswill beone of the biggest challenges, and opportunities, forschool architectsin the near future.Districts are alsoexploringways to serve diverse community needs with workforce housing, wellness spaces, and other shared use spaces.Thisapproachraisesimportant questions aboutafter-school access,operationsand maintenance—and how to openthe campus to thewidercommunitywhilemaintainingstudent safety.

SCN:Many districts are balancing aging facilities and deferred maintenance with limited funding. How should districts think strategically about modernization versus new construction?

The project modernizes existing spaces into state-of-the-art TK and kindergarten classrooms, configuring environments optimized specifically for early learners with flexible layouts and age-appropriate design structures.
The project modernizes existing spaces into state-of-the-art TK and kindergarten classrooms, configuring environments optimized specifically for early learners.

Nicolas:Before a district focuses on repurposing underutilized or aging spaces,it shouldstart with acomprehensive,long-termfacilitiesmasterplan. The planning process shouldevaluateeach school sitein its full context, consideringexisting conditions,educational adequacy, adaptability, and total cost of ownership, rather than relying solely on a building’s age.Modernization is often a smart investment whenastructure has good bones and can be transformedto meet thedistrict’s needs. New construction should be consideredwhen the existing siteor building limitations prevent the district from achieving its goals.

SCN:What are some of the biggest misconceptions about what can—or cannot—beaccomplishedwithin an existing school building or site?

Nicolas:Thebiggest misconceptions about working within anexistingspace arethatit isexpensive ortearing it downis easier.However,I’veseen that working within anexistingspaceoften costs less,promotessustainability,andproducesmagnificent learner-focused spaces. Architectscanmake something out ofanything. Ifthe district has a vision,architects are savvy enough tocome up witha solution.Whenwe think creatively and look at a space in its full context,we canalwayscome up withsomethingthat achieves the client’s vision.

SCN:With your experience on the construction and materials side, what are some of the decisions architects and districts can make earlier in the process that have the greatest impact on cost,constructabilityand schedule?

Nicolas:It’simportant that architects and designers understand that cost escalation is a majorissue, andwe mustdeliver the project soonerratherthan laterto help clients save time and money.It’simportant to find the right balance ofthe program,materialsand construction type.For example,I knowbuildingwithwoodmight presentanup-frontsavingscompared to steel.However,with an efficient design and construction strategy, steel canalso helpreducetimelines andtheoverall budget.Whenweinvolveevery voice—districts,communityand builders—early inour thought process,we canspeed up theprocessand create a visionary project on time and within budget.

SCN:How can architects improve collaboration among districts, contractors,engineersand other project partners early enough to prevent problems later in the project lifecycle?

Nicolas:At HMC Architects,we engage clientsand partners inamulti-dayimmersive design process.During the day,we host interactive workshopsand brainstorming sessionswithall interest holders.After hours,ourdesign teamworks onapreliminarydesign based onthese conversations. Wereconvene with the full teamtorefine the design.This approachallows us to resolveissues that often take weeks or months to settle in a week or less.When we bringeveryone togetherearly,weseethebest solutions to problems,identifypreviously unrecognizedopportunities, and alloweveryone to see the project develop in realtime.

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