(DLR GROUP, May 4, 2022) ― The Puerto Rico Department of Education has commissioned DLR Group to conduct a comprehensive master plan that will result in a complete overhaul of the territory’s dilapidated learning environments. In addition to the physical assessment of 857 existing schools, we are creating design guidelines to inform future decision making as the territory rebuilds its school system.

PRDE serves approximately 200,000 students in eight regions. Financial distress, natural disasters, and mismanagement have contributed to the deterioration of schools, leading to unsafe and unhabitable environments for some students and teachers and the closure of hundreds of facilities in the last decade alone. Additionally, many schools were destroyed or significantly damaged in 2017 as Hurricanes Irma and Maria slammed the territory weeks apart. The catastrophic damage caused long-term power outages, water and food service disruption, and significant flooding.

“DLR Group is leading focus group sessions with students and community members to identify priorities and efficiencies that will better meet the academic and personal needs of all students and educators in Puerto Rico,” said French.

The master plan is currently underway and is expected to be completed in fall 2022. Our scope of work also includes the development of educational specifications and space typologies, an educational adequacy study, and design concepts to serve as a roadmap for improvements across the territory. These design elements include simplifying grade configurations to K-8/9-12 and incorporating small learning communities; creating multi-purpose spaces that can be used by the local community; maximizing outdoor learning opportunities that celebrate the local culture and context in Puerto Rico; and upgrading furnishings to create fully flexible environments.

We are partnering with CBRE on the project.