Boys Town Educational Center

Winner of the PCI Design Award for "Best K-12 School Building", and BIA Brick in Architecture Silver. Built with Endicott Thin Brick

Architect:

Precaster:

After years of collaboration, one of the largest non-profit childcare organizations in the country, Boys Town has opened its Education Center as a beacon of hope for students who have faced adversity. Founded in 1917 by Fr. Edward J. Flanagan as a refuge for homeless boys, Boys Town has grown to be much more. Boys Town now offers services to children and families regardless of gender. In addition to supportive residential care for children, it offers mental health resources, educational services, and vocational training. For the Boys Town Education Center, the architect used twelve staggered playful brick patterns to break up large wall spans. Brick was chosen because of its unique blend of materials that gives them a distinctive texture, pattern, and color yet provides the opportunity for modern design. The brick and design of this three-story, 110,000 square foot facility is meant to convey to students that they are valued and loved. In addition to their symbolic meaning, the practical side of the design provides a sanctuary for students with embedded thin brick precast walls that offer superior insulation and soundproofing. The architect chose precast panels with thin brick due to time constraints, as it was taking the place of an older building that had to be torn down. The new Education Center is a testament to Boys Town's commitment to providing its students with the best possible educational experience. The brick walls are a symbol of that commitment, and they will stand for decades to come, leaving behind a strong legacy of hope and strength.