How School Architecture Shapes Student Futures with Jesse Miller

About this episode

Jesse Miller discusses how thoughtful school architecture can shape student experiences and futures.

What if the buildings we design for students could shape not just how they learn, but who they become? In this episode, Jeff Kubiak and Carla Cummins sit down with Jesse Miller, Managing Senior Principal at PBK Architects, to explore how K-12 architecture can transform education from the ground up. From designing Compton High School alongside Dr. Dre to creating spaces where students don't want to leave, Jesse reveals how thoughtful design decisions today can impact generations of learners for the next century. Drawing from over two decades designing schools across California, Nevada, and Texas, Jesse shares how truly radically student-centered environments are built through vision, community input, and asking one essential question: will this make a student's daily experience better? Takeaways: Design for a hundred years, not today : Schools must outlast current pedagogy—ask what education looks like 70 years from now, not just what works in 2026 Every square foot matters : From corridor nooks to bathroom design, if a student will experience it, it deserves intentional thought Put learning on display : Create environments where students can "shop their future" by seeing what…

People in this episode

Guest: Jesse Miller

Topics covered

• school architecture
• K-12 education
• student-centered design

Keywords

• design
• education transformation
• community input

Mentioned in this episode

Products: PBK Architects

Books & works: the Better Learning Podcast

Places: California, Nevada, Texas, the West Region

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