Higher Education

Inspiring Thinkers, Leaders, and Professionals

BHDP furthers the mission, strategy, and prosperity of Higher Education institutions through the planning and design of inspiring places and experiences by leveraging our Collective Ambition, Design Process, and deep understanding of the business of Higher Education. Our multi-disciplinary expertise in integrated strategic planning and campus master planning, combined with our extensive portfolio in the design of academic, scientific, medical education, student life, and residence life spaces, is founded upon our passion for improving the student experience.

The building captured exactly what our brand is. It’s amazing how that was an intentional goal of this project, and it came together.

Tom Zechman, Assistant Dean of the College of Engineering, Ohio Northern University

Our Work

Our Higher Education Projects

Exterior of the newly renovated Penn State General Classroom building on the Beaver campus.
Featured Project Penn State University
General Classroom Building Renovation BHDP worked with Penn State University to renovate the General Classroom Building on their Beaver Campus. The refreshed space includes newly optimized classrooms, integrated technologies, and malleable collaboration spaces for students to use for group work, individual study, or just to hang out.
An exterior view of UC's new law building
Featured Project University of Cincinnati
College of Law Building The UC College of Law sought to upgrade its nearly century-old current space with a state-of-the-art facility to match the upward trajectory of the law school. BHDP was tasked with renovating and adding to the existing Lindner Hall to create the new building.
Front-facing view of ONU's new engineering building
Featured Project Ohio Northern University
James Lehr Kennedy Engineering Building ONU worked with us to design a state-of-the-art engineering building to increase lab space, promote engineering on campus, and encourage faculty-student collaboration.
Students watch what is happening inside the simulation room
Featured Project Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Allied Health Simulation Lab BHDP worked with Cincinnati State Technical and Community College to create an Allied Health Simulation Lab. The lab provides students with enhanced training and hands-on learning.
The new Lycoming College Trachte Music Center
Featured Project Lycoming College
Trachte Music Center BHDP was tasked with building a new music facility for Lycoming College. The 14,000-SF project provides students with the resources they need to find success in their education and beyond. The Trachte Music Center represents both the vast history and the future of the music program at Lycoming.
A lenticular wall states, "Find beauty in unpredictable outcomes."
Featured Project Bucknell University
Freeman College of Management and Department of Art & Art History Experiential Graphic Design BHDP partnered with Bucknell University to develop an experiential graphic design strategy inside a new building housing the Freeman College of Management and the Department of Art & Art History.
Student-athletes work out in the new weight room at Cedarville University
Featured Project Cedarville University
Callan Athletic and Academic Expansion BHDP partnered with Cedarville University to execute a new building addition to the Callan Athletic Center as part of their 10-year campus master plan. 
Students working and hanging out in commons area of Miller Hall at Heidelberg University.
Featured Project Heidelberg University
Miller Hall Study and Renovation BHDP completed the renovation of Miller Hall, the largest residence hall on Heidelberg University's campus. The project modernizes student amenities and improves the physical connection to the renovated dining hall nearby.
Two students work together in a lab while another student works beside a fume hood
Featured Project The Ohio State University
Celeste Laboratory Study and Renovation BHDP conducted a master plan study and subsequent phased renovations to Celeste Laboratory—home to The Ohio State University's undergraduate department of chemistry.
A lab shows students working together
Featured Project Penn State University
Forker Laboratory BHDP worked closely with Penn State Shenango to modernize Forker Laboratory—a building housing faculty offices, classrooms, and laboratories for all STEM and physical therapy courses.
Exterior shot of Galen College of Nursing Louisville
Featured Project Galen College of Nursing
Louisville Campus and Main Headquarters Galen College of Nursing teamed up with BHDP to assist in the site selection, programming, and design of a new Louisville campus and corporate headquarters. The 130,000-SF campus features high-level clinical-learning labs, active-learning classrooms, an advanced simulation hospital, a café, and more.
The Achatz building features an overhang that looks out onto the lake
Featured Project University of Saint Francis
Achatz Hall of Science and John and Toni Murray Research Center The vision for the Achatz Hall of Science and John and Toni Murray Research Center at the University of Saint Francis was to be a modern, sustainable, collaborative, and innovative science learning center that embodies the Franciscan values that lay at the foundation of the University.
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Insights

What We're Saying About the Future of Higher Education

Podcast graphic featuring Tom Sens and Marlo Cookston
Podcast 11.22.2024
Campus Checkup: Assessing Higher Education Facilities In this episode, we explore the critical role of facility condition assessments in shaping the future of higher education campuses. Learn how these evaluations provide insights into maintenance priorities, budget planning, and long-term campus sustainability. Discover why addressing facility needs is key to creating environments that support student success and institutional growth.
Students hanging out in a dorm at Cedarville University
Blog Post 11.05.2024
Understanding Generation Alpha: Designing Spaces for a Tech-Savvy and Social Future As Generation Z reaches the peak of college attendance and Millennials continue raising families, a new question has emerged: who is the next generation, and how will they shape the world around us?
Exterior rendering of the new agricultural research building for the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
Published Articles 10.22.2024
University of Kentucky’s CAFE Expands with Modern Agricultural Research Hub BHDP and The University of Kentucky (UK) recently broke ground on a state-of-the-art agricultural research building for the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (M-G CAFE).
Beyond the Classroom: How AI is Transforming Higher Education
Podcast 10.21.2024
Beyond the Classroom: How AI is Transforming Higher Education In this episode, we explore how AI is transforming higher education. BHDP’s Mike Garvey, Client Leader, and Blaze Bowers, UT Knoxville Lecturer, discuss the opportunities and challenges AI presents for students, educators, and institutions and what the future holds for technology in academia.
Alejandro Medina snaps a selfie in front of the attendees for his speaking session
Blog Post 10.16.2024
Designing for Wellness and Equity: Shaping the Future of Higher Education Alejandro J. Medina, Senior Architect, attended the CACUBO annual conference in Indianapolis where he presented on the unique needs of Generation Alpha students. The conference emphasized the importance of innovative design and collaborative spaces in higher education, focusing on wellness, communication, and equitable access to education.
Student utilizing the lobby of Miami University's McVey Data Science Building
White Paper 10.07.2024
Integrating Pedagogy, Space, and Technology for Optimal Classroom Design Experts were asked a series of questions to solicit insights on various topics, including their perspectives on the most effective pedagogical approaches for student learning, engagement, and satisfaction and how emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality—affect pedagogical delivery and classroom design.
Before and after photos of UNC Rosenhau Auditorium
Blog Post 09.10.2024
Revitalizing Campus Spaces: Making a Big Difference with Limited Resources While large-scale renovations or new constructions can transform a campus, small, strategic changes can also make a significant impact. With limited resources and tight budgets, campus leaders can enhance their environment effectively by focusing on targeted renovations and smart adjustments.
University of Cincinnati reaches topping out milestone
In the News 09.04.2024
Topping-Out Ceremony Marks Key Milestone in Revitalization of UC's Old Chem Building BHDP celebrated the topping-out of the University of Cincinnati’s Old Chem building renovation, marking a key milestone in transforming this historic structure with a 155,000-SF addition that will house cutting-edge labs, offices, classrooms, and collaborative spaces for chemistry and engineering.
The ribbon is cut for Manchester University's Fort Wayne location expansion
In the News 09.03.2024
Manchester University Celebrates Completion of Fort Wayne Location Expansion BHDP recently completed a $20 million expansion for Manchester University Fort Wayne, adding over 32,000 SF of advanced facilities to enhance its health sciences hub and support the northeast Indiana community.
The ribbon is cut for Cedarville's new Scharnberg Center
In the News 08.29.2024
Cedarville University Celebrates the Opening of the Scharnberg Business and Communication Center Cedarville University recently celebrated the grand opening of the Scharnberg Business and Communication Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed by BHDP Architecture to enhance student learning through innovative, flexible, and technology-rich environments.
Students gather on a staircase inside University of St. Francis Achatz Hall
White Paper 08.22.2024
Designing for the Future: Meeting Generation Alpha's Student Life Needs in Higher Education To better design higher education environments for students, BHDP created a predictive model for Generation Alpha’s future higher education needs, specifically focusing on student life in a residential campus setting.
Aerial photo of the Northern Ohio University Engineering Building
Blog Post 07.30.2024
On the Road to Fiscal Sustainability: Strategies for Addressing Deferred Maintenance Deferred maintenance of aging college campuses is a growing challenge for academic leaders nationwide. How can academic institutions navigate this financial hurdle and ensure their campuses remain functional, safe, and attractive to current and prospective students?

Our People

Leaders in Higher Education Design

Paul Orban

Paul Orban

Higher Education Market Leader, Partner

Michael Garvey

Michael Garvey

Client Leader

Tom Sens

Tom Sens

Client Leader

Peggi Anneken

Peggi Anneken

Business Development Manager

Kevin Denman

Kevin Denman

Senior Project Manager, Associate

Jeffrey T. Kring

Jeffrey T. Kring

Director of Architecture, Higher Education; Associate

Some of Our Long-Standing Partnerships

50

States in which BHDP has Registered Architects

70+

Years of Higher Education design experience

#31

2023 BD+C's University Giants Report

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