Built Together
Designing Learning Spaces With, For, and Within the Community
A book for the community and educators alike; shaping spaces where local legacies begin.
A school is never just another building. It is the heartbeat of a neighborhood and where a community’s legacy begins. Rooted in over a decade of research and thousands of conversations with teachers, students, and leaders, architect and author Katie Becker explores the transformative power of educational design when intentionally connected to the community in her new book Built Together.
By designing spaces that reflect local needs and values, we create environments where students feel they belong and educators are empowered. Schools are not isolated entities; they are ecosystems built with, for, and within their communities.
Throughout the pages of Built Together, explore how education can be intentionally designed as a community-centered system to serve all learners and strengthen the communities they belong to. This is a guide for visionaries ready to create environments that act as a spark for student success and community pride. When the lines are blurred, schools stop being seen as another construction projects and start being recognized as the foundation of our future.
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In the news
The following selection highlights a small portion of the media coverage surrounding Built Together.
Frequently asked questions about Built Together
Everything you need to know about the “Cells and Bells” revolution. These FAQs break down how Built Together helps you move beyond traditional boxes and toward community-centered ecosystems.
What is Built Together about?
Built Together is a call to blur the lines between schools and their communities. Drawing on a 12-year career and experience designing more than 50 schools, architect Katie Becker shares a collection of stories and project anecdotes designed to help us build stronger communities together.
Who is the book written for?
Teachers, administrators, community members and leaders, and designers
Who is Katie Becker?
Katie Becker is an architect with over a decade of specialized experience in school design, including certification as an Accredited Learning Environment Planner (ALEP). A recognized leader in the field, she has published articles in national journals and is a frequent speaker at educational conferences across the country. Based in Minnesota as part of JLG Architects K12 Studio, Katie has dedicated her career to understanding how the built environment shapes the way students learn and grow. This book represents the culmination of more than ten years of rigorous research and on-the-ground experience in the design of modern learning spaces. Central to Katie’s philosophy is the conviction that education is a collective endeavor, deeply dependent on the strength and engagement of the surrounding community. In an increasingly complex world, she advocates for school environments that serve as vital hubs of connection, ensuring that design supports both academic excellence and the social fabric of the neighborhoods they serve.
Why did Katie Becker write this book?
Writing this book has been a true labor of love and a way to combine my lifelong passion for learning with my career in architecture. Over the last decade, I’ve seen firsthand how school design shapes the way students grow and how these buildings act as the heartbeat of a community. I wanted to gather all those observations into one central place to spark a bigger conversation. I’ve always loved sharing ideas and hearing new perspectives, so creating a resource that advocates for spaces where people truly want to be is a bucket list dream finally realized.
Where can I buy the book?
[Add amazon link]
Is there a digital or audiobook version?
Yes! See [here]
Do you offer bulk discounts for schools or organizations?
Yes, we love seeing entire teams read Built Together. Please email marketing@jlgarchitects.com for special rates.
Can I book Katie for a speaking engagement or book signing?
Absolutely, Katie is a seasoned speaker and author, contact marketing@jlgarchitects.com for information.
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