Schools of the future

Chelsea Lawrence

Senior Associate

Senior Associate Chelsea Lawrence, NCRID, NCIDQ, LEED ID+C, IIDA, has a passion for K-12 school design. As an interior designer in LS3P’s Charlotte office, Chelsea brings a unique perspective to each project; she strives to deliver innovative, sustainable designs that help students and teachers to thrive. Chelsea integrates with the architecture team from the earliest stages of the project, which encourages a holistic design achieved through thoughtful concept plans, renderings, and plans which engage the client in the process of design. A graduate of Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, Chelsea is also an industry thought leader. In her role as IIDA Carolinas President, her goal is to highlight the ongoing work of the organization and its importance in the industry. She was instrumental in the passage of the recent SB188 Act, which provides a path for interior designers to become licensed in the state of North Carolina. She is also serving on the National Advocacy Advisory Council for the IIDA. 

Erin Jennings

architect, interior designer, visionary

Erin Jennings, IIDA, AIA, NCIDQ, NCARB is an architect, interior designer, visionary, and Educational Market Leader for Luminaut and Adjunct Instructor of Interior Design at Ball State University.  She fosters passion and compassion through elevating the human experience in the built environment; with focusing on how the design imprint can impact positive behavioral, cognitive, and physical growth. Erin’s research and design practice brings over 20 years of experience studying the psychology of space and the impact the environment has on overall human well-being.  She has worked on several award-winning new construction and renovation projects with many public and academic libraries, schools and communities, integrating best practices and evidence-based design techniques into every project.

Her deep passion subsists in creating dynamic and immersive learning environments, where she brings strong leadership and a multi-disciplinary approach to each project she designs.  Erin believes that successful spatial experiences are built from innovative approaches coupling empathy, design technicality, and environmental responsibility.  

Todd Willsie

Todd brings over 35 years of experience managing educational projects. Throughout his career, he has worked with clients across all education typologies involving different facets, from master planning to transforming outdated educational environments with innovative solutions. His strong commitment to creating safe environments that inspire learning, creativity, and collaboration; along with his expertise, strategic design solutions and lasting client relationships make him an invaluable team leader at WJA. 

He has led his project team in many successful and award-winning designs; including the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, Palmetto Elementary School, Quail Hollow Elementary School, and Lakewood High School. 

Jeanne Jackson

Jeanne Jackson, FAIA, LEED AP, is a partner at VCBO Architecture in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Since joining the firm in 1990, Jeanne has specialized in the design of educational facilities. She is a pioneer in the incorporation of research-based educational practices into innovative facilities designed for the future of education, and has presented on this topic at numerous national conferences. Multiple schools that Jeanne has conceived and designed have won national, regional and local awards. She is also responsible for the only DOE Certified energy positive buildings in Utah, which happen to be schools.  

More important is Jeanne’s passion for creating learning environments that instill a sense of wonder and joy in the young people who inhabit these spaces. She strives to make places that students can’t wait to go to in the morning, spaces that inspire both the learners and their teachers. Jeanne believes that the physical environment can make the big difference in learning ability, emotional well-being, and social happiness.