Education

Polk State College LAC Building

Polk State College’s Lakeland Academic Center Building renovation transforms a facility originally built in the 1980s into a modern, student-centered learning environment. Through updated classrooms, collaborative spaces, and welcoming gathering areas, the project creates a more flexible and engaging campus experience designed to support today’s students and faculty.

Modern classroom with wood desks, black chairs, whiteboards, and a large display.

College multipurpose room with tables, gray chairs, screens, and large windows.

Bright campus lounge with wood tables, gray chairs, and large windows.

Spacious campus dining area with wood tables, gray chairs, screens, and café.

Bright campus seating area with wood tables, gray chairs, and large floor-to-ceiling windows.

Open campus dining area with wood tables, gray chairs, curved ceiling detail, and café.

Campus café with service counter, digital menus, beverage coolers, and dining area.

Campus dining area with wood tables, gray chairs, curved ceiling detail, and open floor plan.

Flexible campus learning space with group tables, gray chairs, projectors, and large display screens.

Classroom with wood tables, black chairs, large display, whiteboards, and a colorful world map.

Classroom with wood tables, black chairs, world map mural, display screen, and whiteboards.

Modern office workspace with brick walls, counters, seating, and a red accent wall.

Brick campus building entrance with covered outdoor seating and landscaped courtyard.

Campus atrium with curved staircase, brick accents, upper balcony, and open seating.

x/x

Client: Polk State College

Project Location: Lakeland, Florida

Completion Date: July 2026

Project Intent

The renovation of Polk State College’s 2-story LAC Building focused on transforming an existing 1980s facility into a modern, student-centered learning environment. The redesign reimagines traditional classrooms with flexible spaces that support collaboration, hands-on learning, and a variety of teaching styles.

Beyond the classroom, new gathering, study, and dining areas provide students with welcoming places to connect, collaborate, and recharge throughout the day. Together, these improvements create a more functional and engaging experience that better supports the evolving needs of students and faculty.

Workscapes provided furniture solutions throughout the LAC Building, supporting 17 classrooms, 5 offices, 1 reception seating area, 1 lobby study area, 1 Salo Multipurpose Room, 1 dining space, and 1 multipurpose/dining space. Furnishings were thoughtfully selected to support the unique function of each environment while maintaining a cohesive experience throughout the facility.

The result is a flexible, welcoming learning environment that brings new life to the LAC Building and provides Polk State College with spaces designed for learning, connection, and collaboration.