About Us
Our process focuses on strategies for decision-making that help you allocate resources where they will yield the maximum educational value. Join us!
Our Company
We are proud of the achievements and innovations our clients have attained using tools we create for them! BrainSpaces was founded in 2004 to bridge the gap between education and physical learning environments. Our range of clients stretch across the globe, as we develop strategies for alignment between their educational visions and their physical facilities. Learn more about our expert team HERE.
We believe...
Every element of design – the arrangement of buildings, the shape of spaces, the color of walls, the adaptability of environments, the textures of materials, even the selection of furniture and equipment – is laden with messages. Each element speaks to our values, and each one gives cues for behavior. Our process begins with defining the right messages, and then designing spaces where those messages are clear. Spaces that truly support learning. BrainSpaces.
Our Goals
We believe that INSTRUCTION should drive CONSTRUCTION. Whether modernizing existing facilities or planning new ones, understanding how various aspects of learning can be supported by physical space is critical to the development of effective schools.
Our work recognizes the balance among wide ranging aspects of education including brain-based research, student achievement, curriculum, assessments & standards, school leadership, operations & management, staffing, technology, safety, community building, public support, facilities, and the rapidly changing global environment.
In collaboration with our clients, we create tools that clearly articulate the project's needs. Using our tools, our clients are equipped to transform their visions into real built spaces for ALL students to thrive. BrainSpaces.
Our Clients say...
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“Your expected level of quality is one of the reasons we have continued to be pleased with your service.”
– Rob Balivet, Planning & Design Manager, Anchorage School District
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“Amy’s bringing together, presenting and leading the design integrates her architectural skills with an uncanny understanding of educational principles, which are incorporated into a constructable design solution is absolutely amazing to witness. And to be the recipient of such designs is for our state a tremendous educational value.”
– Wally Diller, Wyoming School Facilities Department
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“Amy’s outstanding and innovative work on educational facilities has established her as one of the most creative educational architects practicing today”
– Esther Cox, co-author of Breaking Ranks, Changing an American Institution.
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“When I look around the school and see students exploring their ideas with the same curiosity as they explore the building, I find myself saying out loud the same thing I say when I see a bolt of lightning in the sky. ‘Wow, did you see that?!’”
– Brian Amsler, Assistant Principal, Lincoln Middle School (whose new mascot is ‘Lincoln Lightning’)
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“[Amy] helped our team take a fresh and unencumbered approach to the challenges and opportunities that the new site and student enrollment presented. I felt that there were actions, comments and suggestions [she] made that forced our group to get out of our “comfort zone”.
– Ellis Kaufman, Los Angeles Unified School District
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“A huge thank you for all your support, work and vision with our school. It is spectacular – beyond what I could have ever hoped for. I feel so honored to say that I have worked with you and know you. You are such a breath of fresh air and your innovation and creativity is inspiring.”
– Jess McIntyre, Principal, Aptakisic Junior High
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"Amy came into a group of school staff and faculty who had negative experiences with prior design processes, and she changed their outlook on planning. She listens to all stakeholders, asks questions until she understands who we are, and fights for what is best for students and staff. She is easily accessible and quick to respond to our questions. It has been a breath of fresh air to work with BrainSpaces and Amy Yurko."
-- Catherine Baxter, Santa Monica High School, Dean of Students, retired
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"Amy came into a group of school site staff and faculty who had a negative experiences with prior design processes, and she changed their outlook on planning. She listens to all stakeholders, ask questions until she understands who we are, and fights for what is best for students and staff. She is easily accessible and quick to respond to our questions. It has been a breath of fresh air to work with BrainSpaces and Amy Yurko."
-- Catherine Baxter, Santa Monica High School, Dean of Students (retired)
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“Kelley’s ability to work with clients collaboratively, her flexibility, knowledge of facility planning, pre-design and educational specifications made her invaluable to our district and our projects. She is an effective leader and has great communication skills, commitment, group facilitation abilities…I am also very impressed with her organization, vision, support and work ethic…I would highly recommend Kelley to any district or organization.”
– John Bingham, Director of Capital Projects, Marysville School District
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“Amy’s outstanding and innovative work on educational facilities has established her as one of the most creative educational architects practicing today”
– Esther Cox, co-author of Breaking Ranks, Changing an American Institution.
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“Kelley is a leader in the field of education facility planning and design…She excels in building relationships and partnerships, is a passionate advocate for creating superior learning environments and is dedicated to exemplary results. Even so, she maintains a common sense approach to problem solving that I find refreshing.”
– Debra Fulton, Mukilteo School District
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“[Amy] helped our team take a fresh and unencumbered approach to the challenges and opportunities that the new site and student enrollment presented. I felt that there were actions, comments and suggestions [she] made that forced our group to get out of our “comfort zone”.
– Ellis Kaufman, Los Angeles Unified School District
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“Imagine, if you will, you could form a dream team of advisors, your personal board of directors. Kelley Tanner would be sitting at that table…she understands that the built environment is paramount in the education of children. She is a good planner because she listens to the user.”
– Steve Cole, Project Manager, Seattle Public Schools
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“Amy has done an extraordinary job of listening, creating, revising, and designing for our needs. She is very adept at soliciting feedback from people with competing ideas in a way that allows for participation, but not domination.”
– Carol Comeau, Superintendent [retired], Anchorage School District
Our Clients Say...
“A huge thank you for all your support, work and vision with our school. It is spectacular - beyond what I could have ever hoped for. I feel so honored to say that I have worked with you and know you. You are such a breath of fresh air and your innovation and creativity is inspiring.”
Amy came into a group of school staff and faculty who had negative experiences with prior design processes, and she changed their outlook on planning. She listens to all stakeholders, asks questions until she understands who we are, and fights for what is best for students and staff. She is easily accessible and quick to respond to our questions. It has been a breath of fresh air to work with BrainSpaces and Amy Yurko.
“Kelley Tanner has continued to impress me throughout the years with her dedication and enthusiasm...[she] is a critical thinker with a vision for the future. She understands school facilities have an impact on the process of teaching and learning. She also knows change is necessary if we are to adequately prepare students for their transition into global working world.”
“Amy has done an extraordinary job of listening, creating, revising, and designing for our needs. She is very adept at soliciting feedback from people with competing ideas in a way that allows for participation, but not domination.”
“You did a great job last night, the community members are so glad to be a part of the design process; through these meetings they are learning so much about the district. The meetings have provided the forum for developing relationships with different stakeholder groups.”
“Thanks for the outstanding experience and your guidance in showing us the power of this highly collaborative process to work toward innovative solutions.”
“I was most pleased by the obvious commitment to the 'student and teacher' experience that you demonstrate. Linking learning trends to environmental issues/impact is a message that needs to echo more and more in national planning discussions.”