At BIS Houston, we believe that a well-designed learning environment is more than just a backdrop - it’s an active part of every student’s success. From natural light and flexible furniture to spaces that promote independence, connection, and wellbeing, our campus is intentionally crafted to unlock every learner’s potential.
Claire Latané, author of Schools That Heal: Design with Mental Health in Mind, describes how sterile, rigid classrooms can negatively affect students’ mood and motivation. Research confirms that access to natural elements - like greenery and daylight - can boost focus, engagement, and even academic performance.
At Nord Anglia Education, we design with purpose. As Mike Alete, our Global Head of Campus Design, explains, “Everything begins with the needs of the child - their wellbeing, their creativity, their safety.” That means rethinking the traditional classroom and reimagining corridors as social learning zones, breakout spaces as places of quiet exploration, and incorporating nature wherever possible.
Design That Supports Every Learner
Across Nord Anglia schools worldwide, including our own, innovative design helps to:
At BIS Houston, you’ll find these principles in action - from our MIT-inspired Makerspace and Juilliard-designed Performing Arts Centre to our light-filled Agora Library. Every detail is designed to support holistic student development and foster a sense of belonging.
And we never stop improving. Over the summer months alone, we introduced a number of new features and enhancements to further elevate our learning environment and student experience:
These spaces have all been designed with purpose - to inspire, connect, and support students in every aspect of their learning journey.
Spaces That Reflect a Vision for the Future
As Dr Helen Bunn, a leading educational psychologist, reminds us: overstimulation can hinder learning, but so can understimulation. “Natural light, fresh air, space to move, and a sense of calm all matter - especially for growing minds,” she says.
That’s why 92% of BIS Houston parents agree that our school provides a stimulating environment for their child — one that balances challenge and comfort, innovation and tradition.
Our glass-walled architecture brings in natural light and enhances visibility throughout the school, while our centralised campus design mirrors university environments - preparing students for the world ahead. The Agora Library, in particular, serves as a shared, collegiate-inspired space where students of all ages come together for research, reading, and reflection.
From Early Years to Year 13, our students benefit from an environment that reflects the future they’re preparing for - dynamic, collaborative, and full of possibility.
Learning Without Limits
Whether it’s a window into a green space, a reimagined art studio, or a state-of-the-art performance venue, the environments we create shape how our students feel, think, and learn. At BIS Houston students thrive in our state of the art campus that encourage collaboration across disciplines.
As one student put it: “It makes you want to do more.”
And that’s exactly what we aim for - spaces designed to inspire, to elevate, and to unlock futures.
