Q&A: Learning Beyond the Classroom
Today, learning occurs everywhere, which is why architects have started designing both formal and informal educational spaces to include the collaborative, high-tech learning features that stu-dents require outside of the traditional classroom. Residence halls, dining halls and even outdoor courtyards now incorporate learning environments that allow millennials to blend their work life with their private life, preparing them for a future in today’s workforce.
School Construction News spoke with Daniel M. Tarczynski, AIA, partner at SchenkelShultz Architecture of Orlando, Fla., about this evolution of higher-education design.
Q: What are some of the latest trends in school design?
Tarczynski: The needs of today’s university students have changed dramatically. This evolution stems from changes in pedagogy, student expectations and an influx of mobile technology. De-vices such as iPads, smartphones, tablets and laptops have dramatically affected the way infor-mation is accessed. Every space, even those beyond the traditional classroom, has become a “learning” space. The development of environments that are adaptable and infused with technol-ogy has created a richer and more personalized learning environment for students in the 21st cen-tury.
Recognizing that learning today occurs everywhere, in formal academic environments, as well as between classes, at the local cafe and even outdoors, we have to design differently. We look to create student collaboration nooks and casual seating areas with a variety of flexible, moveable furniture options to encourage information collaboration and idea sharing.
Q: What are some of the biggest drivers in school design today?
Tarczynski: Collaboration is key and one of the biggest drivers in higher-education design. Cre-ating informal and formal collaboration spaces that also have integrated technology drive the de-sign for 21st century students. Another driver is adaptable classrooms, which allow for students to have active learning spaces with various learning modalities, such as small group, one-to-one instruction, media based and teaming.
Q: As the idea of collaborative learning expands, how does design change?
Tarczynski: Today, you need to think of the classroom as having the physical flexibility to change to allow for collaborative learning to succeed. Sliding walls, glass walls that students can write on and adaptable furniture are some examples. A deeper understanding of acoustic design and its relationship to appropriate sound levels is important, too.
Q: Does green building continue to be a priority, and in what way?
Tarczynski: Actually, green building design is now so entrenched in the design of higher-educational buildings that it is now more about the actual practical applications. Clients today are very knowledgeable about green building design, and they have numerous buildings already on their campuses that have utilized green design. Therefore, they expect their buildings to be de-signed using green principles. However, the bigger issue is maximizing their return on the in-vestment.
Q: What is the future of school design?
Tarczynski: It is ever changing and I think higher-educational buildings will be the social and technological hubs for learning. They will be comfortable with adaptable learning devices, and collaboration spaces will be abundant, adaptable to future needs and more efficient in green ap-plications.
Read more about school design trends in the March/April issue of School Construction News. The Design Roundtable section will feature similar interviews with architects from MVE + Partners; ADD Inc., now with Stantec; KSQ Architects; and DLR Group.