Commercial Architecture December 2017 - 12

2017 In Review

FEATURE

Below. In a trio of new elementary schools in Concord, NH, a range of flexible learning spaces are
dispersed throughout a central learning commons. Designed by HMFH, Cambridge, MA, the central zone
contains an amphitheater, a cozy circular storytelling room, media room, and multiple project areas. Photo: Courtesy HMFH, Ed Wonsek

New Learning Experiences
T

he traditional classroom is no longer the ideal building

today's world. Today's jobs require students to be critical

to activate the whole building as a learning tool, we see all

block for today's K-12 educational experience. Rather,

thinkers, creative, collaborative, and able to adapt to the

spaces having more transparency between them, so that

needs of our global economy," she continued.

activities can extend beyond the walls of the space. In ad-

rethinking where and how learning takes place is essential
to creating new educational spaces.

Educational delivery needs to change to be a more in-

dition, we need to have the ability to have spaces flow from

"Schools today need to depart from the idea that learn-

clusive, two-way conversation, Nigaglioni thinks. "In lieu of

one to another, so the use of movable walls and folding walls

ing can only occur in a traditional classroom and move to

the teacher as a sage-on-stage, they need to be more of a

is fundamental in the design of new learning spaces. Lastly,

the concept of the entire school building as a tool for learn-

guide-on-the-side, working hand-in-hand with students to

it is imperative that learning environments be designed with

ing. This means that every space in the building-the out-

ensure they are mastering the skills needed to succeed,"

the user in mind, so access to natural light and good indoor

door spaces, hallways, stairs, cafeteria, gym-should all

she said.

air quality are key," she said.

be considered learning spaces. This is the ideal learning

"This change in delivery results in a change in how

Indeed, flexibility is an often-mentioned ingredient in the

environment for today and the future," said Irene Nigaglioni,

learning environments are designed. First and foremost,

ideal classroom, just as it is valued in higher education and

AIA, partner, PBK Architects, Dallas.

they need to be agile, allowing students and teachers to re-

corporate environments. "Students need options in the way

"The goal is to make education student-centered, as we

arrange the space as needed for the activities of the day, or

they learn; good teachers need options to facilitate differ-

know that every student is a unique individual who learns

to best suit their individual learning styles. This means active

ent ways of teaching. Spaces that adapt to more than one

differently. Traditional educational delivery was based on

learning furniture that is light and easy to move and recon-

purpose allow learning methodologies to evolve. The future

the factory model of education where all students were edu-

figure," Nigaglioni commented.

is infinitely malleable, so one approach to flexibility is to pro-

cated exactly the same. The factory model was represented

"Since learning will no longer be siloed in a classroom,

vide options-single student desks versus group learning

by the teacher at the front of the room, delivering instruction

diverse learning spaces throughout the building are need-

spaces with movable furniture, mobile devices versus wall

to the students, who were recipients of information and not

ed. This may result in niches off of hallways where groups

mounted screens, a mix of traditional and non-traditional

active participants in their learning. We know today this type

of students can come together to work, or it could be small

classrooms within a facility," said Brendan Beachler, asso-

of instruction does not prepare students for the demands of

conference rooms for groups to work more quietly. In order

ciate, Duda|Paine Architects, Durham, NC.

COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE

DECEMBER 2017

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Architecture December 2017