Talking Stick - November/December 2015 - 45

Understanding how the type and
amount of public space shape student
experience is a recurring concern as
campuses look for benchmarks to
determine the ideal percentage and
design of public space. Furthermore,
there is a desire to understand the
best practices for creating public
space that meets the specific needs of
different student populations. When
space is limited, is there more value
to be found in a student lounge, study
rooms, patio, formal classroom, or
something else entirely?
At James Madison University in
Harrisonburg, Virginia, the Office
of Residence Life issued a survey
developed and analyzed by VMDO
Architects to try to answer that
question. Before the renovation, 44
percent of students living in Wayland
Hall reported that the building design
contributed to a strong sense of

community. In addition, 52 percent
of students reported that the building
design helped them achieve their
academic goals. The 2011 renovation
was designed to accommodate a new
residential learning community for
the visual and performing arts. With
new lounges, study space, and rooms
devoted to the visual and performing
arts, these percentages increased
dramatically. The students' sense of
community nearly doubled, to 82
percent, and academic goals increased
by more than 50 percent. These trends
have persisted, as a repeat survey in
2014 found similar results.
The Wayland Hall case shows
that public space designed to
support a specific living-learning
community matters. In this example,
expanded public space along with
a new emphasis on the visual and
performing arts improved the

May the simple yet
important things...
our family, our friends,
our freedom be held
closest to our hearts this
Holiday Season.
Wishing you the best
from your friends at
Brill.

experience of the first-year students
living in the residence hall. As a
faculty-in-residence at Wayland Hall,
Terry Dean sees the impact of the
Wayland Hall design first-hand. "From
my perspective as a faculty member
and the director of the School of
Theater and Dance, I've certainly seen
how the experience of living here has
really advanced a student's growth.
[The design supports] an informal
way of learning and connects that
learning to everything they're doing.
It creates that environment where
interaction is inevitable and gives
you a chance to mentor and work
with them in different ways," Dean
explains. In addition, the design
"reinforces the fact that [living in
Wayland] is a holistic living experience
. . . what they're doing, learning, and
experiencing . . . all those things
are completely integrated with their

Relax on a
Our gift to
park
bench, Give
you is the
your
time to a
wisdom found in
worthy cause, Keep
these words...
your promises
Believe in yourself,
Pursue your
dreams,
Sing in the shower,
Laugh alot,
Be someone's
Help feed the
hero
hungry, Be there when
someone needs you,
Work hard, Play hard,
Take life one day at
a time and Look for
the extraordinary in
ordinary.
2015
NOVEMBER + DECEMBER 2015

45
Talking Stick - November/December 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Talking Stick - November/December 2015
