University of Southern Maine: The Learning Commons

University of Southern Maine: The Learning Commons interior images

PHOTOS © BLIND DOG PHOTOGRAPHY

Interactive and collaborative learning, rather than quiet study space, was the intention of the University of Southern Maine (USM) Learning Commons, a joint endeavor of the USM School Library and the Division of Student Success. Located on USM’s Portland campus, the Learning Commons incorporates a range of academic support programs with library resources and technologies. Designed by Harriman, the project renovated a 13,500-square-foot floor of USM’s seven-story library to create an academic and social facility that would unite students and staff with a variety of flexible learning spaces and library services.

Harriman’s approach was to create activity zones that encourage multiple modes of learning and discovery. The universal, barrier-free design places open and active areas on the perimeter, allowing natural light to penetrate the building’s deep floor plate. Enclosed group-study rooms and faculty landing offices line the interior, and study areas easily adapt to host different group sizes, further maximizing the space’s flexibility. The open floor plan features a multifunctional help desk with an innovative abstract design that provides for both a private work zone and space to collaborate with library patrons.

The use of technology was a key factor in the design. Power and data connections drop from the ceiling to provide service to freestanding pinwheel tables. An existing concrete vault from the building’s previous use as a bakery was repurposed into an audiovisual recording studio.

Comfortable furniture in collaborative seating zones can be easily reconfigured to accommodate both learning and social purposes. USM’s Learning Commons was designed to appeal to students, with an engaging and contemporary color palette that invigorates the space and creates a collegial atmosphere.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Texas A&M Adds ALPR Technology to Parking Solutions

    Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, recently integrated automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) technology into its parking services and enforcement strategies, according to a news release. The university’s Transportation Services division deployed Genetec AutoVu ALPR to manage the campus’ 36,000+ parking spaces.

  • Lewis C. Cassidy Elementary School

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Lewis C. Cassidy Elementary School has been recognized with an EDS 2025 Grand Prize award in the category of New Construction.

  • Minnesota District Partners with Kraus-Anderson on Four Construction Projects

    Stillwater Area Schools in Lake Elmo, Minn., recently announced a partnership with Kraus-Anderson for construction projects at four schools in the district, according to a news release. The projects’ funding comes from a $175-million referendum passed in November 2023.

  • ClassVR Wins Tech & Learning Best of Show at ISTELive 25

    Avantis Education recently announced that its flagship product, ClassVR, won the Tech & Learning Best of Show Award at ISTELive 25 in San Antonio, Texas, according to a news release. The program is designed to celebrate products that are “transforming education in schools around the world and that show the greatest promise for the industry,” and this is the fourth consecutive year that Avantis has claimed the award.

Digital Edition