Can Classroom Design Impact Learning? -- Spaces4Learning

Design Guidelines

Can Classroom Design Impact Learning?

By Lisa Schmidt
07/01/17

It seems logical that the spaces in which students learn can have a strong influence on their scholastic performance. However, until recently the evidence was fragmented. Thanks in part to a research paper published in Building and Environment, the impact that the design of a learning space has on pupils is now better understood. In the journal (a periodical that publishes research papers related to human interaction with the built environment), the authors report that classroom design can have as much as a 25 percent impact on a student’s progress over a school year. The research found that the difference between the best- and the worst-designed classrooms could result in a full year’s worth of academic progress.

The study was conducted in 34 classrooms with over 750 student participants. Many environmental factors were studied. Beyond the expected impacts related to acoustics and air temperature/quality, some of the more intriguing elements included: color within the room, complexity (appropriate level of stimulation without being cluttered), flexibility (ability to support varied learning activities), natural and electrical light quality, and how characteristics of the room allowed students a sense of ownership.

While there is no perfect classroom design, the study suggests that we must think holistically when planning learning spaces. Consider designing classrooms which include furniture that is mobile and can easily be reconfigured. Choosing chairs that enable students to interact with each other and with the instructor can improve the opportunity for connections and building social skills. Providing a variety of furniture types can support personal choice and ownership.

In summary, designs which support the institution’s teaching methods, as well as pupils’ comfort, will result in environments that set a student up for success.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

About the Author

Lisa Schmidt, LEED-AP is the director of Strategic Initiatives at National Office Furniture. She can be reached at [email protected].

E-Mail this page

Printable Format

Featured

UCNJ Launches $30M Modernization of Physical Education Center

The Union College of Union County (UCNJ) in Cranford, N.J., recently broke ground on a new $30-million modernization project for its Physical Education Center (PECK), according to a news release. The college partnered with DIGroup Architecture for the project’s design, transitioning the existing 42,000-square-foot structure into a campus hub for student athletics and campus life.
Empowering People Through Smart, Sustainable Campuses

Sustainability is facing increasing scrutiny, with some questioning its costs and priorities. Yet for universities, it remains an essential driver of resilience, operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness. At the same time, there is a growing recognition that sustainable transformation is not just about reducing energy consumption and emissions to comply with tightening regulations ‒ it’s about creating vibrant, comfortable environments where people can thrive, innovate and connect. For university leadership, this is a complex balancing act, with rising energy costs and limited budgets only adding to the challenge.
Three U.S. Universities Install Acre Security Access Control Platform

Cloud-native physical and digital security solutions company Acre Security recently announced that it has deployed its access control platform at three major universities in the U.S., according to a news release. Acre partnered with Atrium Campus to provide coverage for more than 69,000 students at the University of Virginia (UVA), George Mason University, and Rockhurst University.
How Physical Space Shapes the Mind: Designing for Better Learning Outcomes

Research in environmental psychology and neuroscience increasingly suggests that the way a room is designed can influence memory, focus, or even a student's sense of belonging.