Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Key Design Features for Innovative Schools

  • By Dietmar Lang
  • 03/01/18

Educational spaces and modern school furniture design continue to evolve. Here are some design features that innovative schools utilize to achieve success.

Versatility in Design

Why it’s important: Numerous studies have shown the correlation between student well-being and flexible, ergonomic seating options. The best furniture design maximizes the potential for diverse uses and can be reconfigured to better suit both the user and the environment.

How it’s done: Stackable desks, mobile storage units, and easily foldable, storable teaching accessories are ways that furniture design is transforming educational settings.

Coherence of Furnishings and Environment

Why it’s important: Modern classrooms are typically single spaces used for various activities. When students feel their environment is purposeful and they’re prepared for the task at hand, the learning experience is dramatically improved.

How it’s done: Balance in design that extends to both environment and furnishings is achieved by evaluating space and choosing furniture that supports a diversity of tasks and activities.

Private and Public Space

Why it’s important: When students are kept in one position, energy and attention can lag. By contrast, motion allows for times of productive and reflective individual work as well as networking and team-driven activities that teach social skills.

How it’s done: Mobile dividers and movable furniture solutions instantly transform spaces from individual-focused to social and group-oriented. By allowing furniture design to organically promote authentic collaboration, students can feel more comfortable and adept in a variety of learning styles and situations.

This article originally appeared in the School Planning & Management March 2018 issue of Spaces4Learning.

About the Author

Dietmar Lang is the director of Marketing & Product for VS America. He can be contacted at [email protected].

Featured

  • Deferred Maintenance Issues Growing at Universities, Gordian Reports

    U.S. colleges and universities are falling increasingly behind on facilities maintenance and repair, according to Gordian’s 13th annual State of Facilities in Higher Education report. The deferred capital renewal burden has reached $156 per gross square foot, an 8% increase over the previous year.

  • South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation

    The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters.

  • Chartwells Launches Campus Dining Evaluation Framework

    Contract food-service management provider Chartwells Higher Education recently announced the launch of BLUEPRINT, according to a news release. The evaluation framework was designed to provide a data-driven and customizable roadmap towards optimizing campus dining services and, by extension, the student experience.

  • Moline-Coal Valley School District to Consolidate Two Schools into New Facility

    The Moline-Coal Valley School District in Moline, Ill., recently broke ground on a new elementary school that will consolidate the students and staff from two existing schools, according to local news. Robert Ontiveros Elementary School will serve as the new home for Lincoln-Irving Elementary School and Willard Elementary School.