Spaces4Learning 2025 Trends in K–12: Materials & Construction

• By Matt Jones
• 04/01/25

With 2025 well underway, it’s time to take a look at some broader trends submitted by you, our Spaces4Learning readership. We asked for your thoughts on topics like classroom design, health & safety, materials & construction, and technology in both K–12 and higher-education environments. Below is a roundup of 2025 trends in K–12 materials and construction from the experts in the trenches.

Group PMX

Setting the Stage for Success Through Phase One: Depending on financial or spatial constraints, it can be difficult to achieve every project goal in one fell swoop. Carving out space during phase one that can be fitted out or modified during later project phases when conditions change helps build in flexibility down the line when further funding may become available. This thoughtful, iterative approach to construction management over the long term creates a framework for integrating future systems and technologies needed for the institution to remain competitive or meet new sustainability goals.

Maintaining Campus Life During Construction: Planning renovations of existing spaces or general construction with attention to the student experience is important to maintaining the quality of life on campus. No one wants to listen to jackhammering during finals week or graduation. Structuring the construction schedule around day-to-day activities, operations, and major events adds another layer of complexity in reducing disruption. 

Navigating Financial Challenges and Rising Construction Costs: Rising construction costs are particularly concerning for institutions with fixed funds or endowments. In Jenny's experience, a project team that works together can turn difficult choices into creative decisions, particularly on a campus where nostalgia or history may play a role in how changes are perceived. Complete stakeholder engagement and transparency is key to balancing sustainable and innovative elements and staying within budget –– which is crucial for adaptive reuse projects in remaining more cost effective than new construction.

Jenny Freeman, Managing Director of Buildings, Group PMX

MiEN Company

In 2025, classroom design will continue to prioritize flexibility, inclusivity, and sustainability. Furniture will remain modular and mobile, further supporting quick and seamless reconfiguration to adapt to diverse teaching methods, group sizes, and learning activities. This adaptability will empower educators to create personalized spaces for collaboration, focus, and creativity.

Designs will increasingly reflect the needs of neurodiverse learners. Classrooms will feature sensory-friendly elements, such as adjustable lighting, sound-absorbing materials, and calming colors to create environments that reduce overstimulation. Quiet zones, tactile surfaces, and furniture that supports alternative seating postures will also provide options for self-regulation and comfort.

Sustainability will take center stage, with schools opting for furniture made from recycled or responsibly sourced materials. Eco-friendly manufacturing processes, durable designs, and a focus on recyclability will reduce environmental impact. Energy-efficient classrooms will incorporate features such as solar-powered lighting, natural ventilation, and greenery, fostering a connection to nature while promoting well-being.

Finally, biophilic design elements, such as outdoor learning spaces and indoor greenery, will enhance creativity and health. Classrooms will continue to evolve into dynamic ecosystems, tailored to support both individual and collective growth, while fostering an ethos of environmental stewardship for the next generation of learners.

Dr. Christina Counts, VP of Education and Marketing, MiEN Company

KI Wall

In 2025, we expect that schools will focus their construction and renovation efforts on longevity. Since the deadline for schools to use Covid-19 relief funds is in January, there will soon be less funding for such updates, even as school buildings are aging. Nearly 40% were constructed before 1970, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Facilities managers may turn to solutions that allow schools to future-proof, or more easily accommodate future needs for the space. For instance, architectural walls are movable, so they can help schools seamlessly transition as educators' and administrators' needs evolve over the years. They also easily create "swing spaces" to support staff needs while other construction projects are happening. Over a fifth of public schools are undergoing a major repair, renovation, or modernization.

We expect schools will also be evaluating any construction based on sustainability. Architectural walls help schools avoid the environmental waste of traditional construction. Construction and demolition generate up to 600 million tons of waste yearly. Just 30% of the waste associated with drywall is recycled. Unlike drywall, architectural walls can be installed and reconfigured without demolition. They produce virtually zero byproduct waste.

Ryan Usiak, vice president of KI Wall.

McKinney York Architects

Research from governmental and non-governmental organizations tells us that children are more susceptible to the quality of their environments because their bodies are smaller and still developing. Children spend 90% of their time indoors, with most of their waking hours spent in school. It is therefore imperative that school environments are free from building materials and furnishings containing VOCs, PFAS, phthalates, antimicrobials, flame retardants, and other potentially damaging chemical additives. During renovation projects, we spend time and money removing lead and asbestos from existing buildings. In designing new buildings, we shouldn’t set ourselves up to repeat that remediation cycle by introducing potentially harmful materials. Interior designers and architects have many options for durable and high-performing materials that contribute to a healthy indoor environment. Linoleum flooring, zero-VOC paints, and biobased materials are all great choices that are competitively priced and aesthetically compatible with learning environments. In 2025, specifiers can support wellness in schools by selecting products with Health Product Declarations, third-party certifications such as Cradle to Cradle and GREENGUARD, and compliance with CDPH and CARB standards. McKinney York Architects is a signatory to the AIA Materials Pledge and is committed to choosing materials that support human, climate, ecosystem, and social health.

Navvab Taylor is an Associate Principal and Sustainability Leader at McKinney York Architects.