The Permanence of Change: Why Hybrid Is the New Baseline

• By Christopher Meyers, FAIA, LEED AP, NCARB
• 11/20/25

Hybrid learning is here to stay, and it's reshaping how campus spaces function.

I've witnessed this shift from all sides, as a parent with five kids spanning all school stages during the COVID-19 pandemic, and as an architect working closely with campuses across the country. Each of my kids had a totally different experience with hybrid learning. Some thrived. Some didn't. However, across the board, it was clear that the old assumptions about learning (everyone in the room, one way to teach, one way to show up) no longer hold true.

Creating hybrid-ready environments means rethinking how a space can fully support both the people in the room and those joining remotely. It means designing for two audiences at once, without making either feel like an afterthought.

Flexibility Starts with Intent

Institutions are increasingly asking new questions at the start of planning: What's the experience like for every student, wherever they are? What should a space feel like when five people are in person and 25 are remote? How do we make it seamless? Can a remote student hear clearly? Can they see the whiteboard and the instructor, regardless of their location in the room? Does the instructor have the freedom to move, or are they locked to a podium to stay in frame?

We're seeing more campuses invest in auto-tracking cameras that follow the instructor's movements, allowing them to teach naturally without losing connection. Smart mics pick up questions from students in the room. Dual monitors enable the instructor to view both remote participants and shared content simultaneously.

And it's not only the tech. Some classrooms are shifting from stiff rows to more flexible, lounge-style setups that feel less like a test and more like a conversation. When a student chooses to come to class, the space should make that choice worthwhile.

Lessons from the Field

During the design of the WOSU Public Media building at Ohio State University — a project that moved forward in the midst of the pandemic — one thing was clear: The technology would evolve faster than the construction schedule. So rather than locking into specific tools, the team focused on creating a flexible framework that could adapt. Movable walls, reconfigurable infrastructure, and multi-purpose spaces were prioritized over fixed-use layouts. Even control rooms were designed to serve multiple functions, while public zones doubled as impromptu teaching and meeting spaces. The emphasis wasn't on getting everything "right" for today — it was about staying ready for what's next.

That same mindset extended to the building's atmosphere. Natural light, terraces, and outdoor spaces replaced the enclosed, windowless environments of the past — offering people reasons to linger, connect, and collaborate beyond the classroom.

In a very different context, a reading room for a literacy nonprofit was designed with a similar principle: adaptability. Bright colors, soft surfaces, and flexible furniture created a playful environment that could shift based on how students used it — whether that meant climbing over it or curling up with a book. In both cases, the success of the space wasn't about aesthetics or square footage. It was about giving users room to shape the experience.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Too often, schools treat hybrid like a checkbox. Install a webcam and add a mic, and you're done.

Here's what that misses:

• Locking In the Instructor: If the camera can't move, neither can the teacher. And if the teacher can't move, teaching suffers.
• Designing Around the Tech Instead of the People: Start with how people actually teach and learn. Then choose tools that support that.
• Forgetting the Remote Experience: Would you feel engaged watching from home? If not, the design needs work.

Why People Still Matter Most

Despite all the advances in hybrid tech, the value of in-person experience remains irreplaceable. But for students to choose to show up, the experience of being in a space has to beat the convenience of staying in bed.

Spaces should make the choice to show up feel easy. A well-lit classroom with good chairs and a buzz of energy pulls students in. Add a coffee shop outside the lecture hall, a lounge that's warm and welcoming, and a layout that encourages connection, and now you're designing a campus people want to be part of.

Those in-between spaces, the pause points, are where the real student experience and community take shape. The more we can design for connection, the greater our chances are of helping students thrive.

Infrastructure that Pays Off

Hybrid-ready design is now a necessity and a wise investment. When we discuss budgets with campus leaders, we always return to the concept of value. What pays off long-term?

Here's what we recommend:

• Tech-Ready Infrastructure: Avoid locking into one platform. Design systems that can evolve. Flexibility begins with versatile/adaptable technology that can evolve and perform effectively for the future.
• Comfortable, Reconfigurable Furniture: If a student dreads the chair, they'll dread the class.
• Environmental Wellness: Natural light, fresh air, and good acoustics are essential.
• Flexible Adjacencies: Study nooks. Lounge zones. Breakout spaces. These make the hybrid model feel human.

And the most significant win? Involving people early. Facilities teams, IT staff, faculty, and students all see different angles. The more voices you include upfront, the stronger the outcome will be.

In the end, smart hybrid design isn't about tech specs or square footage — it's about giving students a reason to show up. When space supports connection, comfort, and adaptability, it becomes more than just a classroom — it becomes a catalyst for learning.