Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Designing Flexible, Inclusive Learning Spaces with Purposeful Flooring

  • 03/12/26

Mannington Commercial leaders Cindy Kaufman and Roby Isaac discuss how their “Crafted with Purpose” design philosophy informs products for education environments from K–12 through higher ed, with an emphasis on domestic manufacturing, sustainability, and performance. They highlight two major priorities in educational design: flexibility to support multiple learning modes (traditional instruction, small-group work, individual focus, and hands-on STEM/STEAM activities) and designing for neurodiversity by enabling learners to control and adapt their space. They explain how flooring contributes through wayfinding and zoning to reduce friction and clarify purpose, as well as through acoustics, using carpet for sound dampening, comfort, and aesthetics. They also describe Mannington’s Design Solutions team, which creates floor plate layouts using modular products to help designers achieve intent, and encourage a holistic approach that includes research on neurodiversity and biophilic design.

00:00 Meet Mannington Leaders
01:11 Crafted with Purpose
01:41 Flexible Learning Modes
02:37 Designing for Neurodiversity
03:22 Flooring for Wayfinding
03:58 Acoustics and Comfort
04:56 Design Solutions Service
06:02 Holistic Design Priorities
07:03 Closing Thoughts

Additional resources:

Sponsored by Mannington Commercial

Featured

  • NWEA Report Recommends K–12 Natural Disaster Recovery Strategies

    The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), a K–12 assessment and research organization, recently announced the release of a new playbook for schools and communities recovering from extreme weather events, according to a news release.

  • New Arizona Fine Arts School Reaches Construction Milestone

    Construction of the new Hilltop School for the Arts and Theater in Litchfield Park, Ariz., recently hit a significant milestone, according to a news release. The Agua Fria High School District held a beam-signing ceremony to celebrate the building’s topping out, or the placement of its last structural beam.

  • Kimball International Releases Curated Design Support Program

    Commercial furnishings company Kimball International recently announced the launch of a new end-to-end design support program, DesignSuite. According to a news release, its goal is to guide architecture & design professionals and dealer partners through the process from vision to specification.

  • Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, OR

    Preserving Legacy, Designing for the Future

    As historic academic buildings age, institutions face a difficult decision: preserve and adapt or demolish and rebuild. How do we honor the legacy of these spaces while adapting them to meet the needs of modern learners?