Five Tips for Designing Effective Informal Learning Spaces in Higher Ed
Learning happens everywhere. At least that’s what the research says. The research also shows that spaces that are intentionally designed to support learning are more effective than spaces that aren’t. When designing an active learning ecosystem—meaning that all of the spaces are intentionally designed to support learning, not just the classrooms—informal learning spaces can be […]
Don’t Overlook the Staff! Five Things to Remember When Designing a Healthcare Project
While every healthcare facility exists to provide services and treatment to patients, it’s the staff who work within with the space daily. Doctors, nurses, and techs interact with patients of course, but they also need spaces to retreat to—spaces to do heads down work, learn new skills, and a place to eat lunch and take […]
Designing Supportive Patient-Centered Spaces
Going to the doctor can be taxing, even if it’s just for a checkup. When patients dread visiting the doctor, they at worst avoid it altogether, but at best increase their stress levels, which negatively impacts overall health. Waiting rooms can be uncomfortable, and patient rooms even worse. Unfortunately, as we get older, visits to […]
Specifying the Right Healthcare Materials—A Quick Guide
Whether you’re designing a new space, or renovating an older one, healthcare design projects can be overwhelming. Once the space adjacencies and room footprints have been established, furniture and finishes must be selected, and while there are many options, there are also many wrong options—and it the healthcare setting every choice should be informed and […]
First Impressions: Four Ways to Improve a Healthcare Waiting Room
Waiting rooms are often the very first experience a patient has with a healthcare provider. The waiting room sets the tone for the entire visit, so designing a supportive, attractive, and functional waiting room is crucial to patient satisfaction and retention. Imagine you’re a parent with small children, arriving at the doctor’s office for an […]
Planning for K-12 Wellness: New Construction
The built environment has a direct impact on feelings of wellbeing, both in adults and in children. Adults spend most of their time at work and at home. In fact, the built environment can cause additional stress and even affect learning when not designed properly. The old formula of supplying a classroom with loud, heavy […]
Factors to Consider in K-12 Educational Design: Renovations
The past few years have imparted the importance of designing educational spaces that are flexible and agile. Gone are the days where metal tablet-arm chairs facing a chalkboard is the gold standard of K-12 educational design. Today’s ever-changing technologies, diverse student body, and safety needs challenge the existing classroom design model. Photo courtesy of Unsplash […]
Planning for K-12 Wellness: Existing Environments
Like adults, many school-aged children are affected by stress and anxiety, and often the built environment does little to relieve stressors. In fact, the built environment can actually cause additional stress and even affect learning when not designed properly. The days of outfitting a classroom with beige walls, heavy metal desks, and a chalkboard are […]
What Is Modular Construction?
As the world rapidly shifts in response to technology evolution, global events, and an increasing emphasis on sustainability, the built environment must shift as well. These factors mean that traditional construction—where the building is fully built from the ground up on-site—is becoming less appealing than modular construction, where much of the building is manufactured off-site […]
Factors to Consider in K-12 Educational Design: New Construction
If we’ve learned anything in the last few years, it’s that educational spaces need to be agile, and able to flex with a variety of circumstances. The world is moving on from chalkboards and metal desks, designing classrooms with more thought and intention. Integrating flexible and inclusive design features can be done in a renovation, […]
