By Robert Mustoe, managing director of the Senator Group
Understanding the importance of individuality is paramount, whether it’s in an educational environment or a Silicon Valley boardroom. By personalising the ways in which we approach tasks, we increase the potential to be more creative, productive and inspiring to those around us.
It is this ideology that has been influential in the design of work environments in recent years. It is evident in the widespread adaptation of open plan spaces, the rise of flexible working and the prioritisation of collaborative work.
A preference for flexible, adaptable spaces is increasing in the educational sector, with training facilities, schools, colleges and universities favouring design that accommodates both social and solitary work, as well as the ability to move easily between the two.
With working styles easily distinguishing extroverts from introverts, or logical from creative learners, teachers and trainers are looking at spatial design to help cater for a variety of different requirements.
Designers and architects are now required to create tools that offer scope for adaptation and personalisation. This has been successfully utilised with cubicles traded in for open plan offices, as well as ‘pod’ spaces that can be assembled to enable private work or meetings to take place.
The increased use of flexible, removable screens between desks are another popular choice for those who prefer to work privately, without disrupting the spacious, relaxed setting of the rest of the office.
Group soft seating, mobile seating and stools function as ‘breakout’ spaces to encourage collaborative working in the form of informal discussions or team projects. These minor adaptations to learning and working areas can enable the introverts and extroverts to coexist, so thought can be focused and independent in one part of the office while ideas are generated, discussed and turned into actions elsewhere.
This mode of working is integral to any classroom, university, library or training space. Teaching is informed by classroom dynamics, by the individual needs of different pupils and by the questions raised as a direct result of group interaction. Equally, one of the most valuable capabilities that can be taught in any training session is the ability to take ownership of work, produce it independently and understand how this impacts on oneself and the group.
Understanding learning in this way has meant that those leading a class, study group or training session can be discerning when it comes to the way in which they plan and teach. This development has been supported by the prevalence of technology in study environments, forming the future of work for Generations Y and Z.
Educational spaces have evolved at a rapid pace in line with the advancements in technology, with portable technologies fast succeeding pens and paper in learning environments. Teaching staff and designers have made the case for technology as a credible means of promoting personalisation, collaboration and authenticity in learning environments. Online exercises and portable technology can sustain interest among students, encourage working outside of the learning space and maintain contact between facilitators and groups beyond the traditional classroom.
Designers must now plan to accommodate portable technology without taking away from the interactive nature of learning spaces. This can be achieved by mobile soft seating with spaces to put laptops and tablets, which can be moved to slot in beside teachers or classmates for group discussions.
For necessary desktop technologies solution providers now offer flexible monitor arms to increase comfort and promote mobility when seated at a desk, as well as convenient power sources to keep everything running smoothly. Desk accessories adapt to hold and charge devices and help to free up valuable desk space. Ergonomic design is more important to the structure of desk seating than ever before, with modern design engineering the best posture and comfort for users that sit for prolonged periods.
The adaptations made by designers and manufacturers to keep up with the changing demands of educational space allow designs to match technological progress and changing student demands.
In a learning environment we need space to move, engage and collaborate, but more importantly we need to work to our individual strengths and find a pace that works for all. We now have the opportunity to move into a new dimension for learning, creating a blank space to be tailored to suit students as they prepare for their professional futures.