When you walk into a classroom, what do you see? Is it students sitting randomly and just waiting for the teacher to begin their lessons? Is it the teacher at the front of the classroom with students listening but not asking questions?
What if your school could be different? What if a remodel could change how students learn, and teachers teach?
School design doesn’t happen by accident. You need to plan it and put it into practice. So what elements of smart school design should you incorporate? Read on to learn everything you need to know.
Plan an Open Layout
An open layout is a great way to foster a sense of collaboration and learning within the school environment. This can include open classrooms. They can offer inviting spaces for students to work, collaborate, and brainstorm in groups.
You can open up classroom walls to adjoining rooms or even into the hallway outside for communal activities. You can also arrange furniture in circles for whole-class discussion or in clusters for group work. Teachers can take advantage of open spaces for large group exhibits and experiments.
The openness of an open layout also allows for greater student choice of where they want to work. This adds to their feeling of responsibility and ownership over the learning space.
Consider Sound Masking
Sound masking can reduce any outside noise that could be distracting. It works by creating a consistently low level of white noise that is comfortable to the ear. The result is an environment that is better suited to studying through noise reduction and less distraction.
Sound masking can also cut noise in common areas within the school, such as libraries or kitchens. This helps to keep those areas quiet, allowing students and staff to carry out their work with minimal disruptions.
Provide Easy Outdoor Access
Smart school design should focus on providing easy outdoor access to all students. This is especially important for those with physical disabilities and learning disabilities.
You can achieve this through some design strategies. You can install outdoor ramps and elevators, ensuring the path of travel is free of obstacles. You can also consider creating outdoor seating spaces and installing sensory stimulation equipment.
Outdoor access also serves to provide students with a safe space to be active and get fresh air. This can, in turn, help improve their focus and learning.
Through high-quality design, outdoor spaces can become integral parts of the school environment. Teachers can use them for teaching and educational activities.
In this way, accessible outdoor access serves to bridge the gap between the classroom and the environment. Students engage with their surroundings and become better learners.
Install Flexible Furniture
Flexible furniture can help a school’s architectural design become more efficient and effective. Desks, tables, and chairs should be comfortable, adjustable, and rearranged.
Mobile chairs and tables with casters enable students to move around. Extra seating, such as soft seating, can be moved in and out of the classroom as needed.
Curve desks and different board heights can provide different learning opportunities. They can accommodate a variety of learning styles. Modular furniture can help divide the space and create a comfortable and focused learning environment.
Some pieces of furniture, such as hanging wall boards, can also offer different activities. These types of furniture help meet the needs of different learners.
Have Adequate Ventilation
Smart school design should always include adequate ventilation for many reasons. First, it can reduce the likelihood of students and faculty getting sick from poor air quality. Good ventilation often requires the installation of fans to exhaust stale and hazardous air while bringing in the fresh air.
Second, proper ventilation helps to keep classrooms cool, which can help to improve student focus and reduce fatigue. This leads to improved academic performance.
Moreover, it can reduce the concentration of airborne contaminants from outdoor pollution. It helps prevent the spread of airborne illnesses among occupants.
Proper ventilation also cuts down on allergens and dust, reducing the risk of asthma and allergies for students and staff. It can even reduce noise and improve the learning environment.
Utilize Natural Lighting
Natural light helps students focus and elevates their mood. So the school architecture should maximize the use of natural light. The best way to do this is to install windows that span the entire length of a wall.
Other options include skylights or glass ceilings. They can provide a bright, well-lit learning environment. Classrooms should take full advantage of natural light and reduce reliance on artificial light.
Appropriate light filters can be used if needed. Sometimes the sun just hits too harshly, and that is where you can use the benefits of window tinting schools.
Use Proper Color
Bright, vibrant colors can create a stimulating learning environment. They can activate brain chemicals that enhance concentration and focus. Warmer colors, like yellow, orange, and red, can help reduce stress and improve mood, creating an optimal learning atmosphere.
The chosen colors can also act as a reflection of the school’s values and vision. For example, the use of green can signify a focus on sustainable practices and environmental awareness.
Planned colors in the school will add visual interest and reduce monotony. You should use it in conjunction with other elements, such as lighting and furniture. This will determine the success of a smart school design.
Additionally, thoughtfully chosen colors can also be used for wayfinding. They should provide visual cues to orient students and promote an orderly environment.
Leverage Technology
Classroom design can be adapted to incorporate interactive technology. It can involve large touchscreen displays which students can use to better engage with materials.
Electronic whiteboards offer teachers an intuitive, user-friendly platform. They can use it to deliver lessons and collaborate with students.
Additionally, classrooms should be equipped with suitable hardware and software that allows students to interact flexibly and access educational resources. Furthermore, the design of school campuses, incorporating features such as outdoor learning and communal spaces with internet access, allows students to engage with their peers and teachers in meaningful ways.
Follow Our Guide on School Design for a Better Learning Environment
When traditional classrooms and old, non-interactive methods of teaching no longer serve us. Rethinking how and why we build our schools is the only way forward. A smart school design has the power to transform learning experiences and outcomes.
So what are you waiting for? Get started today and start designing a more future-focused environment where learning can thrive.
Did you find this article helpful? If so, check out the rest of our site for more.
