12 Strategies (plus bonus) on hacking and redesigning spaces

Introduction:

Images of Classrooms from Around the World | Julian Germain, Classroom Portraits

Classroom Redesign:  Hack, Prototype and Design

Classroom Redesign:  Creating 21st Century Spaces

The Strategies:

1.  Develop a new mindset and lens to see space.

2.  Immerse yourself in resources

3.  Focus on experience, not things

4.  Do a learning space inventory

5.  Create a multidimensional space

6.  Declutter

7.  Create a classroom that is writeable

8.  Promote movement and activity

9.  Add color

10.  Design with digital in mind

11.  Get off site

12.  Document, assess and share

13.  What not to do:  

  • Design intellectual spaces for learning, not a living room.

  • No drapes: ignite easily in a fire

  • No couches: health issues (lice) and posture, fire hazard

  • Furniture from a large Swedish manufacturer: not fired rated, no suitable for sustained classroom use.

Furniture Companies

Wall Treatments

General Resources:

Remake Your Class:  6 Steps to Get Started | Melanie Kahl

4 Lessons the Classroom Can Learn from the Design Studio | Steve Turkes and Melanie Kahl

8 Tips and Tricks to Redesign Your Classroom | David Bill

Learning Space Taxonomy from Learning Space Toolkit | NC State, BrightSpot and AECom

Lessons Learned | Steelcase

Innovation enters the Classroom | Steelcase

Wanna Improve Education?  Demolish the Classrooms | Trung Le

Redesigning Education, Rethinking the School Corridor | Trung Le

Steelcase 360  | learning space research from SteelCase

FlexSpace | Flexible Learning Space Design Exchange

Herman Miller | Research from Herman Miller Furniture

Learning Space Taxonomy | visual organization of the components of learning spaces

Center for Teaching at Vanderbilt | Learning Spaces

Sketch Ideas | Space Oasis

Ink Factory Studio | awesome drawing

Space to Work and Learn | Andrew Harrison