Page 24 - spaces4learning, Fall 2022

Design Thinking for Today’s Learning Spaces
Supporting the Evolution of Spaces and Enabling Flexibility
Today’s facilities are tasked with providing dynamic spaces that not only foster learning, but nurture school spirit. There are plenty of distractions in today’s society, and your furniture shouldn’t be one of them. From classrooms and makerspaces to student unions and staff spaces, furnishings play a critical role. Facilities need to include settings that support traditional textbook learning as well as life lessons.
Gathering and Collaborating:
Socializing supports positive mental health. With digital device usage at an all-time high, sometimes personal interactions are skipped and opportunities are missed. Open spaces can feel cozy and inviting by creating vignettes that support individuals or multi-person gatherings. Within common as well as open concept areas, focus spaces create private coves for heads down time. Offering visual and audio privacy, these nooks are essential to student success.
Learning Spaces:
Student success soars when they have hands-on activities that allow them to experience the lesson.
In classroom spaces, mobility, flexibility, durability,
and tech connectivity are all necessary. This freedom gives instructors the opportunity to create stations for interaction and collaboration, as well as heads down and focus areas. As a fundamental component of active learning, labs and makerspaces also provide outlets where students can physically explore and discover.
Café and Dining:
Today’s café spaces are truly multi-use areas. Throughout the day, they are in constant transition. From providing
a cup of coffee or a meal to supporting work on a collaborative project, these spaces accommodate a
wide variety of users. An increasing number of students are seeking both formal and informal learning spaces. Cozy coffee bars and cafés within libraries and learning commons provide this balance. With a unique ability to provide an area to relax, socialize, and eat, they offer a retreat from daily activities.
Maximize Your Investment:
Outdoor Spaces:
Create beautiful, comfortable, and durable outdoor spaces to attract and retain students and faculty. Offering durable and comfortable outdoor furniture can add a refreshed atmosphere to any space. From seating and tables that provide outdoor dining to comfortable lounge seating designed to withstand weather, outdoor spaces can improve personal well-being.
Athletics:
Full of excitement and possibility, these spaces accommodate those dedicated to athletics. From private offices to spaces that house team meetings, these
areas need to be dynamic. School spirit shouldn’t be underestimated. Integrate school colors and custom logos to make a statement and create enthusiasm.
Administration:
Functional and flexible solutions create spaces for focused work, shared activities, and the exchange of ideas. Coming together to enhance experiences for staff, students, and the community is essential to the success of an educational facility. By selecting furniture that complements and supports individual work styles and requirements, private office spaces and shared workstations become an extension of the individual, boosting productivity and confidence.
Kimball International offers a comprehensive portfolio of furniture solutions, specifically designed to create effective and beautiful education spaces. Together, let’s explore your objectives and develop flexible solutions that support unique learning styles and inspiring education environments.
Our research-based design process ensures that our furniture meets the needs of students and faculty alike. We design for comfort, durability, and productivity. This comprehensive approach creates purposeful settings that work for a multitude of spaces and a variety of users, all while withstanding the rigors of spirited youth.