Page 8 - spaces4learning, Fall 2022

spaces4learning DESIGN THAT SUPPORTS SEL
DESIGNING EQUITABLE EXPERIENCES FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
By Jan Taylor
STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WANT WHAT WE all want: to be seen, to be appreciated, and to participate with others in the richness of everyday life.
Thanks to better learning and social environments and the empathetic work of teachers and advocates, achieving these fundamental experiences is much more attainable today. The lessons learned from designing spaces for special education schools provide valuable insights for every school looking to improve equity and inclusivity on campus.
Observing, Questioning, then Designing
Success in designing spaces for students with special needs be- gins with study and lots of dialogue. During the early stages of planning a 25,000-square-foot campus center addition at the Cotting School in Lexington, Mass., the team began by observ- ing how students used the current space and moved through- out the day. Cotting School serves the needs of students with a broad spectrum of learning and communication abilities, phys- ical challenges, and complex medical conditions.
We saw how many of the school’s hallways and common areas became quickly congested for students requiring wheelchairs and other mobility equipment. In some ways, this crowding condition became accepted as a familiar scenario. Yet, in talking with the students and staff, we realized how the opportunity to reduce the congestion in the new campus center would create a safer and more
PHOTOS © ANDY CAULFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY
equitable experience for all students, regardless of mobility needs. Close observation and stakeholder dialogue also preceded any design work for a new academic and skill development building completed for the Cardinal Cushing Centers. Cushing Centers is a nonprofit that facilitates healthy emotional, personal, and physical growth for students with mild to severe special needs, including autism, intellectual disabilities, and other challenges. The program supports students from ages 6 to 22, all of whom are encouraged to learn and work cooperatively
and independently within their abilities.
Key insights on the design of the MarketPlace Building, as it
came to be known, came from Cushing staff and faculty oversight groups. Nurses, clinical staff, faculty members, counselors, and the Cushing Centers CEO vigorously participated. The depth of their professional experience and knowledge of student life informed a bold vision for what the new building could become. For example, the faculty and clinical staff provided valuable input on safety issues, guiding us with practical advice on finding the right balance for keeping the students safe while also creating a comfortable and functional learning space without the look or feel of an institutional environment.
Socialization Builders
Advancing the social and emotional development of students is a priority for all school administrators and educators. Accomplish- ing this is a priority when designing any school building and in- spiring every student. A few of the takeaways on what is working:
Outdoor Spaces: Bridging indoor and outdoor experiences elevates everyone’s sense of well-being. When planning a new building or addition, consider not only the opportunities for the spaces inside, but also the spaces between and around the building. Utilize overlooked passageways or unused green space to integrate interior lobbies or assembly spaces with access to outdoor experiences. At Cotting School, the new addition includes a peaceful, contemplative garden and courtyard connecting to both the new campus center and the existing medical clinic. Much to everyone’s pleasure, the Campus Center quickly became the school’s social center.
Daylighting: Access to natural light, and reduced use of lighting fixtures, contribute to social and emotional health and, evidence shows, student productivity. Think about the contrast between a student viewing blue skies and the outside environment instead of a sole focus on electronic screens under
Full-height windows in the Cotting School campus center connect the indoors with outside nature
8 FALL 2022 | spaces4learning.com