Page 8 - School Planning & Management, October 2017

NEWS & VIEWS
Hot Tips
This Month
Learning Spaces
REIMAGINING THE IDEAL LEARNING SPACE
STUDENTS PERFORM BEST WHEN THEIR en- vironment encourages change and exploration. From collaborative projects to individual assign- ments, versatility is central to student success. This means that ergonomic and adaptable chairs, desks, and other elements, are most valuable if they can be reconfigured for a range of uses.
By creating distinct zones in the classroom for specific activities, students can be more focused, have more direction, and establish
a clearer set of customs. When students are given autonomy over their learning environ- ments, there is a higher level of engagement and collaboration.
For smaller classrooms, designating various activity areas can be a challenge. In these cases, the use of adjustable furniture can be the key to maximizing every square foot of space.
Here are some guiding principles for build- ing an efficient and active environment:
Identify natural pathways, both among students and between learning zones. Configure zones to complement these pathways in an organic way, facilitating activity with minimal in- terruption and maximum freedom of movement.
Visualize the school day from start to finish, and identify areas of the classroom that are typically overused or underused. Find creative op- portunities to mix up learning areas, reconfigure seating elements to shift focus midday, and explore the use of space for collaborative projects.
Pair activities with furnishings best suited to each task. For instance, ergonomic school furniture that facilitates an upright posture may be best for writing and creative tasks, while soft seating may be better for passive yet engaging activities, like reading or listening time.
Designate storage areas for student posses- sions and classroom furniture. When a space ac- tively exhibits organization and focus, students will welcome the opportunity to independently design and reconfigure their environment.
>>Dietmar Lang is the director of Marketing & Product for VS America. He can be contacted at info@vsamerica.com.
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designed to hold 450+ students (100 more than the old school). Designed by Legat Architects and to be built by Estes Construc- tion, the new Grant Wood incorporates 21st- century learning concepts into a more tradi- tional school design. Among its features are multipurpose areas, an “Innovation Spine,” a 3,100-square-foot student commons, and an energy-efficient HVAC system. To read more, visit webspm.com/articles/2017/08/21/ grant-wood-elementary.aspx.
Eddy + Debbie Peach Elementary School Completed
The new Eddy & Debbie Peach Elementary School for Arlington (Texas) ISD The educational pro- gram of the new school includes core classrooms, grade level collaboration spaces and shared academic spaces including science, music, and art. The facility also incorporates a state of the art Media Center, Cafetorium and a multi-purpose Gymnasium along with a joint use space with the Boys & Girls
Club, providing after school activities for all school ages. The architecture and interior design for the project was com- pleted by Perkins+Will. To read more, visit webspm.com/articles/2017/09/21/ eddy-debby-peach.aspx.
O&G Breaks Ground at Grasso Technical High School
O&G Industries, Connecticut’s largest privately-held construction company, began work on the construction of the new Ella T. Grasso Technical High School in Groton, Connecticut. O&G was selected as the Construction Manager for the $98.3-million-dollar construction project. The project will include construction of
a new 220,000-square-foot facility on the existing site. The new school will be built adjacent to the current facility with com- pletion of the new building expected in the fall of 2019 for arriving students, fol- lowed by demolition of the existing school where new athletic facilities will be sited on its former footprint. To read more, visit webspm.com/articles/2017/09/06/grasso- technical-high-school.aspx.
New Phoenix K-12 Campus Opens for 1,300 Students
The architecture, planning and design firm, Studio Ma, has announced the comple- tion of a new $17-million campus for Great Hearts Academies in North Phoenix. Two existing academies are now located on the new campus: Archway North Phoenix and North Phoenix Preparatory, serving approximately 1,300 students since it opened on August 10th, and ultimately 1,600 students at full capacity, in grades K-12. To read more,visitwebspm.com/articles/2017/09/08/Phoenix-K12-Campus.aspx. SPM
8 SCHOOL PLANNING & MANAGEMENT / OCTOBER 2017 WEBSPM.COM
IMAGE COURTESY STUDIO MA