John Vernon | Dreamstime

Schools need more than just flex space. Converting space from one use to another is good, but designers must pay particular attention to how each space influences students as they engage in different learning activities and methods. Did you know that classrooms today must provide a great variety of functions? The following is a quick list of just a few of the main functions classrooms today provide: 

• quiet reading
• internet
• video
• multi-media
• shared computer applications
• personal computer applications
• discussion groups
• debates
• teacher lectures
• arts and crafts
• teacher’s areas

Architectural design physiologically, emotionally and behaviorally impacts students in classrooms. Even simple design decisions matter – like what color to paint the walls. In the book Color, Environment and Human Response, one teacher paints the classroom front wall a different color to avoid visual monotony. Thus, it just as important to avoid visual monotony as it is to avoid visual noise and clutter. What is most important; however, is the student’s work — which should always stand out most.

Wouldn’t it be nice if school was like a learning laboratory? Students could play, focus and drill into knowledge in a variety of interactive situations. For example, as laptops gain popularity, desk designs could change. As a result every student would have equal access to taught information; plus, social interactions could double as learning interactions during shared computing applications. 

Interactive architecture allows a classroom to adjust, as student needs change in real-time. As students go from quiet reading to teacher lectures, for example, the classroom can change its lighting, learning technology and furniture configuration. When it is time for quiet reading, classrooms should adjust so it is comfortable for students to read. Similarly, when it is time for a teacher lecture, classrooms should adjust so all students can enjoyably learn as their teacher speaks. This means that at times, classrooms can be a bit theatrical; while at other times; classrooms can be filled with personalized student spaces. The key is to vary and adjust the learning environment to inspire the very activities that help students learn best.

Haworth | Architectural Record

This design by Perkins + Will in Holland, Michigan said that they needed an “environment that would change their culture”, according to Architectural Record’s report. This brings up an interesting point. How can interactive architecture help with a corporation’s cultural evolution?

The culture of a place has to do with how its occupants interrelate with each other, with their clients and with their daily work. As corporations grow their cultures evolve – as do the methods used to reflect or influence that culture from architectural space. But what if architectural space can work directly with employees to help a culture evolve? What should drive that corporate cultural evolution?

Perhaps research into productivity from an employee-centered perspective would be most helpful. Client perception of the corporation may also influence how the architectural design comes together. But why stop here? With interactive architecture an office building’s architectural fabric could include interrelation between both of these perspectives, and more. As interactivity is integrated, rules and goals may provide for evolutionary milestones which may target additional objectives like employee efficiency, creativity, sales and health.