LIZ ARMSTRONG - DESIGNING INNOVATION IN CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTS
Innovation in Physical Study Environments
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Transcript of Innovation in Physical Study Environments
LMLAG ConferenceAll Change: adapt and thrive in a digital age
Innovation in
Physical Spaces
Pat Christie
April 2007
University of the Arts London: background information
• 6 specialist colleges
• c23,000 student/c18,000 FTEs
• All-through provision (FE through to PhDs)
• 7 college-based libraries and 2 University-level services – the Learning Zone + the Archives & Special Collections Centre
Higher Education Today: key drivers/underpinning themes
• Student-focused - inclusiveness - diversification of audiences
• Social learning - action learning - personal and professional development skills
• E-learning - digital resources - web 2.0 technologies
• Parity of access - long opening hours
Planning Constraints
• Space – no additional accommodation available so limited space (394m2)
• Timescale – 3 months to plan/6 weeks to build (opened Oct 06)
• Budget – low cost building works/c£160k for fit-out
• Staffing – limited staff resource available/a broad-ranging working group with students
Our Response: the Learning Zone as a new type of student-centred learning space
29000
13600
Benching at 850mm for spray booths, cutting surface, sink
Copiers, Vending
Benching at 740mm for printers, scanner
Serving counter with shutter
Staff office with laptop issuing station, safe, storage
Data, power tray suspended from ceiling. Possibility of power blocks on coiled cables for occasional power requirments in middle space
Ceiling-mounted Data projectors
Plasma Information Screen
Display/Noticeboards on pillars between windows
Doors with leaf to allow furniture to be brought in as required
Fold-down worktop at 740mmExternal benching at 740mm for 8 desktop computers
External Shelving to provide ~30 linear metres per pod
2 pods – mirror image same size
Carpeting for better sound damping
Cut n’ Paste Table
= 3 seater sofa
= Low table
= Bean Bag
= Mobile Screen
= 1m Table & 4 chairs
Adjustable height benching DDA
Services & Facilities: state of the art technologies alongside traditional resources
• IT facilities – fixed computers + laptops within wi-fi environment
• Presentation facilities - data projectors, interactive whiteboards, printers + copiers, copystand, cut’n’paste areas
• Research facilities – e-resources and core texts
Services & Facilities: flexible and informal furniture in open plan space and ‘pods’
• Flexible furniture for group and individual study• Sofas, armchairs and ‘pebbles’ to create relaxed ambience• Pods equipped with state of the art technology for break-out
sessions
Services & Facilities: culture of peer support and student empowerment
• Frontline support – students employed as Learning Zone Assistants
• ‘Can do’ culture – few rules in place and feedback encouraged so students feel a sense of ownership and self-governance
Services & Facilities: service promotion and themed workshops• Tours, inductions, printed flyers + web pages• Drop-in sessions - ‘Know-How November ‘ and ‘Subject Days’• Seminar/conference venue – open space technology/break-out
sessions
The Learning Zone: observations and reflections
Observations:• Often full to capacity + very positive feedback, but not
appropriate for all students as one learning style inevitably dominates
• Students want more fixed IT workstations with full functionality• Students value the breakdown of the staff/student barrier but
can be hard for staff
Reflections:• The ‘service culture’ is just as important as physical facilities• The importance of ‘good design’ to create the right ambience• Although successful always need to fine-tune• More Learning Zones or one larger Learning Zone?
Next Priority: the University Archives & Special Collections Centre• Phase I Completed in January 2007• State of the art archival storage facilities with small public
enquiry space• Houses the Stanley Kubrick Archives
Archives & Special Collections Centre: a new innovative research and study space• Phase II – flagship centre planned for 2011/2012• Multi-disciplinary and multi-faceted facility• Public area to include – lecture theatre/cinema; lifelong learning
space; multi-media workshops; high spec research spaces