8 Principles for Classroom Design
When Fusion Classroom Design consider a school classroom interior design we have a number of principles and best practice standards that we include for any school design scheme:
1. Make It Flexible: Educational spaces should be flexible, adapting to a range of classroom teaching activities. Where possible consider more than one function for any space. Designing spaces that can be reconfigured or that have zones for different roles is beneficial.
2. Make It Comfortable: Including comfort in any environment will help learning. Design interiors with good natural light, think about air quality, and comfortable ergonomics. Consider sound energy so that classrooms have noise absorption and a balance of hard and soft surfaces. All these aspects can enhance student learning and reduce tiredness in staff and students alike.
3. Make it Accessible: Education interiors need to be designed for ease of access for all students. Not only does this entail travel routes for wheelchairs, but also consideration for colour coding or colour contrast for partially sighted students. Consider the possibilities for different textures. Using colour themes can be a great way to make a visually interesting school interior work for Accessibility as well.
4. Make It Safe: Safety is always a top priority in educational spaces. Not only does ergonomics have a role here, but also standards for strength and stability of furniture. Trip hazards, finger traps, sharp corners and safe provision of electrical services all require expertise in design to minimise ‘design risks’.
5. Consider Technology: As technology plays a growing part in education, the way we incorporate technology hardware into the design of educational interiors is essential. Viewing angles are a basic design factor. Cabling and sockets likewise. Its also important to balance tech and classic learning formats to ensure classrooms retain character and humanity so that tech isn’t too dominant.
6. Make It Sustainable: Sustainable design factors should be integrated into the scheme for any educational interior. Are the building materials from sustainable sources or recycled materials. Is the selected finish durable and will it retain its performance for many years. Can we reduce waste at the design stage to avoid landfill. Can energy reduction be designed-in. Great or small, any sustainable ‘win’ helps make a difference.
7. Add Branding: The design should be on-brand or work with the school’s identity and style. Sometimes a school design can be a feature that marks a change away from a previous style to a new identity. The reception redesign at Weald Of Kent Grammar School was one such project where the old branding, and interior style, were both updated in the new school reception design. Whether it includes school colours, logos, or messaging into the design, make use of the school identity.
8. Make It Maintenance Friendly: Will any materials and finishes be easy to clean. Can high-traffic areas withstand students use or moving between areas. Specify materials that will not need costly maintenance. Ensure replacement or old classroom and school interior finishes will result in a lower cost of ownership.
When Fusion design an educational interior we try to ensure they are functional, comfortable, and supportive for learning. The balance is that a design scheme should offer best value. Judging how to hit the 8 principles, whilst keeping costs clearly in sight, gives any design a successful foundation.