FOCAL POINT FIREPLACE LIBRARIES TO COMMONS: Not Hush, Hush Anymore STATIONARY UNCOMFORTABLE ONE SIZE STACKS CARD CATALOGUE CLASSROOM STATIONARY INFLEXIBLE STUDY CARRELS Today, school libraries are undergoing a transformation becoming not just a place to house resources but one in which to create meaning from them. Technology is playing a large role in this change, as virtually every student LIBRARIAN CIRCULATION DESK + WORK ROOM TRADITIONAL has the potential to carry a global library on his or her device. With this change, the role of the library has become more central to the learning environment. In the evolution from library to learning commons, we are eliminating the formal, whispering only, reputation that has long been associated with libraries and instead are bringing together the best of physical (books) and digital to support self-directed learning in a rich, interactive environment. School officials and design teams are working together to create a contemporary environment that inspires learning, fosters collaborative study and promotes engagement with peers. The traditional library has gone from a stationary, uncomfortable, one-size-fits-all space with study COMMONS LOUD/QUIET FORMAL/INFORMAL OPEN/ENCLOSED carrels and a card catalog to a highly flexible, interactive, technology-rich area. This new environment is designed to be more casual and inviting for students, inspiring them to come more often, and stay longer. The learning HIGH END COMPUTER LAB commons encourages students to continue their learning opportunities after school, and to have a safe and relaxing place to participate in diverse activities alone, or in a group setting. CLASSROOM FLEXIBILITY PRINTING KIOSK The learning commons, in fact, has become a showcase for a broader set of K-12 school design principles that include technology integration, adaptability, connections to the outdoors, and variety of learning spaces. As demonstrated in the following case studies, careful planning of the learning commons can invigorate a space that is often considered the heart of a school facility. CAFE LIBRARIAN CIRCULATION + IT HELP DESK
CONNECTION TO THE OUTDOORS AREAS (PUBLIC/PRIVATE) INDIVIDUAL STUDY COLLABORATIVE ZONE VAIL MOUNTAIN SCHOOL VAIL, COLORADO Vail Mountain School was interested in discovering how to maximize the use of their traditional library space. They were finding less need for book shelves and more interest from students in spaces to collaborate and work in teams, as well as places for individual study. In this renovation from library to learning commons, the design entailed moving bookshelves along the perimeter walls and adding small group rooms with glass walls to provide privacy along with good supervision. A stair and small mezzanine were added to connect the learning commons to the outdoor courtyard. New furniture was installed, including tech bars, casual seating, study booths and tables and chairs for team collaboration, in addition to new outlet locations for ample access to technology. Variety Of Learning Spaces The need to accommodate various educational strategies requires a design that creates public and private work zones as well as individual and group settings. Private single-person alcoves and furniture solutions allow for focused individual study, reading, and consuming flipped-classroom materials or online lessons. Open community spaces for individual work allow for social engagement and conversation, and encourage crosspollination of ideas between classes. Private group work areas are typically separate rooms, glass-enclosed for ease of supervision. These small group rooms accommodate team projects outside of class, where more active engagement occurs. They can also be meeting rooms for extracurricular student groups. They often include writable walls and larger monitors for sharing media. Finally, public group work areas play the part of a student learning lounge of sorts. These zones allow the type of social interaction, idea sharing, and comfort that encourages students to hang around. Adaptable, movable furnishings in these public zones can host groups of varying sizes as well.
COLLABORATIVE ZONE CONNECTION TO THE OUTDOORS ADAPTABILITY BOULDER HIGH SCHOOL BOULDER, COLORADO At Boulder High School, the library was a transformed into an innovative learning commons with many of these themes at play. After moving bookshelves away from the middle of the room and relocating the circulation desk, new furniture and a tech bar space were added. The circulation desk became more of an information kiosk and help desk. Glass garage doors were installed to connect the learning commons to the adjacent courtyard and dining space. Technology Integration Although printed books still play a role in these spaces, the digital technology component is emphasized with access to tablets, computers, and printers for students who do not have access to them outside of school and power sources for those who bring their own devices. Many small group rooms or workstations are designed around monitors so that students can share their devices screen among a group of three to six people, or explore an online lesson as a project team. Specialized equipment such as 3D printers can also make its way into the Learning Commons as a shared school resource. The new library no longer serves as a single use space but instead supports a variety of activities through various zones and a flexible design that seeks to integrate the following components: instruction, group study, informal learning, research, quiet study areas, and even makerspace. In many cases, an existing library is repurposed into a more contemporary learning commons with the addition of flexible furniture, technology upgrades, specialized equipment and other physical improvements within the extents of the existing space. Outdoor Connections Connecting a learning commons with the outdoors can be accomplished with windows and views, but more direct access to a courtyard or similar exterior area can contribute to the flexibility of the space, the enthusiasm of the students, and to the stimulation of thought that a change in environment can provide. Operable glass walls or glass garage doors can effectively serve to bring the outdoors in. A carefully configured outdoor classroom that accommodates technology, accessible from the learning commons, often becomes a highly-valued amenity for teachers and students alike.
VARIETY OF SPACES TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION ROLAND PARK COUNTRY SCHOOL BALTIMORE, MARYLAND The Faissler library at Roland Park Country School was reimagined as a learning commons with minor revisions to the brick and mortar while preserving the basic mission of the library: to provide a center, both physical and virtual, for students to explore a variety of resources and reading options. Adaptability Adaptability is a key component within the learning commons making it easy for students and teachers to transform the setting based on the learning experience they are seeking. Easily adjustable desks, chairs, rooms and shelves are hallmarks of learning commons, in addition to the private study areas, classrooms and/or group workspaces. These versatile spaces may also include a café, help desk and printing kiosk. Adaptable librarians themselves can serve as teachers, technology advisors, research assistants, ethical guides and collaborators. The amount of space dedicated to book storage was reduced and new spaces were created for research, collaborative work and individual study. Investments in new, adaptable furniture and technology enhancements established the learning commons as one of the most versatile educational environments in the school.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT THINK TANK TOOLS MATERIALS PROJECT STORAGE THE BRYN MAWR SCHOOL BALTIMORE, MARYLAND Innovation Lab at the Bryn Mawr School (an all-girls school) supports the recognition that students learn as much from hands-on experience and real-world challenges as from textbooks or computers. These experiences also help achieve equity and full participation for women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. Hord Coplan Macht helped BMS evolve its former all-in-one shop space into a design-build-critique series of rooms with full-time dedicated staff. This project required the architects and interior designers at HCM to identify a set of underutilized spaces on the campus, and quickly transform them into a hub of innovation and entrepreneurial study. When thoughtfully planned and placed, transformative renovations can make a profound impact on an institution s ability to meet the needs of its current students and attract new ones. The Learning Commons is quickly becoming the academic heart of the school with thoughtful connections to adjacent spaces. As technology and opportunities for discovery continue to play leading roles in the design of our learning environments, we will see the learning commons concept continue to gather importance and evolve into a dynamic, mediarich space that supports and encourages students in quiet study, social connections and collaboration. Innovation Labs One solution taking advantage of underutilized space in libraries is the Innovation Lab, sometimes called makerspace. An Innovation Lab provides resources for project-based activity that can serve as a practical alternative to learning from books or videos. This amenity, which is exploding in popularity, gives students access to specialized equipment such as 3D printers, laser engravers, and wood shop tools in addition to sundry parts, pieces and materials to inspire design thinking. Makerspace within a Learning Commons can range from a full-size adjacent suite or converted computer lab, to simply a niche or corner with the right equipment, storage and materials to facilitate invention. As a part of the heart of the school, an Innovation Lab can fulfill a student need while adding an atmosphere of discovery that attracts students. About the Authors Adele Willson, AIA, LEED AP, is a principal and partner with Hord Coplan Macht s Denver office and heads the firm s K-12 studio. She can be reached at awillson@hcm2.com. Peter Winebrenner, AIA, LEED AP, REFP, is a principal and partner with Hord Coplan Macht s Baltimore office and heads the firm s K-12 studio. He can be reached at pwinebrenner@hcm2.com.