{"id":102334,"date":"2024-08-28T19:37:36","date_gmt":"2024-08-28T09:37:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/asia-en\/?p=102334"},"modified":"2024-08-28T19:37:36","modified_gmt":"2024-08-28T09:37:36","slug":"from-dated-to-dynamic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/asia-en\/research\/articles\/topics\/learning\/from-dated-to-dynamic\/","title":{"rendered":"From Dated to Dynamic"},"content":{"rendered":"

It just wasn\u2019t the kind of place kids \u201cthese days\u201d wanted to go. Built in the 1960s, the Archbishop Spalding High School library was quintessentially classic \u2013 a dim, dull place where librarians usually outnumbered students. Outdated and out of the way, the space boasted volumes of books but little else for the nearly 1,300 students it served.<\/p>\n

But the Severn, Maryland school\u2019s vision is to transform students who transform the world. With that ethos in mind, school president Brian Kohler made it his mission to remake that secondary space into a first-rate learning commons. What resulted was an environment that was like night and day.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis project breathed new life, and new light \u2013 literally \u2013 into our space. It\u2019s transformed our community,\u201d Kohler says. \u201cIt\u2019s now a space where students feel welcomed, comfortable and relaxed. Now, students are there from the start of our school day at 7:50 in the morning until 7:50 at night.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Place That Feels Like Home<\/strong><\/p>\n

How does one begin to conceptualize the idea of completely transforming a 6,500-square-foot space that hasn\u2019t changed in almost six decades? And to make it a little more challenging, how can you dynamically refresh the space without major architectural changes?<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to make a place that felt like home,\u201d Kohler says. \u201cThat was our goal from the start.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Focus
Lighter walls and window treatments allow the outside in, while Steelcase Elbrook Tables, Campfire Lounges and Campfire Screens allow for flexibility in how students learn and interact with each other \u2013 giving them the ability to gather or separate for privacy.
Photo Credits: Patrick Ross Photography<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Working alongside Steelcase and architect Jim Determan with firm Craig Gaulden Davis Architecture, school leaders drafted a vision for the new library design<\/a>\u2013 a modern, central social hub for the entire 52-acre campus \u2013 a place where students come to collaborate, study and meet with mentors or peers for group work. It\u2019s even a place where full classes and learning seminars are held periodically. Designed to accommodate various types of learners, flexible furniture supports different modes of learning and fosters face-to-face interaction for one-on-one tutoring or small group work. Finally, warm, biophilic finishes and shades reduce stress, enhance focused learning and create an inclusive, welcoming environment where students feel comfortable staying and learning.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a caring environment that allows for inclusion and belonging \u2013 which serves the wellbeing of the student,\u201d Kohler believes. \u201cThis space respects the dignity of the individual while promoting collaborative learning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Open
The two-story open plan of the library is bright and airy \u2013 helping students feel comfortable and welcomed. The variety of seating and surfaces allows students to quickly and easily move the furniture around to serve different needs, whether it\u2019s focused learning, small group work or a classroom setting. Lounges and work chairs give students agency and encourage learning in a social environment.
Photo Credits: Patrick Ross Photography<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Architect Jim Determan said an interaction with one of the students in the learning commons demonstrated the power of transformation. He was part of a group walking through the space when he noticed a student had turned a chair away from a group table and faced it toward a window \u2013 where they sat, quietly reading. When the student was asked why they had turned the chair around, they apologized believing they had done something wrong. But Determan replied that it was a great example of how students should use the space \u2013 a customized experience where they can engage in learning any way they want.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you change the space, you change the rules of that space,\u201d Determan says. \u201cThese students modified their behavior because of the way the space was designed.\u201d<\/p>\n

The newly renovated library\u2019s flexibility is not limited to serving as an active study or meeting space \u2013 it hosts classes daily, as well as school board meetings, parent association meetings and strategic planning sessions among school leaders.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s when the diversification of the furniture and the space itself really comes into play,\u201d says Kohler. \u201cThat\u2019s part of the reason we call it the Learning Commons \u2013 because it is so commonly used by such a diverse group of individuals within our community.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"co-working
Cafe-style seating featuring Coalesse Lagunitas lounges and tables allow for casual, face-to-face conversations and collaboration, while the nearby Steelcase Brody Lounge allows students to easily transition to a more focused, individual workstation.
Photo Credits: Patrick Ross Photography<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Feedback from the students and their school community has centered around how school leaders can consider updating or renovating other spaces in the same way \u2013 from the cafeteria to classrooms. Kohler says they\u2019re exploring the possibilities. \u201cSchools need to be constantly thinking about what\u2019s next for their community.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Steelcase Learning has been partnering with K-12 schools and higher education institutions to understand how teaching and learning is evolving -and how smarter, more active learning environments can help.
\nWant to explore more about our latest learning outcomes report, sign up for a virtual tour or read more of our latest research?<\/p>\n

Click for more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How Archbishop Spalding High School positively influenced change in student behavior by reimagining its traditional 1960s library.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":102336,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"topic":[14326],"class_list":["post-102334","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","topic-learning"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFrom Dated to Dynamic - Steelcase<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover how a high school transformed its outdated library into a vibrant learning commons with dynamic learning and gathering spaces for students and faculty.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/asia-en\/research\/articles\/topics\/learning\/from-dated-to-dynamic\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"From Dated to Dynamic - 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