HIGHER EDUCATION: Collaborative Learning Space Design

An iconic structure in New Haven, underwent a substantial renovation into a collaborative hub for researchers, faculty, and students at a local University. This 16-story building spans 186,000 gross square feet and is the tallest structure on the campus. The revitalized space now features open-concept programming areas, including two additional top floors that provide panoramic views of New Haven and its harbor. This thoughtful redesign fosters collaboration and connectivity, encouraging interaction and interdisciplinary engagement among various departments and disciplines.

Red Thread’s meticulous attention to detail and responsiveness to the client’s needs transformed the tower to foster cross-departmental collaboration and break down traditional barriers. Adding floor-to-ceiling windows, a key element in this makeover, not only brings in natural light but also symbolizes the university’s commitment to openness and connection. Across all floors, integrating soft seating, whiteboards, and tables in hallways creates relaxed environments, promoting impromptu meetings and discussions. This comprehensive transformation aligns with the university’s standards, offering height-adjustable seating, privacy-preserving walls with maintained visibility, and top-notch acoustical performance, ensuring flexibility and adaptability across various departments and floors.

The incorporation of Steelcase Glass Selections (GS) with sleek butt glazing was guided not just by sustainability and minimalism but also by a seamless alignment with aesthetic, budget, and brand considerations. The impressive scale of this project, with roughly 3000 linear feet of glass fronts, equates to over half a mile of glass – a compelling testament to the magnitude and impact of this successful partnership.

Photos © Tom Holdsworth Photography LLC

The wonder behind exploration and science inspired this pre-kindergarten through grade 5 elementary school. The school’s theme focuses on developing strong foundational knowledge for students in four interrelated domains of STEM literacy: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The 89,000 SF space on 7 Gardner Way maximizes natural light through large-scale windows with versatile learning spaces both indoors and outside. Not only does the curriculum reflect STEM, but each learning environment does, too, through a mix of products and solutions. The makerspace classroom features BCI height-adjustable tables and stools while the computer lab features all Smith System active learning stools. The music room features Kimball height-adjustable tables and stools and Smith System storage. Most of the furniture was purchased through the Connecticut State Contract.

Photos © Robert Benson Photography

The Roux Institute’s emerging innovation hub servers as both a professional graduate school and research center dedicated to bringing cutting edge technologies to Maine. Located at 100 Fore Street in Portland’s historic Old Port neighborhood, the 43,450 sq ft campus embraces its vibrant community while taking advantage of a rich employer network, access to world-class faculty and researchers, and the university’s global reach. Designed to build talent, train the next generation of tech professionals, and drive economic growth, the space encourages cross-collaboration for learners, faculty, and staff with multiple flex areas and free address workspace.

As the world leader in experiential learning, the Roux institute supports a variety of spaces for the task at hand. With a mix of open and enclosed classrooms, study, café, amphitheater, makerspace research area, and meeting rooms, the campus’ flexible spaces embrace entrepreneurial and creative thinking. Through height-adjustable desks, nearby phone booths, and different seating postures, the unassigned work zones reflects the campus’ mission of liberating students from outdated career models and giving them the opportunity to work in close collaboration with others under the same roof.

Certain design elements including strong biophilia throughout serve as a source of energy while mobile planters instill privacy for concentration. To help reduce unnecessary noise from the open amphitheater, sound masking plays a critical role. All interior furnishings are freestanding, moveable, and completely compatible in function, fit and finish. Furniture is meant to be utilized interchangeably through the floor plan, allowing the space to adapt to the needs of changing and rotating research teams.

Photos © Ryan Bent Photography