Throughout my career I’ve experienced significant changes in the way we design educational facilities. New pedagogies have advanced the field of learning and, as a result, our design solutions. Today’s students are searching for more than a lecture to instill knowledge—they want to get their hands dirty and learn by doing. In response, DLR Group is designing flexible and adaptable spaces that allow for multiple learning modalities including hands-on learning, collaborative projects, and group work. But how do we substantiate the success of our designs?
I often hear stories of improved graduation rates, fewer absences, or higher levels of student achievement associated with 21st-century facilities. Regardless of these success stories, some districts still express trepidation in shifting away from a learning model that has been a staple of the educational experience in their community for decades. In fact, education clients are demanding proof that innovative design contributes to student success before they jump in and embrace that change. We are answering with empirical evidence.