A well-designed, functional space is essential to the success of school. Whether it’s grade school or university, it’s important for students, faculty, and staff to be comfortable in their surroundings so that they can focus on the work of learning. Additionally, you hope to attract new students and excellent staff to your institution, and people shop with their eyes first. Educational campus planning must be intentional, specific to the student body and faculty that it serves, and mindful of cost.
1. Intentional
It doesn’t make sense to design a state-of-the-art theater for a technical school or skimp on accessibility in a residential school for students with multiple disabilities. When designing an educational campus, it’s important to focus on the type of learning and the type of students that will primarily be utilizing the space. This includes everything from the way that the stairways are designed to the layout of the grounds, to the classrooms and community spaces. The way your school looks will not only benefit current students but attract new ones as well.
2. Specific
Maybe your facility was an estate in the 1800s. Renovations are needed but you want to maintain as much of the original design elements as possible. Your art school is unique because it is also home to visiting resident artists who need living space and a gallery to display their work. There should never be a one-size-fits-all design for a campus because each one is so unique. It’s important that you are able to share your specific needs and have them considered by the campus designer so that the elements that make your school stand out are reflected in the architecture of the campus.
3. Cost-Effective
Schools receive all different types of funding including from federal, state, and local government, alumni, and private donors in addition to students who pay tuition. Few of these revenue sources are entirely reliable from year to year, so it’s important to be conscientious of that fact when designing a campus or updating one. You shouldn’t have to pay for what you don’t need just because it comes in a standardized package. You want function, durability, and beauty, and you don’t want to nickel and dime students to get it.
The layout and functionality of an educational campus is as important as the work that will be done in it. It’s necessary to work with professionals who understand the importance of intentionality, specificity, and cost-effectiveness when designing the school of your student’s dreams.