As we approach the summer holidays our thoughts turn to those students who will be heading of for their first experience of higher education in September. 

Campus environments have continued to evolve in the past decade with student experience and sustainability being key deciding factors in university choice. The students are investing not only in their learning experience but in their environment.

Space, light and furniture were cited by AUDE in their Getting Student Spaces Right report as a key component in the student learning experience.  Campus spaces that allow for focused study, group learning, socialising and coworking all mirror activities in todays workplace.

Particularly themes that specifiers for learning environments can benefit from when it comes to spatial design include :

  • recognition for the growing evidence that spaces not be studying in are increasingly important – outdoor spaces, community spaces, connection with nature.
  • project-based work is influencing space demand; flexible furniture can empower students to create their own settings that suit the variable needs of project work
  • everyone feels better and more alert with access to natural light; if it’s not available utilise creative lighting design to emulate biophilic benefits
  • Make sure your choice of laptop table is practical; many flip-out or side tables are not fit for purpose and cause frustration

For many the world of higher education is the first step in to the world of a workplace – as students or employees we all feel better when our environment helps us do our best work.