Space Between, Higher ED
Erasmus Learning Campus
EHB moved its "Future Teachers" department to downtown Brussels in a fabulous new building. I consulted with them on the learning spaces within this wonderful space. I presented a school-wide concept for the 21st century learning with two core concepts; integrating the EU "Future Classroom Lab" on an entire floor and creating "informal learning" in the corridors of 4 floors. The new building opened to students in October 2018.
The design project was focused on creating flexible learning spaces within a an existing very classical design of a new building for the EHB future teachers college. The project aimed to provide opportunities for learning “in the spaces between classrooms; hallways, stairways, small study rooms, and outdoor terraces.
As a consultant, I worked on designing these spaces to be conducive to learning and interactive engagement. The project aimed to break away from the traditional classroom setting and create an immersive and dynamic learning environment.
One of the key design concepts involved the merging of two classrooms into one large room. This space would a lab classroom to inspire and teach early years teachers the importance of setting up the environment as a "third teacher". The design aimed to create a dynamic learning environment that would inspire future teachers to rethink the way they set up their classrooms.
Another aspect of the project was the creation of an atelier in the basement of the building. The atelier was designed to promote creativity and hands-on learning using reuse material from companies and industries. This concept aimed to encourage sustainability and promote innovation among students and professors.
Overall, the design project aimed to add a few small but powerful changes to a new college building that would enhance traditional classroom spaces. The design concepts aimed to promote creativity, sustainability, and an immersive learning experience “in all the spaces in between these classrooms” that would prepare future teachers for the modern classroom.
Enhanced Learning Experience: Flexible learning spaces can provide students with a more engaging and interactive learning experience. Students can become more active participants in their learning by creating spaces designed to facilitate collaboration, exploration, and experimentation.
“In 2019 we moved to a new building Campus Kanal. In order to create a common mindset amongst all the team members, we worked closely together with Jules. It was a lovely experience. Through play, we visualised the new way of working and what it meant to work in this new environment. We also experienced the power of play, even with adults. ”
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Increased Creativity and Innovation: Flexible learning spaces can inspire creativity and innovation. They can encourage students to think outside the box and develop new ideas and solutions to problems.
Improved Student Engagement: Students who are engaged in their learning are more likely to retain information and achieve academic success. Flexible learning spaces can help increase student engagement by providing various learning opportunities that cater to different learning styles.
Adaptable Learning Environment: A flexible learning environment can adapt to the changing needs of students and the curriculum. This means the space can be transformed to accommodate different teaching methods, technology, and learning activities.
Increased Student Collaboration: Flexible learning spaces can encourage collaboration among students. Students can work together to solve problems and learn from each other by creating spaces that facilitate teamwork and communication.
Improved Health and Wellbeing: Flexible learning spaces can also contribute to improved health and well-being. By providing access to natural light, fresh air, and greenery, students can feel more relaxed and focused, which can improve their mental and physical health.
