In this era of scaled-down budgets, maximized efficiencies, new learning methods and social media’s domination of face time, college and university campuses are gravitating toward a new space type: the learning commons.
A hybrid of a library and a student union, a learning commons is a collaborative, interactive space in which students can gather to study in groups. Rather than perpetuating a separate cloistered-in-a-carrel approach to studying, the learning commons encourages groups of students to gather, usually around monitors or conversationally arranged furniture, for face time and collaboration.
This is especially true for the smaller liberal arts institutions striving to keep the education process as personalized as possible. In addition to contributing to improved learning, these spaces address a broader cultural issue: students are socially connected in physical isolation. A learning commons can entice students out of their dorm rooms and into an environment in which relationships can be formed.
Two converging trends are basically responsible for the establishment of the new type of study space.
First is the desire of the higher education institutions to attract students. The commons should be inviting, comfortable and have digitally connected spaces with convenient availability of food. It should be seen as a fun way to study in aesthetically pleasing surroundings.
Northwest Nazarene University’s Learning Commons will include student support with academic advisors, testing services, tutors and socialization areas with a café and a variety of collaborative work spaces.
With a goal of student retention and graduation, the second trend is toward providing students with academic, emotional, development and vocational support in the Center for Leadership, Calling, and Service. These efforts are sustained through Trevecca’s version of a learning commons (student success center) that houses tutoring and writing assistance, disability services, developmental math, testing services, counseling services and developmental resources, such as the freshman, sophomore and junior/senior year experiences. There is a strong emphasis on vocation, mentorship and self-discipline through these endeavors.
Supporting the retention goal is an ongoing emphasis on team projects and other assignments that use increased collaboration. Collaboration is, of course, an accepted way of learning and working in the education profession.
ESa advocates that a successful learning commons have ten characteristics:
• Flexible area with movable, soft furniture that can interface with technology so that students can create their own spaces
• Open area that is inviting to students
• Available food, preferably café style with coffees, juices, sodas, light snacks or sandwiches
• Late hours
• Available marker boards for brainstorming
• Help desk
• Private, acoustically separate spaces for tutoring and counseling
• Outdoor space with patios or verandas
• Available seminar rooms/study rooms
• Ample, available power for recharging mobile devices
Establishing a learning commons on a campus can be done through new construction, renovation of an area or designating a portion of an existing space. Cumberland University’s Learning Commons was created with a limited budget through renovation of a former residence hall. The Commons consists of large indoor and outdoor study areas, double-height study lounge, snack bar, 10 seminar/study rooms, six offices and a mock interview suite—including an observation room with filming capabilities. The latter space is invaluable as counselors work with students preparing them for the workforce.
Cumberland University’s Learning Commons
On the other hand, Northwest Nazarene University’s Learning Commons is part of the Riley Library. This facility is scheduled for completion the third quarter of 2014. NNU’s program will include student support with academic advisors, testing services, tutors and socialization areas with a café and a variety of collaborative work spaces.
Support for faculty will be available in the form of multimedia studios for developing course content, as well as resources made available through the Center of Innovation for Teaching and Learning. Library services will include a centralized information desk and a lending desk for library and tech support materials. An IT (hardware and software) support desk will also serve the library and learning commons.
During this digital age, learning commons are an avenue for colleges and universities to get back to basics. No student can be an island for a full higher education experience, and the learning commons enhances education by providing space for collaborative means as well as individual discovery to achieve a more complete experience.
About the Author
Wendell D. Brown, AIA, LEED AP, is a Design Architect/Project Manager with Earl Swensson Associates, Inc.
Related Stories
| Jan 23, 2014
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill-designed Federation of Korean Industries tower opens in Seoul [slideshow]
The 50-story tower features a unique, angled building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) exterior designed to maximize the amount of energy collected.
| Jan 23, 2014
Think you can recognize a metal building from the outside?
What looks like brick, stucco or wood on the outside could actually be a metal building. Metal is no longer easily detectable. It’s gotten sneakier visually. And a great example of that is the Madison Square retail center in Norman, Okla.
| Jan 23, 2014
3 fatal flaws your architecture firm has right now
After visiting over 200 architecture firms, I was aghast that so many of them were committing these costly sins of mismanagement and miscommunication, without even realizing it. If I can stop even one more firm from shooting its own foot, then this is worth it.
| Jan 22, 2014
SOM-designed University Center uses 'sky quads,' stacked staircases to promote chance encounters
The New School's vertical campus in Manhattan houses multiple functions, including labs, design studios, a library, and student residences, in a 16-story building.
| Jan 22, 2014
Architecture Billings Index sees first back-to-back decline since mid-2012
The AIA's Architecture Billings Index dipped for the second consecutive month in December—the first consecutive months of contraction since May and June of 2012.
| Jan 21, 2014
Comcast to build second Philadelphia skyscraper, with Norman Foster-designed tower [slideshow]
The British architect last week unveiled his scheme for the $1.2 billion, 59-story Comcast Innovation and Technology Center, planned adjacent to the Comcast Center.
| Jan 21, 2014
2013: The year of the super-tall skyscraper
Last year was the second-busiest ever in terms of 200-meter-plus building completions, with 73 towers, according to a report by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
| Jan 20, 2014
BUILDINGChicago/Greening the Heartland Conference 'call for 2014 educational proposals' is now open
The conference and exposition will take place September 29-October 1, 2014, at North America’s largest LEED Gold-certified hotel, the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza. Deadline for proposals is February 28, 2014.
| Jan 17, 2014
Crystal Bridges Museum will move Frank Lloyd Wright house from New Jersey to Arkansas
Numerous architectural experts have concluded that moving the Bachman Wilson House offers its best hope for long-term survival.
| Jan 17, 2014
Australian project transforms shipping containers into serene workplace
Australian firm Royal Wolf has put its money where its mouth is by creating an office facility out of shipping containers at its depot and fabrication center in Sunshine, Victoria.