More random musings:

Came across a project that outlines the Seven Principles of Learning Space Design.

From:

http://www.skgproject.com/learning-spaces-toolkit/design-principles/

Seven Principles

The SKG project has established seven principles of learning space design which support a constructivist approach to learning: that is, principles which support a learning environment which is student-centred student-centred, collaborative, and experiential. Click on the hyperlink for more on the principles:

• Comfort: a space which creates a physical and mental sense of ease and well-being
• Aesthetics: pleasure which includes the recognition of symmetry, harmony, simplicity and fitness for purpose
• Flow: the state of mind felt by the learner when totally involved in the learning experience
• Equity: consideration of the needs of cultural and physical differences
• Blending: a mixture of technological and face-to-face pedagogical resources
• Affordances: the “action possibilities” the learning environment provides the users, including such things as kitchens, natural light, wifi, private spaces, writing surfaces, sofas, and so on.
• Affordances are the aspects or qualities of a space that allow actions or experiences. Donald Norman refers to ‘perceived affordances’ (1999) to emphasize the fact that it is not just the actual facilities or action possibilities of a space, but the users’ perceptions that matter.
• Repurposing: the potential for multiple usage of a space

While, most of these principles don't fit too well with our future learning space, I distilled them down to the following:

·         Comfortable

·         Interesting

·         Has good flow through

·         Possesses “action possibilities”

·         Looks good - has most or all of these qualities; symmetry, harmony, simplicity, is fit for the purpose.

·         Equity - caters for age, ability, mobility