LMLAG ConferenceAll Change: adapt and thrive in a digital age

Innovation in

Physical Spaces

Pat Christie

April 2007

University of the Arts London: background information

• 6 specialist colleges

• c23,000 student/c18,000 FTEs

• All-through provision (FE through to PhDs)

• 7 college-based libraries and 2 University-level services – the Learning Zone + the Archives & Special Collections Centre

Higher Education Today: key drivers/underpinning themes

• Student-focused - inclusiveness - diversification of audiences

• Social learning - action learning - personal and professional development skills

• E-learning - digital resources - web 2.0 technologies

• Parity of access - long opening hours

Planning Constraints

• Space – no additional accommodation available so limited space (394m2)

• Timescale – 3 months to plan/6 weeks to build (opened Oct 06)

• Budget – low cost building works/c£160k for fit-out

• Staffing – limited staff resource available/a broad-ranging working group with students

Our Response: the Learning Zone as a new type of student-centred learning space

29000

13600

Benching at 850mm for spray booths, cutting surface, sink

Copiers, Vending

Benching at 740mm for printers, scanner

Serving counter with shutter

Staff office with laptop issuing station, safe, storage

Data, power tray suspended from ceiling. Possibility of power blocks on coiled cables for occasional power requirments in middle space

Ceiling-mounted Data projectors

Plasma Information Screen

Display/Noticeboards on pillars between windows

Doors with leaf to allow furniture to be brought in as required

Fold-down worktop at 740mmExternal benching at 740mm for 8 desktop computers

External Shelving to provide ~30 linear metres per pod

2 pods – mirror image same size

Carpeting for better sound damping

Cut n’ Paste Table

= 3 seater sofa

= Low table

= Bean Bag

= Mobile Screen

= 1m Table & 4 chairs

Adjustable height benching DDA

Services & Facilities: state of the art technologies alongside traditional resources

• IT facilities – fixed computers + laptops within wi-fi environment

• Presentation facilities - data projectors, interactive whiteboards, printers + copiers, copystand, cut’n’paste areas

• Research facilities – e-resources and core texts

Services & Facilities: flexible and informal furniture in open plan space and ‘pods’

• Flexible furniture for group and individual study• Sofas, armchairs and ‘pebbles’ to create relaxed ambience• Pods equipped with state of the art technology for break-out

sessions

Services & Facilities: culture of peer support and student empowerment

• Frontline support – students employed as Learning Zone Assistants

• ‘Can do’ culture – few rules in place and feedback encouraged so students feel a sense of ownership and self-governance

Services & Facilities: service promotion and themed workshops• Tours, inductions, printed flyers + web pages• Drop-in sessions - ‘Know-How November ‘ and ‘Subject Days’• Seminar/conference venue – open space technology/break-out

sessions

The Learning Zone: observations and reflections

Observations:• Often full to capacity + very positive feedback, but not

appropriate for all students as one learning style inevitably dominates

• Students want more fixed IT workstations with full functionality• Students value the breakdown of the staff/student barrier but

can be hard for staff

Reflections:• The ‘service culture’ is just as important as physical facilities• The importance of ‘good design’ to create the right ambience• Although successful always need to fine-tune• More Learning Zones or one larger Learning Zone?

Next Priority: the University Archives & Special Collections Centre• Phase I Completed in January 2007• State of the art archival storage facilities with small public

enquiry space• Houses the Stanley Kubrick Archives

Archives & Special Collections Centre: a new innovative research and study space• Phase II – flagship centre planned for 2011/2012• Multi-disciplinary and multi-faceted facility• Public area to include – lecture theatre/cinema; lifelong learning

space; multi-media workshops; high spec research spaces