Schools
Learning Lab Small Space Design for Schools
Keep one clear route and make infrequent activities share a footprint. Measure what happens when the room is occupied.
Explore the ideas
Plan in this order
- Remove items used elsewhere and list what still needs to fit in the room.
- Put frequent-use storage against a fixed edge and test whether shallow storage works there.
- Tape the occupied footprint of the largest movable item, including the user and the space needed to operate it.
Worked example
Imagine a compact study corner that must support drawing projects and laptop work, but large supplies are used only on weekends.
Keep the everyday device and writing tools in a shallow desk zone, and store project materials in a nearby labeled container. Mock up the open project footprint so weekend use does not block the everyday route.
How to test it
Rehearse the busiest moment with everything open or pulled out. If the route disappears, change the furniture size or position.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Arrange tables around a central demonstration surface and keep material storage along the perimeter.
- Detail
- Choose hard-wearing worktops, task lighting, and clearly labeled storage for shared tools.
- Trade-off
- More open collaboration area reduces fixed storage capacity.
- Set up a typical project activity
- Check teacher visibility across the room
The Elixir portfolio
Details worth a closer look
