The Evolving Landscape of Educational Spaces
K-12 education is transforming and is driven by advancements in pedagogy, technology, and a growing emphasis on student well-being. The traditional classroom model, such as rows of desks facing a teacher at the front, is becoming obsolete. Instead, schools are rethinking how physical spaces can support diverse learning styles, enhance safety, and prepare students for an unpredictable future.
There are several key principles guiding the evolution of school design: prioritizing students’ needs, fostering inclusivity, integrating innovation, and ensuring that spaces are adaptable to future changes. These shifts require a multidisciplinary approach to design, one that blends insights from behavioral health, workplace strategies, and higher education to create environments that truly support learning.
Addressing Five Key Challenges in School Design
1. Balancing Safety and Openness
Student safety is paramount, but schools should not feel like prisons. A layered approach to security, including controlled entry points, safety glazing, and strategically designed spaces, can enhance security without creating a restrictive environment. Transparency in design, such as open sightlines and shared spaces, also plays a crucial role in addressing everyday concerns like bullying and mental health issues.
2. Designing for a Changing Educational Model
Gone are the days of “sage on the stage” learning. Today’s classrooms must accommodate flexible learning styles, from collaborative group work to individualized study. This requires adaptable furniture, breakout spaces, and movable walls that allow schools to reconfigure learning environments as needed.
3. The Role of Biophilic Design in Learning
Research consistently shows that access to natural light, views of nature, and the use of natural materials can enhance student focus, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. Schools are increasingly integrating biophilic design—using wood elements, maximizing daylight, and incorporating green spaces—to create healthier learning environments.
4. Supporting Mental Health Through Design
Students cannot learn effectively when they are in survival mode. Trauma-informed design recognizes that schools must provide spaces that help reset the brain, allowing students to feel safe and supported. Quiet zones, calming color palettes, and sensory-friendly spaces can make a significant difference in student well-being.
5. Preparing for the Future of Learning
With rapid technological advancements, schools must be designed for careers that do not yet exist. Spaces need to be flexible enough to integrate new technologies and teaching methods over time, ensuring that students develop the adaptability required for the future workforce.
Real-World Impact: School Solutions Designed for the Future
For over a century, IKM Architecture (IKM) has been at the forefront of designing educational spaces that inspire learning, support student well-being, and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of education. Our expertise in K-12 design stems from a deep understanding of the intersection between behavioral health, workplace, and higher education advancements. We don’t provide cookie-cutter solutions; instead, we develop designs that align with district budgets, safety protocols, pedagogical approaches, and community aspirations. Through close collaboration with school districts, educators, and stakeholders, IKM creates innovative and thoughtful learning environments that prepare students for the future while addressing the challenges of today.
“School safety is a top priority. Creating the best learning environment means ensuring students feel secure while giving peace of mind to teachers, parents, and the community. A comprehensive approach to school safety requires tailored solutions that address each school’s unique needs through ongoing collaboration between designers, administrators, educators, students, and local communities.” – Ben Clements, Project Architect, LEED AP
As part of our commitment to shaping the future of education, our industry k-12 expert, Project Architect, Ben Clements, brings extensive experience in designing modern learning environments. His insights into biophilic design, safety strategies, and flexible learning spaces have helped transform schools across the region, ensuring that each design meets the needs of students, teachers, and communities alike.
Here’s how our approach has transformed educational spaces:
Butler Area School District: Creating a Healthier, More Engaging Learning Environment
At Butler Area School District, traditional classrooms were reimagined with biophilic design principles, bringing natural materials, ample daylight, and outdoor views into learning spaces. The result? A more calming and engaging environment that supports student well-being. Additionally, STEM facilities were expanded, drawing from our experience in higher education to create spaces that mirror real-world innovation hubs.
To enhance safety, we took a strategic approach to campus security by introducing controlled entry points that improve safety without making students feel confined. The community recognized the success of these efforts, with Butler’s updated campus receiving the AIA Cleveland People’s Choice Award.
Armstrong School District West Hills Primary School: A Model for Adaptability and Efficiency
West Hills Primary School, part of the Armstrong School District, faced a challenge common to many aging school facilities: an outdated open-concept design that no longer supported modern teaching methods. Originally built without dividing walls, the school struggled with poor acoustics, limiting effective instruction and reducing usable wall space for learning materials.
“This design system allowed us to turn an almost impossible accelerated schedule into a feasible one to complete the project before students and faculty returned to school in the fall.” – Ben Clements, Project Architect, LEED AP
Additionally, the district needed to complete the entire 91,000-square-foot renovation within a single summer to avoid student displacement and the costly alternative of temporary classroom trailers. Extending the construction schedule wasn’t an option, as it would introduce the risk of fluctuating material costs and logistical complications. To meet these challenges, IKM proposed an innovative and cost-effective solution that leveraged demountable partitions—a pre-engineered, modular wall system—allowing the project to be completed on time, within budget, and with long-term flexibility in mind.
Avonworth School District: Building a Safer, More Collaborative Future
Avonworth’s middle school and high school 39,000-square-foot redesign focused on creating interconnected, flexible learning environments while strengthening campus security. The spaces are modernized with updated interior finishes, wider circulation, interior transparency, and state-of-the-art technology to accommodate the growing student population and dynamic learning environment. Learning commons, collaborative stair seating, and adaptable classrooms allow students to engage in different learning modalities, supporting group work, individualized study, and future-ready skills.
The learning commons creates a flexible learning environment for students that supports multiple learning modes and well-being. Biophilic elements such as neutral tones and natural light help reduce stress, while tiered seating supports individual study, group collaboration, and casual discussions.
Safety was also a top priority. Controlled entry points, safety glazing, and open sightlines were integrated without compromising the welcoming nature of the school. At the heart of the design was a focus on community—Avonworth’s new spaces foster a sense of belonging while ensuring that students feel secure and supported.
The Future of K-12 Design
As education continues to evolve, school design must incorporate forward-thinking design strategies. By embracing flexibility, prioritizing student wellness, and integrating insights from multiple disciplines, we can create learning environments that are both functional and inspiring.
At IKM, we are committed to leading the conversation on the future of educational spaces. Through our research-driven approach, we help schools navigate the challenges of modern learning, ensuring that students and educators have the environments they need to thrive.
For more insights on k-12 school design, visit www.ikminc.com.
Edited by: Ashley Poore; Graphic Design by: Jessica Sandy; Contributor: Ben Clements