Budget, Technology & Enrollment Drive Higher-Education Design

Today, higher-education design is changing, as schools juggle budget cuts with the ever-growing needs of 21st century learners. Learning occurs everywhere now, which is why architects have started designing both formal and informal learning spaces to include the collaborative, high-tech learning spaces that students require — both inside and outside of the classroom. Architects have started designing learning environments that allow millennials to blend their work life with their private life, preparing them for a future in today’s workforce.

School Construction News spoke about the key components driving today’s higher-education design with four industry leaders: Jeff Larsen, AIA, principal, MVE + Partners; B.K. Boley, senior principal, ADD Inc., now with Stantec; David Short, AIA, principal, KSQ Architects; and Jeffrey Fenimore, AIA, principal, national higher education sector leader, DLR Group.

Q: What are some of the biggest drivers in school design today?

Larsen: In student housing design, rising costs of over 6 percent escalation on the West Coast is a driver for compact development. That means building at higher densities and decreasing average unit sizes. A key component in making density successful is mixed-use. Whenever we can, we promote the integration of amenities and services into the envelope of the building. The added benefit of this is that it gets the students out of their rooms and connects them socially.

Boley: Short- and long-term energy efficiency and sustainability are strong drivers but are coupled with great strides in space efficiency through the creation of very flexible but highly used areas that can be a social lounge, project team room, informal classroom or group activity space.

Short: Budget is always a significant driver, particularly as many public universities have seen their state funding drop significantly in the years following the Great Recession. Many states are gradually upping their commitment to higher education funding, but most remain below pre-recession funding numbers. Universities are also acknowledging the importance of non-academic social spaces, such as student unions, so spaces where kids can enjoy a “campus living room” are becoming more important.

Fenimore: Student recruitment continues to be a primary driver as higher-educational institutions seek ways to attract top talent. Student housing, wellness centers, dining halls and other student life facilities are some of the more typical facilities because they impact and appeal to a broad array of students. Students expect these facilities to match the quality and amenity level they find in market-rate housing, local restaurants and fitness centers. These facilities are often featured on student recruitment tours and, even with the rising costs of tuition and housing, new facilities are highly appealing to incoming students.

Make sure to check out the March/April issue of School Construction News for the complete Design Roundtable.