Flexible learning environments – planning for different learning situations
Adaptable Furniture Lasts Longer
Learning environments created today should remain functional for decades. That’s why it is particularly important to consider how to prepare these spaces so they are accessible and effective – both for current and future needs. A varied interior setup that can be easily moved and adjusted to support different learning situations and accommodate the needs of different students provides a long-lasting solution. However, it is equally important to incorporate fixed elements that create a sense of familiarity and security.
Furniture That Creates a Flexible Learning Environment
Stackable chairs and stools, foldable tables, storage solutions, and desks and partition screens with lockable castors are just a few examples of furniture that enable a space to be quickly reconfigured. The design of a classroom should allow for seamless transitions between lectures, group work, individual study, pair work, and discussions – making flexible furniture all the more essential.
Three Levels of Flexibility
Flexibility can mean many things, and different organisations may define it in different ways. That’s why it is crucial to align expectations during the planning phase to ensure the right solutions are implemented. A useful way to break down the concept of flexibility is to consider it on three levels:
Daily flexibility
The ability to easily move apart, relocate, or rearrange tables and chairs depending on the learning situation. The option to wheel a writing board to a different area, adjust the height of tables and chairs, or stack stools that are not currently in use.
Short-term flexibility
The ability to combine furniture from different rooms when needed without creating a visually cluttered space – for example, when setting up a temporary learning environment for a special project or year group.
Long-term flexibility
Features that may not be immediately noticeable in daily use but make it possible to adapt, update, scale up, or scale down the interior setup over time. This could involve replacing components, reupholstering furniture, or modifying and expanding furnishing solutions as required.
Sustainable classrooms are prepared for different learning situations
By using a flexible interior design, you can create a sustainable, future-proof classroom. Here, the same 60 sq m classroom has been furnished in four different ways with the same furniture set up, to support different learning situations.
Group work
Discussion
Lecture
Individual work/
work in pairs
Read the full magazine
In the magazine Education Solution, we share knowledge and insights about how learning spaces affect the everyday lives of students and staff. You will explore how we together can create sustainable learning spaces for safety, focus, joy and an optimised learning.
