Post Occupancy Evaluation - A4LE€¦ · Post Occupancy Evaluation: Understanding Learning Commons....
Transcript of Post Occupancy Evaluation - A4LE€¦ · Post Occupancy Evaluation: Understanding Learning Commons....
Post Occupancy Evaluation:Understanding Learning Commons
H M F H A R C H I T E C T S
Laura Wernick, FAIA—HMFH Architects
Daphne Politis, Community Circle
Kristen Gallo, Principal, Christa McAuliffe Elementary School
SM
HMFH Architects, inc.
Abbot-Downing Elementary SchoolConcord, NH
0’ 20’ 40’ 80’
First Floor
BOOK COLLEC
K
K
K
MEDIAPROJAREA
GYMNASIUM
PLATFORM/MUSIC
MUSIC
CAFETORIUM
KITCHEN
ADMIN
PLAN
CR CRSMGRP.
SM.GRP.
SMGRP. GRP.
SMGRP.
CR CR CRCR CR
CR CRART
CR
Classroom
Shared Spaces
Circulation
Administrative
Learning Commons
Toilet
Support
HMFH Architects, inc.
MECH
Abbot-Downing Elementary SchoolConcord, NHSecond Floor
0’ 20’ 40’ 80’
CR CRSMGRP
SMGRP
SMGRP
SMGRP
SMGRP
CR CR CRCR CR
MECH
PROJ.AREA
PROJAREA
CR CRTEACHWORKSPED
RSRC
CR
Classroom
Shared Spaces
Circulation
Administrative
Learning Commons
Toilet
Support
Abbot-Downing Elementary SchoolConcord, New Hampshire
First Floor Second Floor
H M F H A R C H I T E C T S
SM
HMFH Architects, inc.
Abbot-Downing Elementary SchoolConcord, NH
0’ 20’ 40’ 80’
First Floor
BOOK COLLEC
K
K
K
MEDIAPROJAREA
GYMNASIUM
PLATFORM/MUSIC
MUSIC
CAFETORIUM
KITCHEN
ADMIN
PLAN
CR CRSMGRP.
SM.GRP.
SMGRP. GRP.
SMGRP.
CR CR CRCR CR
CR CRART
CR
Classroom
Shared Spaces
Circulation
Administrative
Learning Commons
Toilet
Support
HMFH Architects, inc.
MECH
Abbot-Downing Elementary SchoolConcord, NHSecond Floor
0’ 20’ 40’ 80’
CR CRSMGRP
SMGRP
SMGRP
SMGRP
SMGRP
CR CR CRCR CR
MECH
PROJ.AREA
PROJAREA
CR CRTEACHWORKSPED
RSRC
CR
Classroom
Shared Spaces
Circulation
Administrative
Learning Commons
Toilet
Support
Abbot-Downing Elementary SchoolConcord, New Hampshire
First Floor Second Floor
H M F H A R C H I T E C T S
SM
HMFH Architects, inc.
Abbot-Downing Elementary SchoolConcord, NH
0’ 20’ 40’ 80’
First Floor
BOOK COLLEC
K
K
K
MEDIAPROJAREA
GYMNASIUM
PLATFORM/MUSIC
MUSIC
CAFETORIUM
KITCHEN
ADMIN
PLAN
CR CRSMGRP.
SM.GRP.
SMGRP. GRP.
SMGRP.
CR CR CRCR CR
CR CRART
CR
Classroom
Shared Spaces
Circulation
Administrative
Learning Commons
Toilet
Support
HMFH Architects, inc.
Mill Brook Primary SchoolConcord, NH
0’ 25’ 50’ 100’
First Floor
ART
ART
CRCRSM.GRP.
SM.GRP.
SM.GRP.
SM.GRP.CR
CR
CR
LIBRARY
PROJECTAREA
PROJECTAREA
K
STUDENT
K
K
K
SHAREDRSRC
K
K
MEDIAPROJECTAREA
CR
MULTI-PURPOSEROOM
PLATFORM/MUSIC
CAFETERIA
KITCH.
CR
Classroom
Shared Spaces
Circulation
Administrative
Learning Commons
Toilet
Support
Mill Brook Primary SchoolConcord, New Hampshire
First Floor
H M F H A R C H I T E C T S
HMFH Architects, inc.
Mill Brook Primary SchoolConcord, NHSecond Floor
0’ 25’ 50’ 100’
CRCRSM.GRP.
SM.GRP.
SM.GRP.
SM.GRP.CR
CR
CR
MECH.
MECH.
PROJAREA
CR
CR
Classroom
Shared Spaces
Circulation
Administrative
Learning Commons
Toilet
Support
Second Floor
Methodology
• On–line questionnaires asking about how the space is used and what is liked and disliked about the space
• Follow-up interviews with teachers and Principals
• Observations of the space
H M F H A R C H I T E C T S
Challenges: each school is different
• Plan layouts vary
• Grade levels vary
• Student demographics difference at each school; higher level of special needs students at Millbrook, McAuliffe has the fewest English Language Learners
• Leadership different at each of the schools. McAuliffe has the only Principal who was there when the school opened.
H M F H A R C H I T E C T S
Challenges: lack of consistency
• No teacher training, teachers learn how to use the spaces by watching each other
• New Superintendent
• Two new principals
• Teachers’ interest/experience in project based learning varies
• Intensity of Special Needs students at Mill Brook puts stress on use of the space
• Teachers trust older students to use the space wisely more than the younger students
H M F H A R C H I T E C T S
Big Picture Results: teachers use LC for a wide variety of activities
• Project based and stem learning activities
• Small group activities.
• Science unit for a grade level
• Performances
• One on one tutoring
• Older students tutoring younger students
• Grade level activities
H M F H A R C H I T E C T S
“There is more space to spread out and work in small groups”
“My students can go out and read, research and record”
“A place where more than one class can go out and work together”
“It allows for collaborative learning and it is an area in which all students are able to observe their peer. I think it does a wonderful job of piquing interest.”
Big Picture Results:
Teachers and students
love the variety of spaces
and the ability to move to
new and different spaces.
Big Picture Results:
Teachers enjoy allowing
students to work
independently and in small
groups and working with
the entire class on projects
outside of the classroom.
However, the Learning Commons has its drawbacks…
Challenge: Visual connections are critical
• Teachers with project areas immediately outside of their
classrooms tended to use project areas more than teachers
with classrooms without direct connects to project area
• Teachers with project areas immediately outside of their
classrooms were also more likely to send out a small groups
of children, particularly in younger grades
H M F H A R C H I T E C T S
Challenge: Bringing the entire grade level together is important
• Create larger project areas to
hold more than 1 class at a
time.
Challenge: Open amphitheater is problematic for some teachersYounger students can be
tempted to climb and get
out of control when not
directly supervised in the
amphitheater. Should be large
enough for entire grade
Challenge: more story rooms These are extremely popular.
Although having to go up a
flight seems to be a barrier for
some teachers.
Challenge: places for students with special needs The special needs population has
grown. The breakout rooms and
the project areas are, at times,
used for special needs. This was
not part of the original program
but can conflict with other
academic use of these areas.
Challenge: general • Needs change quickly. Dramatic
increase in special needs was
not anticipated
• Don’t underestimate the
importance of teacher
development
• The culture can change quickly
as teachers retire or when a
principal leaves.