www.BDCuniversity.com BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION maRCh 2014 45

In the era of scaled-down budgets, maximized efficiencies, new learn-ing methods, and social media’s domination of face time, college and university campuses are gravitating toward a new space type: the learning commons. A hybrid of a library and student union facility, a learning commons is

a collaborative, interactive space in which students can gather to study in groups. Rather than perpetuating a separate, cloistered-in-a-carrel ap-proach to studying, the learning commons encourages groups of students

Large, open spaces, flexible furniture, and ample day-light highlight the design of Cumberland University’s new learning commons in Lebanon, Tenn.

BY Wendell d. BroWn, aIa, LEED aP, EaRL SwENSSON aSSOCIaTES

The proliferation of tech-driven, team-based learning

has led universities and colleges to create flexible,

interactive study spaces that cater to groups. Meet the

learning commons.

building trends analysisCOLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY FACILITIES

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10 VITAL COMPONENTS of a learning commons

1. Flexible spaces with comfortable, tech-friendly furniture that can be easily rearranged

2. Open, inviting interior design scheme

3. Available food, preferably café style, with coffee, juices, sodas, light snacks, and sandwiches

4. Late hours (open until midnight or later)

5. Plenty of white boards for group meetings and brain-storming sessions

6. Help desk

7. Private, acoustically separate spaces for tutoring and counseling

8. Comfortable outdoor spaces with patios or verandas

9. Seminar and study rooms

10. Ample power for recharging mobile devices and laptops

hIGhER ED’S NEwEST BUILDING TyPE

the learning commons

46 maRCh 2014 BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION www.BDCnetwork.com

to gather, typically around monitors or conversationally arranged furniture.

Learning commons buildings are particularly predominant at smaller liberal arts institutions, which are striving to keep the education pro-cess as personalized as possible.

In addition to contributing to improved learning, these spaces address a broader cultural issue: In a tech-centric world, how can schools keep students socially con-nected outside of texting, email, and social media? The learning commons is designed to entice students out of their dorm rooms and into an environment where relationships can be formed.

Two converging trends are responsible for the rise of this new type of study space. The first is the desire of higher educa-tion institutions to attract students. The learning commons, with its fun, inviting interior spaces and creature comforts like gourmet food options and tech-friendly workspaces, is often one of the first stops on a campus tour. No longer do students

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SNAPShOT: 4 PROMINENT LEARNING COMMONS PROJECTS

building trends analysisCOLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY FACILITIES

Mary Idema Pew library, learning and Information CommonsGRaND VaLLEy STaTE UNIVERSITy, aLLENDaLE, mICh.

Size: 150,300 sfCost: $65 millionCompleted: June 2013

Building Teamarchitect: Shw GroupCivil engineer: FTC&hContractor: Pioneer Construction

Key Features“Knowledge market” with peer coaching and mentoring services; 20 collaborative work areas for private and group work; multipurpose room (capacity: 100); exhibition space; two library learning labs; two quiet reading rooms; IT help desk; café; four-story atrium

Brody learning Commons JOhNS hOPKINS UNIVERSITy, BaLTImORE, mD.

Size: 42,000 sf Cost: $30 millionCompleted: September 2012

Building Teamarchitect: Shepley BulfinchStructural engineer: morabito ConsultantsmEP engineer: aKFCivil engineer: RK&KContractor: Lewis Construction

Key FeaturesOpen 24/7; 16 group study rooms with white boards; six seminar rooms; 100-seat quiet reading room; 12x7-foot interactive video wall; 75-seat café; teaching, research, and lab spaces; robust technology infrastructure, including interactive projectors that enable students to write on walls, pod-based learning classrooms, video conferencing, and TeamSpot, which allows students to collaborate from individual laptops or tablets using a shared screen

Northwest Nazarene University’s learning commons will share a centralized information desk with the school’s library. An IT support desk will serve the library and learning commons, as well. The space will have dozens of workstations designed to accommodate both private and group study sessions.

www.BDCuniversity.com BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION maRCh 2014 47

have to study in a crusty old library or hec-tic student union building.

The second trend is student reten-tion and graduation. Schools are placing more emphasis on providing students with tools and support toward their academic, emotional, development, and vocational endeavors. The learning commons serves as a “student success center” of sorts. For example, in Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University’s new learning commons houses spaces dedicated to tutoring and writ-ing assistance, disability services, testing services, counseling, and developmental resources. There is a strong emphasis on vocation, mentorship, and self-discipline through these services.

KeY CoMPonenTS oF TodAY’S neW leArnInG CoMMonSAll successful learning commons projects share these 10 characteristics:

1. Flexible spaces with comfortable, tech-

friendly furniture that can be easily rearrangedStudents need to have the ability to move

furniture into study groups of varying num-bers. Chairs with foldout tablet arms are ideal for laptops and mobile devices.

2. Open, inviting interior design schemeSpacious, open study and work ar-

eas are more appealing to students for informal group gatherings, as they feel they have more freedom to rearrange furniture and encouragement for interaction. The introduction of natural light into the area is essential.

3. Available food, preferably café style, with coffee, juices, soft drinks, light snacks, and sandwiches

The convenience of nourishment to the site enables students to study between classes or late into the evening while grab-bing quick meals, drinks, and snacks.

4. Late hours (open until midnight, or later)

Students are often involved in group projects that require extensive preparation to pull together. Study habits of college students typically extend into the evening hours. Study areas away from residence hall rooms are more conducive to complet-ing needed tasks.

5. Plenty of marker boards for group meetings and brainstorming sessions

Marker boards permit students the freedom to record ideas, thoughts, and multi-phased tasks, while encouraging cre-ativity and teamwork within brainstorming sessions. White boards are preferred and more effective than having individuals take notes on separate mobile devices.

6. Help deskIt is vital to have an individual present

who is aware of available campus resourc-es and how to access them. This person can also serve in a mentoring capacity and monitor activity in the facility.

Frederick e. Berry library and learning CommonsSaLEm STaTE UNIVERSITy, SaLEm, maSS.

Size: 128,000 sfCost: $74 millionCompletion: august 2013

Key Features12 group study rooms whiteboard-covered walls; 150 computer workstations; writing center; academic advising; computer testing lab; movable furniture

Building Teamarchitect: Shepley BulfinchStructural engineer: Simpson Gumpertz & hegerContractor: Lee Kennedy Company

learning Commons in the Main libraryUNIVERSITy OF IOwa, IOwa CITy

Size: 37,000 sfCost: $14.2 millionCompletion: august 2013

Building Teamarchitect: Smith metzger architects

Key Features18 group study rooms with digital reservation keypads; 24/7 access; hybrid help desk for library, academic services, and technology; 45-seat interactive classroom; rental laptops; 100 computer workstations; café with hot/cold sandwiches

48 maRCh 2014 BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION www.BDCnetwork.com

7. Private, acoustically separate spaces for tutoring and counseling

For one-on-one tutoring and counsel-ing sessions, quiet space and privacy are essential. Small, individual rooms and enclosures away from the communal study areas are preferred.

8. Outdoor space with patios or verandasA connection with nature can enhance

studying activities and foster social interac-tion. Both indoor and outdoor spaces should be equipped with movable tables and chairs to accommodate groups of vary-ing sizes.

9. Seminar and study roomsLarger rooms with multi-media capa-

bilities should be available for groups and individuals to prepare and rehearse presen-tations to a group without disturbing other study gatherings.

10. Ample power for recharging mobile devices

This means multiple outlets within each group study area. Assume everyone visit-ing the facility will have to charge a smart-phone, tablet, or laptop—or all three—at some point during a study session. Impor-tant: Fast broadband speed is a must.

neW ConSTrUCTIon VS. renoVATIon—THe oPTIonS Are WIde oPenBuilding a learning commons doesn’t require wholesale new construction. Many schools simply renovate space within an existing building; others convert entire build-ings into their learning commons facility.

Cumberland University’s learning com-mons, in Lebanon, Tenn., was created with a limited budget through the renovation of what was once a residence hall. The facil-ity consists of large indoor and outdoor study areas, a double-height study lounge, snack bar, 10 seminar/study rooms, and six offices. It also features a mock interview suite with an observation room

and filming capabilities, where counselors work with students to prepare them for the workforce.

On the other hand, Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, Idaho, carved out space within its existing library for its new learning commons, which is scheduled to open this fall. NNU’s program will include academic advisors, testing services, tutors, and socialization areas, includ-ing a café and a variety of collaborative workspaces. It will also include a multime-dia studio for developing course content and an IT support desk serving both the

library and learning commons.By providing space for collaborative

means as well as individual discovery, col-leges and universities see the learning com-mons as an avenue for encouraging today’s tech-minded students to break out of their shell and gain a more well-rounded educa-tion. Expect to see growth in this building type in the years to come.+

Wendell D. Brown, AIA, LEED AP (wendellb@esarch.com), is a Design Architect and Project Manager with Earl Swensson Associates (www.esarch.com).

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The second level of Cumberland University’s new learning commons features a study lounge with plenty of room for intense individual or group study sessions. The learning commons was created with a limited budget through the renovation of a former residence hall on campus.

building trends analysisCOLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY FACILITIES