Spatial Design

For course EDER 679.47 Spatial Relationships and the Educational Environment, I was challenged to redesign a currently under-utilized and marginalized space. I chose the front entrance of the innovative learning classroom of the Grade 10 Building Futures site located in Airdrie, Alberta. Using the Human Centred Design process, I then delved into field tactics to determine what users needed in this space. This process put the users front and centre of the design. I gained from the this experience, a greater understanding of the idea anything is fair game for redesign if we choose to take a perspective of “possibilities are endless”. Further, in Education and life, ways of doing and being do not have to remain the same if we choose to make things better.

What is the Design Challenge? How might we innovate the underutilized front entrance breezeway space between two adjacent rooms in order to enhance the learning environment?

What is the ultimate impact? An improved educational space to further inspire innovation and engage grade 10 learners. A space to welcome and support frequent transitions in order to foster grade 10 culture and sense of place. To foster a greater connection through storytelling and sense of place with the community as Building Futures is one of the learning Inspiring Education model programs and McKee homes is a local builder.

Who are the clients of this space?  

• 32 Grade Ten students.
• Two Grade 10 teachers.
• McKee Homes local home builder/owner.
• Various trade workers.
• Frequent guest student Teachers & guest teachers.
• Visiting Educational specialists 

Human Centered Design Field Research Tactics:

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The Prototyping Process

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Video of the Design Process & Self Reflection

Turner, Alison. (2015). Spatial Design Task Reflection [Youtube video]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/jFsbeHS0Woo