4 Steps Colleges Can Take to Stay Flexible

Important Factors for Campus Planning

A critical focus in planning higher education spaces is promoting adaptability and accommodating evolving programming needs. While challenges within the post-secondary educational environment can occur, many of these issues can be effectively addressed through a well-thought out design.

Here are four ways colleges and universities can remain versatile in addressing the needs of their student body, faculty, and campus staff.

1. Increase Flex Spaces

Whether you refer to them as flex spaces or in-between spaces, these multi-use locations blur the lines between academic, social, and communal spaces. Flexible spaces allow campus leaders a way to adapt an area for unknown future uses. Although they are most common in student centers and academic buildings, universities are implementing flex spaces on different scales to support the use of underutilized spaces. Spacesaver's Flexible Shelving units are designed to securely store and transport materials to the point of use for the day's needs, allowing staff and students to create the best environment for the day's objective.

2. Focus on Interactivity and Hybrid Learning

Similar to how offices have evolved to account for remote working, universities have also changed their approach to how space is configured to meet the needs of its students. To offer additional opportunities for hybrid learning within their space, administrators can employ storage solutions that are both adaptable and efficient. High-density mobile shelving systems eliminate the wasted aisle space traditional static shelving requires, providing increased capacity and usable footprint.

3. Put Student and Faculty Interests First

To prevent a decline in registration and to remain competitive with other institutions seeking to attract students and professors from the same candidate pool, it is paramount to understand what these groups value most and find new ways to improve collaboration beyond the classroom. By using modular systems that can adapt to changing needs, university leaders can reframe their thinking and design their schools around a student-centric approach, enabling everyone within the college's community to reach their goals.

4. Remove Literal and Figurative Barriers

The ability to adapt and change is key to growth, and this is especially true for those looking to better themselves through higher education. Movable partitions provide ultimate flexibility to inspire a spirit of creativity, innovation, and student development. These partitions partner with other Spacesaver storage solutions, allowing a space to be adapted to fit any need.

Fitting Your Function

The architecture and creation of highly functional interior spaces can keep students and institutions thriving in the short term and transform them for the long term. Thoughtfully designed spaces foster an environment conducive to learning, collaboration, and innovation, which are essential for academic success. By integrating flexible and adaptable elements, these spaces can easily accommodate evolving educational needs and technological advancements. This not only enhances the immediate learning experience but also ensures that institutions remain relevant and competitive in the future. Effective space planning and design can significantly impact student engagement, faculty satisfaction, and overall institutional growth, making it a crucial investment for any educational establishment.