Haworth HQ: Learning Space

With the campus as the classroom, there are opportunities for learning engagement everywhere, not just in the classroom. We know from our deep research into the diverse needs of students, faculty, staff, and leadership that (1) change on campus is constant, (2) choice is the new norm, (3) connection is key, and (4) challenging the status quo each play an essential role in designing campus spaces—wherever they may be. Our Learning Space takes all these characteristics into consideration, with a collection of settings and furnishings that empower flexibility, privacy, connection, and more—all with a consistent aesthetic.

Just like people working in an office environment, students, faculty, and administrators need quiet zones to decompress, accomplish solo tasks, or have confidential conversations. This peaceful solo time is critical to both well-being and productivity. With this in mind, we outfitted our individual spaces with a blend of low and high boundaries that minimize noise and visual distractions.

Considering that people need the freedom to choose how they accomplish their work, we’ve outfitted our individual spaces with adjustable furniture. Individuals can raise and lower their desk height to stay active and adjust their chairs for comfort. We’ve also provided task lighting people can use to illuminate their work or enhance their appearance in virtual meetings.

People working in both learning and office environments benefit from a sense of belonging and connection. On campus, students rely on each other as they navigate challenging assignments, juggle multiple classes, and develop deeper connections. Collaboration is a constant, accelerating learning and increasing creativity and innovation. Well-designed group spaces unleash the power of connection and collaboration, bringing people together and empowering them with the right tools and furniture.  

In our Learning Space, we’ve created a series of group settings where people can choose how and where they want to connect and collaborate. These spaces provide a range of fully enclosed, semi-private, and open collaboration zones to choose from, depending on the needs of the group. Seating ranges from a comfortable sofa to bar-height stools and task chairs on casters. This variety encourages people to adopt the best posture for the task at hand. Display screens allow groups to share digital content, while spaces with writable walls and whiteboards allow people to sketch and document ideas.

Think of all the spaces across campuses and work environments that have a variety of uses. A café for eating or solo work. A lounge where people can socialize or catch up on emails. A gathering spot where a club team could work or hang out. These multi-use spaces require a diverse mix of furniture and design considerations to support the myriad activities that happen throughout the day and often within the same location.

The multi-use setting in our Learning Space is designed to evolve in real-time. We’ve provided flexible boundaries to accommodate multiple activities occurring simultaneously. The furniture is also moveable so people can arrange and rearrange it as their needs change. We’ve created a comfortable residential ambiance to draw people into the space, with contrasting neutral and vibrant colors to give the design an energetic feel.

Education and work aren’t the only activities that happen on campus or in a corporate setting. People need spaces to socialize, relax, and have fun. These activities are deeply connected to belonging, connection, and mental well-being and help people thrive.

To create a space where people can unwind in a home-like setting, we chose comfortable, lounge-style seating. The ancillary furniture is oriented to encourage connection and includes surfaces where people can place coffee cups, books, or even games. The materials we’ve chosen are soft, warm, and inviting, and the colors are a cheerful mix of pastels and neutrals. And, we’ve added lush plants to create a soothing connection to nature.

Learning environments continue to evolve, driving the need, in some cases, for more specialized spaces. Research, studios, and eSports spaces are popping up on campuses everywhere. These spaces often support specialized learning, contain unique technology, and respond to a particular set of faculty or student needs.

Within our space we highlight a few examples: café, tech hub, and project studio. There are multiple settings where people sit quietly and reflect on their own or circle up for discussion. Lockers provide secure storage for personal items. We paid careful attention to details, adding art, accessories, and plants to give the space an inviting, more human feel.