Designing Seminar Rooms

Workshop at the 2013 Student/Staff Conference

Workshop plan

Introductions

Exercise 1: what makes a great seminar?

Our newest seminar rooms: MB1012, MB1019 and MB1020

Exercise 2: using metaphors to imagine new seminar spaces

Continuing the dialogue

Introductions

What’s your name?

What do you do? (your course or job title)

Exercise 1: what makes a great seminar?

Remember your best seminar experience

What made it great?

What did you do physically?

Did it change you? If so, how?

Was the room a factor? If so, how?

Our newest seminar rooms: MB1012, MB1019 and MB1020

Designed to support knowledge production in small groups

No “official” layout – students and staff decide

Node chairs

Multiple whiteboards

More space per person (2.3 sq m)

Calm colour palette

Exercise 2: using metaphors to imagine new seminar spaces

Example: the McLaren Production Centre

Rapidly reconfigurable to meet changing needs

Small groups working together productively

Calm, neutral colour palette to minimise distractions

Exercise 2: using metaphors to imagine new seminar spaces

In your groups, choose a metaphor and write or sketch:

What is the metaphor?

What is significant about it?

What will people physically do in the space?

How will they feel during / after seminars?

Exercise 2: using metaphors to imagine new seminar spaces

In your groups, think of a metaphor. On your whiteboards, tell us:

What is the metaphor?

Which aspects of it are most essential?

What will people do in the space?

How will they feel?

Thank you for participating!

Continuing the dialogue

Comment on the Learning Landscapes blog:

http://learninglandscapes.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk

Tweet @LincolnEstates with questions, issues, ideas

Email space@lincoln.ac.uk