The James Hamilton Academy at Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire will be replaced by a new learning campus which is currently under construction. A small group of five volunteer 3rd year students started working on a shed design project guided by their tech teacher, with the aspiration to take this shed to their new school once completed. Architecture and Design Scotland facilitated a mini classroom “hack”, working closely with teachers and pupils to help them understand how they could use their classroom space better, and make the space work harder to respond to their educational needs. Through exploring different settings the teachers and pupils realised how different spatial designs can affect learning environments, and for this particular project, how they can then transfer this learning to their shed project.
Campbeltown Grammar: Try Before You Buy
Pupils and teachers have been at the heart of a project creating a working exhibition space in Campbeltown Grammar exploring new ways of learning.

Learning and Teaching Settings: Prototyping and Incremental Change – Publication
Learning and Teaching Settings: Prototyping and Incremental Change - Publication

Settings for Learning: Identifying New Approaches
Publication outlining new approaches for Settings for Learning

Three New Further Education Case Studies
From our latest research into learning spaces, we present good practice on designing for STEM, social learning and in-between spaces.

Case Study: STEM Spaces in Further Education
Exemplars took a blended approach to design, connecting STEM spaces to the rest of campus. We look at the importance of innovation from institutions.

Case Study: Social Learning Spaces in Further Education
Places that encourage learning through collaboration are important for developing and applying classroom learning. We look at these spaces.

Case Study: In-Between Spaces in Further Education
Some spaces create valuable exchanges and connections for educational buildings but defy convention. In-betwen spaces are key to a sense of community.

Event Report: Learning Estate Investment Programme
In December 2020, with Scottish Futures Trust, we hosted an event on the Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) Phase 1 projects.

SERVICE: Tests of Change – repurposing learning spaces
The Tests of Change project aims to create excellent teaching and learning environments using Space Hacks and testing solutions in a learning space.

SERVICE: Design Advice for Schools
A&DS offers a design support to education authorities offering an external view, peer support, facilitation and learning networks.

Blog: Be radical – ask young people what they think – Jack Dudgeon, MSYP.
Jack Dudgeon MSYP for Eastwood and Vice Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, asks designers to be radical when they create learning spaces.

Wellbeing as a foundation for learning – Education Buildings Scotland Conference 2018
Young People, wellbeing and creating better learning outcomes will be part of this year’s Education Buildings Conference in 2018.

20 Inspiring Learning Spaces
A leaflet summarising the learning from 20 individual Inspiring Please Spaces projects, supporting the Inspiring Learning Spaces publication.