Education

Designing a Creative Learning Environment
Schools are an institution for learning and they should be designed in a way to encourage creativity and a thirst for knowledge. Face it –we’ve all been in that dreary classroom that inspires daydreams and sleepiness instead of creativity and interest. Your design and color choices play a huge role in how students learn. Studies have been released linking certain colors and patterns to stimulate learning and create an environment that inspires deep thinking. Some of the findings include:

Creating Creative Environments

• Warm, bright colors help influence extroverted natures in preschool and elementary edge children
• Cool colors help concentration levels for secondary students
• Hallways have unlimited color ranges and can be used to add personality and differentiate parts of the school
• Pale colors (especially green) encourage concentration and quietness in libraries
• Overall the colors should create a positive, cheerful environment that does not over-stimulate.

Current Design Trends
Current design trends in education design are focused on bringing in real color – no more all white and tan rooms, but actual colors and patterns. There are colors that encourage learning and inspire creativity that is needed in education applications. Vibrant and bright colors are used in elementary schools while cool and calm colors are more common in secondary schools. The trends are also going towards using more stone and wood look-a-likes, to make the environment feel more like home.

Creating Healthy, Comfortable & Flexible Learning Spaces
In a report done by the American Architectural Foundation called “Great Schools by Design” information was compiled during a national summit comprised of teachers, parents, students, school administrators, architects, designers and community groups – all people with different points of views and a deep understanding of the education environment. The report details eight recommendations for school design.

Great Schools By Design: Eight Recommendations for School Designs

1. Design Schools to Support a Variety of Learning Styles
2. Enhance Learning by Integrating Technology
3. Foster a “Small School” Culture
4. Support Neighborhood Schools
5. Create Schools as Centers of Community
6. Engage the Public in the Planning Process
7. Make Healthy, Comfortable and Flexible Learning Spaces
8. Consider Non-Traditional Options for School Facilities

These eight recommendations discuss creating the ideal learning environment – including everything from the location of the facility to the design of the interior. Obviously, you don’t have a say in where the school will be built or whether it will be a new construction or building remodel – but you do have control over what happens inside. We’ll discuss the relevant recommendations in this presentation and give you ideas for incorporating them into great surfacing designs.

The results of this report also show that education environments need to do more than just look nice – they need to be functional. Functional means more than the abilty to withstand use and time – it has grown to include healthy, flexible and comfortable learning spaces.

Healthy School Surfacing Options
There are special considerations to be kept in mind when designing for a school or education environment, including hygiene needs, bacteria resistance and the cleanability of a product. Laminate is non-porous, resists bacteria, and is easy to clean.

Healthy School Surfacing Options

• GreenGuard
• LEED for Schools

Of course, healthy building materials should also be green to begin with. The US Green Building Council has developed specific LEED guidelines for schools. LEED for schools addresses the uniqueness of school designs and children’s health needs. It also helps focus on creating flexible learning spaces, similar to the National Summit report.

Math Lesson: Example LEED Points for Laminate Useage

• 1 point (recycled content due to its raw material content)
• 2 points (recycled content of the end product)
• 1 point (wood materials certified in accordance with FSC guidelines)
• 1 point (Low-Emitting Materials - Adhesives and Sealant)

Total: 5 LEED Points

Building Health Schools: Core Requirements

• NEMA: National Electrical Manufactures Association
• ANSI: American National Standards Institute
• ASTM: American Society for Testing & Methods
• NSF: National Sanitation Foundation

As with any building project, there are several building codes, standards and requirements that must be adhered to. All laminate products are monitored by NEMA – the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. And both laminate and solid surfacing materials have approvals by the best in the business – including ANSI , ASTM and NSF. These organizations measure against voluntary standards for the purpose of improving quality, reducing costs, ensuring safety and confidence of the users.

Comfortable School Surfacing Options
Comfort may not be the first thing to come to mind when thinking of surfacing options, but there are simple design choices that can make a big difference in the comfort level of a student. For example, rounded edge treatments in areas where they will be leaning across the counter or special shaped work stations specifically designed for group work. Also keep in mind the target age group and design to their height.

Flexible School Surfacing Options
Designers, builders and those who manage the purse strings are also looking for flexible materials – something that can be used for several functions now and in the future. School designs now need to consider the fact that when school is not in session, the building will be used by the community for other functions.

Cost-Effective School Design
Over $30 billion dollars is spent annually on school construction, repairs and maintenance and every dollar is carefully budgeted, distributed and monitored. Everyone from the school board to the tax payers will be watching to make sure they are getting the most for their money on every detail that goes into the school – and that includes surfacing.

When selecting surfacing for education applications, you need options that will look great, last a long time and have a low life-cycle cost – options that are able to earn their keep. This is where laminate can really stand out.

Advantages of Laminate

Design Options
Laminate is available in a plethora of design options. It comes in all the standard solid colors and hundreds of patterns – such as granite and natural stones, marbles, metals and even wood grains.

Versatility
Laminate is an extremely versatile material. It can be used in many different ways – from countertops to walls, and can be routed and shaped into many different forms to fit any application you can design. You are also able to select seam points and edge options.

Life-Cycle Cost
Laminate has one of the lowest life-cycle costs among surfacing materials due to its low maintenance needs, overall strength and durability, easy cleanability and, of course, a less expensive initial cost.

Extra Credit: Additional Features
Laminate is widely used in commercial and high-traffic settings because of its durability, easy maintenance and easy installation. Laminate has the ability to withstand heavy use and even the rowdiest classrooms of kids. Laminate surfaces do not need to be sealed and can be cleaned simply with soap and water. Contractors like working with laminate because it is easy to work with and install.

Additional Features

Design Options: Laminate

• Solids
• Patterns
• Wood Grains

High definition laminate is available in a rainbow section of solid colors, modern or traditional patterns and even a variety of wood species. Wood grains can range from a traditional oak or cherry to exotic bamboo or mahogany.

Design Options

• Stones
• Marbles
• Metals

They also can mimic the look of real stones and marble, such as quartz, granite, porcelain and cement or even standard and glamours metals.

• Custom

Laminate can be made with almost any pattern or print. Custom laminates usually have a minimum size requirement.

Effective Applications

• Classrooms: Counters, sink areas, student and teacher desks
• Computer rooms
• Science labs
• Kitchens/kitchenettes
• Vanity tops and restroom partitions
• Columns and wainscoting
• Teacher’s Lounges
• Nurse’s offices
• Cafeteria counters and tables
• Interior walls and doors.