rethinking campus and classroom design william j. mitchell nlii 2004 september 9, 2004 copyright...
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Rethinking Campus and Classroom Design
William J. MitchellNLII 2004September 9, 2004
Copyright William Mitchell, 2004. This work is the intellectual propertyof the author. Permission is granted for this material to be shared fornon-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyrightstatement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given thatthe copying is by permission of the author. To disseminate otherwise orto republish requires written permission from the author.
Media LabFumihiko Maki /Maki and Associates, Design ArchitectsLeers Weinzapfel Associates, Executive Architects
The forms and functions of learning spaces are changing rapidly as architects discover new ways to take advantage of computer and communication technologies.
New types of learning spaces not only incorporate new hardware and systems, they also create new patterns of social and intellectual interaction, alter the demand for space on campuses, and suggest new strategies for overall campus design.
The entire campus becomes an interactive learning device.
Combination of new conditions:
1. Emergence of a dense, global network of wired digital connectivity
2. Addition of efficient, wireless digital connectivity to “fill in the gaps” among wired connection points and create a continuous field of connectivity
3. Miniaturization of electronics (laptops, cellphones, PDAs, etc) to allow portability and wearability, and thus nomadic occupation of continuous fields of connectivity
4. Robustness and inexpensiveness of digital devices, making special environmental conditions unnecessary
5. Huge growth of online content, together with associated access tools such as browsers and search engines, making access to the digital world
indispensable
Some emerging principles:
1. Bring natural light, air, and view back to the classroom
2. Treat all campus spaces, including outdoor spaces and mobile spaces, as potentially wirelessly serviced ad-hoc classrooms
3. Take care of the logistics and the security of laptops, cellphones, and PDAs