Multi-Purpose/Flex Labs
Spaces for 28 to 56 occupants.
Facilities Condition Assessment and Facilities Master Plan
Project/build work, hands-on, and specialized learning cannot be limited to a single-use space. Critical thinking involves multiple stages of learning, including individual research, collaborative brain-storming, hands-on exploration, project creation, and reporting findings or presentation. Large, Multi-Purpose Labs (ML) are a way to integrate these activities throughout the school day. These spaces support different types of interdisciplinary exploration by providing a flexible space for messy project creation, low-intensity science labs, experiential learning and/or curricula needing specific equipment or access to water and tools.
Compared with a more traditional approach which limits these activities to a small number of highly specialized spaces—characterized by fixed equipment, limited use and high costs, Multi-Purpose/Flex Labs are designed to support a wide variety of project types and adapt easily as future demands change.
When Multi-Purpose Labs are highly specialized, place them for easy access and shared use by the whole school.
Limit overhead cabinets to ensure locations for exterior and interior windows. Lab tables with casters will be provided to support a variety of furniture layouts.
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Direct physical access and visible connectivity to an Outdoor Learning Space enhances use and supports project/build work. Consider operable partitions and/or overhead doors with extra wide openings to open the walls and let activities spread out, in addition to material and equipment delivery.
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Embedding Multi-Purpose/Flex Labs within the Small Learning Communities not only increases exposure to and use by all learners, also it helps them become a familiar environment in the learning cycle.
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Consider exposing structure to allow for hanging display of work, and movement of large materials. Provide large movable work tables to support material layout space, teaming, and technology as necessary.
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