Engaging Students in the Design Process: Why Their Input Matters

When designing schools, architects often focus on functionality, safety, and aesthetics. However, one of the most valuable yet underutilized resources in the design process is student input. Since students are the primary users of these spaces, incorporating their perspectives can lead to more engaging, effective, and inspiring learning environments. It’s important to design a school that feels like a second home to the students, helping them feel like it’s fun to be at school.

Why Student Input is Essential

1. Enhances Functionality
   Students understand firsthand what works and what doesn’t in their current school environment. Their feedback can highlight overlooked issues, such as the need for more quiet study areas, better traffic flow in hallways, or improved classroom layouts for collaboration. Bringing students into the conversation can lead to input on how to optimize space for specialized programs like arts, STEM, or athletics.
2. Boosts Engagement & Ownership
   When students contribute to school design, they feel a sense of ownership and pride in their learning spaces. This can lead to greater respect for the facilities, reducing vandalism and increasing overall care for the environment.
3. Encourages Creativity & Problem-Solving
   Involving students in the design process fosters creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. By engaging in discussions about layouts, materials, and sustainability, students gain real-world insights into architecture, engineering, and design thinking. This is a unique opportunity that can prepare students for real-life problem solving in college, careers, and civic engagement.
4. Promotes Inclusivity
   Student input ensures that the needs of all learners are met, including those with disabilities or sensory sensitivities. By gathering diverse perspectives, architects can create spaces that are welcoming, accessible, and adaptable to different learning styles.
5. Supports Future-Ready Learning Environments
   Schools should be designed to prepare students for the future. By listening to students’ ideas about flexible classrooms, technology integration, and outdoor learning spaces, architects can create environments that support modern educational practices.

Real-World Examples of Student Engagement in School Design

Many school districts have successfully integrated student feedback into their architectural plans, leading to vibrant, student-centered learning environments. Here are a few notable examples of how extensive student engagement sessions shaped the design of new schools:

Akron Public Schools – Pirate-Themed Elementary School

When Akron Public Schools planned to build a combined elementary and performing arts middle school, they took an innovative approach by directly involving K-5 students in the design process.

Students were invited to participate in engagement sessions where they shared ideas about what they wanted their new school to feel like. Several mood boards were created, each showcasing a different theme:

• “Legoland Learning”
• “Under The Sea”
• “Donut Dreams”
• “Treasure Island”
• “Nature’s Nest”
• “Space Station”
• “Cloud Nine”
• “Forest Friends”

These mood boards were sent to every student in the school along with a survey for them to rank and comment on their favorites. Ultimately, the students chose the Treasure Island theme, which was a perfect match since the school’s mascot is a pirate. This decision helped create a fun and immersive environment that resonates with students and fosters school spirit.

Westerville City Schools – Annehurst Elementary School

The same student-driven design process was applied to Annehurst Elementary School within the Westerville City Schools district. Through engagement sessions and mood boards, students selected themes that reflected their interests and imaginations:

• Annehurst Elementary School – Forest Theme: Inspired by nature, this theme fosters a calm, organic learning environment that brings elements of the outdoors inside. A Project Based Learning Area (PBLA) was implemented involving a “treehouse” – a second story area for learning, reading, and collaborative learning in front of large floor-to-ceiling windows that let in natural light, which adds to the nature theming.

Columbus City Schools – Student-Designed Media Centers & Cafeterias

For various middle schools in Columbus City Schools, students were actively involved in designing the furniture layouts for their media centers and cafeterias.

During engagement sessions, students were given cutouts of different furniture pieces and asked to arrange them on floor plans in ways that best suited their needs. They then worked in groups to present their layouts to designers and their peers, making compelling arguments for their choices.

Key takeaways from their discussions included:

• Solo Areas: Some students advocated for additional individual seating, allowing those who wanted to study, read, or decompress during lunchtime to have their own space without interruptions.
• More Collaborative Seating: Others pushed for larger tables to accommodate big friend groups, as lunch was one of the only times they could socialize with peers they didn’t have classes with.

These projects demonstrate the power of student engagement in shaping school design. By allowing students to contribute their ideas, architects and school districts can create environments that are not only functional but also inspiring, fun, and deeply connected to the school’s identity.

How to Involve Students in the Design Process

• Surveys & Focus Groups: Conducting surveys or small group discussions can help gather insights from students of different ages and backgrounds.
• Design Workshops: Interactive workshops allow students to brainstorm ideas, sketch layouts, and provide creative input.
• Student Advisory Committees: Establishing a committee of student representatives can ensure continuous feedback throughout the design and construction phases.
• Virtual Reality Walkthroughs: Allowing students to explore 3D models of proposed designs can help them visualize the space and offer meaningful feedback.
• Collaboration with Educators: Teachers can facilitate student discussions on what makes an ideal learning space, bridging the gap between education and architecture.

Ready to create a learning environment that inspires students, engages communities, and supports educational excellence? Contact us today to learn how our student-centered design approach can transform your school.