Classroom Designs that Enhance Learning

Steiner classrooms make an impression. They are intentional, moveable, include natural elements and light, soft colour, and are uncluttered. Entering rooms like these can invoke feelings of comfort and wellbeing. 

A classroom that is well designed can improve academic progress by 16–25% 1

A year-long study found that classroom design can affect a student’s academic progress by 25 per cent. Looking at data from 751 students in 34 different classrooms, researchers found that an entire academic year could be gained if a student is in the best-designed classroom compared with the worst. 2 

Benefits of good design

There is strong evidence that good design of education facilities offers many benefits, including:

• increased academic performance
• improved sense of safety and pride
• improved behaviour
• reduced vandalism and bullying
• reduced absenteeism
• helping to attract and retain staff

Studies from have found six key elements provide an ideal learning environments -- natural lighting; windows that open or other proper ventilation; simple colour schemes; simple visuals and non-cluttered visual stimuli; flexible / moveable room layouts; and nature and greenery. 

Steiner educators at The Alice Springs Steiner School have intuitively followed the best practices of classroom design and understand the importance of creating a balanced, flexible, and health-conscious environment that enhances learning and well-being.

Our classrooms are designed with a focus on natural light, good air quality, balanced visual stimulation, and allow flexible layouts. Our school as a whole is designed to support better educational outcomes and foster a positive learning atmosphere.

Heat is obviously a huge factor in our environment here in Central Australia and it is not only air-conditioning can help mitigate the impact of heat. Our buildings have a serpentine, lineal arrangement and they have been careful placed on campus. Their design and orientation considers the placement of thermal mass and how best to work with the local climatic conditions. Ceiling fans and louvres also play a role in moving air around our classrooms. 

The verandahs on our building are designed to create a cooler air flow into the classrooms; they also act as a gutter. The verandahs collect the water from all the roofs where it is delivered to underground storage for use on the school gardens. Our outdoor learning area frames views to the ranges from the southern garden, and creates a circulation/ visual link from the southern garden to the school’s playing fields.

Steiner schools in Australia are rising in popularity and this is one of the many reasons why. 

1 Ibid.; Barrett P et al. 2015a, Clever classrooms: summary report of the HEAD Project, University of Salford, http://www.salford.ac.uk/cleverclassrooms/1503-Salford-Uni-Report-DIGIT…; Barrett P et al. 2015b ‘The impact of classroom design on pupils’ learning: final results of a holistic, multi-level analysis’, Building and Environment, vol. 89, p. 128.
1 Barrett P et al. 2013, op. cit.
66 Barrett P et al. 2015a, op. cit.; Barrett P et al. 2015b,op. cit.