A NEW TAKE ON THE SCHOOL LIBRARY – “THE CENTRE FOR ENQUIRY”
The construction of a new building presented an opportunity to redefine the role of the library within Aiglon College. The teaching staff wanted to bring it firmly into the heart of the school, creating a space that was open, inviting, supporting and included a makerspace. The idea was to ensure the library was an expression of one of the school’s Guiding Principles, which encourages its students to be ‘inquisitive and motivated learners, able to reach an understanding of the world around them through rigorous and critical thinking and the acquisition of a strong body of knowledge’.
THE CONCEPT BEHIND THE MAGIC
What students said: Upon meeting some of the students it was apparent how much they enjoyed their location, high in the Swiss Alps, and the stunning views from the balcony. They said they’d like to be able to curl up on the balcony with a hot chocolate and a good book, enjoying fresh air and the beautiful mountain outlook.
Solution: All three of the zones in the Centre for Enquiry have access to outside space and not just because the students like it: physical movement and being in a natural environment are both proven to boost cognitive performance. The school had considered extending the library into the space occupied by the balcony but its benefits to learning and the students’ reaction convinced them otherwise.
"Having the café space in the library, where students and staff bump into each other and chat, has been transformational in terms of relationships.”
"When we were commissioning the design for the Centre for Enquiry, other companies gave us what we thought we wanted. Space Oasis gave us what we actually needed.”
THE THREE KEY ZONES OF THE CENTRE FOR ENQUIRY
Located in the heart of the school, located between two floors of learning spaces, the Centre for Enquiry has three main zones designed to support different types of learning.
1) Quiet Study Space
A defined area with tiered seating and individual tables where you might find a sixth former working on an extended project for their IB, a group gathering for a plenary session or, for example, a presentation from a visiting author or guest. The mobile tiered seating can be moved in order to subdivide the space, or to create a tightly focused arena for presentations or readings. This space also has mobile Learning Surface® Bite tables with flip tops so they can be nested to the side to create clear space. This is an area where students can move around, choosing how and where they want to work.
2) Main Library
3) Makerspace
At the opposite end of the library to the quiet study zone is the makerspace, which is where the hands-on exploration and self-directed, practical learning happens. On one side you’ll find 3D printers, workbenches, green screen and ceiling-mounted power with pull-down cables complemented by soft seating and tiered seating (for instruction and demonstrations), with book storage in the back. The opposite side is dedicated to paper: printers, cutting mats, tools for laminating, collating and binding, plus recycling bins. The central area of the makerspace zone is a clear space for demonstrating your creations, with a chalkboard paint floor so you can measure how far your elastic band car / paper plane / robot gets. In this space the balcony could act as a drop zone for experiments involving gravity.
The end result is a place where students feel welcome, where they have the freedom to explore, experiment and learn in a way that suits them. And if they just need some thinking time, there are quiet spaces, comfortable chairs and places to sit and reflect.
The Result
TTS Learning Spaces is proud to be working with SpaceOasis to create innovative and exciting learning environments for international schools. A special thank you to the team for supplying this case study.
