Willard Building is one of the most classroom-dense buildings on campus, however, it does not have a space where students can sit comfortably between classes or work together.  The picture above is fairly typical.  Students can often be found sitting on the floor reading, studying, doing homework, text messaging, or listening to music while they wait for their next class. 

The main lobby of Willard has vending machines and newspapers, but too much foot traffic for an informal learning space.  However, the hallways on the first and second floor may be areas where we can install benches, provide power, and install some writing surfaces without taking away from classroom space or blocking the hallways.

Location: University Park, Old Main and vicinity

Style(s): Classroom Porch

Features: Foot Traffic, Refreshments, Wireless Internet

Possible Improvements: Seating (Benches), Writing Surfaces, Power

Kunkle Lounge connects the Hammond and Sackett Buildings, near the corner of South Allen Street and College Avenue.  This multiple-story lounge is a popular study and meeting area for students in the College of Engineering.  In fact, while the room is open to everyone during normal business hours, College of Engineering students can get access to the lounge using their student ID card during some weekday evenings.

The features of this lounge are fairly basic: flexible furniture, good lighting, wireless access, and a convenient location.  There is an attendant desk, but the students who work there are mainly on site to answer questions about the College of Engineering and share their own experiences with internships and programs like Study Abroad.

Location: University Park, Old Main and vicinity

Style(s): Classroom Porch, Collaboration

Features: Flexible Furniture, Foot Traffic, Natural Lighting, Wireless Internet

Possible Improvements: Writing surfaces, Displays, Power

The Hetzel Union Building is literally "The HUB" of student activity.  The HUB is heavily used by students as a resting area between classes, where they can get something to eat or drink, meet up with friends, get some homework done, participate in student activities, watch television, read a newspaper, and participate in other cocirricular activities.  The pictures shown above were taken around 11:00 a.m.  At that time, every corner of the HUB was packed with students.  The ground floor of the HUB is noisier and tends to be where groups of students gather to eat and talk.  The upper floor had more students who were reading or studying in a quieter environment.  "Quiet" is used in relative terms.  The upper floor is still buzzing with activity. 

The variety of spaces, wireless Internet, comfortable seating, and access to refreshments makes this building the most popular informal learning space on campus.  In addition, the HUB is designed to be student-centric and discipline-neutral.  This creates a feeling of ownership of this space, which contributes to its popularity.

Location: University Park, HUB and vicinity

Style(s): Lounge/Cafe, Collaboration

Features: Flexible Furniture, Foot Traffic, Natural Lighting, Open Access, Refreshments, Wireless Internet

Possible Improvements: More reliable wireless access, Writing surfaces

The University Learning Centers has a beautiful study/work area on the bottom floor of Sparks Building.  The space is designed so students can work alone, in groups, or 1-on-1 with one of the ULC's many subject tutors.  The space has flexible seating, such as the furniture pictured above as well as normal computers and specialized computers for audio and video editing. The space has a welcoming feel, created by a combination of a modern design, student artwork, plants, and soft lighting.  Although the space is 10 years old, it has been very well maintained and looks new.  The location is very convenient, since it is surrounded by classroom buildings and near Pattee Library.

This space is run by the University Learning Centers, but any student can use it, whether they are meeting with a tutor or just need a space to meet with a group.   For more information, please see the ULC's Web Site.

Location: University Park, Pattee Library and vicinity

Styles: Breakout/Presentation, Collaboration

Features: Attendant Desk, Flexible Furniture, Lighting and Sound, Power, Wired Internet, Wireless Internet

Possible Improvements: Writing Surfaces

The second floor of Pollock is home to the Digital Commons studio, a large computer lab, and some informal learning spaces.  These learning spaces are places where multiple students can sit around tables and work collaboratively, taking advantage of large tables, flexible seating, and large displays.  This space is ideal for students who need to work on digital media projects since the studio spaces nearby have green screens, high-end camera equipment, sound recording spaces, editing equipment, and staff who are trained on the production of audio and video media.

To read more about this space or to reserve a studio space, see the Digital Commons Web site.

Location: University Park, South and Pollock Halls

Style(s): Digital Media, Collaboration, Breakout/Presentation

Features:  Wired Internet, Wireless Internet, Power, Large Displays, Flexible Furniture, Media Recording, Lighting and Sound, 24 Hour Operation, Open Access (lab and collaboration spaces), Reserved Space (studios), Attendant Desk

Possible Improvements: Additional Collaborative Spaces

The University Learning Centers have opened a new "Teamwork Center" in 102 Wagner Building.  In addition to flexible seating in the main area, the Teamwork Center has four private rooms that can hold up to six people.  These rooms are equipped with a whiteboard and Windows computer. Go to the ULC's Teamwork Page to get more information and make a reservation.

Location: University Park, IM and Shields buildings

Style(s): Collaboration, Breakout/Presentation

Features:  Wireless Internet, Power, Flexible Furniture, Open Access (entry area), Reception Desk, Reserved Space (team rooms)

Possible Improvements: Displays for Laptops or Projectors in the Team Rooms, Writing Surfaces in the entry area

In December, some representatives from Hermann Miller came to Penn State to discuss their Space to Learn designs.  I went to their web site and found where they have some of the ideas put together along with their research, philosophy, approach, and nearly fourty case studies from colleges, universities, and libraries.  The research topics are pretty interesting.  They have papers on design topics like lighting, accoustics, color choice, layout, and ergonomics in support of collaboration, innovation, diversity, and environmental responsbility.