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Resilience in the Great Outdoors

Exploring the Future of Outdoor Learning Environments on Campus

Published April 1, 2021

By Patreese Martin, AIA

Planning Types: Campus Planning

Challenges: Responding to Disruptive Events

Tags: Facilities Design, Flexible Learning Spaces, Landscape / Open Space, Learning Environments

Institutions referenced in this resource:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Eckerd College, University of California-Davis, Colby College

While adopted as a safer near-term solution, outdoor learning environments now seem likely to play a larger role in long-term planning. Schools will now use lessons learned during the pandemic to think more critically about outdoor campus space as an integral component of classroom education and to support student wellbeing. Before the Fall 2020 semester, the Siebel Center for Design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign partnered with architects and engineers to lead a virtual design charrette focused on extending the life of outdoor campus spaces as learning environments. They also reached out to schools around the country to learn about their recent experiences with these spaces.

Partner: Learning by Design

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