The University of Adelaide has welcomed students back to new-age facilities catering for both in-person and digital learning, after two years of learning predominantly online.
Designed by ARM Architecture, the University’s Hone & Stirling teaching space has been revamped to offer interactive, and inclusive, hybrid learning outcomes to repurpose two underutilised lecture theatres.
Completed this month, the Hone Stirling teaching space is one of the first projects nationally to respond to the changing needs of universities following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new Hone & Stirling teaching space responds to the question of how to support new blended ways of learning, and what to do with large theatre spaces that are not flexible enough in their current format. Designed as an interactive and multi-modal teaching space, Hone & Stirling’s two previously tiered lecture theatres have been transformed into a flat floor with a flexible nucleus teaching space at its core, placing teachers at the heart of the lesson, and of the room.
The design takes a unique, experiential approach, highlighting different functional zones through a three-dimensional boolean projection that warps and envelops the space. This architectural anamorphic projection device also allows for changing materials for wall finishes, carpets, ceilings and furnishings, as a tool to provide visual separation between the functional spaces for students coming in for face-to-face learning.
In the now circular space, students are able to see, hear and engage with lessons with 360- perspective to the teaching staff and other students. This allows for greater interactivity and improved learning and teaching experience – supporting an evolving, active learning pedagogy, backed by research. “We wanted the architectural design to be an example for how we can reimagine contemporary teaching spaces in the future of blended learning where lectures are largely going digital,” says ARM Principal Philippe Naudin.
“Despite the large shift to online learning, this tutorial space needed to be designed to effectively drive participation and collaboration when students are on campus earn in-person as well as cater for those tuning in virtually.” Featuring start-of-the-art interactive technologies, the new 120-capacity teaching space includes a central lectern surrounded by a continuous interactive whiteboard, allowing teaching staff to move flexibly and in no fixed position to adapt to small or larger groups in session.
A series of ten tables are radially positioned around the lectern on each side of the room, each paired with an allocated whiteboard zone and camera so that presentations and live annotations can be displayed at all times, and in all settings. “The Hone & Stirling teaching space plays a significant role in the University’s commitment to providing quality face-to-face and online learning teaching experiences for our students and staff. We are excited to be able to offer our students such an innovative and industry leading teaching space that goes beyond tradition and supports the future of education,” says Professor Suzanne Le Mire, Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor, Student Learning.
Additional technological features include strip LED-lit countdown timers within the central display that change colour to visually mark the time allotted for tasks, and interactive digital display capabilities for group presentations and activities, further supported by video conferencing modes for students learning and participating off-site.
Located in the Helen Mayo South building, adjacent to the exciting Lot Fourteen development, the Hone & Stirling teaching space opened for students in March 2022 and will play a major role in general teaching and blending learning for the University of Adelaide.
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