Make a Positive Impact | Learning Edition
Introduction
Education Giveaway in partnership with Smith System
Transforming the Counseling Area at The Exploris School
To foster engaging and flexible learning environments, Storr Office Environments, in collaboration with Smith System, launched an inspiring initiative: the Make a Positive IMPACT | Learning Edition Giveaway. This initiative offered a unique opportunity for schools in the Triangle and Eastern regions of North Carolina to reimagine and revitalize their learning spaces. The giveaway aimed to enhance educational experiences by providing a fully renovated learning space tailored to meet the needs of both teachers and students.
The Winning School: A Journey to Transformation
The Winning School: A Journey to Transformation
The winner of the giveaway was selected based on the creativity, clarity, and potential impact of their submission. The chosen school embarked on a transformative journey with Storr Office Environments and Smith System to create a space that would inspire and engage students and teachers alike.
The Exploris School, identified their counseling area as a focal point for this transformation. The project not only revamped the physical space but also significantly contributed to the well-being and functionality of the school environment, embodying a shared commitment to enhancing educational experiences.
A well-respected educational institution in Raleigh, NC, The Exploris School, prides itself on its student-centered approach, where fostering a supportive and nurturing environment is paramount. The counseling area, deemed the heart of the school, serves as a crucial space where students seek guidance, support, and a sense of security. Recognizing the importance of this space, the school saw an opportunity to enhance its functionality and atmosphere through the Classroom Giveaway.
Partnership and Planning
Partnership and Planning
Storr Office Environments and Smith System brought together their expertise to conceptualize a transformation plan that aligned with the needs and values of The Exploris School. The planning phase involved close collaboration between the school and the design teams from Storr and Smith System, focusing on:
Partnership and Planning
– Assessment: Evaluating the current state of the counseling area and learning spaces to identify key areas for improvement. This included understanding the specific needs and challenges, such as the lack of storage, privacy, zoning, and space, through consultations with teachers, students, administrators, and counselors.
– Collaboration: Engaging with school administrators, counselors, and students to understand their vision and requirements. Design workshops were conducted to gather input and ideas from the school community, ensuring the final design reflected their collective vision.
– Design: Developing a design concept that promoted a calming and welcoming atmosphere essential for a counseling space, as well as incorporating flexible furniture, advanced technology, and innovative layouts to support various teaching and learning styles.
– Functionality: Ensuring the new layout and furniture would support various activities, from one-on-one counseling sessions to small group interactions, while also accommodating diverse teaching and learning styles.
Our team’s assessment identified several unique challenges in the original space, pictured above.
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We chose to pick our support team space rather than a traditional classroom because we want to serve all students in our school rather than just one grade level.
Matthew Moreland
The Exploris School
Execution and Transformation
Rendering of counseling and intervention space for The Exploris School. Property of Storr + Smith System.
Execution and Transformation
The execution phase brought the design to life through a series of carefully planned steps:
– Space Renovation: Incorporating calming colors to reflect a cozy, calming environment conducive to counseling, academic intervention, and social-emotional learning. Organizing the space to facilitate easy movement and ensure privacy. Different zones were created for individual and small group activities, allowing for diverse use of the area, including spaces tailored to academic and sensory needs.
– Furniture Installation: Installing high-quality, ergonomically designed furniture from Smith System that supports collaborative learning, individual work, and 1:1 counseling sessions, and inclusive space for all students. This included adjustable seating, collaborative tables, and soft furnishings that create a cozy, inviting environment.
The Impact
The Impact
The transformation of the counseling area profoundly impacts The Exploris School community. The benefits included:
– Enhanced Well-being: Students report feeling more comfortable and secure in the new, more private, and cozy environment, which positively affects their willingness to seek support.
– Improved Functionality: The versatile design allows for a range of activities, from private counseling sessions to group discussions, making the space more adaptable to different needs. The flow of the room has improved, providing fluidity and creating a cohesive space dedicated to students.
– Strengthened Connections: The new layout and design provide better ways to connect with students, fostering stronger relationships and more effective communication.
– Community Pride: The transformation instills a sense of pride and accomplishment within the school community, highlighting the importance of a conducive social-emotional hub on campus.
Cozy, acoustical space designed to host counseling sessions, small group collaboration, and individual work.
Conclusion
The Smith System Cascade provided a needed space barrier which provides room for more intimate meetings in addition to providing compact storage.
The Make a Positive IMPACT | Learning Edition Giveaway by Storr Office Environments, in partnership with Smith System, exemplifies the powerful impact of thoughtfully designed learning spaces on educational outcomes. By providing a fully renovated learning environment, the initiative not only transformed a physical space but also revitalized the spirit of the school community. This case study demonstrates the potential of innovative design and collaborative efforts in creating dynamic, engaging, and effective learning environments that promote a positive and thriving school community.
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At the end of the day we support one cause, and that’s to enable the genius inside every student.
Michelle Lessman
Smith System
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