Designing Educational Spaces

Most of us have vivid memories of our school classrooms - walls covered in bright posters, reading corners bursting with colour, and shelves stacked with decorations of every shade imaginable. Looking back as adults, we might wince at how overstimulating it all felt. It wasn’t necessarily cluttered, but the sheer mix of colours created a sense of chaos.

A well-considered colour palette plays a crucial role in shaping learning environments. The needs of young children differ from those of adolescents, meaning design choices should evolve to support students at every stage of their education. Thoughtful colour selection can enhance focus, create a sense of calm, and contribute to a positive learning atmosphere.

Key Design Principles for Educational Spaces

1. Prioritise Timeless Design
   Redesigning classrooms, corridors, and communal areas is a significant investment, so it's important to choose materials and palettes that remain relevant over time. Rather than following short-lived trends, opt for durable finishes and thoughtfully selected colours that cater to the needs of both the environment and its users, including neurodiverse students. Read our Top Tips for Designing Neuro-Inclusive Learning Spaces.
2. Limit Bold Colours
   To create a balanced, uncluttered aesthetic, use no more than three to four statement colours and complement them with neutral tones. This approach enhances visual harmony while ensuring the space remains engaging yet calming.
3. Opt for Muted Tones
   Softer, subdued hues create a more focused and welcoming environment, preventing visual overload. While vibrant shades can add energy, they are best reserved for accents and key focal points to guide attention without overwhelming the space.

By considering these design principles, architects and designers can create educational spaces that not only inspire but also support students’ well-being and concentration at every stage of their learning journey. 

Pre-School and Primary Education Design

This palette is tailored to the younger education sector, focusing on preschoolers and primary school children. It strikes a balance between maintaining a sense of fun and reducing the visual overwhelm often associated with these environments. I’ve chosen colours that harmonise within a triadic palette to create a cohesive and balanced feel.

The Just Blue and Marine Blue are included to support relaxation and enhance concentration—perfect for nurturing young, developing minds. The pink shade, Just Rose, brings a sense of calm and softness to the space. The Spectrum Yellow, the boldest of the feature colours, adds a touch of vibrancy and energy but should be used sparingly. As the most visible colour in the spectrum, yellow symbolises optimism and joy, making it an excellent accent colour.

These tones pair seamlessly with the selected core materials, Surf and Raw Birchply, which provide a grounding and neutral base for the palette. Additionally, the Starched Paperfold is a standout feature design that adds a playful and dynamic element. Its crumpled paper look brings an engaging, tactile quality ideal for table surfaces and similar applications, making it perfectly suited for this age group.

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Secondary and Senior School Design

For the secondary and senior school palette, I’ve chosen a more muted and sophisticated colour scheme, reflecting the maturity and focus required at this stage of education.

The soft, dusky tone of Blush introduces a warm, mature pink that evokes a sense of calm and comfort, an ideal choice for reducing anxiety in students facing the pressures of exams and preparation for higher education. Adobe, a blend of orange and red, adds subtle energy and a grounding presence, fostering an environment conducive to focus and engagement.

Night Forest, an intense, dark green bordering on black, brings depth and a connection to nature, promoting a sense of wellness and calm. However, its intensity requires careful use in small quantities to maintain balance and visual appeal. Just Gold, the brightest colour in the palette, offers a gentle touch of optimism and energy without overpowering the overall muted scheme.

As with the younger education palette, I’ve retained Surf and Raw Birchply as the core materials to provide a balanced and versatile base. Additionally, the inclusion of Natural Recycled Kraft as a standout feature element ties in beautifully with the overall desaturated, mature tones, adding a unique and sustainable design element to the space.

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Higher Education and University Design

For the Higher Education palette, I aimed to create a blend of sophistication and subtle playfulness. Higher education can be an intense transition from school, so the goal is to foster spaces that feel calming, empowering, and full of encouragement.

This palette is rooted in the harmonious charm of an analogous colour scheme, where shades adjacent on the colour wheel are used to create a natural and cohesive feel. Each colour is inspired by the natural world, contributing to a serene and grounded environment.

The Denim and Thistle blues have a soft, desaturated quality, evoking a sense of calm while supporting focus and concentration. Oyster Grey, a warm beige tone, provides a grounding presence, offering stability and a cocooning sense of comfort. Meanwhile, the subtle green of Ocean Grey encourages focus and creativity, rounding out a palette that is both calming and inspiring.

To enhance the palette’s connection to nature, I’ve once again incorporated the core materials of Surf and Raw Birchply. These elements expand the natural appeal while maintaining versatility.

For a playful touch, the Spectrum Chip serves as the feature product in this palette. Its terrazzo-inspired design brings a dynamic energy that works beautifully for feature walls and surfaces. The colours within the pattern tie seamlessly into the solid colours, adding an element of fun without compromising sophistication.

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