COVID-19 has changed the way students learn. To reduce the chances of virus transmission, classrooms and campuses around the nation look quite different. Interior designers are helping institutions nationwide conform to changing guidelines and keep students and faculty safe. Here are some changes to expect now and in the future.

Classroom Changes That Are Happening Now

Currently, most students are telecommuting in some capacity. Some colleges only offer remote learning, while others have combined in-person and remote classes. Institutions that offer onsite sessions must adhere to social-distancing guidelines established by health organizations. For example, occupied tables must remain six feet apart, which might require staggering student schedules or rotating desks in a checkerboard pattern to minimize direct contact.

When proper distancing isn’t possible in traditional classrooms, some universities use larger spaces like gymnasiums and libraries for teaching. Schools have also installed transparent barriers to separate students and reduce the likelihood of virus transmission.

Changes You Might See in the Future

As the pandemic subsides in the future, schools will look for ways to safely bring remote students back to campus. Some institutions may choose to keep pupils in set classrooms and have faculty move between rooms to reduce traffic around the premises. They may also work with interior designers to choose desks and chairs with smooth surfaces that can be disinfected more easily.

A post-pandemic world also calls for flexible furniture that can be altered and repurposed. For example, schools may rely more heavily on lightweight and moveable tables that educators and students can rearrange to conform to new guidelines.

If you need assistance redesigning a college learning space, turn to the professionals at Interior Landscapes. Serving Kansas City, MO, and the surrounding area, these interior designers have more than 150 years of combined experience planning commercial layouts. They will provide you with renderings, drawings, and floor plans to help you picture what your space will look like. Learn more about their work with educational facilities online, or call (816) 842-2120 to schedule a design consultation.